Running at age 75+

Your father has done well and should be commended It is partly the luck of the draw It depends on genes and how you have treated your body over your lifetime. I do not know of many who run that fast. Ed Whitlock says it takes "Patience"

I am still trying and have managed to return to jog/walking after a lengthy time of just walking slowly. I can not run but have a trainer in the hope that some day that will change

I cover a mile in 20-25 minutes at age 78.

As Winston Churchill said:

"Never give up,

Never, never, NEVER

NEVER give up"

Thank you Orville Atkins for your words of inspiration. I shall pass them on to my father. Keep moving no matter the pace and take time to savor the moment.

It happens. At some point for many of us keeping moving becomes success. Unless he's going senile your dad has been at this long enough to know what he's doing. I admire him.

Many of my friends are or were in their 80. Most of those who have passed on have done so from cancer, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease

Your heart and and brain need you to continue steady movement 30 to 60 minutes a day. If you don't run or jog walk at any pace.

Many of my friends who raced marathons and trained extremely long and hard to do so have atrial fibrillation.

Please tell your Father to continue to enjoy it.

Thank you HRE for your post. I think my Dad may be losing his edge in the decision making sense, but overall he is doing fine. Running, reading and Jeopardy keep him sane.

Thank you Orville. I am nearing 50 of age. I run not to capture times of my past. I flog along at 7:30 pace. Could bring it down a notch, prefer to enjoy a leisurely pace.

That is the right thing to do if that is what you want. Just enjoy it and keep as fit as you can but also think young. You are not young if you think of yourself as old and You Are young. It was not until age 75 that I thought of myself as aging. I am not yet old. There are 23 in our Palos Verdes running/breakfast group. 12 are over 80. We formed in 1969 and at one time there were 50 members.

I have not driven a car in two years. It is too dangerous. I sold my car and my license has expired. I have set myself up so I can walk or walk/jog most places.

Staying active is key -- my grandfather walked 3 miles to work everyday til age 84. One day he had had chest pain all night and walked to the hospital instead -- they said a coronary artery was 95% blocked and others pretty bad, and he'd likely be dead years ago without the walking. So bottom line, it's great to be able to run fast, but running slow or walking are just as good -- don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and all that. There's also good evidence that exercise maintains brain function, regardless of pace.

Orville, why can't you run these days? I've enjoyed reading your posts over the years. Best of luck with the comeback.

I lost both my folks and am just a wee bit envious in that your Dad is still truckin'.

I won't bore you with the details but neither of my folks were enthusiastic about exercise, excluding my Mother after a serious heart event.

After that she DID exercise with some modest consistency, however her fear of Death was vastly reduced & the enthusiasm faded over time.

Encourage your Dad'srunning, as you stated it 'gives him purpose and meaning'. If you can, run WITH him.

It sounds, alas, as though he and his wife are facing challenges. Y'gotta be there for them IMHO, that's part of the job description of being a son.

Orville Atkins wrote:

I cover a mile in 20-25 minutes at age 78.

Is this due to injury, or general body condition?

My long time best friend passed in her mid 70's due to her mind and body simply wearing out, and had no diseases or injuries. She got happier and happier the closer to death, which tore me apart, but there was nothing I could do.

Consider this: it appears by your testimony that she was At Peace as the time of her passing approached.

We should all be so fortunate.

I am Very Sorry for your loss.

Thank you, Gonzo.