This octogenarian athlete is going strong - with a dash of grit and a commitment to exercise

Madeleine Marken was a crackerjack runner for many years, starting at age 55 and stopping at 80, when she had a hip replacement. In those 25 years of competing, Marken ran five marathons. The last one, the Boston Marathon, was completed at age 69, when she finished the 26.2-mile run in under five hours, a personal best for her.

Marken’s resilience, optimism and impressive strength have attracted many admirers.

But in late August, she encountered another tough road: a fall on a cracked sidewalk during a power walk, which resulted in a fractured pelvis and sacrum. The injury landed her in Falmouth Hospital and then JML Care Center for rehabilitation.

But by October, Marken was back at her Falmouth home, continuing her job as a part-time cardiac social worker, visiting her children and grandkids, planning more travel, and going out with friends. Many people who know her best see that her positive attitude and ironclad will hold her in good stead.

Pilates, Yoga and Walking

But there is more to the picture. Marken traces much of her quick recovery to three activities: Pilates, yoga and walking. Walking contributes to cardiovascular health, stamina and strength. Pilates and yoga are also imperative for her. As Marken says, they are both keys to healing her body, mind and spirit, maintaining strength and suppleness, and protecting against falls – all critically important as we age.

Candice Dimond, DPT, a physical therapist with Cape Cod Healthcare, worked with Marken weekly throughout her recovery. Dimond was taken aback at how fit Marken was pre-injury.

“When I saw her that first time, she was already so far ahead of what I would have expected someone of her age and injury,” she said. “She had been doing Pilates and strengthening pretty much her entire life. That, to me, spoke volumes.”

Marken’s strong bones and muscles were striking, Dimond said.

“That is so important. Exercising helps with balance, overall health and mental well-being. It helps cognitive function and weight management. She is one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met, very inspirational,” she said.

For women postmenopause, building and maintaining muscle is extremely important, according to Dimond, and Pilates is “a perfect exercise,” she said. “There’s not a lot of strain on your joints, it increases strength, flexibility and endurance. Pilates does all of that in one form of training.”

Marken notes another benefit to her Pilates and yoga practice: confidence as she ages.

“I don’t know how I would be without them,” she said.

Marken is still lithe and athletic, enjoying physical activities almost every day throughout her very full life. This winter she will partake in another regular winter activity — hiking in the White Mountains in New Hampshire and European mountain ranges.

When she fell during the powerwalk and had fractures to her pelvis and sacrum, she had a few dark moments – temporarily. “It was very traumatic,” Marken said. But true to form, she set goals to get active as soon as it was safe and is now folding in many of her tried-and-true activities.

“Activities keep me strong,” she said. “And they keep me in the company of other active, positive and interesting people.”