Just keep on doing what you have been doing
Walking the Sheepskin trail, biking the Great Allegheny Passage, hiking the trails in Ohiopyle or just taking a walk in your favorite park; each a great way to get outside for some fresh air and stay physically fit. Even indoor activities especially in the colder months can be of benefit to your health. Gym memberships can allow for stationary biking and what better all round exercise than swimming.
Over the years, I have found that as I age biking and swimming allow me to stay active with very minimal discomfort from the activity. Most of my workouts leave me without any pain and a feeling of being refreshed. Many seniors in our area are able to take advantage of free memberships at area gyms and Y鈥檚 as part of their health insurance through the 鈥淪ilver Sneakers鈥� programs. Insurance companies have a vested interest in our staying healthy as it significantly reduces costs, and this really helps all of us through lower premiums. Staying active throughout our lives leads to a better quality of life and brings with it the added joy and fulfillment that life has to offer.
No one needs to tell Russ Mantle about the benefits of staying active. On November 7, Russ, who is 82, just completed 1 million miles of biking. You read that right, 1 million miles. He started riding his bicycle in 1951 and in 68 years has averaged an incredible 14,700 miles per year. That is 40 times around the planet, 222 times the distance of a U.S. coast-to-coast ride and twice the distance of going to the moon and back. Another astonishing feat on a bicycle was completed by Amanda Coker in 2017 when she biked 86,500 miles in one year a record accomplishment at age 24.
I too enjoy the thrill of biking, and since I retired in the year 2000, I have been able to rack up 43,337 miles. My best year was in 2016 when I was 74 years old, riding a total of 4,025 miles. Since then, the age and health curve has slowed me down, but I still manage to average 2,500 miles per year. I truly enjoy the spirit of people like Russ and Amanda.
In many ways, they are truly leaders as they show us what is possible with the human spirit even as we age getting out their day after day to enjoy life and all it has to offer. Those of us who enjoy this kind of spirit know the joy of the sights and sounds of the wind, water, dappled sunlight, falling leaves and sometimes just the stillness of it all as we make our journey over the trails and along the paths.
Swimming at the pool a few days ago, I was reminded of Russ when I decided to go for the length of the pool on one breath. It has been awhile since I had done this and I thought about seeing if I could still do it. I pushed off and 31 strokes later I arrived at the other end of the pool, proud of myself and thanking Russ for the motivation.
When asked about slowing down Russ Mantle is looking forward to his new goal of 2 million miles and living until he is 100 years old. Perhaps we can all learn from his story. Just get out and keep doing it.
Life isn鈥檛 about staying out of the rain, it鈥檚 about learning how to dance in it.