RossTraining.com Blog

Can you imagine biking for 112 miles, swimming 2.4 miles, and running 26.2 miles, all in a single day?   At first glance, many would view this challenge as physically impossible, regardless of their training and preparation.

Fortunately, one woman can change your mind. Her name is Sister Madonna Buder.  She didn’t start exercising until she was 50 years old.  She has now been setting Ironman records for the past 20 years.  At age 77, she is still going strong!

Can you imagine approaching a 50 year old man or woman with no exercise experience, and explaining to them the possibility of competing in a triathlon?  Most would consider us crazy for even suggesting the idea.

But who is crazy?  Those who believe that the body is much more capable than others realize, or those who never try to find out for themselves?

If pushing past commonly perceived limits makes us crazy, I’ll live happily crazy for the rest of my life!
Ross

Last year, I linked to a story about the then 40 year old Dara Torres, and her plans to pursue the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. 

Almost a year has passed, and the now 41 year old Torres is off to her 5th Olympic games!  

Her story is clearly inspiring, as she has shattered many age related myths regarding athletic performance.  Any 41 year old (young) mother who has a legitimate chance at a Gold medal is worthy of respect, and then some. 

Yet, despite her tremendous accomplishments, it should come as no surprise that there are haters looking to rain on her parade.   

For example, a recent Sports Illustrated article stated the following: 

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Torres arrived at these trials knowing people would wonder how someone her age could possibly make it to the Olympics without some sort of illicit help.  She endured those whispers in Sydney, where she won two gold medals and three bronzes at age 33, and it ticked her off.

That’s why she volunteered for extra drug testing this time around. She was accepted into a new program that focuses on a dozen athletes in different sports, subjecting them to additional testing and the latest technology.

Since March, she’s been tested at least a dozen times, with testers drawing five vials of blood from her body each time to look for the telltale signs of illegal drugs.

“Anyone who makes any accusations, I take it as a compliment,” she said.

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I’m appalled that society is so quick to form an “assume guilt, prove innocence” opinion towards athletes.  The media attention harnessed around the Barry Bonds story (among others) has given casual fans the impression that all athletes are illegally enhanced.  Any worthwhile physical accomplishment will raise eyebrows and questions about illegal drug use. 

Why must a few bad apples spoil the bunch?  Yes, there are dirty athletes in the sporting world, but there are just as many clean athletes out there who have busted their ass and earned every bit of success.  Why can’t we give them the benefit of the doubt? 

Perhaps the has-beens or never-weres feel better blaming their lack of achievement on everyone else’s assumed drug use?  How pathetic is that?  Could it just be that the never-weres either weren’t good enough or just didn’t work hard enough?  Why must they cast doubts on others?  Perhaps to comfort their own failure?    

Could it be that the never-weres have a different interpretation of hard work when compared to a lifelong, dedicated athlete? 

Those who hate on athletes such as Dara Torres should observe the training that takes place behind the scenes of a world class athlete.  Training is a full time job.  Torres didn’t start swimming last year.  She was an Olympic athlete in 1984.  Clearly, she is blessed with talent, but that shouldn’t mask the hard work and dedication that she has endured for over 20 years.  

Many people in this world sit on their ass all day.  Many never competed in anything (not counting the professional armchair quarterback).  These people have no idea what kind of work is required to produce a world class athlete.  I’m talking about the kind of training that literally beats your ass up, down, and all around.  When you dedicate your life to this kind of training, year after year, it is amazing what the human body can achieve. 

We have far more potential than most will ever realize.  When someone such as Dara Torres offers a glimpse at our potential, we should applaud her achievements, rather than looking to spoil what she has worked so hard to achieve.  And for those who have cheated the system, they certainly deserve everything they get, but their deceit shouldn’t discredit the countless natural athletes that still exist today.   

Hats off to Dara.  I’ll be cheering for her next month!

Ross

Don’t let age slow you down.  Sam Bryant is 65 years young and still going strong.  Check out his story:

Bodybuilding Keeps 65 Year Old Young

Bryant competes against others who are 20 years younger.  His story is yet another example of the body’s potential.  At age 65, Bryant is all natural and continues to train several hours each day.  And while you may not be able to train for hours each day, you can certainly find inspiration in Bryant’s story.  Don’t let age dictate your life.  

In Bryant’s own words:

“The more you exercise, the more you stop the aging process. You get old in the mind. We are all living to age. If you think you’re old, then you start acting old. When you start acting old, you feel old, look old and act old.”

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I’m only in my 30’s, but I’m certain of the truth in his words.  As a younger fighter, I was fortunate to train with both Kent Ward and Rollie Pier (who are now coaches at Strike Zone MMA).  Kent is now in his 60’s and is still in better shape than most 20 year olds.  You’d be amazed at how strong and well conditioned he is.  Rollie is in his 80’s and still going strong.  When I was younger, Rollie was still getting in the ring to spar with the young amateurs.  He bought a new headgear in his 70’s!  He was in the gym every day.  I learned a lot from both of these men (in regards to the fight game and life in general). 

Staying young starts with how you act and feel.

Ross

In my last entry, I linked to a strength program from the past.  Within this entry, you’ll find present day bodybuilders who were likely around when some of the material from Sandowplus.co.uk was first published.  Please refer to the link below for an inspiring age-related story.

Bodybuilding For The Young… At Heart

Perhaps the best part of this story is contained within the video caption.  It reads as follows:

Walt Radke took up bodybuilding at age 65…

Look at what this man has done in five years.  More importantly, look at where he is as a 70 year-young man.  His story is absolutely incredible.  What’s even more shocking however is that I’ve received emails from men in their 30’s who already label themselves as over the hill.  What gives? These people need to wake up and start living!  Each day offers the opportunity to improve in some way.  Use it or lose it!

Train hard!

Ross

PS - Here is a similar story for those interested

Simple advice from Jack, which is still true today.  Unfortunately, it seems like less and less people are listening in today’s world.

Do you rule your body? 

Ross

At 101 years young, Buster Martin is busy preparing for a marathon.  He certainly fits the mold of stay busy and you’ll stay young doing so.  Use it or lose it. 

Check out his amazing story:

He Sings, He Runs, and He’s Only 101

Ross

Many choose exercise as a means to improve physical appearance.  Others exercise to enhance performance in a specific sporting event.  There are still plenty however who have no interest in either.  These individuals need a more compelling reason to exercise.  They don’t wish to compete and are not overly concerned with physical appearance.  What do you tell someone in this category?  How do you sell the benefits of exercise?

Many who read this blog do not need to be sold.  We are already fitness enthusiasts.  Some may even call us fitness fanatics.  But even I struggle to convince certain friends and family members the value of exercise.  They simply don’t want to hear it.  I am persistent however, and won’t give up when others don’t want to listen. 

One useful strategy is hammer home the relationship between health and longevity.  After all, whether you wish to compete in a sporting event has little to do with how much you value life.  As a husband and father, I want to be around for my family.  If exercise can assist with this wish, you can count on me exercising until the day I am 6 feet under. 

As for research supporting the relationship between exercise and longevity, there are new studies coming out every week in favor of this hypothesis.  While browsing through the Medline Plus site today, I came across several recent health related studies, all highlighting the correlation between fitness and health/longevity.  The links below are from just the past month alone:

Sedentary Lifestyle Accelerates Aging

A Little Regular Exercise Extends Men’s Lives

Walking An Hour A Week Cuts Colon Cancer Risk

Good Physical Function Halves Stroke Risk

There are new studies coming out every week, all suggesting the same.  Take care of your body through exercise and proper nutrition, and your likelihood for a longer, more fulfilling life will increase.

Ross

I received an email this morning from an individual who described himself as “an older man” and then informed me that he was only 39 years old.  It is sad that someone in this age group would consider himself over the hill. My first boxing coach bought a new head gear when he was 75 years old.  He was still moving around inside the ring with the young novices.  He still exercises every day, and looks like a man in his 60’s at most.  This all falls back to the simple advice… 

Use it or lose it!  And if you don’t believe me, perhaps Randy can convince you.  This young man is only in his 40’s. 

Enjoy,

Ross

Michael Secrest gives us yet another example of tremendous physical condition at the young age of 54. In a recent test, his maximal oxygen consumption, EKG, and blood pressure all scored in the SUPERIOR category.  And while this may not sound too impressive, his scores were in the superior category for men ages 18 to 29!  At age 54, Michael is still in tremendous physical condition.  Who said that age matters?

Secrest is certainly not new to fitness however.  Just last year he rode over 500 miles on a bike in 24 hours.  Not too shabby…

534.75 miles in 24 hours

And for those interested in other age defying stories, be sure to browse through the past blog entries below:

http://www.rosstraining.com/blog/?p=199

http://www.rosstraining.com/blog/?p=189

http://www.rosstraining.com/blog/?p=159

http://www.rosstraining.com/blog/?p=158

http://www.rosstraining.com/blog/?p=156

http://www.rosstraining.com/blog/?p=123

Enjoy,

Ross

Don’t let age slow you down.  Kozo Haraguchi can still move at the ripe age of 95.

The Running Man!
Have a nice weekend,

Ross