Tom & Jeanne Pontac
AGE: 77/68
HOMETOWN: Seal Beach, CA
YEARS MARRIED: 17
YEARS TRAINING AND COMPETING: 36/17
TOM'S PERONALITY: Ambitious, Outgoing, Innovative, Involved
JEANNE'S PERSONALITY: Charismatic, Compassionate, Outgoing, Funny
COMPLETED OVER 200 MARATHONS & ULTRA-MARATHONS (TOM)
RAN AVALON 50-MILER ON CATALINA ISLAND 8 TIMES WITH AN 8:56 PR (TOM)
LEGACY RUNNER AT THE LONG BEACH MARATHON, HAVING RUN ALL 29 RACES (TOM)
MARATHONER & ULTRA-MARATHONER (JEANNE)
STARTED COLLEGE AT AGE 30 & RECEIVED PHD IN PSYCHOLOGY AT AGE 43 (JEANNE)
CLIMBED MT WHITNEY AS A PRECURSOR TO COMPLETING MY DISSERTATION (JEANNE)
WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION?
Tom - When I’m exercising and especially when I’m running, I feel fully alive and free. Running has helped define who I am, both physically and emotionally. I feel happier when I run and am a nicer person to be around. Running has kept me feeling, and looking, young. At the age of seventy-seven, I’m in some of the best shape ever. What’s not to like about running?
Jeanne - I always wanted to be physically fit and look and feel younger and healthier than my age. I now want to continue to be a healthy active "Grama" both physically and emotionally. As my bumper sticker says, "Running is cheaper than therapy!”
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGET ACCOMPLSHMENT?
Tom - I’d like to say becoming an athlete in my forties, despite the lack of role models and family history. The truth though is my finding the love of my life at sixty who encouraged me to go to college. At the age of sixty-four I graduated plus got a position, a second career, at the university, before retiring ten years later. A dozen years more and I still take classes on a regular basis. I also established a running club for senior citizens, the Leisure Leggers. They regularly compete in marathons, half-marathons and other races.
Jeanne - The most memorable and one that I have shared at races all over the world is the day I finished "16 minutes faster than my Coach” in a challenging half marathon training trail run at Saddleback Mountain. Tom pulled away at Mile 3 but I overcame him at Mile 10. The next 2 miles involved switchbacks and a 2000-foot elevation climb and then a sprint to the finish line. I convinced Tom that he owed me a trophy, which he had made, to commemorate my first and likely last win over him.
WHO IS YOUR HERO?
Tom - I have two, my wife and my father. Jeanne, has without a doubt been the most powerful influence for good in my life. It was she who convinced me that, "It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” Who you marry is the single most important decision a person can make, and I got it absolutely right the second time around with Jeanne. She continues to bring out the best in me by ‘raising me several levels above which I am comfortable.’ My father gave me the values that have shaped my life. To him I owe my belief that I can accomplish anything I am willing to work for and that I am a good person. He was, simply, the finest man I ever met.
Jeanne - My wonderful and supportive husband of 17 years, Tom. Life is never boring with Tom and full of adventure and fun. I am able to run for hours due to his delightful stories and jokes distract me from any discomfort that I may be feeling. He has been attending Long Beach State University for 17 years and even received a BS in psychology and gerontology at the age of 64 years old. He didn’t learn to swim until he was 67 years old so that he could compete in sprint triathlons with me and swim with our grandchildren. Recently on a trip to Costa Rica, we both road horses around the Arenal Volcano and did white water river rafting down the Basa River. He is a caring and generous man and always takes money on his training runs to give to homeless people he meets along the way. Together we are a Big Brother/Big Sister couple to Rene, a young 9½ year old boy that we have mentored for the past 2½ years. Of course, he has been a wonderful grandfather to our three grandsons, Ben, Cole and Luke. My mother was also my hero for her strength, perseverance and pioneering spirit. She did not attend high school but encouraged her four daughters to get higher education and pursue their dreams.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT YOUR SPORT?
Tom - I can do it anytime and virtually anywhere. All I need are my running shoes, and my Spenco insoles. I can discover the nooks and crannies of a city or a country trail. Running is natural, primal and exhilarating, good for body and brain. I believe that Nature designed us to run through life.
Jeanne - I enjoy the freedom running provides me, especially on trails. I recall the first time I was ‘in the zone’ and flew up a hill, leaving Tom in the dust. I asked him what had just happened and he told me about being in the zone. I replied, "How do I do that again?” Tom and I combine our travels with competing and finished a Half Marathon in Ireland last year and a 5K for charity in Hawaii in July while I attended a conference. We have completed the New York Marathon twice, Paris, and London to name a few. It is an amazing way to see a city.
WHY IS TAKING CARE OF YOUR FEET IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Tom - My feet are the foundation of my body. When someone says "body and soul” to a runner, we think both of our inner beings and the bottoms of our feet! Healthy feet are happy feet. And happy feet make a happy, and healthy, runner.
Jeanne - Once I started running in 1997, I gave away my high heels and always wore comfortable shoes. Wearing the best running shoes has enabled me to stay injury free. I love Spenco insoles and sandals as they provide support and cushioning.
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