Defying the Odds at 50 +

Defying the Odds at 50+ Getting older doesn't necessarily mean you have to slow it down. These inspirational athletes - all over the age of 50 - are proof that if you lead a healthy lifestyle and take care of your body, anything is possible. Martina Navratilova Fauja Singh Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: April 1, 1911 CAge 103) Marathon Runner Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: October 18, 1956 (Age 58) Tennis British Czech/ American On 16 October 2011, Singh became Achievements: the first 100-year-old to finish a marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8:11:06. Notable Notable Won a mixed doubles Achievements: championship at the U.S. Open in 2006 when she was just shy of her 50th birthday. "Don't get limited by people that say 'no', you can't do that because you're too old or because you're heavy or you're not an athlete. Whatever your limitations might be, don't let them define you. I didn't let it define me." "It's not easy to run a marathon, I know it will be painful but when I start it, I know l'm going to finish it." Morgan Shepherd Olga Kotelko LI 90001 Car racing Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: October 12, 1941 CAge 73) Track and field Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: March 2,1919 CAge 95) American Canadian Shepherd became the oldest driver Achievements: to lead a Nationwide Series race at the age of 70 when he led 3 laps in the 2012 Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway. "My plans never work out, anything l've ever planned it hasn't worked out. When people ask me [about retirement] I say you have to ask the Lord, because l'm here just to be a servant as long as he wants me." Notable Notable She holds 17 world records in Achievements: her age category (90-95) for the Masters competition. "I still have the energy I had at 50. Where is it coming from? Honestly, I don't know. It's a mystery even to me." Laura Sophiea Ray Moon' Triathlon Racing Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: Born 1929 (Age 84) Body building Australian Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: Born 1955 (Age 58) 12 American Notable Achievements: years in the 50-54 Age Group. Notable Ranked #1 by USA Triathlon all 5 Received award for the World's Achievements: Oldest Bodybuilder during the 2013 NABBA/WFF International Championships on May 19, 2013. "I was a cheerleader in high school and never participated in sports and when I found this, I found my passion and have continued in the triathlon world for 27 years now. I am looking forward to continuing to race, compete and break age group records into my 80's!" "I'm nowhere nearly as good as these fellows who are 50 or 60. But age is no barrier. Life is what you make it." Jamie Moyer Philippa Raschker Plic50 Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: November 18, 1962 (Age 51) Baseball Sport: Nationality: Date of Birth: February 21, 1947 (Age 67) Athletics American German/American Notable In 2012 and at the age of 49, Notable Achievements: the World Masters Athletics She has won 68 Gold Medals at Achievements: Moyer became the oldest pitcher in major-league history to win a game. Championships, including the ten she won at the championships in 2009 aged 62. "Work ethic has always been stressed in my family. My dad is going to be 80 years old and he still works part time. My mom just retired a couple years ago and she's in her mid-to late 70s." "At times I have stepped away from being competitive and gone into hibernation for a while. But when I don't have the object of being able to compete, I find that l'm not quite living the lifestyle that I want to." Did you Know... Age 55 60% Physically Active 40% Physically Inactive Nearly 40 percent of people over the age of 55 report no leisure-time physical activity. Inactive people lose muscle fiber at a rate of 3 to 5 percent every decade after percent loss of muscle fiber by age 60! age 30. That's a 15 Among adults aged 65 years and older, walking and gardening or yard work are, by far, the most popular physical activities. The older people become, the more they need regular exercise. It helps prevent bone loss (reducing the risk of fractures), reduces the risk of dozens of diseases associated with aging and also increases muscle strength. Inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active. References: http://masterstrack.com/2010/05/11822/ http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/olderad.htm http://www.seniorsforliving.com/content/article//116/ http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jamiemoyer 455601.html http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1768620-the-best-athletes-over-50/page/7 http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis /usopen06/news/story?id=2578105 http://www.worldamazingrecords.com/2009/01/ray-moon-world-oldest-competing.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/inspirational-athletes-older-athletes_n_1710852.html http://sicknissified.com/index.php/nascar -1/morgan-shepherd-continues-to-inspire-with-daytona-500-bid/12617 https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Getting/fealthy/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/Exercise-Tips-for-Older-Americans_UCM_308039_Article.jsp carehomestoday www.carehomestoday.co.uk