Holl started picking up marathons in her 50's

Cathy Holl is the vice president of the San Diego Track Club (SDTC). She’s also a wife of 31 years, a mother of two successful boys, and she ran her first marathon three years ago, at the age of 50, where she qualified for Boston with a time of 3:57:37.

Cathy isn’t your typical runner.

Before being a runner, she is a wife, mother, and friend. She’s small-town girl with the determination of a hawk--once her mind is made up, she’s going do it. Despite her intense soul, Cathy has the heart of pure gold.

Cathy is constantly reinventing herself. However, despite her continuous evolution, Cathy’s foundation stays solid--her family.

Cathy grew up in Medford, Minnesota, consisting of only 650 people. Although sports weren’t popular for girls at the time, Title IX (1972) directives provided Cathy with the opportunity to run track.

“I ran in high school and was mediocre. We only had spring track where I ran the half-mile.”

Cathy didn’t venture far from home for college, attending the University of Minnesota from 1975-78 where she ran cross country and track on the small women’s traveling team. She achieved her personal records for the half-mile (2:43) and the mile (5:54). It was at the University where she met her now husband at a sledding party (must be a “Minnesota” thing). Steve was a local track and field superstar, and Cathy was naturally drawn to his old-fashioned charm. They were married in June, 1978.

As Steve continued his post-collegiate running pursuits, Cathy was his biggest fan.

“He ran for the Aggie Running Club and traveled around the country.  I didn’t get a chance to go to many of his away races.  But the local ones I attended.  He was a real stud runner!”

Cathy’s running, however, remained on the sidelines during this time as she enjoyed being a newlywed. Not long after they were married, Steve’s job with General Mills moved them to California where they landed in San Diego in 1980. The small-town girl moved to the big city and has never looked back!

Fast-forward to January, 2002. Cathy and Steve are still happily married and living in San Diego. Their two sons are all grown up; Michael is off to college, while Daniel is in high school. Steve’s running has slowed down, but he somehow remains in the epicenter of San Diego’s running community.

Over the years, Cathy whole heartedly devoted herself to being a wife and a mom, but neglected her personal fitness. After 30-plus years of no running, Cathy entered the Honolulu 5k in 2002 on a whim. With a finishing time of 32:09, Cathy realized that she wanted to lose weight, get in shape, and be competitive once again--her mind was made up.

With a renewed passion, Cathy continued to put one foot in front of the other and the weight disappeared, her fitness was back, and she was back in the game. In 2003, Cathy joined the SDTC where she found comfort in the social aspect of the club. Cathy fit right in and suddenly the tide had changed. Her husband, Steve, was now on the sidelines while Cathy pursued her running goals.

Cathy trained with the SDTC Rock n’ Roll Marathon training group in 2003 and 2004, but was too intimidated to participate in the actual marathon since her long run maxed out at 16-miles. Encouraged by her running friends and coach Paul Greer, Cathy decided to take the plunge in 2005. This was a significant year for Cathy since she was turning 50.

Cathy’s goal for her first marathon was aggressive: finish the marathon in less than four hours and qualify for Boston. Focused and determined, Cathy did just that. An impressive time of 3:57:37 earned her a 14^th place finish out of 433 competitors in her age-group, and she successfully qualified for Boston.

For those wanting to tackle a goal later in life, Cathy states:

“Don’t be afraid to set your goals and state them.  I tell people who are doing their first marathon that I ran my first one at age 50. I decided that I wanted to qualify for Boston, and I set a goal of under 4:00.  I did it.  If I can do it, so can they.  I followed the training schedule that my coach, Paul, gave us and it worked!  I always trained so that it felt like I was pushing myself.  I think it helped to have all those years off of running since my legs were fresh for my first marathon!”

After this, Cathy didn’t settle. She joined in with the SDTC women’s Masters Team in 2005 and continues to train. To date, Cathy has finished five marathons in five years, sandwiching two Boston marathons between three Rock n’ Roll marathons.

When asked what her favorite race is, Cathy answered as only a true mom would:

“Tough question.  That’s like asking, ‘which is your favorite child?’  I have great memories of all the marathons and the training that went into them.   I really enjoy the Rock n’ Roll training program with the SDTC.  I also really enjoy competing in the Dirt Dog Series as part of the women’s Masters Team.”

Beyond training with the SDTC, Cathy has devoted countless volunteer hours…. all of which she has done with a smile. Starting as the equipment chairman for the club in 2006, Cathy is now the vice president of the club. Her passion for the club is clear:

“The SDTC has a great group of volunteers.  I really enjoy running with the members, getting to know them, and racing with them.  The Masters team has a wonderful group of women who support each other.  Paul Greer totally rocks.  He is the heart and soul of the SDTC at the workouts.  His passion binds us together.  When I come to the Tuesday workouts I know most of the runners out there, and it is just wonderful.”

Cathy shows no sign of slowing down. Next year’s adventures include competing in the “triple crown” (Carlsbad Half Marathon, the La Jolla Half Marathon and the America's Finest City Half Marathon) as well as continuing to participate in various local races.

Cathy’s training and racing philosophy is simple.

“In order to race well you need to be consistent in your training.  You have to stretch, stay hydrated, and eat well.  Most importantly, you have to have fun!  I have enjoyed all my runs and conversations with fellow runners over the past seven years.”

Many people wonder how she does it. How did a small-town girl move to the big city and then suddenly decide to start running marathons in her 50s.

“I just decided to do it. If I can do it, anyone can. It’s like ‘how do you eat an elephant’—one bite at a time!”

Weekly Speed Workout 9.23.09

SPIN: This workout is specific to spinning (or biking on a trainer) since the accelerations are often and many. Overall, it is a fast workout that gets your heart pumping and improves leg speed.

• Warm-up: 10-minutes
• Main workout:  30 ½ minutes

• 8 x 15-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover (4-minutes)
• 6 x 30-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover (4 ½ minutes)
• 4 x 60-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover  (5-minutes)
• 2 x 90-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover (3 ½ minutes)
• 4 x 60-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover  (5-minutes)
• 6 x 30-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover (4 ½ minutes)
• 8 x 15-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover (4-minutes)
• Recover: 5-minutes
• 5-minutes of progressive resistance, i.e. minute 1 is easy, minute 5 is hard.
• Recover: 5-minutes
• 4 x 60-seconds fast / 15-seconds recover  (5-minutes)
• Cool-down: 5-minutes

TOTAL WORKOUT TIME = 65 ½ minutes

Michele Wallace is a contributor to San Diego News Room’s endurance sports section.  Michele has been a competitive runner since she was eight. She was the California state cross-country champion in 1992 at Escondido High School. Michele attended the University of San Diego where she placed top three in the West Coast Conference championship from 1993 – 1996. After college, Michele began competing in triathlons in 1999 and continues to focus on triathlons and duathlons. Michele is also a full-time working mom.

                                        

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