Senior Success Story at Fit For Life

Simply Staying Healthy & Having Fun

Mavis Borthick, 84, didn't start running until she was 65 and now she dominates events in the senior games. Earlier this summer, Mavis participated in 8 running events at the Tennessee Senior Games! She won all events and in all has won over 200 medals since starting to compete in the games 18 years ago. The eight events are: the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dashes, 800- and 1,500-meter run, 1,500-meter race walk, and 5K and 10K runs. Mavis plans to participate in all eight events at the National Senior Games this October in Orlando, Florida.

In the 1997 National Senior Games in Tucson, Arizona, Borthick won seven medals, including 5 golds. As an 80 year old, Mavis shattered the 1,500-meter world record for that age group which still stands today. Running it in 9:32 to beat the old time of 10:40! She is easily one of the nation's top 80-and-over runners.

Mavis, a retired school teacher, has always lead an active lifestyle. She grew up on a farm and raised her family there too. She didn't participate in many sports as a child reporting "women weren't supposed to do that". Chasing chickens, cows and kids all day seemed to keep her in good shape though. It also helps that she has always been health conscious and watches what she eats, leaving out white bread and fried foods. She goes for an annual physical and the only medication she takes is blood pressure medicine and a hormone. The doctor figures it is hereditary high blood pressure and not related to poor diet or lack of exercise. The only surgery Mavis has had was a hysterectomy 5 years ago and she can't remember ever having a serious injury or ailment. At age 72, Mavis participated in a research study looking at the effect of exercise on the immune system. The study revealed she had a body of a 40 year old!

Mavis's day starts out early. At 5:30 a.m., she walks one mile to the civic center then lifts weights, bikes or uses the stair climber before walking or running the one mile back home. She does this most everyday taking an occasional Sunday off. Her advice to other seniors is "Get up and move". Some of her friends thinks she is crazy but in her mind she is simply staying healthy and having fun!

by Carol Glasscock, MS,PT