I want to thank everyone for their continued support. Due to a not so balanced work life balance I had taken sometime off. After completing a 50k (31 miles) I have completed a course correction and will be traveling to Manchester, TN to participate in A Race for the Ages. It has the distinction of having an average age in the 60's with oldest participant this year at 90.

My plan over this year is to resume search for the Fountain of Youth. I hope will be willing to take a 1 mile walk with me. #onemilechallenge #weatheredathletesrule #mymilesR4 discovery

Thanks

Pete Barusic

Today I am honored to be joined by Doctor Tamieka Howell or as she is known on the football field “Doc”. At 46 years young may be just out of the normal Weathered Athlete guidelines. But I dare you to find another physician taking up women’s tackle football in her mid 40’s. She offers a great perspective at what it takes to step outside of one’s comfort zone and try something that most may think is crazy. As she said she has been pushing the boundaries her whole life.

To learn more about or help provide financial support please visit www.thecarolinaphoenix.com and the Women's Football Alliance https://wfaprofootball.com

Bio: Born in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Howell is a board certified family physician. She holds a bachelor's degree in Physiological Sciences from The University of Arizona. She moved to North Carolina for residency training at Moses Cone Family Medicine after completing Medical School at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. In her 15 years in clinical practice with Novant Health, she worked in urgent care, served as Lead Clinician, and then started a family medicine practice where she cared for patients from newborn to end of life. She currently works for Wellcare of North Carolina assisting with medical necessity reviews while continuing to see patients part-time with Novant Health. Dr. Howell has several years of experience in advocacy work related to healthcare. She has spent time visiting lawmakers in Raleigh and Washington, DC advocating on behalf of patients, colleagues and the community. She serves on the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Commission on Members and Member Services. Also a past president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Howell continues to sit on their board as an alternate delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates. She plays defensive end for the Carolina Phoenix women's tackle football team and enjoys swimming, triathlon, tennis and spending time with friends and family.

I am honored to be joined by 83 y/o Jack Welber, I had the pleasure of meeting Jack during a practice open water swim in Boulder 3 weeks ago. He was preparing to participate at Sprint Triathlon Nationals in Milwaukee. He is co-author of Not Dead Yet: World Triathlon Champions 75+ offer tips for thriving & flourishing in later life, available at Amazon and on Audible

Jack graduated from the University of Florida in 1959 with a BA in Economics and a minor in Philosophy. He earned 100% of his college tuition and expenses playing jazz saxophone at college events. After 2 ½ years of military service, Jack began a career in business where he spent 27 years at Johnson & Johnson in middle and upper management. In 2004 at the age of 66, he formed the executive search firm, Wimbledon Group Inc specializing in recruiting oncologists for the pharmaceutical industry. Clients included Pfizer, Bristol Myers, Quintiles and Johnson & Johnson.

Jack’s love of sports started with high school basketball and track and continued throughout his adult working life. He ran 5K’s, 10K’s, half marathons and several full marathons.

Back injuries caused Jack In 2004 to switch to triathlon. He hired a coach and began competing in local events on the west coast of Florida where he lived. Starting in 2012, Jack began competing on a national level and ITU Worlds where he had 7 starts and 3 podium finishes including a win in Rotterdam. With heart felt recognition to his good fortune for genetic inheritance, Jack would humbly like to compete in the 85-89 age group next year in Milwaukee.

In honor of today’s start of the Badwater 135 I can’t think of any better guide for mile #28 than to replay the episode with Bob Becker. For those that may have missed it Bob was my guide for mile #10.

For those not familiar with the Badwater 135 it is called the World’s Toughest foot race. It covers 135 miles from the Badwater Basin in Death Valley which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280 feet below sea level and finishes at Whitney Portal at 8300 feet which is the trailhead to the Mount Whitney Summit. Runners will traverse 3 mountain Ranges with a cumulative ascent of 14,600 feet and descent of 6100 feet. What is remarkable about this race is temps in Death Valley for this event are forecast for 114-117 degrees. This year it will involve 84 runners from 7 countries including 29 states. The roster is made up of 60 men and 24 women, with 36 of the participants are over the age of 50, there are 10 in the 60-69 age group and 2 over the age 70. Bob will be this years oldest participant at age 76. Bob has been a part of this race for total of 14 years either crewing for another runner or running the event. This is his 4th year running the event. As you listen I ask you to think how you will spend your days at age 76.

Today I am honored to be joined by Joe Randene for mile #27. To learn more about Joe or check out his blog. www.joerandene.com

Bio

• Husband and Father of Five
• US Navy Nuclear Engineer – USS Keywest SSN-722
• BS Business Administration – Franklin University
• Avid Runner – 6 Ultra Marathons (4 - 100 Milers), 5 Marathons, 5 Half Marathons, 3 10k’s
• General Manager Fleet Feet GSO/HP
• Blogger
• Countries Lived: United States, Italy, Poland

Humans of Hoka Promo: https://vimeo.com/392778011

I have been fortunate to be a part of the Greensboro Senior Games for the past 8 years. This past week we completed all the track and running events. Once again this year did not disappoint. The oldest female participant Dot Sowerby in the 85-89 year old age group competed in every event. Her smile at the finish line is infectious!! I am working on her appearance for an upcoming episode. I love every participant and continued to be inspired. But as always my favorite is Dick Rosen. At age 90 his incredible drive to participate is amazing. As like Dot he competed in every event. However, unlike previous years, due to a back injury he was only able to walk every event including the 5k which he finished in 70 min 59 seconds. As I congratulated him on his accomplishment. His response was thank you but I would have been faster if it wasn’t for my back. I am sorry you had to wait so long. Honestly I would stay there all day if I had to. And if that is not enough he is scheduled to participate in the 10k next week. For those that may have missed my interview with Dick during mile #5, I encourage you to take a view into why Dick Rosen continues to be a great example of how to stay active!!

Jerry Guiliano and his wife Katrina of 18 years, live in Brentwood, TN. They have two wonderful children, Mia and Matthew, and two great dogs, Lola and Jeter. Jerry heads up the Global Innovation and Retail Sales team for the Workwear Division of the VF Corporation.

Born in Northern New Jersey, Jerry learned that hard work and perseverance are two qualities that mold a person’s character. While attending college in New York, Jerry was involved in a life-threatening car accident. This accident would land him in the hospital for over 40 days. His comeback story is filled with experiences that required working harder, smarter, and longer than most of his peers. After nearly 30 years, with 8 pins and 2 prosthetic hips, Jerry competed and completed his dream of finishing a 70.3 Ironman.

His book Surgical Steel to Ironman: A Collection of Perseverance Stories has anticipated release later after August 2021