93 Year Old WWII Veteran Shares Exercise Motivation

I am 93 years old and I would like to describe my experience with exercise during later years.


I was in the military for 3 years during WWII. After being discharged I went to college and later married and had 7 children. After the birth of our 7th child I decided I should start doing something about planned exercise.


Ever since I was a youth I was enamored with track even though I was not endowed with any real running abilities. I was fascinated by the 1 mile and 2 mile events. I followed races of the top milers such as Glenn Verniss Cunningham , Bill Bonthron, Chuck Fensky and Gene Venzky closely.


Glenn Cunningham's legs were burned horribly in a schoolhouse fire at age 8 with doubts about his ability to walk again. Despite these odds, he became the premier miler in the USA and they expected that he would be the first to run a 4 minute mile. He set a world record in the indoor mile run of 4:04.4. It was Roger Bannister in 1954 (England) who became the first to break the 4 minute barrier.

Bob exercising at Saratoga Health & Wellness

Inspired, I decided to should start a planned program of running and from then on, I ran 2 miles 3 or 4 times a week. I always did it alone preferring not run with others. I utilized this time to meditate and think about things while I ran. In fact, whenever I traveled I always included running in my regimen. This included running each morning in the Botanical Gardens in Singapore, running in the woods near Brussels Belgium or on the track at Colorado State University. I even ran on the track at the University of Kansas where Glen Cunningham ran!


My running became a positive habit until I purchased a bicycle. I never had a bike so I finally bought one and became a fanatic. After graduation, I gradually purchased more sophisticated road bikes. I would ride typically 14 miles each ride usually 4 times a week, even when traveling. I would bring the bike when we went on vacations in the Finger Lakes area and road usually at 7 in the morning.


Until I exercised I never felt comfortable and so I did it early in the day. I must admit I had a number of accidents during those years. These scars of valor included a dislocated an elbow, blood clots in my leg and while in Texas - hit by a car and was taken by helicopter to the hospital.


My wife convinced me I should move on so I purchased an Italia Vespa motor scooter. Needless to say the only exercise with the Vespa was getting on and off. So my next encounter with exercise was joining a gym and that is where I am today, Mostly I ride a stationary bike and still make believe I am Glen Cunningham! I find it more difficult to take the time to exercise. However I must admit I feel so much better when I do. I encourage you to make it a part of your every day habit such as eating and sleeping. At 93 I am proof that exercise as a lifestyle can prolong and enrich your life!

Robert DeSio

Bob is a WW2 Veteran and IBM retiree. He is well-known in the #Saratoga #NY region for his service with ARC  and numerous board positions including serving as former #Saratoga #Hospital #President of the Board. 

Copyright © Robert DeSio for Vitality Factor 2017. All rights reserved.