The Long Run – November 2014
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Game On!
2015 Registration Begins Roll Out by State The online registration process for the 2015 National The rollout will steadily continue week by week as results submitted to NSGA from the remaining state games are verified and loaded into our registration system. If you qualified in more than one state, you will get an email notification for each state. Also please understand that the process will extend into early next year for those state games held later in 2014. NSGA is committed to providing the smoothest registration experience possible for our athletes. We are honoring this commitment by taking the time to go through the information verification process and using the most current, user-friendly technology available. When you do receive your notification, please consider taking advantage of the early registration discount for athletes who complete their registration by February 28, 2015. Save by signing up early! Final deadline will be May 1, 2015.
Cycling Schedule Change Notice There has been a necessary adjustment to the 2015 schedule for the 40K and 20K road race cycling events, which will be held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The 40K race will be held on Wednesday, July 8 with the 20K is now set for Thursday, July 9. Additionally, the venue for the 10K and 5K Time Trial will be announced shortly. The dates of the 10K Time Trial will be Saturday, July 11 and the 5K Time Trial will be on Sunday, July 12. The Competition Schedule has been updated to reflect these dates.
USA Today Photo Tour Features Minnesota, Host Cities As anyone who has visited Minnesota will attest, there is great beauty to be found in its natural settings and with the architectural offerings of its cities. National Senior Games athletes will have much to see and discover when The Games are hosted by Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul next July 3-16.
This week, USA Today shared a photo tour of Minnesota that will whet your appetite for what you will find beyond your competition. Click on the link and enjoy! |
Association NewsNSGA Earns Adaptive Sports Grant You’ve already seen the news this year that the 2015 National Senior Games presented by Humana is expanding to include non-ambulatory event categories for Bowling, Horseshoes and Shuffleboard. We are now proud to announce that NSGA was recently awarded a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to facilitate an expansion in the number and quality of adaptive sports opportunities for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces at our member state games and at the national level. “We are excited with this development,” said NSGA CEO Marc T. Riker. “This grant will help veterans cover event registration and travel costs, as well as assist our member games with administrative costs for reaching out to disabled veterans and, in some cases, purchase of adaptive sports equipment necessary to conduct an adaptive event.” Our Member Organizations will be able to attend a briefing session in January during the 2015 NSGA Annual Conference in Albuquerque, NM to find out how to qualify for grant assistance. |
HUMANA Heroes: Athlete of the MonthNo More Regrets When Susan Adams Loyd competes in senior track events, Fact is, the uniform represents a bond that developed when she was asked to talk to the collegiate lady athletes about opportunities for lifelong fitness and sports. “I expected a small group and there were over 100 people from the athletic program in the auditorium,” she recalls. “I’m glad I prepared for a speech.” Susan impressed the team so much that a box containing the uniform arrived early the next spring. “They dedicated their season to what I represent and made me an honorary member of the Minnesota women’s track team. How cool is that?” By just being herself, Susan is now inspiring her entire community. The local host committee representing Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul named the prominent broadcasting and advertising executive as a co-chair for the 2015 National Senior Games presented by Humana. “I hope to serve as a good model. Part of the reason I’m doing this is because I think it impacts people’s lives, individually and collectively. In this role I can advocate for people, especially seniors, to lead healthy lifestyles.” Susan, now 56, carried a regret for many years. While she expressed her athletic skill as a competitive figure skater through age 20, she really loved to run but was prevented from pursuing her passion because her high school had no girls’ track team. “It was pre Title IX and girls weren’t thought of as athletes. Skating was one of the few sports I could participate in. It was a common thing for girls of my generation to do here in Minnesota. Plus, my mother thought it was a ‘feminine sport’ which was important to her.” “Not being able to run track was a lingering disappointment for me. Now, fast-forward to 12 years ago. I was at a friend’s retirement party and was asked if I had any regrets. It gave me a chill. It was like this voice came up out of my soul and I declared to everyone in this awkward, sad tone, ‘I always wanted to be a sprinter!’ That’s when I found out there actually were track events for seniors. It was like a bolt of lightning to discover it was not too late.” Susan has qualified and competed in National Senior Games since 2009. Her new athletic career also includes participation in numerous USATF masters and international events, and she even competes as an unattached athlete in NCAA track meets. The mother of two has done well at Minnesota Senior Games and is proud of the gold medal she won at a national masters event. While the National Senior Games medal stand has eluded her, her spirit is undeterred. “I’m not that motivated about winning, I just want to do the best I can and not embarrass my children,” she says with a laugh. “In my mind it’s about much more beyond sports. It’s the camaraderie, friendships and well being that comes from our participation. I can say truthfully the National Senior Games has been life changing for me.”
We’re always looking for great athlete stories. Submit yours or nominate a fellow athlete who inspires you at our Athlete of the Month page at NSGA.com!
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she proudly sprints in an official University of Minnesota women’s track team uniform complete with her name on the back. She jokingly tells people “I’ve got four years of eligibility left – I red shirted for 38 years!”
NSGA Online Merchandise StoreGet the Holiday Gift You Really Want – 2015 Logo Gear
If you’re planning to go to Minnesota next July, it’s a given you will want to wear apparel displaying the logo for the 2015 National Senior Games Presented by Humana. Lucky for you, The Official NSGA Store has just rolled out a wide variety of gear for The Games just in time for the holidays! Visit The NSGA Store at NSGA.com where you will find great stuff that tells the world you are a National Senior Games athlete! Best of all, we have things you can wear now through the winter like long sleeve T-shirts, pullovers, sweaters and heavyweight hoodies (like the one shown here) in a selection of sizes and colors. Don’t be shy. You know what you want, so leave notes laying around and drop those hints with your friends and loved ones. If all else fails, be your own Santa and order it for yourself-you’ve earned it! |
Senior Health and WellnessDr. Peeke’s latest Senior Games Blogs NSGA spokesperson (and National Senior Games qualified triathlete) Dr. Pamela Peeke is ramping up for next July by sharing her thoughts and expertise in a special Senior Games Blog at NSGA.com. The best-selling fitness and nutrition expert recently spoke about the benefits of having a trainer, and in her latest blog “Tri’ing to Work Through the Ouches” Dr. Peeke emphasizes the importance of stretching to prepare for physical activity. After suffering a torn hamstring a few years ago, she speaks from personal experience. Follow along as “the Doc who walks the talk” continues her conversation with senior athletes on the road to Minnesota! |
- Published in Newsletter
“No More Regrets” – November 2014 Athlete of the Month
Susan Adams Loyd, 56, Edina, Minnesota
Photo courtesy Michele K. Connors
When Susan Adams Loyd competes in senior track events, she proudly sprints in an official University of Minnesota women’s track team uniform complete with her name on the back. She jokingly tells people “I’ve got four years of eligibility left – I redshirted for 38 years!”
Fact is, the uniform represents a bond that developed when she was asked to talk to the collegiate lady athletes about opportunities for lifelong fitness and sports. “I expected a small group and there were over 100 people from the athletic program in the auditorium,” she recalls. “I’m glad I prepared for a speech.” Susan impressed the team so much that a box containing the uniform arrived early the next spring. “They dedicated their season to what I represent and made me an honorary member of the Minnesota women’s track team. How cool is that?”
By just being herself, Susan is now inspiring her entire community. The local host committee representing Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul named the prominent broadcasting and advertising executive as a co-chair for the 2015 National Senior Games Presented by Humana.
“I hope to serve as a good model. Part of the reason I’m doing this is because I think it impacts people’s lives, individually and collectively. In this role I can advocate for people, especially seniors, to lead healthy lifestyles.”
Susan, now 56, carried a regret for many years. While she expressed her athletic skill as a competitive figure skater through age 20, she really loved to run but was prevented from pursuing her passion because her high school had no girls’ track team. “It was pre Title IX and girls weren’t thought of as athletes. Skating was one of the few sports I could participate in. It was a common thing for girls of my generation to do here in Minnesota. Plus, my mother thought it was a ‘feminine sport’ which was important to her.”
“Not being able to run track was a lingering disappointment for me. Now, fast-forward to 12 years ago. I was at a friend’s retirement party and was asked if I had any regrets. It gave me a chill. It was like this voice came up out of my soul and I declared to everyone in this awkward, sad tone, ‘I always wanted to be a sprinter!’ That’s when I found out there actually were track events for seniors. It was like a bolt of lightning to discover it was not too late.”
Susan has qualified and competed in National Senior Games since 2009. Her new athletic career also includes participation in numerous USATF masters and international events, and she even competes as an unattached athlete in NCAA track meets. The mother of two has done well at Minnesota Senior Games and is proud of the gold medal she won at a national masters event. While the National Senior Games medal stand has eluded her, her spirit is undeterred.
“I’m not that motivated about winning, I just want to do the best I can and not embarrass my children,” she says with a laugh. “In my mind it’s about much more beyond sports. It’s the camaraderie, friendships and well being that comes from our participation. I can say truthfully the National Senior Games has been life changing for me.”
- Published in Athlete of the Month