Cathy's Running
Cathy is a five-time marathon finisher, currently training for her sixth marathon “The 50th Anniversary Marine Corps Marathon“ which takes place in October 2025 in our Nation's Capital. She is also the founder of what became an incredible year long running adventure, “Running Fir Wreaths” — she simply made it up on a New Year’s resolution — to run in all 50 of the United States in honor of our great Veterans—Veterans of the past, present, and future. With each run she asked anyone who would listen if they would like to sponsor a Veterans wreath to be delivered by volunteers to the graves of our fallen in Arlington National Cemetery. Once delivered, volunteers actually speak out loud to “say their names” and thank them for their Service to our Nation. This same cemetery holds her own 21-year-old son, “Bryce” who is laid to rest in Section 60. After a few social media messages and phone calls, her 1000+ mile running adventure officially kicked off with friends and family in Fortuna, California. Then she was off to Alaska, then Hawaii, and eventually she completed runs with likeminded runners in all 50 of the United States, just as she dreamed. With the help of Wreaths Across America she was given much love and support, and many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities began to miraculously open for her, including running opportunities in Washington DC, Puerto Rico, the Navajo Nation, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands. Many of her runs were on Military Bases with Active Duty Troops, Veterans, and our National Guard Servicemen and women running beside her. This was an experience like no other and an added unexpected blessing in her healing journey. She learned firsthand through this experience—running mile after mile for over 1,000 miles in all kinds of weather and demanding courses without giving up—that “not giving up when life is tough” eventually pays off. Her running journey to honor all Veterans—past, present and future—was tough, an achievement in itself, but it was also a deeply humbling, life changing, endurance building, and healing experience of a lifetime.
HIGHLIGHTS and GOALS MET:
Cathy ran a little over 1,031 miles.
She raised sponsorships for 11,315 beautiful live balsam wreaths for our fallen at Arlington National Cemetery.
Veterans were hugged and kissed and “welcomed home” and lives were changed for the better.
“In order to survive you must learn how to be more disciplined, more resilient, more focused. You must learn how to be brave, prepared, and motivated. And no matter what, you just can’t quit!!! Then one day you’re out running your race and there it is, you find your ENDURANCE. We all know that grief and healing look different for everyone. For me, I try to face and embrace my journey just one step at a time, usually in a pair of cool colored HOKA’s”.
One Step at a Time, Cathy