Returning Gold Medalists Are Ready for Upcoming Senior Games
dr. ted hine, gold medalist, oklahoma senior games, recreation, senior games, sports,
Everyone admits that it’s tough getting old‚ but for some folks‚ they just get tougher the older they get.
Muskogee residents and Senior Games gold medalists Ted Hine‚ 80‚ and Steve Allen‚ 71‚ are prime examples.
They have defied the odds when it comes to the increasing aches and pains that come with age. Not because of any supernatural phenomena‚ but simply due to their love of the respective sports they both discovered midway through their lives.
“My physiology right now is what it was in my 30s‚” says Hine‚ a retired dentist who picked up running nearly 45 years ago in order to keep in shape. “As I get older‚ I know things can happen‚ so staying healthy keeps me persistent and motivated to run. The key has been to stay conservative and not overdo it by pushing myself too hard.”
Allen discovered a penchant for swimming at age 49‚ when back problems hindered his ability to participate in his first loves‚ jogging and volleyball.
“It came very natural to me‚” says Allen‚ a court reporter‚ currently ranked in the nation’s top 10 for his age group in five events‚ including freestyle and butterfly. “I was never coached or anything. I just watched some videos‚ read a few books and trained at the pool with my wife.”
In September 2007‚ Allen‚ Hine and several other Muskogee residents competed in the Oklahoma Senior Games in Oklahoma City‚ an event designated to provide both athletic and artistic competition for active adults ages 50 and over.
At 2006’s competition‚ Allen won gold medals in each of the six events he entered in the 70-74 age group. Likewise‚ Hine captured first-place finishes in both of his events‚ the 5K and 10K road races‚ in the 80-84 age group.
Hine‚ who has participated in six senior Olympics and 17 triathlons over the past 35 years‚ went on to compete at the 2007 National Senior Games in Louisville‚ Ky.‚ in July 2007‚ winning both 5K and 10K races in his age group. Fellow Muskogeean Buck Thornton also participated in the event as a golfer‚ finishing 35th in the 65-69 group.
Both Hine and Allen agree that the most important aspect of the Senior Games is not the gold medals or the recog nition but the less tangible rewards that are revealed throughout their experiences.
“Other than the health benefits‚ what’s most rewarding is getting to know people who are going through the same time in life as I am‚” Allen says.
Hine concurs. “It’s great being addicted to a healthy habit and taking care of the body God has given to me.”
Story by Matt Ingle
Photo by Michael W. Bunch
