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Marathon Man At 81, Dick Ziehmer continues to compete


again, he says he wouldn’t wait until age 70 to start compet- ing in marathons and triathlons. “Even if you’re not a top athlete, even if you have some


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aches and pains, if you just make up your mind to participate in some form of exercise, you’ll feel really good about your- self,” says Ziehmer, now 81. In September, Ziehmer participated in his 100th event.


He’s often the only competitor within his age bracket. He’s raced in events around the country, from his home city of Daytona Beach, Fla., to places like Las Vegas, Mackinac Island and Park City, Utah. “If I can finish, I automatically get a medal,” Ziehmer


jokes. “But it’s not about where I finish. I love the beautiful settings and the camaraderie. People share their experi- ences and positive energy with one another, which is quite enjoyable.” Ziehmer, who graduated from Eastern (then called


Michigan State Normal College) with a bachelor’s degree in English and a certification in elementary education, taught within the Walled Lake, Almont and Frankenmuth districts. Later, he became assistant superinten- dant for Finance and Personnel for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. In the 1980s, Ziehmer returned to Eastern to teach personnel administra- tion courses as an adjunct instructor. He and his wife, Gretchen (whom he met as an undergraduate), also bred and trained thoroughbred race horses for 25 years at the Bar Z Farm near St. Joseph, Mich. After selling the farm in the late 1990s,


the Ziehmers spent their summers in Cheboygan and wintered in Miami. That’s when Dick received a wake-up call regarding his health. “At age 69, I weighed 250 pounds and


Photos by Robert Snow


here aren’t many things that Dick Ziehmer (BS53) would change about his life. But if he could do it over


by Jeff Samoray


had some heart and blood pressure issues,” he says. “My doc- tor encouraged me to lose weight. About the only exercise I had done as an adult was a little slow pitch softball—I had never really been a runner. I started doing some walking and lost a few pounds. I began feeling better, so I graduated to jogging and biking.” Ziehmer began running more frequently after moving


to Daytona Beach in 1998. The beach sands are easy on his knees—and you can’t beat the scenery. “Once we got to Daytona, I started wondering if I could


do a 5K run,” says Ziehmer, who is self-trained. “In January 1999, I entered and finished my first 5K, in St. Augustine. That led to more 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons and finally some triathlons. I also joined the Daytona Beach Track Club, got on the board and organized a couple local events.” Ziehmer’s health also improved. He carries 188 pounds


on his 6-foot frame and feels great. “If I added the weight I’ve lost, it would be like running


with a 60-pound bag,” he says. “My doctors have encouraged me to continue training. I still compete in about four events every year.” Ziehmer’s devotion to fitness has also inspired his family. To celebrate the Ziehmers’ 50th wedding anniversary, the Daytona Beach Track Club held a special run—Dick and three of his four children participated. Last July, Ziehmer and his oldest son, Ted, com- peted in the “Tri-for-Life” event in Otter Lake, Mich., to support organ donation awareness. “My family has been very supportive,”


Ziehmer says. “My wife doesn’t race, but she goes to the events and enjoys meeting the attendees. “I plan to compete as long as I can. Like


most people, I’ve experienced a lot of posi- tive things in life. Right now, running ranks with the best of them.” 3


Eastern | WINTER 2011 41


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