I can’t wait to be fit and active into my 80’s, 90’s and beyond.
I am so excited about my upcoming healthy, strong years. I am in the Third Third of my life, and thus far, robust health and a strong body are two blessings I’ve been given, with only a few “minor” setbacks, none of which has been severe.
It seems every month, or so a story comes across my computer screen or a magazine article, highlighting older athletes who are staggering physical marvels. They inspire me to reach beyond what I think is possible.
The story of Sharon Hernstadt is one example. A lawyer in New York, she found herself facing health concerns — heart disease, triple bypass surgery, and osteoporosis.
Ms. Hernstadt headed to rehab following heart surgery and worked with an exercise physiologist. While at the center, she took notice of several older people lifting weights and was fascinated. She asked Mr. Vilensky, her trainer, if she could join them. He agreed. She then saw a newspaper story about an older woman who set a state record in the bench press and showed it to Vilensky. He said:” You can do this.”
As Sharon reports: It changed my life because from then on, instead of going to just work out, I had a goal: to become strong enough to compete and be able to do the three lifts of powerlifting (squat, bench press, and dead lift).
Today, Hernstadt, an 80-year-old grandmother of six, is a five-time world and national champion who has set records at the state and national levels.
Besides earning medals, Hernstadt says power-lifting has improved her health. Doctors have discontinued her osteoporosis medication after her bone density rose more than 10% from lifting weights, a significant increase.
In addition to improving bone density, weight lifting has been shown to aid in weight loss — as muscles burn more calories than fat. Strong muscles also help men and women keep their balance and coordination, which is critical to preventing falls and fractures.
I have been a sporadic lightweight-lifter for most of my adult life. Since Covid descended upon us, I began a weight-lifting program in earnest. As earnest as I can be, I do not enjoy this sport/exercise routine.
Regardless of my lack of enthusiasm, I have made great strides, and I see a noticeable improvement in my muscle tone. At least to me, my biceps are now evident, and my shoulders are more defined and muscular.
Trust me, if I can see improvement — you will, too, and most likely even more than I, since I am using 5–8 pound weights and lifting only 2–3 times a week. Chances are — you are also younger than me! Younger folks can see more remarkable results in less time.
Olga Kotelko did not have an easy life. Growing up in Ukraine, she was milking cows as soon as she could carry a bucket, was the washer of fifteen sets of clothes, scrubbing them on a washboard, and hanging them on a line. She baked twelve loaves of bread at a time, twice a week, and hatcheted chickens. The list of her chores continued, enough to exhaust a fully-grown adult.
Could this be what primed her for a great life as a track and field competitor well into her 90's? She took up this sport at age 77 after realizing her strength was her speed in running the bases in softball.
In 2010, at the age of 91, her performance far surpassed that of many competitors, two age brackets younger. She also held 23 age-graded world records in the Masters' track and field competition.
I’m not proposing we aspire to this type of physical prowess, yet we can and should be inspired to challenge ourselves to achieve more physically and realize our potential, regardless of our age. Exercise is beneficial in multitudinous ways, as we know.
Exercise helps keep our brains sharp by consuming oxygen, stimulating neural plasticity — helping the brain grow more neural connections, and maintaining health.
At age 57, Bobbe Greenberg entered a mini-triathlon at her gym. It consisted of a ten-minute pool swim, a twenty-minute stationary bike ride, and a fifteen-minute treadmill run. The only problem, Bobbe didn’t know how to swim. She took a weekend swim course and has never looked back.
Bobbe’s debut triathlon resulted in a first-place medal. She was 20 years older than the second-place woman. She’s been hooked ever since and has entered fourteen full triathlon competitions and has won or qualified nine times.
In October of 2019, Bobbe won her second Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, at 73 years of age! This entails a 2.4-mile swim in choppy ocean waters, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon, a 26.2-mile run.
For sure, that is not on my agenda. Due to many years of running, I have had two knee replacements. I was informed I injured my knees because they are not aligned correctly.
Some of you may consider a triathlon. Why not stretch yourself?
Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins took up running at age 100! She heard that the USA Track & Field National Masters Championships would be held near her home. This would be an exciting event to experience, she decided.
When Julia ran her second meet, she established herself as the oldest female competitor ever in USA Track & Field history, plus she set a new age-group world record.
One of the fascinating aspects of Ms. Hawkins’ new sport is she came upon it when she decided it was no longer safe for her to continue with her mountain biking. Incredibly, Julia didn’t start biking until she was 81! These feats are genuinely mind-boggling, as are her courage and spirit.
In 2017, 105-year-old French cyclist Robert Marchand set a world record in the 105-plus category — created especially for him — by riding 14 miles in one hour.
Following the race, Mr. Marchand stated: I did not see the sign warning me I had 10 minutes left. Otherwise, I would have gone faster, I would have posted a better time. I’m now waiting for a rival.
He received a standing ovation once he completed the last of his laps.
These competitors are true anomalies. Yet, they are examples of the miracle of the body and the mind to achieve exploits that most mortals would believe impossible.
It’s not how old you are but how you are old. — Jules Renard, French Writer.
I’m happy continuing with my light-weight lifting program, increasing incrementally. I plan on taking my hiking up a level either in duration or more strenuous trails. Pickleball is my passion, and I’m always eager to improve.
Incredible age-defying athletes are they, inspiring me to reach for better, for excellence. I know you are capable of more extraordinary achievements, as well. Go for it. What have you got to lose?
The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes. — Frank Lloyd Wright.
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