THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501180111
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 01B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Pam Starr
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
Phyllis Lett Sherrill spends two hours a day, five days a week running, swimming and lifting weights. Weekends are reserved for 5K races.
Her rigid training schedule paid off last year when Sherrill entered the state Senior Olympics. The 56-year-old walked away with five medals in her age group - four gold and one silver.
What's unusual is that that Sherrill didn't start running until 1993. And she had only returned to swimming a year earlier, after a 37-year hiatus from high school competition swimming. Sherrill won the 1500-meter race, the 100-yard dash, the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke; and took second place in the 5K race. The wins qualified her to compete in the national Senior Olympics in San Antonio in May.
Sherrill, a former teacher, is as surprised with her success as anyone else.
``I never set foot in a gym until three years ago, except to watch my children,'' said Sherrill, taking a break from a workout at Bally's Holiday Fitness Center. ``I never thought I'd be doing this. But the more you do, the more you want to do.''
The decision to begin competing in sports at an age when most people are slowing down was a spontaneous one, made right after Sherrill walked the Shamrock Marathon. She looked at her friend and walking partner Carla Degner and said, ``Why not run this next year?''
Degner told Sherrill she was crazy. That was all the initiative Sherrill needed.
``I just said `let's run' one morning,'' recalled Sherrill with a laugh, her hazel-specked brown eyes dancing with the memory. ``We started out slow - we would run a lap and walk a lap. Then we built up. Now we run everyday, sometimes twice a day.
``And I finished that marathon the next year.''
Sherrill has the kind of schedule that others would find grueling. When just about everyone else in the city is still snuggled under the bedcovers, Sherrill is driving to the health club from her Redwood Farm residence. At exactly 6 a.m. Sherrill, along with running mates Dave Williams, Ella Spates, Mieka Gerard and Degner, runs about three miles around the inside track. The younger runners pace Sherrill and push her to keep up.
``I've seen a big improvement in her in just a short time,'' said Gerard, 44, a veteran runner of 21 years. ``We all just encourage each other.''
Then Sherrill lifts weights for 45 minutes. After a break, it's into the pool for a few dozen laps. She's usually done by 9, but invariably returns in the afternoon for another workout.
Husband Richard, an ophthalmologist, and their three adult children have been ``extremely supportive,'' she said, even though her exercising has become something of an addiction.
``This is fun for me - that's one of the main reasons why I'm in here,'' said Sherrill, a Detroit native who moved to Virginia Beach in 1977. ``Running is a free feeling. It's just totally free. And swimming is a loner sport. It gives me time to reflect on my day.''
But running and swimming aren't enough for this energetic grandmother of two. Last year Sherrill received her scuba diving license and is planning to do some deep-sea diving this year, because it is something she always wanted to do. This year, she added with a chuckle, maybe she'll try horseback riding.
``I've pretty much done everything I wanted to,'' said Sherrill. ``Except win a trophy. I want a trophy. I'm going to find out what race gives away trophies and I'm going to enter it.''
Her motto?
``Live each day to the fullest. Nothing's going to happen to you if you keep moving.''
RUNNING MARATHONS REQUIRES ALMOST as much dedication and commitment as staying married for 50 years.
Couples who have made it through the long haul are invited to spend their Valentine's Day dinner at any Old Country Buffet in the United States. Last year more than 15,000 couples enjoyed free meals at the chains 215 restaurants in 32 states.
Bryan Stein, manager of the Laskin Road location, said that no reservations are needed but you should have a marriage certificate on hand to prove that you've been married that long. Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday this year.
``If you don't have one, we're not going to worry about it,'' he said. ``The restaurant holds 350 - we should be able to accommodate everybody.''
Old Country Buffet also has restaurants in Chesapeake, at 1412 Greenbrier Parkway, and at 4300 Portsmouth Blvd.
If you would like more information about the Feb. 14 event, call Bryan Stein at 428-5321. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo BY CHARLIE MEADS
Phyllis Lett Sherrill, who won five medals in the state Senior
Olympics, leads a group of runners at Bally's Holiday Fitness
Center.
by CNB