❖ Seniors on the Run Two local runners prove that age is just a number

By Andrea Busche

Did you happen to catch the recent news segment, featuring 102-yearold Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins, who still regularly runs for exercise? Hermantown resident Claudia Cottrell did. And, just like anyone else who was watching, she was inspired.

CLAUDIA COTTRELL A Lifelong Runner

Cottrell has been running for 43 years, and hopes to be in “Hurricane territory” herself one day. She took up the sport in 1974, on a total fluke.

“I was finishing up my last quarter in college, and I needed one more credit,” Cottrell says. “I found a class called ‘Intro to Jogging,’ and I took it. I think the other option was ‘Basket Weaving.’”

It seems as though selecting that running course was pure destiny for Cottrell. She met her husband, Harry, in a running club, and both of their sons are runners, too.

Over the years, Cottrell has completed Grandma’s Marathon four times, the Twin Cities Marathon four times, the Avenue of the Giants Marathon in California twice, along with numerous half-marathons and 5K races.

Her best time was in 1986, when she ran Grandma’s Marathon with a time of 3 hours, 25 minutes, which qualified her for the Boston Marathon. Cottrell even ran two races while unknowingly pregnant.

Now 67, Cottrell is focused on half-marathons and shorter races; she’ll be running Grandma’s Half Marathon again in 2018. She has found that while being an older runner is definitely possible, age does present a few challenges.

“I can’t train like I’m 45 anymore,” she says. “And, it’s sad to see my times fall, because the amount of e�ort feels the same.”

But for Claudia, the benefits have vastly exceeded the obstacles.

While running has always kept her healthy and slim, Cottrell recently realized how fortunate she is to be able to avoid many of the medications her peers require, controlling things like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. And, she is certain that running, along with chiropractic care, has a lot to do with it.

MARK LEUBNER Later in Life to the Running Scene

In contrast to Claudia Cottrell, Duluthian Mark Leubner is fairly new to running. He began exercising in 2007 and graduated to running in 2014, after an unexpected bit of self-reflection.

Upon returning from a family vacation, Leubner looked at a photo of himself and realized his stomach area looked a bit too much like his father’s. He was also suffering from osteo-arthritis in his knees, and thought exercise might help.

He started by walking and “doing stairs” on his lunch breaks at the DECC, where he works in accounting. He started keeping a spreadsheet, tracking how many flights of stairs he had completed. “Numbers are my thing,” Leubner says.

Eventually, this progressed to running.

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Since he started, Leubner has run Grandma’s Marathon, the Whistlestop Full Marathon (twice), the Whistlestop Half Marathon, Grandma’s Half Marathon, and a variety of 5K races, including several fundraisers. And, at age 66, he has no plans of slowing down.

Leubner doesn’t particularly enjoy running, but he does appreciate the side benefi ts of maintaining a healthy weight and overall good health. “I run for health reasons; not because I necessarily like it,” he says.

Since he started running, Leubner has lost weight and remains free from taking medications. Believe it or not, his arthritic knees even feel better. He also feels good knowing that running might help him stave o� the Alzheimer’s disease that is currently a�ecting his mother.

“My goal continues to be staying o� meds,” Leubner says. “Now that I’m running, my blood pressure is ideal.”

Tips for New Runners

When beginning a running regimen, it’s important to take it slow. And that is even more imperative for senior citizens. Cottrell recommends pairing up with a running coach. “It doesn’t have to be an o�cial coach,” she says, “but someone who’s been running for a while.”

As a chiropractor who has seen many patients with serious back or spine injuries become compounded due to overuse, Cottrell doesn’t believe in the notion that pain is gain. “If it hurts or you hate it, don’t do it,” she says simply.

When it comes to gear, Cottrell recommends a brand of shoe called Hokas. With a thicker sole and good treads, they are a good choice for seniors. Cottrell also recommends something called the Road ID bracelet to runners of all ages, which lists your emergency contact info and hospital of choice.

Leubner finds it helpful to wear compression socks to prevent the painful condition known as shin splints. And, both Cottrell and Leubner stress giving your body the time it needs to recover between runs. “At my age, recovery just takes longer,” Leubner says.

An Option for Any Age

So, for any boomers and beyond who may be considering taking up running as a sport, take heart: running is an activity you can pick up at almost any age, and maintain for life. And, you certainly don’t have to be a competitive marathoner to reap the benefi ts. Whether you’re in it for the competition, the adrenaline of race day, the exercise, or the mental sharpness, running can be a great complement to the aging process.

Leubner ran his first race at age 62; the day before his 63rd birthday. He stresses that being patient with yourself is key.

“During my first race, I said, ‘Right now I’m 62, but I might be 63 when I finish. And that’s OK.’ And, on race day, I always tell myself: I am going to cross that finish line even if I have to crawl.”