The most successful master athletes don’t let life’s challenges get in the way of their exercise routine, but there might be more to it.
Author of the article:
• Special to Montreal Gazette Keijo Taivassalo, 82, completed the 2021 Boston marathon in four hours, 10 minutes and 23 seconds. Photo by Courtesy of Tanja Taivassalo
Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through our links on this page.
Article content
When Keijo Taivassalo crossed the finish line at this year’s Boston marathon, it was the second consecutive time he’d finished the race at the top of his age group, ahead by more than 38 minutes.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Not bad for an 82-year-old.
Taivassalo, who hails from Thornhill, Ont., was pretty happy with his pace, averaging nine minutes and 33 seconds per mile (about 6:30 per kilometre). He even managed a finishing kick in the last mile, clocking in at four hours, 10 minutes and 23 seconds — despite tripping and falling four miles before the end of the race.
“A fellow runner helped me up and offered to walk with me, but I told him, ‘Sorry, I don’t have time to walk’,” he said.
Taivassalo has always been active. He cross-country skied in his native Finland before taking up distance running in his 40s when he moved to Canada. And he’s been running ever since: marathons, half marathons and the occasional 10K. Taivassalo’s latest Boston run was his 57th marathon.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
He typically runs a few times a week, increasing that to six days in the three months leading up to a marathon. He’s also been training with the University of Toronto …….