Readers React: Lesson of Diana Nyad: Our bodies get older, but we’re never too old to compete

To the editor: I read with interest and some amusement the article by Diana Nyad, who was 64 when she became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida. (“Diana Nyad on aging: Why 66 is better than 28,” Op-Ed, Oct. 21)

In many ways I couldn’t agree more with Nyad, having run some of my most enjoyable marathons while in my 60s and early 70s.

Time does catch up to our bodies, however, beating some of our most optimistic expectations.

But time does not stop our athletic life. At 79, I completed the Long Beach Half Marathon two weeks ago. I would have done the full marathon (for the 31st time), but a slight case of cancer and nine weeks of radiation therapy a couple of months prior to it slowed me down a tad. I’ll have to wait until next year.

Age is inevitable. Quitting is optional.

Tom Pontac, Seal Beach

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