Carmichael Septuagenarian In Marathon

By Elizabeth Schainbaum

Special to Carmichael Patch

When Larry Lieb sets out on his 14th marathon on Sunday, he will likely be at the back of the pack.

He doesn’t mind that runner after runner will be passing him. He’s doing what he loves.

“Right after family and friends, there’s running,” he said.

Lieb runs every other day and listens to books and music during his workouts.

At 78, the Carmichael resident and retired physician is one of a handful of participants 75 years and older who will run in the upcoming California International Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente, a 26.2 mile race from Folsom to the State Capitol.

Although the average age of marathoners nationwide and at the CIM is getting older, the 65-plus age group is a small percentage of the total runners: only two percent of the men who completed a 2010 marathon were in that age group, according to Running USA’s marathon report.

Dr. Meredith Bean, director of the Kaiser Permanente Sports Medicine Center
in Elk Grove and co-medical director of the CIM, said it's encouraging to see the
enthusiasm of older runners.

“Running offers health benefits at any age, but older runners are especially
inspiring to the medical community because these athletes can improve muscle
strength, coordination and bone density," Bean said. "The improved bone density from the impact exercise of jogging helps reduce risk of fracturing bones, which often leads to major complications for people in their later years.”

Even so, only a few people Lieb’s age can jog such distances – their joints or
hearts can’t handle the hours and hours of heart pumping or pavement pounding.

Lieb got into running 30 years ago and competed in his first marathon at the age of 62. In the past six years, he has run even greater distances, including two 50Ks, a 50-miler and a 52-miler.

Lieb credits running with chasing away extra pounds, lowering his blood pressure
and keeping his heart strong.

Lieb takes it slow. He alternates between walking four minutes and running a
minute and half.

He’s had a share of injuries over the years, including a groin injury in September
that almost derailed his participation in the CIM this year.

He hopes he will never have to give it up.

“You don’t have to be an Olympian hopeful, just do as much as you can.”

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Thousands of runners are expected to be racing through Carmichael this Sunday during the 29th annual California International Marathon. Fair Oaks Boulevard is part of the route so Carmichael residents can expect to experience delays. These closures may cause some inconvenience so please be cognizant of that when planning your morning activities. Residents can view specific street closures by clicking “More Info” on the marathon’s webpage.

Cheer on Larry Lieb and other local runners at the five entertainment-filled Kaiser Permanente THRIVE corners, including one at Fair Oaks Boulevard and Morse Avenue near mile 20. The corner’s musical groups are Junior Toots (reggae singer /son of Toots Hibbert of Toots and The Maytals), DJ Gino (pop/mash-ups)
PROJECT & Friends (hip hop).