Bruce Grierson

This is a book about Olga Kotelko who started track and field late in life and ended up breaking many world records. It's also a book that questions why she was able to be so active in her 90's.
I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons.
Olga lives in a suburb of Vancouver as I do and I always enjoy books with lots of references to places I know.
I am also a runner and really enjoyed track and field in high school and miss the excitement of track and field meets. I found this book to be really inspirational and at some point I may start going to meets again!
I found the science to be really interesting, although I was a little lost at the beginning with all the talk about genetics.
I loved reading about multiple other athletes in their 80's, 90's and even into their 100's who are still so active and living really fulfilling lives. I hope that if I live that long I will have good quality of life.
I found the book to be hopeful even if you're not active now. At one point they mentioned a study where they took 60-80 year olds who did absolutely no exercise and started them on 15 min of exercise per day, then increased to 45 min and after 6 months their brains had grown. So it's never too late!
And exercise is the second greatest predictor of longevity second only to means and ahead of diet, occupation or even genes. Which is great news for me as I can eat poorly and then just exercise more! (Just kidding!)
In another study they found exercise to be better than Zoloft at treating depression.
I was also quite surprised to discover that apparently young people get dressed sitting down, they sit on the bed to put their pants and shoes on. Any young people out there want to weigh in on whether or not they get dressed standing up?
Content concerns: Olga ran from an abusive husband and there are a few details mentioned. One use of the F word and one use of S**t.
I was a little worried at the beginning of the book because there was lots of talk of science and genetics but by a few chapters in I found the book to be really interesting and I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. There are a lot of good tips for all of us to be active and healthier.

This book was reviewed on the Literary Club Podcast episode 65.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1984185… (más)

Talk about squeezing blood from a stone - but it's done very well here. It's quite clear from the expanse of this in-depth exploration that the entire test group under discussion is a grand total of one person, who is almost certainly unique. Nevertheless, much can be learned and gleaned, especially the all-important final anaylsis, which the author summarizes at the end, but I can encapsulate even further, which I will do - despite the spoiler nature - because it's important to know, now, before you even read the book - in contravention of the annoyance I experience when news teasers ask you to come back at 11:30 to give you information about a hazard - I need the information now! - as follows: get up off your ass, with friends, and cop a good attitude.… (más)

Talk about squeezing blood from a stone - but it's done very well here. It's quite clear from the expanse of this in-depth exploration that the entire test group under discussion is a grand total of one person, who is almost certainly unique. Nevertheless, much can be learned and gleaned, especially the all-important final anaylsis, which the author summarizes at the end, but I can encapsulate even further, which I will do - despite the spoiler nature - because it's important to know, now, before you even read the book - in contravention of the annoyance I experience when news teasers ask you to come back at 11:30 to give you information about a hazard - I need the information now! - as follows: get up off your ass, with friends, and cop a good attitude.… (más)