Taking the Leisure Out of Leisure World

The founder of a running club for Leisure World residents never expected this kind of success.

Tom Pontac started the club a few months ago to train his neighbors at Leisure World in Seal Beach for the Long Beach Marathon. At that point, he expected half of the group’s original dozen members to drop out.

Most of them hadn’t been active in athletics for years. Pontac, 64, knew that his 23-year regimen of running long distances had helped keep him young in many ways. But could he sell his anti-aging strategy to others in his Leisure Leggers club?

Pontac’s doubts have been erased. Not only do all the original members remain, but the group has grown to 34 participants.

Although many are training only to walk or bike portions of the marathon, several have already increased their training workouts to up to 13 miles--equal to the half-marathon they plan to cover in the Long Beach event in November. Some will walk or run six miles as part of a relay team. Others will attempt to finish the 26.2-mile marathon.

“Most of these people came from ground zero,” Pontac said. “They are people who were never athletic before. Now they are thinking of themselves as athletes.”

Patty Franklin, 64, said she considered herself a couch potato before joining the Leisure Leggers in June, when the group formed. Seven years ago, Franklin and her husband abandoned their only regular exercise: playing 18 holes of golf daily. About all they did after that was watch TV.

The sum of her physical activity since then was “zilch,” she said.

Franklin was a reluctant joiner of the running club. At first, she agreed to become a member, but when the phone call came from Pontac filling her in on the group’s next meeting, she had second thoughts.

“I told him that I didn’t want to do it, that I don’t think I can do this,” she said. “He told me, ‘Oh, yes you can.’ ”

Now Franklin walks 30 to 40 minutes a day Monday through Friday and is part of a group that takes longer treks in Long Beach each Saturday. Many of the Leggers have set up their own training schedule, combining individual workouts with small group sessions.

On a recent jaunt with her Saturday group, Franklin walked 14 miles in 4 hours and 8 minutes.

Things have changed for the mother of four and grandmother of five. She now surfs the Web, looking for endurance tips from sites dedicated to runners and long-distance walkers.

Saturday mornings, she is out the door at 5 a.m., ready to push the envelope.

“It’s been an amazing thing. I’m very dedicated,” Franklin said. “After awhile, you are like a machine. I just put one foot in front of the other.”

Other members concur that the enthusiasm Pontac and the group have is contagious.

The Leggers were recently invited to a sponsors-only party and planning event hosted by Long Beach Marathon officials.

Bill Narang, general manager of the Golden Rain Foundation, which manages Leisure World, has given his stamp of approval by committing to walk part of the Long Beach Marathon.

Having had heart surgery nine months ago, Narang has stepped up his walking with blessings from his doctor and with a nudge from Pontac.

Pontac’s “enthusiasm and his energy have been quite helpful,” he said.

Narang said the group’s formation and his association with it are “perfect timing” for his own health.

The club plans to continue beyond the Long Beach Marathon on Nov. 12, staying active by participating in fund-raising walkathons and races.

“The club has decided that we are not going to be a one-trick pony,” Pontac said.

He is amazed at the dedication members are showing, especially the women.

“These ladies have become athletes,” he said. “They went out and bought $60 to $70 running shoes, and they’ve strapped them on and just took off.”