Mary Palmer – an 80-year-old runner and ex-teacher, recently completed a 26-mile marathon – has revealed the diet and intense workout routine she says helped her finish the race
A marathon runner who still runs in her 80s has shared the secret diet and routine that keeps her fighting fit. Retired teacher Mary Palmer, originally from Scotland, recently participated in the 26 mile Barcelona marathon.
Based in the Catalonian city, her daily fitness routine would see her walking briskly towards a local park, all while on an empty stomach, before running 10 laps – each a kilometre circumference – only to then climb stairs before heading back for her breakfast. And although she is technically classed as an ‘amateur runner’, Mary would undertake three gruelling stages for her daily routine.
Due to the excessive demands being placed on her body, she revealed how she relies on a simple yet balanced meal for breakfast. The Barcelona resident said: “I have spelt bread, with sesame and olive oil, and a hard-boiled egg every day”.
She told Spanish outlet COPE that bread and olive oil provide her with healthy fats and complex carbohydrates which are necessary to maintaining her energy levels, whilst egg contributes to the protein needed to conserve muscle mass and ensure recovery.
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This stage also included targeting potential inflammatory, with Mary described doing so by creating her own infused tea which includes chamomile, ginger and turmeric. She added: “When I’m about to drink it, I add the juice of a lemon and a spoonful of honey”.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and ginger are maximised with the addition of lemon juice, which supplies vitamin C, and honey, which gives the runner more energy.
This gave Mary the energy boost required of for the next two phases as, after her breakfast, she would take off to the beach for another 5km run – this time on sand. Afterwards, Palmer would jump into the sea to cool off … in anticipation of her third stage.
The final part of her workout had her running back home to complete her daily training. Having to “prepare well,” the runner called the marathon “a big challenge” which caused her body to “expend energy [in order] to recover it and be able to endure the 42 kilometres”.
Reportedly, 27,000 people participated in the Barcelona marathon, however, just several hundred runners were over 65. Palmer herself stated the importance of keeping healthy whilst also shared her motivation to be her fundraising goals for charity which lies as the foundation for her desire to run such large lengths.
“It’s very important to keep moving, engage in sports, and take care of one’s health. It’s clear there’s no obligation, but as my GP says—whom I visit very rarely—exercise is essential for our generation”.
The 80 year old also explained that after retiring from teaching, she found she finally had the time to pursue her dreams – one of which “was to visit Nepal”.
“Now, my mission in running the marathon is to raise funds for the Shamrock 7 Students Nepal project so they can continue their education,” added Mary. “It’s very important; education is vital, and we want to provide the opportunity for seven students from Nepal to continue their studies”.
