This week I was a participant in the North Fulton Golden Games, a collaborative effort by 5 local cities that provides a month-long series of Olympic-style events and activities (shot put, discus, one-half and one mile walk, one-mile run, tennis, golf, and bowling) for adults age 50 and older.
Participants compete in track and field events, pickleball, tennis tournament, golf tournament, Bocce ball competition, ball room dancing, swimming and more. I came in first in the one-half mile walk in my age group and enjoyed several other activities. Our senior center helped with sign up and even transportation.
There is a state competition and in my state it is the Georgia Golden Olympics which is scheduled for September 17-20, 2014 in Warner Robins, GA. Every state has a similar event and here a senior games list by state. All this feeds into the National Senior Games Association which will have the 2015 National Senior Games in Bloomington/Minneapolis/St. Paul in July 3-16, 2015 in which they are expecting 12,000 athletes ages 50 and up from all over the county.
Here are some photos from our local senior games.
senior games torch ceremony
discus throw
shot put
mile walkToss eventfootball toss – good throw!frisbee throwhorseshoecrowd at senior games
Working Boomer has been giving a lot of thought about getting involved with her community senior center. Here are 30 reasons boomers and seniors should visit their senior activity centers.
Some of you may know that I am a single working boomer. Lately, I have been giving a lot of thought about getting involved with my community senior center. Since I work the night shift and all week ends it is difficult to have a social life. Also my family has been suggesting that I check out the senior center in my community.
So I did a little research on senior centers and discovered a good deal more about them, their programs and activities. There seems to be many good reasons to visit and participate in the community senior center. Maybe you can relate with me as I list some of the benefits that I might expect in my own life as I use my senior center.
At a senior center I can make new friends.
Since I am single, who knows, I might just meet that special someone
It is more fun to laugh with a group of people than sitting at home laughing by myself
There will be a lot of friendly folks there to love and love is a good thing.
By socializing with like minded folks it will give me a new way to learn
It is a place to relax
The center has healthy tasty meals and I love to eat.
It is a drag to eat alone so at the center I can enjoy dining with others
There are games to play which will strengthen my mind
Some of the folks will be a lot wiser than me and I can learn from their stories
There is a place to exercise and workout. I really need to loose weight.
They have a billiards room therefore I can really get into that.
Dancing use to be one of my favorite things to do and they offer dance classes plus have social events
The folks there go on senior trips by bus. Since I drive for a living, it will be nice to allow the bus driver to do the driving for me.
Sometimes they go to the gambling boat. I love to play those slots.
They do taxes. I have never done mine so not only can I get someone to do my taxes just maybe they will teach me how to do them.
It will be a great opportunity to give away a smile. My dog doesn’t really care if I smile or not. I work night and don’t see many folks therefore I am not involved in much smiling.
It is very inexpensive and I live on a limited income. Most of the activities are free.
The center is within blocks of my apartment and it will not take much gasoline to drive there. They even have a bus that will pick some folks up.
Since it is in my plan to move from here to a over 55 apartment or senior community, I am sure that I can get information about the best places in the area. Who knows, I might even find a good roommate.
Instead of sitting around alone on holidays, I can meet folks to be with and enjoy holidays
My daughters are very busy and would really be happy to hear that I am going to the senior center
Since I am off 2 days during the week, it will give me something to do. I might even want to volunteer.
There is a huge crowd there on bingo day. I might even get good enough to play more than one card plus I like to play games.
Sometimes they do crafts. It is finally time that I learn to do some and get into the arts.
It would be an excellent way to learn more about my community.
There are times they go out of town on mini trips. I have a lot of vacation time therefore I could enjoy vacationing with others.
As I get older and even now, it is important to have a support system. At a senior center I can develop that.
The center has meals on wheels. The last time I had a hospital stay, it was difficult to fix meals for myself. This would be real nice.
Also, I might be able to get assistance for transportation if I am unable to drive to the store.
This blog is getting very lengthy. That is a good, thing because I am now excited about getting involved at the senior center. There is much more that I could write but I will wait and write more after I have attended. It is amazing when one writes out a positive list how much more exciting a new adventure can be!
When I started retiring less than 10 years ago, I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would be competing at the National Senior Games. Yet, I just returned from that event where I competed in two race walking competitions. It is an experience I will remember the rest of my life.
My unexpected path to the National Senior Games as it turns out, is a common one shared by many people I have spoken with. It began with me, as others, at our local senior center.
A few years ago I discovered Park Place Adult Center here in my town Johns Creek GA and began walking with the Park Place Pacers. The men’s group was only me and Don from Cleveland and Lamond from New Jersey. We walked about 3.2 miles through Newtown Park three times a week, sharing the news of the day and stories from our lives.
Then at the annual North Fulton Golden Games we were pitted against 4 or 5 other local senior centers in a day of competition which included a couple of walking races. I heard about how good some of the other walkers were and we began training a little.
At the North Fulton Golden Games a gentleman 10 years older than me beat me in the one half mile race by 20 yards! I was puzzled. Upon researching I found out he was race walking, a technique that makes you more efficient so you can walk faster.
I learned that the upcoming 2014 state level competition called the Georgia Olympics had a competition in race walking. I signed up for some instructions in race walking and made the trip down to Warner Robins for the state meet last Sept where I came in 2nd in my age group for the 1500 meter race walk.
That qualified me for the National Senior Games in St. Paul MN in July 2015, so I signed up for the 1500 meters and the 5K race walks and began training a couple of months ago. The competition at the National Senior Games is fierce with 1200 athletes coming from all over the country to compete. The heat from my 1500 meter race, for example, shows 20 men coming from 19 different states for that race, many of which have been there before.
The experiences were valuable and enjoyable all along the way. Nothing like walking with new friends at your local senior center. Competition at the state level gets those juices flowing while still fun. At the National Senior Games level you are competing with the best but you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy it, if you can make it that far.
Competing at any of these levels you will have the fellowship with others and enjoy their company. Everyone is happy and excited to be there. It is motivating as well to see what some people can accomplish in their 50+ lives. The training and discipline at the sate and national level is amazing.
I would encourage anyone to get involved with their local Senior Center, Active Adult Center, Adult Recreation Center, whatever it is called, and give it a try. Your life will be better for it. You will get some activity, develop some new routines on your schedule, and make new friends while sharing those activities.
Robert Fowler, age 67
PS: I came in 8th place at the National Senior Games and got a certificate and an experience I will remember. Who knows, maybe I will be going to the next National Senior Games which will be in Birmingham AL in July 2017. Hope to see you there. Find your senior center. Here are some pics I took at the National Senior Games in Minnesota.
This past week I went down to Warner Robins GA to the Georgia Golden Olympics games to participate in the 1500 meter race walk in hopes of qualifying for the National Senior Games in Minneapolis MN in July 2015.
The Georgia Golden Olympics are held every year in September down in the middle Georgia city of Warner Robins, home of Robins Airbase.
This year those who participate and come in at the top four positions qualify for the National Senior Games which are only held every other year. 2014 is the qualifying year at the state level for the 2015 National Senior Games.
We only spend Thursday PM and left Friday PM but did get to see several events.
On Thursday our first stop was the Warner Robins Senior Activity Center where we registered and saw the list of people who would be competing in my event on Friday. We got a T-shirt and other items in a welcome package.
Next we headed over to Robins High School’s McConnell-Talbert Stadium on nearby S. Davis Drive where a lot of the Track and Field events were being held.
Track and Fields Events
We spent some time watching the high jump where both male and female contests had a friendly but competitive match. It amazed me how high they were jumping. I saw more than a few ace bandages and ice packs.
High Jumpers at Georgia Golden Olympics
I got to check out the impressive track where I would be race walking the next day.
On Friday morning I got up early and was one of the first ones to arrive at the stadium for Jim Norvill’s race walking seminar.
Jim Norvill Race Walk Clinc
I stayed to watch and photograph the 5K race walk. There were about 11 contestants ranging from seasoned veterans to a new comer or two.
5K Race Walk – Georgia Golden Olympics
These race walkers really put a lot in to the contest which is about 3.1 miles or little over 12 times around the track. Several of the same race walkers would be coming back at 1pm for the 1500 meter race walk that I had signed up for.
Race Walkers pass by Judge Jim Norvill
I stopped by the Senior Activity Center again to check things out and met Ms. Vicki Pilgrim who was directing these games and doing an excellent job keeping track of so many things going on with the events and people.
After picking up my wife Mary Ann, checking out of the Hampton Inn on Watson Blvd and getting a bite to eat, we headed over to the stadium to watch the 100 meter dash. I ran in to a fellow I had met back in Alpharetta training at the Old Milton High School. He is 80 years old and had won the 50 meter dash the day before and I watched him win the gold in the 100 meter race too. He did it faster than I could have and I am only a baby at age 68. He’s the gentleman at the top right in while shirt in the photo below.
100 Meters Race at Georgia Senior Games
Mary Ann’s brother Mike and wife Diane were nice enough to come watch me compete at 1pm in the 1500 race walk. I was uncertain as to how it would be going since I had only been race walking for two months and had hurt my hip a week before. I did good and came in second in my age group winning the silver and qualifying myself for the National Senior Games. I think I may just make the trip to Minnesota for the National’s next year.
Robert Fowler Silver Medal 1500M Race Walk
While getting my medal engraved back at the senior activity center I stood in line with other medal winners and we shared our excitement and stories. One lady (pictured below) had won several medals in shot put, discuss, race walking and others and is also planning on going to the nationals.
Medal winner Georgia Golden Olympics
“Others won medals in swimming, cycling, golf, pickleball, basketball, table tennis and horseshoes.”
We made the ride back to Atlanta tired but happy that I had won a medal. I would have loved to stay longer and participated in and viewed more of the competitions. Maybe next year I will stay two nights instead of one.
The registration is not open yet for the Nationals but when they do open this Fall, I will be planning my trip. This will be a great incentive for me to continue my race walking hobby and really improve my technique, speed and endurance. I plan to enter the 1500 meters and the 5K race walks. They are on two consecutive days so that will work out fine.
I have been to Minneapolis before to attend a conference but my wife never has been there. Attending the Nationals will be a good excuse to have a vacation getaway for us.
For more information on the National’s, visit their web site at National Senior Games Association. For more information on Race Walking, visit Jim Norvill’s excellent site eRaceWalk.com.
Zumba Gold is a fun workout for anyone, any age, any ability and Zumba Gold was created for the older active adult . It combines Latin and international music with a safe and effective workout system creating a dance workout with a party like atmosphere! Come check out the hottest fitness party in town!
I could see from my upstairs home office the UPS delivery truck was in the driveway when I heard our door bell ring. I jumped up to get the door but my wife Mary Ann was already in the foyer. I will get it, it is for me said Mary Ann enthusiastically. This is not our normal deal, the one where Mary Ann answers the phone and I answer the door.
Later I come downstairs to have a cup of tea and see Mary Ann has unpacked the contents of the mystery package which was delivered. It is dance shoes. She has tried them on and walking around to break them in. She even does a little dance step routine on our new hardwood floor in the family room. She is excited. They fit good and look good (see photo). I didn’t even know there was such a thing as dance shoes.
The week before we visited our new Johns Creek Active Adult Center and Mary Ann signed up for the Zumba Gold class, a six week session meeting every Tuesday. Zumba, the brochure says, “is a fun workout for anyone, any age, any ability and Zumba Gold was created for the older active adult . It combines Latin and international music with a safe and effective workout system creating a dance workout with a party like atmosphere! Come check out the hottest fitness party in town!”
She attended the first class and came home pretty much exhausted and excited about the class. She said she couldn’t believe how stiff she was. (I think this class will remedy that!). But this is going to be fun exercise that you look forward to doing.
There was about 10 other dance members. The age is 62 plus. She talked with another lady in the class who said she plans to come back next week also. The instructor told the attendees about how “dance shoes” would make it so much better for them than using gym shoes, thus the package.
Mary Ann’s dance class is a good example of the purpose of Active Adult Centers and that is to get you up and active and doing something fun with potentially new friends. Meanwhile I am looking over the schedule of active adult programs and activities to see what interests me. So far the walking club and the book club look good.
If you haven’t been to an Active Adult Center you need to find one in your neighborhood and check it out. You may be glad you did, just like Mary Ann did.
I wanted to visit a senior center to see what they were about. My neighbor’s 75 year old mother Janet is an active participant in the ballroom dancing program at West Cobb Senior Center so I decided that would be a good center to visit. Janet is a traveler, takes cruises, collects antique dolls and is a dealer also, is a ballroom dancer and her home has many unique antiques which she has collected. She is an interesting person so this Senior Center must be OK. They have a ballroom dance practice from 1 to 4pm so I plan to be there a 1pm.
I wanted to visit a senior center to see what they were about. My neighbor’s 75 year old mother Janet is an active participant in the ballroom dancing program at West Cobb Senior Center so I decided that would be a good center to visit. Janet is a traveler, takes cruises, collects antique dolls and is a dealer also, is a ballroom dancer and her home has many unique antiques which she has collected. She is an interesting person so this Senior Center must be OK. They have a ballroom dance practice from 1 to 4pm so I plan to be there at 1pm.
Even thought there are many senior centers close by to me, I take the hour long trip from Johns Creek Georgia over through Roswell to Marietta down Whitlock Ave then out a long stretch of Dallas Hwy. Right when my MapQuest says, there it is as I turn left in to the entrance of Cobb County Parks and Recreation campus. The sign says West Cobb Senior Center as I turn in to a nearly full park lot facing a attractive lodge type building. Nicely dress people are zooming in the lot and hurrying in to the building. Must be the dancers. I enter to an attractive large lobby with stack stone fireplace and people zooming by me to sign in. The place is abuzz with activity.
A lady at the open administrative office spots me looking over the information table and introduces herself as Cristina, the Program Specialist. I let Cristina know I am here to check out the center and meet Janet at the 1pm dance program. I am early so Cristina gives me lots of information about the senior center activities.
There are about 18 people sitting around a large conference table in a room across the lobby from where we are talking and Cristina tells me that is a meeting of the Great Ideas Book Club. Later I take a walk down the right wing of the building and see two more similar conference rooms with equal amounts of people sitting around the conference table. These I find out later are the Woodcarvers Club and the Shutterbugs Club. Another two rooms I spot gamers, playing Mah Jongg and Scrabble. Lots of mental stimulation going on today.
Christina tells me the West Cobb Senior Center is an active adult multi-purpose center open to anyone 55 or better. You do not have to live in the country to use the center. They have people ages 55 to 92 using the center. It is well used, I must say. Besides the activity in the center it is located in the Parks and Recreation area with walking trails and ball fields nearby. In addition to dancing, the center has two yoga classes that are fully attended and exercise programs to keep participate active physically.
At the end of the end of the right wing, Cristina tells me to visit the Billiards room which I do and see 5 tables in a nicely decorated room. A group of 5 men are playing pool at one of the tables.
Christina hands me “The Leaflet” which lists all the programs and activities of the center is offering for the month and I am astounded at the quality and the number. Wellness seminars, trips, health screenings and tons of classes. I see they have a trip to Atlanta’s historic Fox Theater planned. These were equal or better than those offered in the Del Webb Active Adult Communities I have visited. I am impressed.
It’s now 1pm so I head down the left wing of the building to a grand ballroom where I hope to see Janet. There are nicely dressed dancers signing in and greeting each other with hugs. It is a nice large comfortable room. A man who must be the greeter comes over and introduces himself and welcomes me. He’s thinking I’m a dancer, but I tell him I was looking for Janet. He says Janet usually gets there at a later time. The sound equipment is now set up and the first few dancers are on the dance floor twirling to the music. I watch for a few minutes and head back to say goodbye to Cristina.
On the drive back I am thinking it sure would be nice to have the West Cobb Senior Center close by to me. My impression is way better than I had in mind before making this visit to a senior center. I can see where Senior Centers could be and are an asset to anyone who uses them, encouraging us to be active both mentally and physically. I am sure not all Senior Centers are alike and offer as much as this one did. But still is shows me what is possible and changes my uninformed image of a Senior Center. I will check out the new Johns Creek Senior Center that is being built near me for sure and some other seniors center in Georgia.
