“‘Team Conaway’ Supports a Victor” – February 2015 Athlete of the Month
Victor Conaway, 75, Escondido, California
Victor Conaway is a retired mechanic and continuing education teacher who once owned his own motorcycle shop. Known among endurance racers, his favorite challenge was the grueling Baja 500 desert run in Mexico. He admits to not always taking the best care of himself, but when he needed heart surgery a dozen years ago he took his doctor’s advice and began daily exercise on a mountain bike, and later gravitated to street riding.
His competitive nature took hold and he began racing again, this time under his own power. Victor has taken great pride in making the cut to cycle in each National Senior Games since 2009. Last year, the 75 year old says he “dug deep” and gutted through stiff competition in the Pasadena Senior Games. He set his sights on traveling to Minnesota for the 2015 National Senior Games Presented by Humana. Then, a stroke of fate-literally-threatened to ruin his plans. The week after his qualifying runs, Victor suffered a debilitating stroke that nearly ended his life.
Once it became clear he would survive, Victor, while still in the hospital, quickly set a lofty goal well beyond what his doctors and therapists first presented to him. He wasn’t just going to recover, he was going to work his way back and make that trip to Minnesota.
The ongoing physical and occupational therapy has been intense. Victor admits fearing he would not be able to balance and ride a bike again, let alone race. However, his determination, humor and enthusiasm quickly earned the admiration and encouragement of each of his doctors, therapists, nurses and support staff. Friends and family joined in the effort. His wife Trudi collectively calls his support network “Team Conaway.”
On Tuesday, January 13th, barely six months after the stroke, Victor mounted his bicycle and rode down the driveway of his home and pedaled 60 yards under the watchful guidance of his riding partner and a friend. Despite the challenges and setbacks that come with rehabilitation, including a diabetic condition that resulted from the stroke, “Team Conaway” believes Victor is on track to don his racing suit in July. “I’ve got to be there,” he says. “My goal for the Nationals this year is to simply get a start and a finish of the 5K. It may not be my best time but it will definitely be my best ride.”
Another recent honor has humbled Victor. California Senior Games has invited him to be a co-flag bearer for the Celebration of Athletes Sponsored by AstraZeneca Diabetes on July 10 at CHS Stadium in Saint Paul.
“I never expected to have this kind of response,” Victor emotionally told us. “I’m just trying to be a good soldier- and there’s no softies at any age I’ve seen in these games. If I inspire people to overcome, even to raise the spirit of one person, well that would be great.”
- Published in Athlete of the Month
The Long Run – February 2015
Association NewsNSGA Annual Conference Busy, Fun and NSGA members recently converged on the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the 2015 Annual Conference. The destination was fabulous and our hosts (New Mexico Senior Olympics and the New Mexico Aging and Long Term Services Department) were very gracious. What could be better than a mariachi band to set the tone for the Welcome Reception? Conference Sessions Productive- The first session was an informative briefing about the 2015 National Senior Games Presented by Humana coming to Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul in July. Attendees then learned more about reporting results, event insurance, social media, and tips to help states grow their games. Senior health and wellness topics were also covered. NSGA Media Awards- NSGA members attending the conference voted for best practices by state games in a variety of categories. Congratulations to the winners:
NSGA Board of Directors Elections- The Annual Meeting featured election of NSGA Board of Directors members. Michael Hess, Dewayne Vaughan, and Juanita Forbes Vanderhoeven were selected for At-Large positions. Regional Coordinator slots were filled by Carmela Martinez (West), Rosey Rosander (Pacific), Vicki Pilgram (Southeast), Deb Smith (Northeast) and Fritz Bukowski (Great Lakes). NSGA Board of Directors Chair, Stephen Rodriguez, who was re-elected for a second term, warmly thanked outgoing board members Mike Brown, Kyle Case, Jody Thibodeaux and Ted Wroth for their dedicated service. |
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Game On!Book Your Hotel on the Housing Link- You
Could Win a $500 Gift Card! The official Housing link has been made even better! You can now sort hotels by nearest sport/venue to help find your best option and best rate available with our participating hotels or dorms. There’s also transportation and venue/mapping information to assist in your planning. Now here’s the fun part – Book your hotel online through the official NSGA housing program and you will be automatically entered to win one of three $500 Mall of America Visa Gift Card Shopping Sprees! Mall of America in Bloomington is the largest retail and entertainment complex in the U.S. featuring 520 stores, 50 restaurants, Nickelodeon Universe and Sea Life Aquarium. Best of all there is no sales tax on clothing and shoes. Click here to make your hotel reservations now! (Our thanks to Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau for managing the housing program and for donating the gift cards.) 2015 Travel and Lodging Information
Brand New CHS Stadium will Host Celebration of Athletes July 10 Great news! The Celebration of Athletes Sponsored by AstraZeneca Diabetes will take place Friday, July 10 in the new CHS Stadium in Saint Paul. Located in the Lowertown neighborhood, CHS Field opens in April as the home for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association professional baseball league. CHS Field is connected to the METRO Green Line and existing bus lines. The 7,000-seat facility will host more than 100 non-baseball events annually, from college baseball tournaments to world-class concerts. Our celebration will be one of the first to be held there. More great news – by popular demand, the Parade of Athletes will return as a major program element! In recent years a parade of state flags represented the athletes. For the first time since 1999, athletes will be able to gather by state and march into the stadium with their flag. Watch for more details on our website, www.nsga.com.
Reminder – Early Registration Discount Ends February 28 If you haven’t registered yet for The Games, keep in mind that you must do so by Saturday, February 28th to take advantage of the early registration discount. Athletes from all over the country have registered. Don’t miss out on being part of the 2015 Games. Click here to register today! |
Senior Health and WellnessAthletes – Take the FITNESS AGE TEST and Share it with NSGA! You know your actual age, but what is your FITNESS AGE? Now you can find out, and we want you to share yours with NSGA! You might even win a nice prize package. Read on, this is a call to arms…and legs! A Norwegian research group spent years studying the effect of overall fitness on life expectancy. They were able to establish criteria for a survey that will help to predict anyone’s true “fitness age.” THE FITNESS AGE TEST is now available worldwide. The NSGA and Dr. Pam Peeke are collaborating with American College of Sports Medicine researchers interested in studying the tremendous benefits derived from staying active after the age of 50, and specifically training and competing at state and national Games. Dr. Peeke is a member of the NSGA Foundation Board, is a nationally renowned expert in fitness after 50, and will also be competing in the 2015 Games. We believe Senior Games athletes will fare much better than other seniors, and documenting this will help us capture media attention and inspire many more to be more active and healthy. We ask every Senior Games athlete-from local to national level-to take this brief test and then complete a simple NSGA survey. It will only take a few minutes to get your Fitness Age and then fill out our brief survey. First Step: Click here to take the FITNESS AGE TEST Then: After you get your number, click on this link and report your Fitness Age in NSGA’s SENIOR GAMES ATHLETE FITNESS AGE SURVEY Five lucky athletes who answer our survey will receive a PRIZE PACKAGE that includes Coolibar SPF clothing accessory, Elta moisturizing sunscreen product, an autographed copy of Dr. Pam Peeke’s New York Times bestseller Fight Fat After 40, and a personal nutrition and fitness consultation call with Dr. Peeke. Everyone’s participation is critical to achieve our goal. Please tell your friends who also trained and competed in any Senior Games to take the FITNESS AGE TEST and complete this survey. Thanks!
Dr. Peeke’s February Senior Games Blog NSGA health and wellness spokesperson Dr. Pam Peeke has a new entry in her Senior Games Blog. The best-selling author and noted fitness/nutrition expert is busy training like you are, getting ready for the triathlon at The Games in July. Read “My Prescription for Lifelong Health and Fitness: Get Movin’” here. |
HUMANA Heroes: Athlete of the Month“Team Conaway” Supports a Victor
His competitive nature took hold and he began racing again, this time under his own power. Victor has taken great pride in making the cut to cycle in each National Senior Games since 2009. Last year, the 75 year old says he “dug deep” and gutted through stiff competition in the Pasadena Senior Games and set his sights on traveling to Minnesota for the 2015 National Senior Games Presented by Humana. Then, a stroke of fate-literally-threatened to ruin his plans. The week after his qualifying runs, Victor suffered a debilitating stroke that nearly ended his life. Once it became clear he would survive, Victor, while still in the hospital, quickly set a lofty goal well beyond what his doctors and therapists first presented to him. He wasn’t just going to recover, he was going to work his way back and make that trip to Minnesota. The ongoing physical and occupational therapy has been intense. Victor admits fearing he would not be able to balance and ride a bike again, let alone race. However, his determination, humor and enthusiasm quickly earned the admiration and encouragement of each of his doctors, therapists, nurses and support staff. Friends and family joined in the effort. His wife Trudi collectively calls his support network “Team Conaway.” On Tuesday, January 13th, barely six months after the stroke, Victor mounted his bicycle and rode down the driveway of hishome and pedaled 60 yards under the watchful guidance of his riding partner and a friend. Despite the challenges and setbacks that come with rehabilitation, including a diabetic condition that resulted from the stroke, “Team Conaway” believes Victor is on track to don his racing suit in July. “I’ve got to be there,” he says. “My goal for the Nationals this year is to simply get a start and a finish of the 5K. It may not be my best time but it will definitely be my best ride.” Another recent honor has humbled Victor. California Senior Games has invited him to be a co-flag bearer for the Celebration of Athletes Sponsored by AstraZeneca Diabetes on July 10 at CHS Stadium in Saint Paul. “I never expected to have this kind of response,” Victor emotionally told us. “I’m just trying to be a good soldier-and there’s no softies at any age I’ve seen in these games. If I inspire people to overcome, even to raise the spirit of one person, well that would be great.” 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! |
Victor Conaway is a retired mechanic and continuing education teacher who once owned his own motorcycle shop. Known among endurance racers, his favorite challenge was the grueling Baja 500 desert run in Mexico. He admits to not always taking the best care of himself, but when he needed heart surgery a dozen years ago he took his doctor’s advice and began daily exercise on a mountain bike, and later gravitated to street riding.
NSGA Online Merchandise StoreGet a Warm Summer Feeling in 2015 Logo Gear
As you train for The Games, why not wear the image of the event you are working so hard to prepare for? You don’t have to wait until July to sport logo apparel for the 2015 National Senior Games Presented by Humana!
Visit The NSGA Store at NSGA.com where you will find a wide variety of gear for all seasons including winter wear such as long sleeve T-shirts, pullovers, sweaters and heavyweight hoodies in your choice of sizes and colors.
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- Published in Newsletter