can. If I can inspire some, there might just be that one in a crowd somewhere who will one day be in their own respective Hall of Fame.
What a treat to be selected for the Canadian Masters Athletics Hall of Fame, especially when I would be among the legends of track and field. My induction was such a huge honour and caught me a bit by surprise. I definitely didn’t think about it when I was competing. With every competition, I always promise myself that I will win a medal. I don’t say what colour.
When the time comes, that promise I made gives me more determination to go harder than the other athletes. When my body wants to stop because it hurts so much, I think of my promise. I work as hard as I possibly can. Throughout the competitions, because of my promise to work hard enough to win a medal, the bronze medal feels as good as the gold.
When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I heard the audience cheer. I had to pinch myself that I was a member of such an elite group of track and field athletes. What a special moment to realize I belonged with them. All the hard work, the family support, the dedication to improvement, and the ability to stay healthy contributed to my success. All that effort was important, but two things assisted me in attaining my athletic goals: my desire to stick to the training, and my love for the sport. I couldn’t be prouder!
Even with this “Master Athlete of the Year” title, it’s already behind me. That was in March 2010, being ranked by Sports B.C. Now I am thinking ahead, and I can’t wait to turn 95 and enter the W95 category. Whatever I did, how high I jumped, world records, gold medals, all that is behind me. The biggest thing for me is to surpass the existing records and move on. Be positive: that is the best attitude.
Older adults, over 50, 60, and 70 years of age, are becoming serious athletes competing in local, national and international championships. These senior athletes are experiencing a level of fitness that can fight debilitating aging. This is the secret to staying young and healthy: our bodies were meant to move. When you feel fit, you are flexible, which is a natural feeling. Your body is balanced and co-coordinated with strong healthy bones and muscles. An active person can remain healthy and in the last years of life avoid a long bout of ill health. This is what we all should experience. I am referring mainly to athletes, because this is a world I know.
One of my fellow competitors, Earl Fee, a much sought after motivational speaker who has written a book entitled How to be a Champion from 9 to 90 has this to say about longevity: “Who wouldn’t be interested in living longer and at the same time enjoying higher quality living? Aging is affected by your genes, but your real biological age depends largely on your everyday habits of eating, sleeping, drinking, physical and mental exercising, stress level, smoking, etc. Slowing down is due more to rusting out than aging. Get rid of that ‘I am slow because I’m old’ thinking.”
Here is one example of what determination and perseverance is all about in sport competition. Fellow competitor Soumé, W84, is 9 years younger than I. She and I ran a 200m sprint at USATP Championships in Lisle, Illinois in August 2012. Not being totally aware at the time of our age difference, I stayed with Soumé until about 25 metres to the finish line. I thought to myself why not add a little pressure, and I almost beat her. I might have passed her if I had added that little effort sooner. This was a good lesson. There is always next time. It’s good to have a challenge and to feel competitive.
I believe the reason I ran the 200m sprint with such ease was because I had 40 minutes before the race to lie on the grass and elevate my legs at a 45° angle against the fence. I could feel the energy returning to my legs when I most needed it. At the finish line, I was able to walk and talk with ease.
If sagging skin, faulty
What a treat to be selected for the Canadian Masters Athletics Hall of Fame, especially when I would be among the legends of track and field. My induction was such a huge honour and caught me a bit by surprise. I definitely didn’t think about it when I was competing. With every competition, I always promise myself that I will win a medal. I don’t say what colour.
When the time comes, that promise I made gives me more determination to go harder than the other athletes. When my body wants to stop because it hurts so much, I think of my promise. I work as hard as I possibly can. Throughout the competitions, because of my promise to work hard enough to win a medal, the bronze medal feels as good as the gold.
When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I heard the audience cheer. I had to pinch myself that I was a member of such an elite group of track and field athletes. What a special moment to realize I belonged with them. All the hard work, the family support, the dedication to improvement, and the ability to stay healthy contributed to my success. All that effort was important, but two things assisted me in attaining my athletic goals: my desire to stick to the training, and my love for the sport. I couldn’t be prouder!
Even with this “Master Athlete of the Year” title, it’s already behind me. That was in March 2010, being ranked by Sports B.C. Now I am thinking ahead, and I can’t wait to turn 95 and enter the W95 category. Whatever I did, how high I jumped, world records, gold medals, all that is behind me. The biggest thing for me is to surpass the existing records and move on. Be positive: that is the best attitude.
Older adults, over 50, 60, and 70 years of age, are becoming serious athletes competing in local, national and international championships. These senior athletes are experiencing a level of fitness that can fight debilitating aging. This is the secret to staying young and healthy: our bodies were meant to move. When you feel fit, you are flexible, which is a natural feeling. Your body is balanced and co-coordinated with strong healthy bones and muscles. An active person can remain healthy and in the last years of life avoid a long bout of ill health. This is what we all should experience. I am referring mainly to athletes, because this is a world I know.
One of my fellow competitors, Earl Fee, a much sought after motivational speaker who has written a book entitled How to be a Champion from 9 to 90 has this to say about longevity: “Who wouldn’t be interested in living longer and at the same time enjoying higher quality living? Aging is affected by your genes, but your real biological age depends largely on your everyday habits of eating, sleeping, drinking, physical and mental exercising, stress level, smoking, etc. Slowing down is due more to rusting out than aging. Get rid of that ‘I am slow because I’m old’ thinking.”
Here is one example of what determination and perseverance is all about in sport competition. Fellow competitor Soumé, W84, is 9 years younger than I. She and I ran a 200m sprint at USATP Championships in Lisle, Illinois in August 2012. Not being totally aware at the time of our age difference, I stayed with Soumé until about 25 metres to the finish line. I thought to myself why not add a little pressure, and I almost beat her. I might have passed her if I had added that little effort sooner. This was a good lesson. There is always next time. It’s good to have a challenge and to feel competitive.
I believe the reason I ran the 200m sprint with such ease was because I had 40 minutes before the race to lie on the grass and elevate my legs at a 45° angle against the fence. I could feel the energy returning to my legs when I most needed it. At the finish line, I was able to walk and talk with ease.
If sagging skin, faulty
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