Featured Runner “Cathy Nevans” July 2018

July 17th, 2018 Tags: amazing, badassery, Being Epic, Featured Runners, motivation, perseverance, ultrarunning, unstoppable, why
Posted in Announcements, Featured Runners, Funny, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions, Tips, Training

Cathy Nevans (in her own words): I am the grandmother to two handsome grandsons, Moose (5) and Bo (3). They call me “Ga.” In my free time, you might see me getting miles in neighborhoods, on the service road, and more rarely on the treadmill. I prefer to run in the heat of the Texas sun, and I have been known to sit in my “redneck sauna” (aka the attic). My friends call me “the lizard.”

I am humbled to have become an ultra runner because that was never how I started out. While my daughter was young, I started running 5Ks, and it wasn’t until she had graduated high school that I ran my first marathon in February of 2007 in Austin, Texas. Somehow, I just kept running more and more and more. Before I knew it I had become an ultrarunner, and now, I have completed nine 100 mile races.

THE BASICS

Date of Birth: May 16, 1965

Place of Birth: Fort Worth, Texas

Currently Residing:  Kennedale, Texas

Marital Status: Widowed

Job(s): Many 🙂 – Including keeping my grandsons while my daughter and son-in-law works. They call me Ga!

Children: 1 Daughter, Autumn (30 years old), and 2 very handsome grandsons (Moose and Bo).

Height: 5’3”

Weight: 120

Shoe Size: 7

Best Physical Feature: Legs

Personal Strength(s): Strong and determined, caring and accepting

Personal Weakness(es): Too trusting.

Make Of Car You Drive: Honda Pilot

Make Of Car You Would Like To Drive: A motorhome, so I can explore this beautiful country.

Pets: One dog (Lucky), one cat (Butters).

FAVORITES

Favorite Author: Various authors depending on my mood.

Favorite Book: Biographies – I love to learn people’s stories.

Favorite Non-running Magazine: Mother Earth News because I’m just a hippie at heart.

Favorite TV Show: Chicago Fire

Favorite Actor/Actress: Harrison Ford

Favorite Music:  I love all kinds of music from classical to rock.

Favorite Spectator Sport: Basketball

Favorite Subject in School: History

Favorite Game: Gin – I remember playing this with my grandparents.

Favorite Vacation Destination: Colorado

Favorite Time Of Day: Sunrise

Favorite Item Of Clothing: Comfortable shorts.

Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Hanging out with friends.

Favorite Running Shoe: Brooks

Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra:  Coffee

Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: Diet Coke and jelly beans.

Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Milkshakes

Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): I am a lucky girl – I have lots of favorite crew peeps!

Favorite Place To Run: In the sun.

Favorite Type Of Running Surface: Road or rail to trail.

Favorite Famous Quote: “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” – Napoleon Hill

ULTRA STUFF

Number of Years Running Ultras: 10

Number of Ultras Finished:  26

Best Ultra Performance(s): Honey Badger 100 Mile – 2014.

Most Memorable Ultra: Mother Road 2008…it was my 1st hundred, and it taught me to be humble.

Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: 60-70 miles tops.

Injuries: I have had several stress fractures but nothing too serious.

Why Do You Run Ultras:  Running ultras helps me to keep things in focus and reminds me that everything is easier one step at a time.

Advice For Other Ultrarunners: Respect the distance and never ever give voice to the doubt or pain. Remember that the brain is in charge and everything will be ok.

ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES

Personal Hero: Wonder Woman- she beautiful and strong.

Personal Philosophy: There are no wrong decisions.  All decisions lead to more decisions.

Short-Term Goal: Finish Vol State 500K

Long-Term Goal: Live more- be more carefree.

Most Prized Possession: Not a thing, it’s people.

Most Proud Achievement: My family.

Happiest Memory: The birth of my daughter.

Secret Ambition/Fantasy: To be a Gypsy.

Greatest Adventure:  Hasn’t happened yet.

DISLIKES / FEARS

Least Liked Subject: Politics

Least Liked Household Chore: Cleaning out the refrigerator.

Pet Peeve(s): Lateness

Greatest Fear: That I won’t really live.

SPARE TIME

Book Currently Reading:  Just finished reading Living with a Seal, by Jesse Itzler.

Hobbies: Making soap, gardening.

What’s Next: Vol State 500K.

Cathy well-over halfway through the Vol State 500K (7-17-2018).