Inspiration for Mature Fitness Readers

Recently I received a very interesting article from one of my faithful readers, Dr. Greg Hogan, Lubbock, Texas, concerning an article about an 81 year old woman's continual exercise program. Actually the story of Ms. Joy Johnson, 81, from San Jose, California is not just about any old exercise program. This story covers just about all the different aspects of life relative to a positive attitude and how to achieve any goal. While the story centers on her quest to win her age group in the New York City marathon, it really reveals much more. Let me go through some of the points brought out in the story and I think you may agree. The good news is that even though this race has over 39,000 ordinary citizens running in it annually, it is not all about the mighty Kenyan long distant runners who skoot around the 26.2 mile race in around 2 hours. After all these guys are born to run for very long distances and do it with the grace of a swan and don't seem to breath hard doing it. But, their story is for Runners World, Running For Fitness, and all of the other magazines that cover the slowtwitch, genetically gifted long distance runners. The story I find the most interesting concerns Ms. Johnson and what she brings to life everyday of the year. She is not just an 81 year old person who runs the New Your City Marathon to win her age group, she is a ray of hope and inspiration to all of us. As I have mentioned in the past on this site, to be 80 and active, we must start working on that goal when we are much younger, not one day decide we want to do something about our physical and mental fitness at 70 and then hope it works to that end. To exemplify what I am talking about let's look at some of the things Ms. Johnson has done over the years and how this has prepared her to be as she is at 81. First,(GOAL SETTING), she is continually setting her exercise goals to correspond with what she wants to accomplish, never a hit and miss. Second, (WORK ETHIC), she applies her strong work ethic to her exercise training program to accomplish her goals. She will add new exercise routines to work parts of the body that will give her more strength in her running. Third, (POSITIVE ATTITUDE), her attitude when she wakes up in the morning is simple, she always says, "It's going to be a good day." In addition she continually smiles and some have said she will be running when she is 100. Fourth, (TRAIN SENSIBLE), while she does work out daily she trains sensibly. For example, instead of starting a training run out with a fast pace, she starts with a walk for a block-and-a-half then she starts her running. Fifth, (INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH), "They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Ms. Johnson has told her friends that if she passes on during a long run or marathon just leave her be and don't connect her up to any machines, since that is how she wants to go. In other words, "don't mess with mother nature, bub!!" My disclaimer on this story is that I am not and have never encouraged an exercise program to grow beyond the recommended aerobic exercises, that have been mentioned on this site, and I still don't. But, this story has so many great teaching points about how to make your life a better place I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share them. Note: When I find out how Ms. Johnson did in this years event I will pass it along. After reading this story I am reminded of my good friends, Jim Ward and Bill Bell. Jim didn't start competitive traithlons until he was 65. He very quickly became a winning force in his age group in races from sprint to ironman distance triathlons. After many victories and accomplishments he went to the big tri in the sky while on a bicycle training ride at the age of 83. Some friends who were with him that day say that he was taken into the ER with his biking shoes on and all decked out like he would continue his ride later. Well, he probably is since the heavens are far and wide. Now for ole Bill Bell who has done the Hawaiin Ironman 25 times, and the Ultra-Man triathlon 6 times and more marathons than we can count, is now 85. I saw him last month in Kona, HI and he was talking about his next race. These guy's have towed the line and set the example for us all to look up to. Bill is still very was positive and looking forward to much more out of life. What a pleasure it is to have been able to share some fun times with them.

Let's go do some exercise, remember--20-30 minutes, 3-4 days per week, at 75% maximum heart rate. That is all you need to do, I promise.

Mike Greer