MEMPHIS FIT
By Lucy Harrison Photo by Amy Goode
Active at Any Age
Chicago-born and New-York bred, Herman (Herm) Markell has lived in Memphis since 1955. He has been a devout runner and cyclist his entire life. When he used to travel for work, he always packed his running shoes so that he could remain active on the go, and even completed the highly competitive New York City Marathon in 1980, as well as 2 triathlons locally. At 87, his passion for fitness is still as strong as ever: he rides his tricycle 20 to 30 miles four or five days a week.
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Herm started cycling after suffering an injury that left him unable to run. After struggling with a variety of medical issues, he
ultimately underwent surgery that left him with a balance problem. “That was when I discovered the tricycle,” he explains. “I didn’t want to just give up on exercise completely, and bicycling was too hard for me to keep from falling.” Although the tricycle was a new form of exercise for Herm, he’s grown to truly love it. “I actually like it more than the bicycle because you can actually look around sideways to appreciate the beauty around you,” he explains. “The structure of the tricycle offers a firmer base, lower center of gravity, and more overall stability.”
