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PHYSICAL FITNESS 80-year-old runners preparing for Pear Blossom runs and walks Octogenarians hit the pavement for the annual run/walk Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News When the Pear Blossom run starts on April 9, it will be the 40th anniversary of the popular event — and the 40th time for 10-mile runner Dr. Tom Glatte, who is one of a half-dozen runners aged 80 or older. “I ran every one of them, starting on day one,” says Glatte, 80, a semi-retired internist and endochrinologist who works at Rogue Community Health and Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics. Glatte, who likes to train two hours a day in orchards and his neighborhood, jokes, “Maybe it’s not all running. It’s a jog and walk fast. Running would be a misnomer. You might call it ‘ending standing up.’” Eighty might be the new 60 or at least the new 70, as evidenced by retired nurse Heather Meenaghan, 81, who will do the 5K — her fourth year — at “mostly a walk with a tiny bit of running.” Her time last year was just over 47 minutes. Meenaghan plays some tennis but says she is not an athlete, just someone who trains for 45 minutes, four times a week, with a big emphasis on finding level pavement. The mall is fine for it, she says. Health in advanced age is a combination of a fun, do-able workout — “absolutely the main reason I’m healthy” — plus cutting out sweets, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. She might like to work out with peers, but says it's hard to find people her age interested — or able. “Mostly, my friends don’t do this," she says. "I’m faster than them, and I don’t like to wander all over the sidewalk. When I do the Pear Blossom, I walk pretty fast and at the end, I feel exhilarated. Sure, I’m proud of myself. I’m proud when I go and I’m proud I am able to do it.” For Gerri Kierstaad, 81, of Phoenix, her decision to take on the 5K walk started last September when a massive hemorrhage behind an eye led to a big health makeover. “It dawned on me I need to change my lifestyle,” she says. “My blood pressure was up to 185. I went in the fridge and tossed all breads and everything with sugar or salt in it. I started walking all over, to and from everything (in the McAndrews Road area). I do 2 miles minimum a day. I was pretty blind. My eyes are a lot better now. I eat mainly fish and salad. I’m dedicating this race to my daughter, who died last year of cancer. I’m not going to die like she did.” Glatte, who combines his jog-walks with exercycle workouts and light weights, says, “I’m kind of addicted to it. You have to work at it to get addicted. It keeps you sharp (mentally). I can still fly an airplane. It helps with balance, bone density and longevity. I can’t think of a downside to it.” Other older runners signed up for the Pear Blossom 10-mile run include Bob Baures, 79, and Mike Barrett, 78, and for the 5K, Gerald Wicks, 81, and Orlando Marin, 80. The 5K event starts at 7 a.m. Saturday. The 10-mile run is at 8:20 a.m. A one-mile Fun Run is at 7:50 a.m. Details and registration are at www.pearblossomrun.com . Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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