THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503160178
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover story
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
AS A CAREER MARINE, running was part of life for Col. Chris Catoe. But it was all about conditioning.
It wasn't until he retired in 1988 that Catoe began running for fun and for competition.
Catoe, now 60, is among a half dozen runners considered the best ``senior'' racers locally. One look at Catoe's trim, muscular physique, however, and the word ``senior'' has difficulty rolling off your tongue.
``I'm sure when people drive by or walk by when I'm running they're clucking their tongues and saying, `Look at that old guy, why is he doing this?' '' Catoe said. ``But I feel great when I run. And it keeps me feeling good about myself.''
Catoe may not have a large group of running buddies in Saturday's Shamrock Marathon because several are nursing injuries.
That's good and bad for Catoe. He'll miss their company, but it increases his chances of placing, or even winning, in his age category.
While he is aiming to finish in 3 hours and 40 minutes, there's no real pressure because he qualified in last fall's Marine Corps Marathon for next year's 100th running of the Boston Marathon. He's really looking forward to that race.
Catoe's first race was the Elizabeth River Run in Norfolk. He finished in the top half of his age group.
``It was a lot of fun,'' he said. ``I guess you could say I was hooked.''
Since then, his running friends have talked him into trying marathons.
``As I picked up my distances, I was looking for another challenge,'' he said.
His first marathon was the 1989 Shamrock. ``It was a struggle to finish,'' he said. ``I was unbelievably tired and sore but I worked out of it.
``Then I started feeling pretty good about it.''
Catoe says running is his hobby, to which he devotes about 35 to 40 hours a week. He compares it to golfing for some retirees, only more strenuous.
``I enjoy the competition. It's healthy. And I love to eat so I'm able to eat.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``I enjoy the competition. It's healthy. And I love to eat so I'm
able to eat,'' says Chris Catoe, 60.
by CNB