What's The Secret To Longevity? - Beer, Fags And Exercise

In the past I have often used my age and lack of time as an excuse for not doing much exercise. The result is I am overweight and unfit so hearing about Buster Martin who is almost twice my age has made me re-think my position.

This incredible man was born in 1906 and says he is too cantankerous to die. Currently he is training to run the London Marathon.

This annual race started on 29 March 1981, is held over a length of 26 miles 385 yards, which is about 42 kilometers. This is the length at which the first ever marathon runner died in Greece. I hope Buster doesn't intend to make it a double because he is 101 years old!

In 1981, 7.500 athletes participated in the London Marathon, but its popularity has steadily grown, and in 2007, there was a starting gate of 36,396 people. Whilst it is a serious athletic event, with large prize money attracting elite athletes, the bulk of the runners are club or fun runners, many of whom dress up in fancy dress.

It is an event which attracts huge crowds and raises vast sums of money for charity.
I'm sure Buster will make a hefty contribution.

An ex PE and weapons instructor in the army, Buster regularly used to run 40 miles and says he had to wait for the troops he was training to catch up. That was many years ago, but he is still working.

He retired, briefly, when he was ninety-seven, but got bored after three months and now raises money for charity by whatever means he can. He is keenly interested in the Great Ormond Street Hospital where one of his grand children used to work as a nurse.

In preparation for the big event Buster has just done the half marathon. Apparently it took him 4 hours 13 minutes but that didn't account for the rest break he took in the middle.

Did he stop for a glass of water? Not Buster. He went for a pint of beer and a fag.

He says you'll never see him drinking water so let's hope someone has a few bottles of bitter lined up along the route to go with the thousands of bottles of water the other runners will consume. This is to replace the litre of water each one is expected to lose through sweating.

There have been nine deaths related to running the London Marathon since the event began, with the most recent being only 22 years old. In the 2008 race, Buster will be the worlds oldest competitive runner. Let's all hope it won't be his last.

When asked how he did it he simply said "I don't think about it - I just do it".

Good luck to him I say.

Buster is a real charmer and flirts with all the ladies. I suppose, at his age, he has nothing to lose and says it's why he has "so many kids".

Clearly an active body and an active mind keep you young. Buster is proof of that.

Now, where are my trainers?

About The Author-- Jean Shaw writes various blogs, articles and is the author of three true story books on autism and mercury poisoning How To Be Fit And Healthy At Any Age

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