61-year-old marathoner: ‘Exercise, avoid sitting for long periods’

Until she was 30, Carrier had never run a race. After her first marathon, she thought she would only run one. Then she realized she enjoyed the calmness and focus that running brought her. So she started running one or two marathons a year.

Gradually, she expanded her participation in longer races. On her 50th birthday, she completed an 80 km ultramarathon. Carrier also participated in the World Marathon Challenge (7-day run across 7 races on 7 continents) three times in 2019, 2020 and 2023.

For her second World Marathon Challenge appearance, Carrier wanted to prove that her first success was more than a fluke. With 81 marathons and 55 half marathons under her belt, her success was no accident. As a child, Carrier’s mother encouraged her to run around the house to burn off energy. When she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 14, she never gave up her passion for running.

Currently, Carrier strives to complete marathons in all 50 states. She has eight more states to reach this goal. Normally, she runs 65 to 80 km per week, and when she needs to prepare for a specific competition, she can run up to 200 km per week. Carrier’s running journey began when she was 30 years old and had many successes until she was 60 years old, inspiring those who wanted to participate in this sport.

According to data from New York Road Runners, Jogging is beneficial for human health. 2019 studies show that any amount of running, even less than 50 minutes per week, reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Always stay active

Staying active and avoiding sitting for long periods of time in a chair is a way to help Carrier maintain health, even when he is old. Even walking instead of using the elevator is helpful. She believes that the important thing is thinking. “Being 60 or 70 years old doesn’t mean you have to use a car to get around. Stay active, I believe you will live a healthy and long life,” Carrier advised.

A 2022 study found that people who did at least 75 minutes of vigorous activity or 150 minutes of moderate activity each week had a 31% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, a 2023 study showed that about 4 minutes of vigorous activity a day reduced the risk of cancer by 18%.

Find a sport you love

Throughout her life, Carrier experimented with a variety of sports, from rollerblading to bowling to baseball, but she always came back to running. Choosing the right exercise can help you maintain a lifelong love of it.

The US National Institute on Aging recommends that people perform all four types of exercise to protect their health: endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Consider choosing a sport that you enjoy and integrating these elements into your training routine.

Make exercise a habit

“To maintain health, it is necessary to make exercise a habit like eating and sleeping,” Carrier said. She advises to create this habit, for three months you should regularly do activities that you like.

Determine long-term goals

Carrier advises setting a long-term goal for yourself and making a plan to achieve it. Each person needs to have clear goals.

“I don’t want when you’re 70 to regret not doing something you could have done at 30,” she shared.