The Athletic Feat I Achieved in My 70s

I am 71 and living life in the fast lane. Over the past 16 years, I have competed in nine Washington State Senior Games. In 2024, I set a new Women’s 70-74 fifty-meter record, which stood for 15 years. Additionally, I have competed in five National Senior Games, achieving two personal bests.

I am especially proud that, at 70, I won my first National Senior Games gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay. Recently, I successfully competed in the Huntsman World Senior Championships for the first time.

My exciting journey gained national notoriety when my article, “How I Became a Track Star in My 60s,” appeared in The Ethel newsletter and caught the attention of a producer from the Today show. My segment aired twice, emphasizing that it's never too late to embark on a new sport and that living life agelessly is liberating. It also earned me the nickname “The Fast Fashionista!”

My ascent as a senior athletic champion has been both victorious and fraught with challenges. While racing at age 61, I severely ruptured my left Achilles tendon. Subsequently, my surgeon said my competitive racing days were over because of my age and the severity of the injury.

Yet, I knew deep down that I would compete again! I stayed positive during the grueling months of rehab and years of walking laps around a local track. My persistence and spiritual resilience paid off.

At 64, I was successfully competing again! Sadly, my husband, who was my first coach, passed away at the age of 72 after his third battle with cancer. His dying request was that I continue competing, which I did.

My new coach, Marcus Chambers, who was 24 when we met, was a 2020 Olympic trials hopeful in the 400-meter race. He has been my coach for six years and counting. Because of him, I now have a better understanding of sprint mechanics. Perfecting this type of racing takes more training than just running fast in a straight line.

There have been other injuries, including tight hamstrings, shin splints, sciatica and severely strained abdominal muscles. Obviously, these injuries have not derailed my mission and passion to continue competing. My entire team, devoted to my success, encourages and inspires me to continue pursuing excellence.

We’re all curious about how fit and fast I can become in my advanced years. As I move into my 70s, my racing longevity requires discipline and dedication to nutrition.

Breakfast typically consists of grains, an omelet, fresh fruit, cottage cheese and smoothies. Lunch is a leafy green salad with nuts and raisins, baked salmon or chicken. Then, dinner means more green vegetables, black beans, sweet potatoes and chicken or salmon, baked or broiled.