When you hear the word “Ironman,” your mind may pull up an exhausted but excited young man or woman crossing the finish line after spending an entire day participating in an intense triathlon. You probably don’t imagine seniors taking part, but they do!
Does Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community have Ironman Triathlon athletes? Yes! Two of our residents, Mr. Bob McGaffin and Mrs. Harriet Ross, recently finished the Ironman Challenge!What is the Ironman Challenge? Typically the event takes place in one day and it is an amazing physical feat. Here at Springmoor, it is a goal that individuals work toward over time. They must accomplish the same mileage as the one-day event: 2.4 miles in the water, 112 miles on the bike and 26.2 miles walking.
Residents have a lot of fun with the challenge as they work to accumulate their miles. They compete against their friends or spouses to see who can finish the challenge first. More importantly though, the Ironman Challenge has accomplished some real, tangible results for residents at Springmoor:
- Residents are trying new things! Mr. McGaffin’s wife, Emily, is still working on her challenge. She has never been a water person, but is having the time of her life in the pool. She walks her laps with a big smile on her face.
- It provides a sense of accomplishment! The residents fill out a chart as they accomplish their miles. No matter how much they accomplish at one time, they are making strides to achieve their overall goals.
- Improving strength and endurance! The residents are having fun while exercising. The challenge is helping them improve their cardiovascular endurance as well as their leg strength.
It’s important to have a goal or challenge to help keep you motivated. What will you work toward this fall?
