The Power of Running for Any Age
Bleecker has now been a runner for over 35 years—about half his life.
"I'm 76, and I don't feel a day older than 36, truly," he says. "My resting heart rate, vitals, metabolism, everything feels good. I look at others who are in my age bracket. They are obese and have chronic illnesses like diabetes."
His love for running has even led Bleecker and his wife, also a runner, to help start a race for others: a St. Patrick's Day 5K in Mesa, Arizona, at the Monte Vista Village Resort community.
"I remember back when I started [running], how important it was in giving me a chance to unwind," he says. "It kept my mind off of professional challenges. I was able to be in touch with my body and my breathing. It was important therapy for me."
He hopes others can find the same relief from the chronic workaholic lifestyle and says the key is simply to stick with it.
"You have to prioritize your time," he says. "If a would-be runner will stick with it and give it a chance, the running bug will eventually kick in. Then you have to hold yourself back."
Bleecker encourages new runners to take their time as they build endurance, and to find one race they really love and do it every year.
As for Bleecker, he has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
"Running is a very important part of who I am," he says. "It is fun and health-promoting. I see it in the energy I have. I want to keep doing a race per month until I’m 100."
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