Vera Minix: Just returned from National Senior Games

Published 9:47 am Friday, May 27, 2022

The idea of becoming a Senior Olympian first occurred to Vera Minix when she was 45. She would soon find out, however, she was much too young to participate.

“I was injured at work and started going to the Pryce-Miller Center to walk in the mornings and I started meeting a lot of seniors there and forming relationships,” she said. “They had senior games but I was never allowed to participate with them because I was too young.

“I told them, ‘I can’t wait until I’m 50 so I can join you,’ ” she said with a laugh.

And join she did, entering — and placing — in nearly every track and field competition in which she qualified.

“I entered my first one as an entry-level contestant and I stuck with it,” said the now 54-year-old. “Then I was able to move up to the state competition and now I’ve been to nationals twice.”

Minix has just returned from last week’s National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where she competed in the 50M, 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M, 1500M run, 5K power walk, 1500M relay power walk, shot put, long jump and triple jump games for 50-54 age group.

“There was a mistake and I had been signed up for the high jump but that’s not really my forte so I didn’t compete in that,” she said.

Her training involves working out with the US Express Track Club as well as training with the LaGrange High School track teams.

“Coach LeBlanc lets me train with him and his track team and I help the kids with their warm-ups and stretches and how to throw the shot put,” she said.

A sprinter in high school, Minix said she enjoys the freedom now to compete in as many races as she can — something she was limited on as a teenager.

“In high school they concentrate on what you’re best at and they’ll let you compete in three or four different events, but I couldn’t do field events because I did so many running events,” she said. “I’m enjoying learning and doing the field events along with running, which is my passion.”

She said she learned how to perform many of the field events by meeting other Senior Olympians and asking for help.

“I tried the long jump and I wasn’t bad so now I’m working with a coach who can make me better,” she said.

Minix said next year she will move into the 55-59 age group, where the competition is fierce.

“People often think of these races as slow motion because we’re seniors, but it’s really not,” she said. “Those 70- and 75-year-olds are really running out there and there was a whole lot of record-breakers in Fort Lauderdale. Some of them were doing high school-level record times.”

Minix said she trains year round and competes in 3-4 meets a year.

“I have to keep moving,” she admits. “I’m starting to have some trouble with my knee and if I stop moving, things start falling apart. My coach knows I’m hard-headed.”

Minix said anyone at any level should consider participating in senior sports, which includes competitions such as golf, cycling, pickleball, swimming, shuffleboad, racquetball, bowling, basketball, tennis, table tennis and more.

“Gradually get into it,” she said. “Start out slow by just walking. If you put too much pressure on yourself, you’ll get overwhelmed. Walk down the road and walk back, walk your block, walk around the block, and make healthy choices when you eat. Once you reach your goal, set another goal.”

And when the competition is finished?

“Celebrate with cheesecake,” she said.