Cathy with daughter Kristin at the Lake Saint Louis Triathlon.
Cathy Thurwachter has dedicated her life to encouraging others to get fit. Her career started more than 30 years ago as a physical education teacher at Parkway North High School in St. Louis, Missouri.
Although she retired from teaching a few years ago, she continues to educate individuals through her role as coordinator with GO! St. Louis--formerly Spirit of St. Louis Marathon Weekend.
GO! St. Louis, a non-profit organization, has repositioned itself to encourage individuals and families in the region to adopt a healthy lifestyle by getting fit, staying active and eating a nutritional diet year round. The organization will accomplish this through school based programming, outreach to senior/retirement centers, community collaborations and the creation of new & unique fitness opportunities.
Thurwachter coordinates the organization's Mature Mile, which is aimed at getting seniors active. More than 500 seniors signed up this year to participate.
"I wanted to become a Physical Education teacher in the third grade and never changed my mind," said Thurwachter.
She says her biggest challenge is teaching students that being active can be fun, and you do not have to be a star athlete to be healthy.
Thurwachter practices what she preaches. She completed her 25th consecutive Lake Saint Louis Triathlon a few months ago. Continuing that streak has been a challenge as she competed in two of the races while she was pregnant.
Both of her daughters have since joined her. Ali, her oldest daughter competed in a short course triathlon at age 14 and 11-year-old daughter Kristin was the youngest individual competitor in the most recent Lake Saint Louis triathlon.
In 2000 Thurwachter decided to run her first marathon, so she entered the San Diego Marathon and raised more than $8,000 for the Leukemia Society. Although she enjoyed the marathon, she prefers cross training for triathlons.
Thurwachter doesn't consider herself a true competitor, but more of a "completer". She participates for the ultimate joy of completing a race, while enjoying the company of her fellow participants, family and friends.
She has been in her current role as GO! St. Louis Mature Mile coordinator for two years and relishes the opportunity to work with St. Louis area retirement homes and senior centers. GO! St. Louis president Nancy Lieberman calls Thurwachter's role vital to the organization's overall success.
"As the ultimate educator and a seasoned athlete, Cathy understands the importance of encouraging others to lead a healthy lifestyle," said Lieberman. "With a twinkle in her eye and a big smile on her face, she inspires--and sometimes cajoles--mature adults to walk a mile."
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