No Plans for being Spectator to Life
Hal Higdon shares his philosophy for living the good life

BY KIM NOWATZKE
Reprinted from The News-Dispatch, October 10, 2006

Photo By: Sara Figiel/the News-Dispatch

AT AGE 75, HAL HIGDON KEEPS UP THE PACE, refusing the role of sidelines spectator in the race of his life. With a long list of achievements from half a century spent running and writing, this longtime Long Beach resident continues on the right track with his life's passions.

Growing up in Chicago, Hal first tried track as a sophomore at the University of Chicago's Laboratory School in 1947 and placed fourth in his conference with his 5.04.7 mile.

A succession of wins, titles and records followed. He participated in eight US Olympic trials, finishing fifth (only the top three make the team) in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 1960. He won four overall victories and numerous age-group firsts in the 111 marathons he participated in. In 1964, at the Boston Marathon, Higdon took the fifth place reaching a personal milestone of 2:21:55 for the 26 miles and 385 yards.

Yet, it was under the title of "masters" (over age 35), that Hal achieved his greatest success as a runner. He won world masters titles in 1975, 1977, 1981 and 1991, setting world and national records, two of which still reigns even after a quarter of a century. At age 60, he won his fourth world masters championship in the 60-64 age group for the 2,000 meter steeplechase. At the 100th anniversary 1996 Boston Marathon, Hal ran his 100th marathon and his 18th at that race. In fact, Hal ushered in his 70th birthday with what he deemed his "7-7-70 Challenge." Raising more than $700,000 for seven charities, Hal ran seven marathons in seven months.

The Obvious Slowdown

Today, Hal recognizes "there's the obvious slowdown as you age" and admits "I can't do the extensive running I did years ago, but I still stay active."

For example, Hal and his wife of 48 years, Rose Musacchio Higdon, enjoy morning bike rides to one of a half dozen favorite coffee shops from Michigan City to New Buffalo, Michigan. The length of the ride is dependent on the weather conditions.

"I'm doing more bicycling and other activities than pure running for competitive purposes - it's more for long and good health than for winning trophies," he shared."My fitness activities are still important, but they don't follow as set a pattern as when I was training for competition."

Hal's running achievements have been a major factor in the success of his livelihood of full-time freelance writing over the past 47 years.

When Runner's World was "little more than a newsletter," Hal wrote an article for it's second issue in 1966. Over the years, he's written numerous articles on training and racing for the magazine, whose circulation now surpasses 500,000. And, 40 years later, he's still listed on the masthead as a Contributing Editor. Running titles in the 33 books he's published include Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide, which has sold more than 125,000 copies, Masters Running, designed for runners over age 35 and offering strategies to increase lifespan by as much as 6-9 years; the Beginning Runners Guide and Run Fast: How To Beat Your Best Time, to name just a few.

Yet, a testament to his versatility, Hal has covered many others subjects such as politics for the New York Times Magazine and science for National Geographic. He's written 12 children/young adult titles, such as The Horse That Played Center Field, which was later transformed into an animated TV special by ABC, and more recently, Run Dogs Run in which he teamed up with cartoonist Dana Summers, to appeal to beginning readers.

Journalist in Space

Hal's journalistic achievements include the 2003 American Society of Journalistic and Authors Career Achievement Award, the highest award given out by the Society. He's earned a place in the Hall of Fame of the Road Runners Club of America, of which he helped found in 1958, and, was a finalist in NASA's Journalist-In-Space program in 1986 to ride the space shuttle.

As Hal has aged, his writing has evolved as well, though more in reaction to changes in society than any need to slow down personally.

"I've just simply changed the focus of my work dictated more by changes in society than in my own life," he explained.

Considering himself somewhat of a "computer guru," Hal said all his writing is currently on-line. Each morning he spends several hours in serious writing and continues off and on throughout the day with such activities as addressing a variety of topics on his personal blog found at www.halhigdon.com or fielding a few dozen daily questions through his online Virtual Training forums. Hal shared that in some ways he's more successful as a writer in his 70s than he was in his 20s and 30s because of the demand for his writing now.

Referencing his readiness a decade ago to embrace his new role as cyberspace writer, Hal explained, "The world changes around us. What makes up grow old faster is we don't change with it."

He commented how seniors need to adapt to changes in society "while still retaining the values that made us what we are."

Handles On-line

Sales of his books are also handled on-line - in addition to sales of his paintings. An artist from his youth, Hal remembers creating caricatures of his classmates; for his 50th class reunion he drew over 100 portraits of his classmates for a book of biographies, Beyond The Tower.

An art major in college, he paid tuition with money earned as a illustrator and caricaturist. In his late 20s he decided to pursue writing rather than art more intensely, and, though he dabbled in art from time to time, it resurfaced in his life about ten years ago. Lately, he's began to concentrate on his pop-art style paintings. At Long Beach's Winter View Juried Art Show, he recently won Best of Show for a painting of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra titled "The Conductor."

Certainly not in "retirement" status, Hal wishes he had more time for art, but makes sure he leaves space in his schedule to spend time with he and Rose's three children and nine grandchildren. He's especially devoted to watching cross-country meets this fall of Michigan City's winning team. With obvious pride in his voice, Hal talks of his grandson, Senior Kyle Higdon, who is co-captain of the team. Another grandson, Wesley, doubles as a cross-country runner and soccer player. "And we have seven more coming along behind with varied talents," he brags.

Hal also makes time in his day for relaxation, perhaps to pick up a favorite book or enjoy the view of Lake Michigan from the same home he and Rose have shared since 1964. Early to bed and early to rise - waking with the birds - Hal also schedules in a short 30-60 minute daily nap.

Chasing Good Health

"There's no age limit when it comes to chasing good health," he said. "People can and should be healthy at those ages (70s, 80s and 90s) more than we think. I never cease to be amazed by their focus and ability to do things."

Part of "chasing good health" includes proper nutrition. Hal explained how in his 40s a nutritionist friend at the Hyde Park Co-op in Chicago "taught me everything I needed to know about good nutrition."

The "gold standard" and "key to good health," according to Hal, is a combination of 55 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fats and 15 percent protein. Furthermore, he added, "Eat a wide variety of lightly processed foods."

Hal further encourages other seniors with, "Don't underestimate your own ability. People can and need to do things they might have been frightened to do in the past. More simply put, Hal admonishes others to "get out and get living."

Copyright 2006 by Kim Nowatzke, all rights reserved