in 2008 i was asked to lead a half marathon team for more magazine’s annual spring run in central park. my team of peeke performers was comprised of women who were cancer survivors and included women who had triumphed over cancers of the breast thyroid lung and bladder. one woman ran with just one lung and did great. all of these women were extraordinary but one was a real character. that’s elaine doll dunn. like me she’s got a wicked wit and plenty of sass. tall and regal she looked ageless and in reality was 71 years young. she carried herself with grace and elegance but her impish grins gave away her real personality— a powerful survivor who brushed off her bladder cancer as a speed bump along a winding hilly and joyful life journey. that’s elaine. we did lots of pr for the half marathon including a segment on "good morning america. " her one-liners kept me laughing and her endless energy was astonishing. after completing the half marathon elaine insisted i come to south dakota and keynote her marathon in the spearfish canyon about 45 miles outside of rapid city. to sweeten the deal she informed me that the marathon weekend coincided with biker week where over 250 000 harley enthusiasts descend upon the town of sturgis (not far from spearfish) and basically rally tour the countryside and yes indeed have a party or two. i had a funny feeling she would become quite a fount of enlightenment for me. and i was right. as you know by now this coming sunday august 22nd i’ll be competing in the iron girl triathlon with a group of my patients the peeke performers. i was thinking about this upcoming race as i addressed elaine’s marathoners who were experiencing the usual pre-race day blend of anxiety and excitement. as i looked around the room i noticed that at least half the crowd of runners was women well into their 60’s and beyond. and i knew why. presently 73 years old elaine has been a living inspiration for women who dared to push their envelope at any age. and she’s been doing this for many years. her motto is: “i postpone death by living by suffering by error by risking by giving by loving. ” anais nin here’s a quick sampling of her achievements. at each age she: 52 — climbed 900 foot devil’s tower in wyoming 53 — had a major role in last of the red hot lovers. 54 — placed second in a body building contest that was not age grouped! 55 — ran the centennial trail 113 miles across south dakota from wind cave national park to the top of the sacred bear butte 56 — was challenged by bladder cancer and won. 57 — married jerry dunn during the disney world marathon and finished the race. they were interviewed on the today show just after the ceremony at the magic kingdom. 58 — climbed mt. kilimanjaro and won the marathon there the day after we got off the mountain. 59 — won the swimsuit competition in the golden times newspaper and was featured on the front page and as the centerfold. 60 — ran from the atlantic to the pacific ocean across panama 60 miles to celebrate her 60th birthday. 61 — became mrs. south dakota and participated at the national level for mrs. america. she was 30 years older than the other contestants. 62 — ran a marathon of marathons 26. 2 marathons in the year 2000. one of these was completed with three of her children who were running their first marathon. 65 — completed a doctor of philosophy in psychology researching the self-efficacy of women who begin marathoning after the age of 40. 71 — was the recipient of the spirit of dakota award annually honoring one woman whose leadership qualities courage strength and community commitment illustrate the best of south dakota womanhood. alright elaine’s quite an exceptional woman and i’m not asking anyone to start rock climbing at the age of 60 or pick up marathoning. however i just wanted to drive home the point with my velvet sledgehammer that it’s never ever too late in life to wake up get up and challenge yourself for mental spiritual and physical growth and fitness. become fearless and don’t be afraid to put it out there no matter your age. here’s the lesson. never say “i’m too old to do that. ” old is an attitude that gets in the way of living your life to the fullest. approach new challenges you may want to participate in with this phrase on your lips “that sounds interesting. i’ll give it a whirl and see what happens. ” don’t look at numbers. focus on the quality of every breath you take. age is after all just a number.
how can i age with vigor?