There is a scene in the movie "Forrest Gump" where Tom Hanks decides he wants to go for a little run.

His character runs from coast to coast and back again in less than eight minutes of screen time while constantly telling people that he "just felt like running." While the movie mixes factual events with extravagant tales, there is nothing fictional about Katie Visco's quest to become the youngest woman to run across the United States, and unlike Gump, Visco is running with a purpose.

"I'm running because I really want to inspire people to follow their passion," Visco said. "I really feel like people need that kind of inspiration and that nudge. From my belief and experience, feeling and knowing you can come alive, then you can give your best to the world."

Visco began her journey on March 29 in Boston, where she recently finished a year-long program with City Year after graduating from Carleton in 2007.

The 24-year-old Glen Ellyn native has logged 963 miles so far and plans on running 18.4 miles from LaPorte to Portage today before speaking to the Calumet Junior Striders at Chesterton High School.

"I'm trying to show people what it means to find yourself and then follow yourself," Visco said. "That message can apply to kids in elementary school, kids in high school, people in college looking for a major, people in their 30s, even people in their 50s."

Visco plans on finishing up her 3,200-mile journey in San Diego shortly before Christmas. While the run is taking nearly nine months, Visco cautions that nothing in her life is being put on hold.

"This is my life," Visco said. "This is my career, my job, what I want to do. I simply am following my passion to give to my life. Nothing is on hold, everything is alive."

While Hanks' movie character started his transatlantic journey on a whim, Visco's trip has been well thought out. Complete with a Web site (PaveYourLane.org), sponsors and a mapped out route, Visco is raising money for the charity Girls on the Run, a nonprofit program for preteen girls that endorses self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.

"I knew that I wanted to do this run ever since I started running in high school," Visco said. "I was just fishing for a strong enough reason and a cause."

Visco is eager to spread her message and her experiences at Chesterton tonight, just as she has throughout her long journey.

"I make stops at schools and running groups all the time and I just love talking to the girls," Visco said. "It's about the message, not the messenger."