I had another inspiring Zoom conversation with ultrarunner and coach Loretta Tobolske-Horn. She's 50 years old, now, so a legitimate "50+" role model 😉 (we made her an honorary role model when we last talked). In this chat, my chronology was all messed up; I think I correctly remembered when we last talked, but I... Continue Reading →
On your mark, get set, MOVE!
I’ve said before that I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but this is going to sound like one. Image borrowed from Lifespan Fitness. For the last three months, I have been inhabiting a new vocation as a full-time church pastor. I’ve also been a part-time college instructor, teaching on Zoom. My pastoral call is 45... Continue Reading →
Everything is totally under control (not)
We’re closing in on nearly three months since my last blog post. Three months during which life zoomed along, barely under any kind of control. (Seriously, I even had dreams about trying to maneuver an out-of-control car: one night, it was rocketing down a winding ramp from the upper floor of a parking tower, with... Continue Reading →
A conversation with ultracoach and runner Loretta Tobolske-Horn #rolemodels #ageisnotabarrier
Banner photo above by Howe Stern; Loretta Tobolske-Horn at Desert Solstice, 2020. “I’m almost 50 and I’m not getting slower. I’m getting smarter...” In this “blogcast” I talk to ultrarunner and coach Loretta Tobolske-Horn. Loretta turns 50 next month, which is close enough to make her a 50 is the New Forte role model! Photo... Continue Reading →
Suddenly, last summer
I know summer is not over, yet. Technically, we're barely halfway through. But so much of it has zipped past me, and so many Fall things are looming, that I feel like I've already missed it! Last year's work and school "shut-down" - challenging in so many unpleasant ways - at least created more opportunities... Continue Reading →
“Running and yoga changed my life” – a conversation with Leah Roberts Willis
Since January, I've been participating in the Full ON CVNP challenge, organized by the good folks at Western Reserve Racing. The challenge is to cover all 115 miles of trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) by May. It's a great way to experience the park, get outside, and get or stay fit in... Continue Reading →
Keep the body in motion
First up, a few role models: I'm a few years (ok, 5 years) behind the times, but Bollywood actor and ageless eye candy Milind Soman treated himself to an Ironman* Triathlon for his 50th birthday in 2015 (*that's an event featuring a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.22 mile run). He apparently... Continue Reading →
“You can’t turn back the clock but you can wind it up again!” – Joan MacDonald, #rolemodel
At 70 years of age, Joan MacDonald was overweight, badly out of shape, in pain, and on blood pressure medication. Her daughter Michelle was deeply concerned, and challenged her to start working out, and to join an online group of women trying to develop healthy habits. I'm now three years into my journey and I... Continue Reading →
“Adult Onset Running”
Oiselle makes running and exercise clothing I can't really afford, but I do love this: they are sponsoring a team of 3 runners, all over 70 years of age, called the Elite Grannies. Two of them started running at age 60 or older! (The article dubs this "adult onset running." 🙂 ) Read more about... Continue Reading →
Flow State
(That awesome photo of Peggy Oki is by Kevin Steele.) This wonderful article about former Zephyr skateboarder Peggy Oki took me back a few years. When I was in the 7th, 8th, and maybe 9th grades, I fancied myself a skateboarder. I bought skateboarding magazines and cut out amazing action shots of all the cool... Continue Reading →
Over the river and through the woods… repeat… for 100 miles #rolemodels #thisisfiftyplus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJAW8STfiko This is a great short documentary about 52-year old Nicky Spinks, one of the last two women standing at this year's bonkers Barkley Marathon in Tennesee. For the second year in a row, nobody completed the race - five soul-sucking laps of 20 miles in treacherous terrain and wild weather. In fact, in 33... Continue Reading →
Start where you are
More evidence that it's almost never too late to start running. In this most recent study, individuals who began running in their fifties exhibited - within ten years - similar lean muscle mass, body fat, and running speed to same-aged runners who began running decades earlier. That's encouraging!* I'm having to contemplate either proceeding with... Continue Reading →