Never too old to run

“I am over 40 and too old to start running now.”

How many times in our lives have we heard something similar to this comment when a person is urged to start doing some exercise.

Concert pianist Deirdre Larkin, an English woman residing in South Africa, was born with a missing vertebrae. Exercise was definitely not on her agenda.

At the age of 38, she underwent back surgery and struggled to` lead a normal life. She got stronger, however, and in 2009, in order to do something healthy that would combat the condition she had, Larkin decided to start running.

Completely on her own but with a strong will, she ventured out one day very early in the morning. She walked three steps, then ran another three steps.

But, further than that was completely impossible at the time.

She never gave up hope though and three years later, at the age of 81, Larkin not only runs three steps at a time, but finishes 10km races in under 60 minutes and completes half-marathons in 2 hours 15 minutes.

But we don’t have to look elsewhere to draw inspiration.

Let’s talk about two of your possibly next door neighbours, namely, veteran runners Cecilia Degaetano (age 73) and Paul Fenech (76).

I have known Cecilia for the past 18 years, being one of my mentors in my initial days of running.

At the age of 52, a very busy housewife with four children she definitely had no time for sports activities.

Then, one of her sons decided to take up running and while following his progress in a local road race, she met a group of women who had formed the Ladies Running Club.

They invited Cecilia to join in but, like Larkin, she was unable to run a single lap at an athletics track at first.

She practised hard and a year later she ran her first half marathon. That was in 1991.

To-date, Cecilia, a role model, is still going strong and participating in most road races.

Apart from the proven fact that exercise slows down the aging process, it reduces the risk of illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

It also improves coordination and mobility as well as strengthens bones, muscles and joints, thus all contributing to a more independent old age.

Cecilia finished the 2012 Malta Half Marathon in 2:18:49. She holds the M2S records for the fastest times in the over 65 and over 70 categories for women.

On the other hand, I was only introduced to Fenech a few days ago, whereby with warmth and enthusiasm he greeted me at his beautiful home in Attard.

He led me to his garage – a memory lane full of trophies, medals, certificates and photos dating back to 1988 when at the age of 50, he started running laps around the old Schreiber stadium while waiting for his children to finish their football practice.

In less than a year he ran his first full marathon.

An open book, he recounted his achievements, only looking back with pride, having completed full marathons locally and overseas as well as most road races. It is only these past few months that due to family commitments, but with great regret, he had to abstain from participating in several road races.

However, his zest for the sport is amazing. Fully equipped with a gymnasium at home, he trains daily. I was impressed by his fitness and agility as he demonstrated several of his daily workouts.

“I drink plenty of water,” he said and added that he is also careful about his diet.

“Thank goodness for training. It releases me from all my stresses.”

Now, do you really think you are too old to run?

If you cannot run, then walk. Start with short distances, three or four times a week and increase gradually. Remain consistent and you will soon begin to see results.

M2S bumper race

This year’s Urban Jungle Mdina-Spinola will see yet again another record number of participants with well over 500 applications now confirmed.

Participants must register and collect their race numbers and timing chips from the Urban Sports outlet in Sliema (opposite the Malta Marathon finish) from 10am to 6pm between December 18 and 22.