Today we introduce you to the amazing Janet Hughes who is a local runner in our community. Janet unknowingly set a world record in the age 85 plus for the mile last year. In the same meet she set the US record for 800 meters. So if you think you are too old to set new records read Janet’s story, it will bring you hope and joy.
Her World Record time for the mile …..9:57 at age 86
The 800m split was a US record of 4:48
We share a short Q and A with Janet 😊
Give us a little bit of your life story Janet. Where did you grow up? Family? children ?
I was born April 10, 1937 in Needmore WV, Hardy County. There is not even a post office there anymore. I was the oldest of 4 children, now 3 of them have diabetes diagnosis (not Me!) but they are all of average weight.
I have one son, Scott Bean, his wife Jennifer, 1 grandaughter Megan Burdi, her husband Brian, and two
great grand twins, Maggie and Joe, who are 4. All are runners and I hope to get the twins in a mile run in
the spring or sometime soon.
My husband George is my biggest fan and supporter. He gets me to all the events and is a race course
marshall if needed.
You had a career as a nurse. What type of nursing and have you retired?
I graduated nursing school in 1958 and I have worked since then to the present. Now, as I have not
renewed my RN license, I am part time as needed at the switchboard for eight internal medicine doctors.
I’ve been employed as an office nurse, hospital nurse, flight nurse with the Air National Guard (167 AeroMedical Transport Squadron), school nurse, Acute Care Coordinator at the Winchester Free Medical Clinic and the Health Department.
Tell us about your early athletic life if there was such a thing for you?
I was a typical country girl who biked and played outdoor games. I so wanted to play basketball in high
school, but the distance was too great and I had no way home from practices or games. Track and Field
did not exist at our school back then. I did Yoga, Jazzercise, and water skiing as an adult before I started
running.
What inspired you to get into running and about what age was that?
I began running at age 70. My mother died that year at age 90. At the funeral a tall gray haired man
spoke to me and I said “no I do not recognize you.” He replied that he remembered me and that I was
“the fastest runner in 5th grade.” I thought, “I can do that again.”
I began running on my road, stopping if a car came. I didn’t want to appear weird! I won my first event, the Apple Blossom 10K, for my age
group in 2007 and have won my age group every year since (some with no competition).
I started entering state competitions in 2014, 2015 and 2018 and 2022 where I won all my events.
I went to the National Senior Game competitions in St. Paul Minnesota in 2015, Albuquerque New
Mexico in 2019, and Pittsburgh PA in 2023.
I always won or placed in my events: 50M, 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M, and 1500M events.
In 2023 at the Senior Games I won 5 gold medals and 2 silver medals.
When did you realize you were running times close to age group records?
Someone in charge of statistics for the Shenandoah Valley Runners approached my son and told him I
was close to setting national records in around 2021. And one time at a race a man approached me and
said “you’re famous!”. I didn’t really realize until then that I could compete at the national level.
You recently set a world age group record for the mile. Were you aware of the record or were you just
out running your race and then learned after the fact with the record time was?
I was not aware of the record in Pittsburgh, I was just running as fast as I could and I didn’t hear any
other footsteps behind me!
Can you share any strategies you’ve used to prevent injuries or recover from them more quickly as
you’ve gotten older?
Always warm up with a little running and some stretches. I like magnesium gel or lotion pre and post
race on my leg muscles. I try to be rested before the next work out or race.
You do supplemental training for overall fitness. Tell us what things you do to maintain good strength
and injury prevention?
I have done exercises classes at the Wellness Center, track and training classes when offered by
Winchester Parks and Recreation, or by Mark Stickley. In the winter time for the past 5 years I’ve gone to Orange Theory workouts two times a week. These include rowing, weights, and treadmill, about 20
minutes each. I always run the Shenandoah Valley Runners Winter Series, every 8 races. I’ve never
missed a race.
I do training runs on my country road, 2 to 3 miles of walking and running plus sprints. I train more in the early spring to be able to complete the Apple Blossom 10 K with a good time.
I sure do not over train; rest is training too!
How has your training regimen evolved over the years? Are there any significant changes you’ve made
to adapt to aging?
To prevent injuries, don’t overdo. If your rested and ready body is not a match for the terrain, go slow or
slower. If there are rough trails, dim light, big gravel, rocks or roots,or mud, go slower and run fast later.
Old ladies and broken hips are not good companions.
Have you faced any unique challenges or obstacles as a senior athlete, and how have you overcome
them?
Sometimes race age groups are just 70 and older, that makes it harder for those of us in our 80s. Injuries
are an obstacle but I’ve never had a major injury. Life events of family members can disrupt training.
To overcome obstacles, make appointments for training or workout classes and GO. Don’t stay in that
comfortable bed and then eat a leisurely breakfast, get up and GO.
Any overriding philosophies you have on how to stay healthy and happy and aging that have nothing
to do with running?
My philosophy has always been to keep moving and don’t eat much. Observe any crowd… what a high
percentage of overweight and poor posture we see. All health concerns are under individual control. I do take multiple vitamins including Vitamin D and C. I try to avoid the white poisons – sugar and white flour.
And of course no smoking. Always maintain a positive outlook, do for others, and keep family and friends close.
Can you share any memorable experiences or lessons learned from competing against athletes of
different age groups?
- Being asked by a stranger “Are you Janet Hughes the runner?”
- Receiving the Ray Gordan Spirit of Running Award from Shendandoah Valley Runners
- After finishing the mile run in Pittsburgh and official said to me “you must come to the world
events in St. George, Utah. You don’t know how good you are”. - Having young runners say to me “I want to be like you when I grow up.”
- Being asked for advice – what shoes I wear, What do I eat before a race, etc.
- Running races with my son and grandaughter.
Do you pay much attention to nutrition and if so what are some of your simple principles?
I believe in high protein, low carb, also low calorie and no (if possible) processed foods.
Eat vegetables – especially those in the cabbage family, brewers yeast, fiber, fermented foods, wheat
germ, and ground flax seed daily.
Any next goals?
I’d like to run in the National Games at age 90. I can do it with family support.
What brings you most joy and running?
- Finishing with a good time and not be exhausted
- Hearing my name called as the winner and applause
- Being able to move without pain and continue running in any weather
Running in any weather. Thank you Janet for the inspiration!
