Senior Success Story at Fit For Life

A Preventive Health & Fitness Company
"Keep Active and Have Fun!"

Biking Across the Frozen Tundra

At an age where many men and women begin to slow down, Jerry Baumgartner, age 64, is training for an ultra-marathon adventure race in February 2003 – in Alaska. This race, known as the Iditarod Trail Invitational will require him to cover 350 miles across the frozen backcountry of southeastern Alaska on bike. His goal is to complete the race in six days. He will be the oldest competitor.

The event begins in the town of Knik, Alaska, one week prior to the well-known Iditarod dogsled race, and follows the historic Iditarod Trail. There are three disciplines that racers can compete in: bicycling, skiing, and a foot division that encompasses both running and snowshoeing. Every competitor must carry enough camping/sleeping/cooking gear to take care of themselves at temperatures ranging from 30 degrees above to 30 degrees below zero. In addition, they must be able to melt snow to make their own drinking water, and be able to take care of themselves in case of an emergency.

This is a very tough race, and Jerry competed in a 100-mile version of the race in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In order to be capable of doing the 350-mile event he must be trained to both bicycle and to push the bicycle in areas where the snow becomes too deep to ride through.

What’s clear is that he is not doing it to stop the ‘aging process’ in some way, nor to ‘turn back the clock’. He acknowledges both his age and his physical limitations. He is not what most people would consider an athlete. His first competitive race was in 2000 at the age of 62.

The primary reason Jerry is pushing himself is for the overall improvement of health and wellness that can result from being very active. He consistently rides 10- and 12-hour days. His hope is that his efforts will prove to be inspirational for other people his age and encourage them to stretch themselves in some way for the improvement of their health, wellness and overall lifestyle.

Finally, Jerry is interested in competing for the personal challenge and satisfaction of completing a very difficult adventure race. He refuses to let his age or his physical condition limit the challenges he may face or undertake in his life. Adventure racing is not something that many people his age start up. But Jerry believes that the most important lesson that he can teach is that participating in some form of physical activity is available to most, and that everyone at any age may face difficult challenges. With that in mind, he is doing this event to demonstrate that with determination, hard work, and proper training, a very ordinary person can successfully complete even a very difficult endeavor.