Jim Hammonds
At a recent presentation in Jacksonville, FL I met Clint Beeland. A lot of folks think that at the ripe old age of 71, to be running marathons is pretty special. Well, Clint told me about Jim Hammonds who is a young 93. I got Jim's email address and asked him if I could feature him as an Eagle of the week and he graciously agreed and sent me the following story. Congratulations Jim - you are truly an inspiration. Tom
Hi Tom - I am told by many friends and relatives, as well as others who know about my accomplishments as a senior athlete and track star at the age of 93, that I am an inspiration to them. That¹s very nice and it pleases me. However, I wish I could convince more of that huge baby-boomer population that is approaching retirement age that old age isn¹t something to dread, as most of them do, IF they can manage to stay healthy.
It¹s hard to enjoy life and be happy at any age without good health. And I believe almost everyone agrees that eating sensible and regular exercise are two essentials for good health, especially as one ages. The good news is that it¹s never too late to begin a regular exercise program if you don¹t wait until a disabling health problem prevents it. I¹m living proof of this fact.
Never in my life did I participate in any competitive sport, other than golf, until the age of 86, and yet at the age of 93, in the 2007 National Senior Olympics in Louisville, Kentucky this past June, I won three gold medals and one silver in my age group (90-94) in four track events the 100, 200, 400 and 800-meter races and broke two all-time National Senior Olympic records (200 and 800 meter races).
I ran my first race (the 100-meter sprint) in the year 2000 at the age of 86 at the Georgia Golden Olympics at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia and won a gold medal. That set me on fire and I¹ve been running ever since.
To a major extent, I give credit to my participation in the Senior Olympics program and the rigorous exercise routine I have to follow year round in order to excel for the extension of my near-perfect health into my 90s, and for putting me on the path to an incredibly exciting and rewarding old age.
It¹s such a wonderful, self-satisfying feeling to be 93-years-old and know that you are in tip-top health, strong and physically fit.
The National Senior Olympic Games are huge events attracting from 12,000 to 14,000 senior athletes who participate in 18 different sports and 800 different events. They are open to everyone age 50 and up. Pick the sport you enjoy most and are best in and go for it full blast. You will be on a journey to and through a more exciting old age than you can imagine.
My wife for 66 years, Carey, and I were residents of Valdosta, Georgia for 22 great years prior to moving to Maple Grove, Minnesota (a Minneapolis suburb) in 2001 to be near our only son and his wife, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren, all of whom live within a radius of eight miles from where I live. Carey died unexpectedly on March 10, 2006 while we were spending the winter in Valdosta. In one¹s old age, it¹s a wonderful thing to be completely surrounded by a large, loving family; otherwise this would be a lonely place for me without Carey.
James H. (Jim) Hammond
jhammond@cfaith.com
"Any power must be an enemy of mankind which enslaves the individual by terror and force, whether it arises under the Fascist or the Communist flag. All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded to the individual."
It seems so much of our private and government giving to 3rd world countries is a bottomless pit. So much corruption at the receiving end but Americans continue to give at, what I consider, a staggering rate. In 2005 we gave over $123 BILLION (U.S. corporations gave over $5 billion) and I'm sure a lot of it does go to making a difference. The U. S. receives its share of criticism but per capita we give well above France, Germany and Japan as well as the other members of the 22 industrialized nations.
Kids are Quick !!!!!!!
