Think you are too old to do a triathlon? Don't tell 84 year old Ironman Bill Bell

Thirty-two years ago, at age 53, executive Bill Bell heard the 14 words that changed his life: "I want you to jog 40 minutes a day for three days a week."

He did and he has never looked back. 40 minute jogs soon led to doing marathons.

At 59, he took up swimming, taking a swimming class at a local community college. At the time he could barely complete six laps.

Soon he was completing the Hawaii Ironman and it wasn't until he was 80 years old that he retired from Ironman competitions. But at 84 he is still doing triathlons.

Per Bell:

"My advice to anyone is simple,keep moving. I call it the 'lawnmower theory.' If you leave a lawnmower out on the grass and it rains, you better get out and push that thing before it gets rusty. I'm creaky and rusty every day when I get up in the morning, but after I get moving, I feel pretty damn good."

The lessons for LifeTwo readers are obvious but we'll write them anyway:

1. It is never too late to start exercising.
2. Your human body is capable do doing amazing things if you build slowly and consistently.
3. The 'lawn mower' theory is a pretty darn good theory.
4. Today is the day to start the exercise regimen for the rest of your life.
5. It is not crazy to add doing a marathon or triathlon to your "To Do Before I Die" list no matter how old you are or how old you feel.

Source: LA Times

tags: bill bell

ironman

senior health