There’s no age limit to start running, just look at Britain’s Deirdre Larkin. This piano teacher discovered the joy of endurance running at the age of… 78. Since then, she’s collected hundreds of finisher medals and has just smashed the over-85 half marathon world record in 2:05. Seriously inspiring.
“Before I turned 78, the last time I’d run was back in high school, and I was honestly terrible,” Deirdre admits. So what could possibly push this grandmother to lace up her shoes? When she was 77, her doctor diagnosed her with osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones. But medication, injections, and even yoga didn’t improve things.
Starting running to boost your health
One of her sons moved back in with her in a neighborhood of Johannesburg. He went out for a run three times a week, and Deirdre started tagging along. “At first, I’d run three strides, then I’d stop to walk three steps.”
It was the beginning of a rebirth for her, South African by adoption. “My blood moves faster through my veins, I can feel every muscle. I never imagined I had so many. I feel alive, I have so much more energy.” Another of her secrets is a strict routine, no salt, no sugar, plus training every morning at 5 a.m. to run in the cool air. No afternoon naps either, because she teaches piano at a high school in the north of the city.
Running a 2:05 half marathon at… 85
Little by little, she got hooked on racing. So much so that in 2016 she lined up for no fewer than 65 events, on distances all the way up to the half marathon. Each start line became another chance to motivate others to get moving and chase their own fitness goals.
In May 2017, she was invited to the shores of Lake Geneva to race the Geneva Half Marathon. She delivered a new feat, running 2:05:13 at the age of 85, setting a new world record for the 85+ category.
She has no intention of stopping now. “I can imagine a life without running. But it would feel like a slow death. I’ll keep running for as long as I can. Even on one leg, I’m sure I could do it!”
This powerhouse grandma is pure inspiration. Sport is the best ally for your health, and osteoporosis, like many conditions, is often linked to a long period of inactivity. So it’s no surprise that a simple walk-run approach, then running consistently, helped this South African rediscover her energy and endurance. Hats off, Madam!
