Meet a member

How many years have you participated in CATs events?

We moved from North Carolina in the fall of 2014, and I was introduced to CATs in the spring of 2015. In North Carolina, I mostly ran on roads or paved trails, but once I discovered CATs and trail running, I was immediately hooked. I used to always wear earbuds when I ran, but now I never do. There’s nothing quite like running or hiking through the forest. Our brains weren’t designed to spend so much time staring at laptop and cell phone screens, and being in nature feels like a reset button—it always clears my mind.

Favorite local trail:

No question—the Riprap/Wildcat loop. It has everything you could want in a trail: great views, a swimming hole, and the feeling of being deep in the forest.

Favorite race:

Mint Springs, because it’s the first race of the summer series and there’s always a real sense of excitement. I was especially impressed this spring with the improvements to the existing trails, as well as the addition of the new trails. The course is so much better. Now I’m a regular every Monday as we work on building the new trails. The vision, planning, and coordination among Albemarle County Parks and Recreation, CAMBC, and CATs is amazing. Mint Springs Valley Park is going to be a destination for a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts.

Must-have gear/fuel:

The simpler, the better. Small hydration bladders that fit in a pocket or a running vest are my go-to.

Hobbies other than being a CAT?

I recently retired, and these days I try to do something each day that helps others.

What’s your favorite CATs memory?

The DNA of this membership is a welcoming community of people who genuinely want to help others. I’ve witnessed that so many times, and I’ve experienced it personally.

I signed up for the inaugural 25K Naked Creek Trail Race, but ended up needing a major surgical procedure that prevented me from running the race. Before the surgery, Debbie Henderson, Michelle Rindos, Jason Dunn, and Matt Amonette coordinated a chance for me to run the course early as a sort of test run. I’ll always be grateful to them for making that happen. (By the way, we got lost!)

You’ve volunteered at a lot of CATs events—what keeps you saying yes?

I think I may actually enjoy volunteering more than running the races! CATs races are extremely well organized, and being a small part of the pre-race preparation and supporting the runners during the race is incredibly satisfying. Volunteering is also a great way to get to know people better. I’ve really enjoyed meeting the family members of other volunteers who come out to help, too.

What’s a race or adventure still on your bucket list?

I recently returned from Switzerland and Italy and was able to get in a few trail runs while I was there. I’ve always wanted to do some form of hut-to-hut hike in the Alps, and now that I’ve experienced the area firsthand, I can’t wait to make it happen.

What’s your most controversial trail-running opinion?

A great trail run includes seeing a snake and a bear!

If you could give one piece of advice to someone showing up to a CATs run for the first time, what would it be?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced trail runner or completely new to the sport—you’ll fit right in, and you’ll find that everyone is supportive. We have elite runners in CATs, but we also have runners like me who aren’t as concerned about pace. At the end of the day, everyone out on the trails, enjoying the opportunity to exercise and spend time in nature, wins.