50 Athletes over 50: Teach Us to Live a Strong, Healthy Life

by Don McGrath

DISCOVER HOW ATHLETES OVER 50 LEAD EXTRAORDINARY LIVES! What does it take to continue to participate in athletic activities and sustained exercise later in life? How does it differ from managing these activities when you are in your 20's or 30's? Do you wonder if, or when, you have to give up your physical activities? You will be intrigued and inspired by the answers to these questions from Don McGrath's book about 50 interviews of athletic people over 50 years old. True stories from his spectacular interviewees will inspire you like no others. Many of McGrath's subjects never imagined that they would be role models for exercise and good health. Still, by applying a common set of characteristics, they have broken remarkable mental and physical barriers to succeed. Peek into the lives of Linda Quirk who ran seven marathons on seven continents at age 55, and in 2010 plans to run across four of the world's largest deserts; Sandy Scott, 69, who broke a vertebrae at age 65 and four years later won a state cycling 20k championship; or 75-year-old veteran tap dance Gene GeBauer. With U.S. health concerns at the forefront, the athlete's way of life helps us to understand how to take responsibility for our well being. Lessons learned from these interviews can help us avoid doctors' offices, stave off diseases, and have more joy and contentment. In his final summary, McGrath examines the behaviors and attitudes necessary for all of us to have health and satisfaction through an active life. If you want to know the secrets of those who are still going strong in athletic activities in their later years, then this is the book for you.

238 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2010

Reviews

[Sam Chapple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational. I would like to see a 70 over 70 book someday, as 70 is mentioned as the usual decline threshold. Great quotes, wonderful interviews, dedicated author and subjects.

"Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't, you're right". I just put this on the front of my workout log. I am 70 and constantly reworking the formula between lifting, cardio, stretching and frequency.

[George Donnegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced and highly Informative

While the individual stories are interesting the chapter regarding age related performance is informative and intriguing. The book includes information about organizations and events related to the 55 plus community. I was somewhat unaware of several of the organizations. The references are useful.