This one just might get you away from the computer!
Lynda Simon from Springfield, Mo shared this about her husband.
It was fourteen years ago. Daryl’s 50th birthday. We’re eating cake and he suddenly looks at me “I think I’ll try running.” He has asthma. “Doubtful” I replied. “Have at it, Forrest!”. The next day, after work, he ran out the front door in jeans and his high top leather work boots. Made it 1/10th of a mile to the stop sign at the corner and had to sit down to catch his breath. New running shoes and trying again. Then again and again. Shortly after he’s entering 5 K’s and making friends in the Springfield running circles. As of now he has run 23 marathons including the Boston marathon…twice! I have no idea the number of 10 K’s, 15K’s and half-marathons. There are hundreds of trophies and finisher medals overtaking his office. He loves adventure racing, duathelons and the new obsession: canoe racing.
He began the famous 340 mile canoe race from Kansas City to St Charles, this July. (REALLY, at 64). The 340 is the longest continuous canoe race in the world. There are other races that are longer, but they have mandatory rest stops. (Guess that one is just for wimps).
As this page gets posted: ‘The race is still in progress, but Daryl had to withdraw. First race he has ever stepped away from in his life. It was 109 degrees on the water and they (he and his paddler partner) were beginning to feel nasty effects from the heat. Over 50% of the racers have pulled out and many are being dragged out of their boats and into rescue squads for heat stroke and IV therapy. It’s grim’.
“He’s not cover material. He’s 5’9 and whipcord thin with a salt and pepper beard.…. and I find him amazing”. (So do I, as I put down the second bowl of ice cream I am eating to see if I can still touch my toes).
These two have been married 38 years (Go Team!). They met at a camp. She’s teaching arts and crafts. He’s running the boathouse. A hot and muggy night. She wanders down to the lake to take out a canoe, maybe catch a breeze. Instead she catches Daryl who wrangles an invite to join. Six weeks later they are engaged.
These two are still having a romance, through all kinds of weather. Daryl is now planning for excessive heat training and a podium finish next year. Lynda, it seems to me, is that special kind of girl that comes along only once and if you are lucky, she will let you share her canoe.
Meet Marianne Schroeder
This is what she does in her spare time
Primal Quest: This is a 3 day camp….Day 1 we rock climb all morning, then cliff rappel all afternoon (300 ft. cliffs). Day 2 mountain bike or hike in the morning, paddle kayaks in Lake Dillon all afternoon. Day 3 we are ready to start our trek up a 14,000 ft mountain. (Oops, did I mention that she is 65?).
“The people I play with don’t even think of age…it’s just a number!!! My best friend is 55. We have been active together for many years. We ride bikes all the time, always at least one longer ride up to 50 or 60 miles”. (You know the image of that soft squishy cat yawning and stretching and rolling on her back kinda saying ‘tomorrow is another day’. That would be me.)
Marianne and her daughter in law, 35, did a Warrior Dash last January near their home in Florida. This is a 3 mile run about 12 obstacles; lots of mud, climbing over old cars and hay bales, climbing up cargo rope nets, running in the lake with a giant fan blowing in your face, over and under high hurdles, jumping over fire and then more mud. “It was a BLAST!” (I’m thinking there are a few cable stations I should be speaking with about this).
Marianne met her husband at a road race called the Frostbite Footrace held in mid January (of course).She was running, he pursuing. “We still are the race directors of the Frostbite Footrace after 31 years”.
“I always thought we were going to move out to the mountains so in the mid 70′s I started learning all sorts of skills that would bring in money. I learned macrame, pottery, jewelry making, reupholstering furniture, and making stained glass windows. A local church we were attending had me make a few mid size windows for the rectory and it led to making 7 huge windows for the main church. I didn’t have to have a ‘job’ because I was making money doing all these things. I could go out and play whenever I wanted. There is always a way to make money from home!!!” (Now I am thinking forget the cable show, maybe I tap into Marianne and just create an entire industry).
Marianne if ever we need to jump in a fox hole, I’m tagging with you.
LUCY DELSARTO
Here are a few points about this American Beauty:
- Has held the top title in Woman’s Open Singles in Raquetball since 1998.
- Competes with top Men’s Open players in tournaments and wins a lot.
- Wellness Coach with her own company TCOY = Take Care of You.
I was glad to hear when Miss Lucy said that she is “writing a book, which is about the TCOY Philosophy of Creating the Champion Lifestyle. The same fundamental steps used in learning how to play racquetball apply to life. It’s what I focus a lot of my speaking engagements around as it applies to life in every aspect.” (Because I am going to need a copy for every room in the house).
Says DelSarto, “Yes, I’m happy to say I’ll be 50 this June and playing top-notch racquetball, healthier than ever mentally and physically. TCOY is not just my business name, it’s my philosophy and way of life.” (As a person who has turned 49 several times now, I am thinking I may need to make a few adjustments to my own personal philosophy).
My favorite part about Lucy DelSarto – she invented Tweak the Treat. An annual event we can all make happen. The day after Halloween all the leftover candy is scooped up, wrapped in boxes, fun notes written by all ages and sent to spread a little joy to our troops overseas. I can’t help it, I gotta say it….YOU GO GIRL!