Ida Keeling Sets a New Sprint Record
Her 60 meter time – 29.86 seconds – was a new world record for her age class: 95-and-up.
Ida Keeling is 4-6 and 83 pounds, and does her running on size 51/2 feet. She runs in the hallways of her Riverdale apartment. She runs on treadmills, and lifts weights, and rides an exercise bike and has no idea what she would do without all of it.
…Keeling lost her husband to a heart attack at age 42, in 1958. She lost two sons, Donald and Charles, in gruesome, drug-related homicides, in 1979 and 1981. Her blood pressure went up to 206/106. Some people would never get over such events. Ida Keeling had plenty of dark days, but kept on.
…Keeling ran against five other master (40 and over) runners Wednesday night, all of them 30 or more years her junior. Deaneth Edwards, 40, had a winning time of 9.00. When Edwards and the other runners were done, they turned and waited at the finish for Ida Keeling in Lane 7, her yellow shoes going as fast as she could make them go, up and down, a stride more walk than run.
As Keeling approached the finish line, the other sprinters began to clap and so did everybody else at the Armory, competitors in the hurdles and long jump and distance events, and the smattering of fans, including several of Keeling’s six grandchildren and eight great grand-children. Ida Keeling raised her arms again. Her time was 29.86 – a world record in the 95-and-up age group, and when it was announced, another cheer went up, a little more material for the book she is writing about her life.
(from the New York Daily News)
Here’s a clip from ABC News:
That is seriously cool. My mother-in-law is also 95, but unlike Mrs. Keeling, she can barely walk – even with a walker – and hasn’t got a clue who her grandkids are, let alone me (and I’ve been married to her son for 31 years).
To me, that’s a frightening prospect. But stories like Ida Keeling’s give me hope. I wish her many more years of sprinting.
February 21, 2011
Ida Keeling Sets a New Sprint Record – http://blog.ultimatefatburner.com/2011/0…
February 22, 2011
That is awesome. She has gone through so many hardships in her life. It just shows her problems didn’t stop her from living.
Her mind still seems very sharp. It seems more common to have cases now a days like your mother-in-law rather than like Ida. I really dread the day if that happens with my family members or me.
February 22, 2011
There’s a connection between being physically active, and keeping your mind sharp. My own mother experienced significant cognitive decline before she died; as did her mother. That “legacy” keeps me moving, among other things.
February 23, 2011
Keep moving is great advice. It think it keeps the body and mind young. If only more people would try it.
March 10, 2011
I would like to interview her for my upcoming book on extraordinary centenarians (and those close to it, like Ida). Does anyone know how I can contact her?
March 10, 2011
@Gwen: According to the linked article, her daughter Shelley is the track and field coach at Fieldston School in the Bronx – she may be willing to help you get in touch with her mom.
The reporter who wrote the article might also be able/willing to provide contact information.