The morning is usually rolling out of bed and into a four mile walk. The walk is usually accompanied by earphones playing a good book; THINKING FAST AND SLOW is the current offering.
Kim, who is the Monday night Spin instructor, is celebrating her birthday today. she also is the YMCA Wednesday morning SPIN leader. So, decided to celebrate her birthday with a morning Spin class. Have been thinking I should shock the workout system a little and Spin usually does it and this morning adventure is not an exception.
Spin in the morning was a system shocker and it may be one of those routine changes that can help move me from the plateau. It will be interesting to feel what the rest of the day and week hold after this morning's Spin. A big question will be if I will be able to do this afternoon's spin class. Jury still deliberating.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Robbie McLendon proves age is only a number in your head
He’s one of the fastest old geezers you are ever going to know
For the past 2,570+ days Robbie McLendon has been pounding the pavement for at least three miles and in the past three days he has logged 47 miles, including a marathon distance of 26.2 miles. For those who are not much into math, or even basic arithmetic, that is seven years without missing a day as of August 29, 2011. The 56-year-old self-proclaimed “old Geezer” is on a streak of every day running that puts him in some rare company. Robbie is not only consistent, he is fast. He is fast not just for a 56-year-old, he is fast. This past March, at the 2011 Myrtle Beach Marathon he finished in 3:11:4, placing 65th among more than 3000 runners.
Running and running and running
So, what is it that will make someone keep running and running and running. “Welllllll,” said Robbie who was trying to come up with a reason, “If I do it every day, I don’t have to worry about starting back.” In our current era when obesity is a major health concern in the American population and chronic illness like diabetes sidelines hosts of people from active living, Robbie knows he does not want to there…again.
A life style you can live with
In this age when we have a culture fighting against obesity, chronic illness and disease and a sedentary, sit-in-front-of-the-screen lifestyle, Robbie McLendon shows there are other ways to live.
Streak Begins
The running streak began August 29, 2004 about three days after he got out of the hospital with a high blood sugar count that almost put him in a coma. He has always been active and at another time in his life, in his 30s, he was a runner. Back in 1986 he ran a 2:40:05 marathon and finished the famous Charleston “Bridge Run” in 34:45 for the 10-K (6.2 mile) event. He knew what it was like to be in shape. He knew what it was like to be super healthy but then things like work began to take the toll on working out. He was employed with Wellman Industries outside of Darlington. “It was a good job, paid well and was challenging. But, it was not unusual to work 12 and 13 hour days and not get home until midnight or after.” The running and exercising became something he used to do, not something he did.
Hospital stay was all the convincing he needed
That day in August 2004 it caught up to him. At the time he was hospitalized, Robbie says he was about 240 pounds and he was carrying most of it in stomach. “I have a small frame, so that was a lot of weight in the middle,” he said. He decided a change was needed and went out for a run and that first run went three miles. He did not record the time but he remembers it being 10 or 11 minutes a mile. He jotted the time and the distance down in a journal and that journal is still where he keeps the daily running record.
The August 29 run led to the August 30 run to the August 31 run and before he knew it, Robbie had a year of running without missing a day. “I started back running to lose the weight, to get back being healthy and it worked,” reflected Robbie as he thought back to that first year. “Then it became a competition and I did not want to stop.”
Results are measurable
Today, Robbie weighs in at about 160 pounds. He has been off insulin for years and his blood-sugar chemistry is where both he and his doctors like it to be. Once he beat the illness he found he had developed a new drive. Turns out that Robbie is not only a runner, he is one of the most active physical fitness gurus around. His daily workouts at the Hartsville Family YMCA include heavy weight training, usually 30 to 45-minutes ab work, and even occasional classes in P90-X or some of the other programs that are popular. In 2008 it became a little easier for him to expand his workouts as he lost his job with the closing of Wellman. There were not a lot of other jobs available at the time. He didn’t sit around; he got into even better shape. Several months ago he did land a part-time job at the Hartsville Y as a building manager. That is afternoon and night hours and it doesn’t get in the way of his runs his lifting or one of his new-found enjoyments – Yoga. “I started yoga in P-90 X and it not only helps me stretch better, I find it relaxing.”
Relaxing means a ten miler instead of a twenty-miler
And, relaxing is not an adjective that you often hear associated with the old Geezer, who this past week recorded 77 running miles in the journal as he gets ready for the Savannah Rock and Roll Marathon that will be run in November. And, relaxing is not something you associate with someone whose September 22 Facebook post described a workout day that included three (3) mile repeats, 4-200 meter repeats, 10-100 meter repeats…all with a resistance parachute strapped to his back. He uses that type of resistance and repeat training to build up other muscle groups that he hopes will aid him in his continuing quest to win, not just place, in the race.
The old Geezer competes just about every weekend. If he hears there is a starting line and a finish line he is on his way. “Lately, a 52-year old from Sumter has been beating me and I want to get him. I really do love the competition.” His major goal now is to run the Savannah Marathon in 3:05 or less. “I think I can do it,” he says with jaw-set determination. He will continue his 70+ miles a week training for another couple of weeks before he begins his tapering down process where he will reduce those miles to 50 or 60 as the race gets closer.
On those long runs he does often wonder why he is doing it. He says even today, with all these miles behind and so many yet to go, “It is a love hate type of relationship. I do like the way it makes me feel but it is always hard getting started but then I hate to stop.”
Writer's Note -- I realize Robbie is not 60 but he is one of my role models. He does not run like a 56-year-old and he does not lift like a 56-year-old (Or does he and we all just have to reframe what we think of when we think of age.)
For the past 2,570+ days Robbie McLendon has been pounding the pavement for at least three miles and in the past three days he has logged 47 miles, including a marathon distance of 26.2 miles. For those who are not much into math, or even basic arithmetic, that is seven years without missing a day as of August 29, 2011. The 56-year-old self-proclaimed “old Geezer” is on a streak of every day running that puts him in some rare company. Robbie is not only consistent, he is fast. He is fast not just for a 56-year-old, he is fast. This past March, at the 2011 Myrtle Beach Marathon he finished in 3:11:4, placing 65th among more than 3000 runners.
Running and running and running
So, what is it that will make someone keep running and running and running. “Welllllll,” said Robbie who was trying to come up with a reason, “If I do it every day, I don’t have to worry about starting back.” In our current era when obesity is a major health concern in the American population and chronic illness like diabetes sidelines hosts of people from active living, Robbie knows he does not want to there…again.
A life style you can live with
In this age when we have a culture fighting against obesity, chronic illness and disease and a sedentary, sit-in-front-of-the-screen lifestyle, Robbie McLendon shows there are other ways to live.
Streak Begins
The running streak began August 29, 2004 about three days after he got out of the hospital with a high blood sugar count that almost put him in a coma. He has always been active and at another time in his life, in his 30s, he was a runner. Back in 1986 he ran a 2:40:05 marathon and finished the famous Charleston “Bridge Run” in 34:45 for the 10-K (6.2 mile) event. He knew what it was like to be in shape. He knew what it was like to be super healthy but then things like work began to take the toll on working out. He was employed with Wellman Industries outside of Darlington. “It was a good job, paid well and was challenging. But, it was not unusual to work 12 and 13 hour days and not get home until midnight or after.” The running and exercising became something he used to do, not something he did.
Hospital stay was all the convincing he needed
That day in August 2004 it caught up to him. At the time he was hospitalized, Robbie says he was about 240 pounds and he was carrying most of it in stomach. “I have a small frame, so that was a lot of weight in the middle,” he said. He decided a change was needed and went out for a run and that first run went three miles. He did not record the time but he remembers it being 10 or 11 minutes a mile. He jotted the time and the distance down in a journal and that journal is still where he keeps the daily running record.
The August 29 run led to the August 30 run to the August 31 run and before he knew it, Robbie had a year of running without missing a day. “I started back running to lose the weight, to get back being healthy and it worked,” reflected Robbie as he thought back to that first year. “Then it became a competition and I did not want to stop.”
Results are measurable
Today, Robbie weighs in at about 160 pounds. He has been off insulin for years and his blood-sugar chemistry is where both he and his doctors like it to be. Once he beat the illness he found he had developed a new drive. Turns out that Robbie is not only a runner, he is one of the most active physical fitness gurus around. His daily workouts at the Hartsville Family YMCA include heavy weight training, usually 30 to 45-minutes ab work, and even occasional classes in P90-X or some of the other programs that are popular. In 2008 it became a little easier for him to expand his workouts as he lost his job with the closing of Wellman. There were not a lot of other jobs available at the time. He didn’t sit around; he got into even better shape. Several months ago he did land a part-time job at the Hartsville Y as a building manager. That is afternoon and night hours and it doesn’t get in the way of his runs his lifting or one of his new-found enjoyments – Yoga. “I started yoga in P-90 X and it not only helps me stretch better, I find it relaxing.”
Relaxing means a ten miler instead of a twenty-miler
And, relaxing is not an adjective that you often hear associated with the old Geezer, who this past week recorded 77 running miles in the journal as he gets ready for the Savannah Rock and Roll Marathon that will be run in November. And, relaxing is not something you associate with someone whose September 22 Facebook post described a workout day that included three (3) mile repeats, 4-200 meter repeats, 10-100 meter repeats…all with a resistance parachute strapped to his back. He uses that type of resistance and repeat training to build up other muscle groups that he hopes will aid him in his continuing quest to win, not just place, in the race.
The old Geezer competes just about every weekend. If he hears there is a starting line and a finish line he is on his way. “Lately, a 52-year old from Sumter has been beating me and I want to get him. I really do love the competition.” His major goal now is to run the Savannah Marathon in 3:05 or less. “I think I can do it,” he says with jaw-set determination. He will continue his 70+ miles a week training for another couple of weeks before he begins his tapering down process where he will reduce those miles to 50 or 60 as the race gets closer.
On those long runs he does often wonder why he is doing it. He says even today, with all these miles behind and so many yet to go, “It is a love hate type of relationship. I do like the way it makes me feel but it is always hard getting started but then I hate to stop.”
Writer's Note -- I realize Robbie is not 60 but he is one of my role models. He does not run like a 56-year-old and he does not lift like a 56-year-old (Or does he and we all just have to reframe what we think of when we think of age.)
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Looking for Research on Working out after 60
So far it has been slow going but I did find a mini gold mine this morning on google at the website be fit over 50. Here are a couple of paragraphs from the blog:
There is a large body of scientific evidence that suggests that we can slow down and even reverse the symptoms of aging. In fact many of us can be in better health in our 70's than we were in our 50's.
Recent studies indicate that between the ages of 30 & 70 many of the symptoms & conditions that were traditionally associated with normal aging are in fact the result of sedentary lifestyles.
As I read deeper, there were several citations and it seems there are researchers out there looking at older people and their exercise habits. I am going to look deeper into this because a quote on that same blog reflects one of my strong beliefs, "You are never too old to benefit from exercise."
There is a large body of scientific evidence that suggests that we can slow down and even reverse the symptoms of aging. In fact many of us can be in better health in our 70's than we were in our 50's.
Recent studies indicate that between the ages of 30 & 70 many of the symptoms & conditions that were traditionally associated with normal aging are in fact the result of sedentary lifestyles.
As I read deeper, there were several citations and it seems there are researchers out there looking at older people and their exercise habits. I am going to look deeper into this because a quote on that same blog reflects one of my strong beliefs, "You are never too old to benefit from exercise."
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Exercise is "most valuable thing you can do for your health after 60"
Have this idea about a book on getting and staying in shape after the age of 60 and am looking around to see what is available on the topic.
In the Hartsville YMCA this afternoon I asked one of our local MDs if he was familiar with research or articles on the subject. As I began to explain what I was thinking about a possible book or series of articles he may have contributed the first paragraph of this book>
"After 60, the most valuable thing you can do for yourself and your health is exercise," he said. Now, if I were beginning the book I might have to go back to him for the exact quote but the the power of his exclamation when thinking about this topic says I am in the exact frame from which he was coming.
Some days I am anxious to open the Y doors and other days it takes power of persuasion to head in that direction but the result is that when I have worked out -- even when the workout is not 'high quality' I know I am better for having expended the energy and expanded lots of capacities inside this body that might not be as young as it used to be.
So, I am going to spend a little time on the research side and I am going to set down a goal of getting a lot of ideas of the hows and what's of exercise after 60 while giving some example of the Why as I get some of those who are 'hard at it' telling a little of their stories.
In the Hartsville YMCA this afternoon I asked one of our local MDs if he was familiar with research or articles on the subject. As I began to explain what I was thinking about a possible book or series of articles he may have contributed the first paragraph of this book>
"After 60, the most valuable thing you can do for yourself and your health is exercise," he said. Now, if I were beginning the book I might have to go back to him for the exact quote but the the power of his exclamation when thinking about this topic says I am in the exact frame from which he was coming.
Some days I am anxious to open the Y doors and other days it takes power of persuasion to head in that direction but the result is that when I have worked out -- even when the workout is not 'high quality' I know I am better for having expended the energy and expanded lots of capacities inside this body that might not be as young as it used to be.
So, I am going to spend a little time on the research side and I am going to set down a goal of getting a lot of ideas of the hows and what's of exercise after 60 while giving some example of the Why as I get some of those who are 'hard at it' telling a little of their stories.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Robbie is setting a new standard
Robbie McLendon is not yet 60. He is young 56 and seemingly getting younger every day. He has a workout regimen that would make some professionals cringe. Here are his current running statistics:
Robbie Mclendon
"the old geezer has run 18227 miles in a 2474 day running streak averaging 7.36 miles per day. finally sent in my application for entry into the United States Running Streak Association,INC. woooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo"
I used to believe I was working out hard but Robbie is bringing a whole new set of standards to gym work and running in the Hartsville area. You may know people like him in your area. He doesn't just place in races, he wins them: not just the Master section but often the entire race. Robbie is one of those examples we can all follow - at least a little. He is there day after day after day and if we are going to get what we need from working out -- we need to at least be there just about daily.
Robbie Mclendon
"the old geezer has run 18227 miles in a 2474 day running streak averaging 7.36 miles per day. finally sent in my application for entry into the United States Running Streak Association,INC. woooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo"
I used to believe I was working out hard but Robbie is bringing a whole new set of standards to gym work and running in the Hartsville area. You may know people like him in your area. He doesn't just place in races, he wins them: not just the Master section but often the entire race. Robbie is one of those examples we can all follow - at least a little. He is there day after day after day and if we are going to get what we need from working out -- we need to at least be there just about daily.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Lazy? Age? Motivation? Just what is the problem?
I think of all the birthday's the one this past January 1 might have been the most traumatic. There is just something about 62. The basic age when you can start pulling your money from those retirement accounts without penalty is one thing. (Okay, not much money left now in those retirement accounts with this economic thing stealing everything that took years to save.) But, maybe it is being qualified now for social security even though they hope we won't touch that until 70. Not sure what, or why but this past birthday seemed to drain away energy and motivation. I did have a night class and that may have been part of the reason I could not get myself to the YMCA but what about the other three nights of the week and the weekend? And, then there were the mornings. I can't remember another year that I have been four days in a row without a three to six mile walk/run. But January and February, I would awaken and turn back in. Too cold is what I said but it is never too cold in South Carolina. Now, I have four days in a row at the Y and am feeling better about things but the decision to workout is way to conscious and way too debatable in my life right now. The slacker is winning the debate and going in opposition to what is clearly common sense, basic wisdom and life skills. So, what is it -- age, laziness, motivation, or just plain stupidity that is keeping me of the streets and away from the weights?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
ending one year, beginning another
Being a "New Year's Baby" you get an extra bonus when January 1 comes around because you literally are beginning a brand new year. So, exercise wise, I spent a little time closing out 2009 at the Hartsville Y, doing some ab work and some leg work. My pathetic attempts at working out during the past three months have ensured that yesterday I was not lifting much in any of the exercises. Missed the traditional running out the old year and in the new that Greg and I just have not been able to solidify as a tradition, but this morning did get four miles of walking before seven. So, not a bad start to 2009. My goal is to consistently get in some real physical exercise. Exercise is not a habit, it is a daily conscious decision, especially as you get older. Spurring me to a greater commitment was Y regular Dorothy Beaver, who fights off rheumatoid arthritis with several Y trips a week. What a great role model she is.
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