It’s Never Too Late

Julia Hawkins is not just the talk of the track and field world, but the world in general. In 2017, Julia won the 100-meter dash at the USA Track and Field Masters Championships, setting a new world record. At 101 years old, she took 6 seconds off the world record in the 100-meter in the women’s 100-104 age group and in the process, also became the oldest competitor in USA Track and Field history.

What’s perhaps even more remarkable is that she accomplished this after taking up running at the age of 100, because she says she thought it would be a fun challenge!

“I had been competing in biking,” she says.

“But I quit when there were no other women to compete with. It isn’t any fun unless there is someone else out there you’re trying to beat.”

Julia had strong legs from cycling and knew she could run because she always runs to answer her phone. “In the old days, we didn’t have answering machines and you never wanted to miss a call, especially one that was long distance, so we always ran to answer the phone. I still do to this day.”

Julia, who may be better known by her nickname “Hurricane,” says that she did have to overcome some fears before lacing up her sneakers.

“I was afraid of falling down, of embarrassing my family and even of dying. I even took care of a few things at home in case I didn’t come back. But I looked that fear in the face and I ran.”

Take care of yourself, practice moderation (with food, fitness and everything else), keep your mind and body active and don’t be afraid to take up something new, no matter your age.

“I feel like I’m  young again!” she says. And when it comes to being an inspiration, she says that’s pretty great, too. “I’m glad if I’m inspiring anybody. I like the feeling that that’s what I’m doing.”

Hear Julia’s story in her own words, and to learn more about Orville Rogers, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War who went on to set 16 world records in track and field in his 90s – http://bit.ly/2L7hczg​​