Frederick Lindsley, Still Running and Still Winning at 70

Grand Terrace residents may be familiar with the great success Frederick Lindsley possesses already. However, his endless strive and passion for running keeps everyone amazed. Thirty-five year Grand Terrace resident and seventy-year-old runner Lindsley recently took second place overall in the Grand Terrace 5K held in September earlier this year. He managed to beat every male runner participant in the race but finished closely behind an elite 41-year-old woman, he shared. Prior to the GT 5K, Lindsley competed in the World Masters Championship in Lyon, France in August of this year where he took fifth in the 1500-meter and took third in the 800-meter race in the Finals with a time of 2:37:71 in his age group. His trip to France came with an added bonus as he stopped by to visit his daughter Heather, his son-in-law and grandson who live in Brighton, England. “It was perfect. It was a chance to have a family gathering while doing something I love to do all in one great vacation,” he said. This wasn’t the first time Lindsley competed in elite competitions. Along with many other accolades he acquired throughout the years at competitions, he made a big impact in 2010 at the National Masters Championships. He competed in the 1500-meter race, the 800-meter race, and he was also a part of the 4x4 and 4x8 teams. During that competition, he collected two gold medals, two silver medals, and a bronze medal. However, prior to that competition, in 2009 Lindlsey had some major health issues as he found out he had bladder cancer. He underwent two surgeries and the second surgery was only seven months before the National Masters Championship where he collected two golds, two silvers, and a bronze. Born in Bell, Calif., Lindsley attended Bell High School where his love for running began as he ran for the school team. However, after he graduated he didn’t continue his running journey. Lindsley shared that it wasn’t until he moved to Grand Terrace in 1980 that he started to run again; he began to run competitively in 1981. “I have been running for 35 years now,” he added. Throughout his long journey of success, his ups, and his downs, his wife Donna has been right by his side. As high school sweethearts, they have been married for 49 years. “She’s my logistics person, she is a supporter in every way possible…my right hand man,” Lindsley explained while chuckling. Lindsley added as he explains his love for running, “I like to train, I enjoy training as much as racing. I enjoy the competition. I want to win but if I get beat I know that that person must have trained very hard.” [END] stillrunning@earthlink.net Grand Terrace Moved here in 1980 August of this year – in France This sept- GT 5K 1st overall male – 41 year-old woman beat him 2nd overall in GT race August France World Masters Championship in Lyon, France Olympics where they hold the world champ in a diff country every other year Last year In brazil, next year Australia 2011 in sacremento -HE RAN THIS ONE almost like the Olympics all he did was sign up – you don’t have to have a time he had one because he ran races before that. 1500 meter – 5th overall (out of 41 entrees) some don’t show up tho probably about 30/41 showed up went to finals and took 5th place 4 days after the finals in the 800 meter he was in france for a couple weeks he went early because his dauggter lives in brighton, England. That’s why he went – hey heather I can run in the world champs in France To visit his daughter as well. 70th birthday ----whens his bday? In May they run in age groups (70-74 age group) A chance to see my faughter and grandson and son-n-law A chance to have a family gathering along with doing something I love to do in one vacation VOLUME 14 NUMBER 11 She said we started dating when she was 13, and 14 Married for 49 years. They got married when he was 21 and she was 20. Wife – Donna – national masters championships Worlds masters championships 35 years and above in 5 year age groups (that’s what masters means) Daughter-Heather. She is my logistics person – she sets up entries. Back in the early 80’s I would run until I couldn’t run anymore – she was concerned. She is a supporter in everywhere way possible She’s my right-hand man but she just doesn’t want to see me race – he laughs. She’s seen pictures of me crossing the finish line! “I like to train, enjoy training as much as racing. I enjoy the competition.” I want to win but if I get beat I know I People don’t understand what it takes to accomplish Article 2010 – done in June (SACREMENTO NATIONAL AND WORLDS MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS Health issues – bladder cancer in sept of 2009 Had another minor surgery in jan 2010 He did go to national champs in july of 2010 7 Months after having bladder surgery winner of 5k – national championship took 2nd in 1500m took 3rd in 800 meter part of 4X4 took gold medal part of 4x8 meter won silver 2 golds, 2 silvers, and a bronze (2010) USA National championships for the United States (World’s master athletic championships) – in Sacremento in 2011 two 6th places in the 800 and 1500