Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2019

www.CharlestonRetirementLifestyle.com | www.RetiringToSC.com | www.HotRetirementTowns.com senior living SL I t’s no secret what the benefits of exercise are, especially as we age — improved heart and lungs, stronger muscles, weight loss. … In general, we’re healthier and happier, but most of us still find every excuse not to do it. We’re too busy. We’re too old. It’s too hot. It’s too cold. Well, lots of our neighbors in their 50s through 80s are leaping over those excuses. Fortunately for them, they find the motivation, have the discipline and reap the rewards. Art Zimmerman, 73, started running in 2001 at the age of 55. He wanted to lose weight. “Since 55-year- old legs are not normally built for speed, definitely not mine,” Zimmerman said, “I found myself enjoying the challenge of seeing how far I could run.” The following year, Zimmerman ran his first marathon on Kiawah Island and, in the process, went from 210 to 170 pounds. “I became hooked on running and marathons.” In the past 18 years, Zimmerman, a Mount Pleasant resident, has run 14 full marathons, 24 half-marathons and 135 races total. His marathons have been all over the U.S., including Chicago, New York, Big Sur, Miami and Washington, and even Rome, Italy. He participates in all the local runs every year and has 18 BY TONYA MCGUE Fitness at Any Age, for a Lifetime Local Athletes Who Redefine the Status Quo A Palmetto Masters relay team. From left to right, Diane Lauritsen, Jim Near, Dana Brown and Kirby Burkholder. Photo courtesy of Diane Lauritsen. Art Zimmerman at the finish of the Nashville Marathon. Photo courtesy of Art Zimmerman.