All you gotta do is show up

71-year-old stays active with numerous daily exercises

Bicycling, swimming, sailing, skiing, spin class, working out — nothing slows down 71-year-old Weatherford resident Craig Farmer.

Farmer is retired, works part-time for Granbury City Hall and still makes time to participate in multiple activities.

“I’m a master swimmer, skier, bicyclist and sail boats rather than fish from them,” he said. “I try to do something every day if I can. I like a variety because I don’t like to be bored.”

The book, “Younger Next Year” by Chris Crowley inspired Farmer to stay active and he learned that “by exercising a little bit every day, you can stay healthier and younger.”

“Your number one job is to exercise six times a week,” Farmer said. “It’s the other Bible for me.”

Farmer is the oldest swimmer on his swim team, the Fort Worth Area Swim Team (FAST), but he doesn’t let it deter him in competitions. One phrase that always stuck with him from the book “Younger Next Year” was “show up.”

“It’s been an inspiration to me. All you gotta do is show up. I’ve been trying to follow that philosophy for the last 15 years,” he said. “In my age group, if I show up, there’s probably only eight or 10 swimmers at meets. I get first or second anytime, even though I’m slow as molasses, just by showing up.”

One person who inspires Farmer to remain active is Annie Duniven, who was the only swimmer in the 95-100 age group in the USMS Spring Nationals in 2015 in San Antonio. At 98, she earned a gold medal in every event she entered.

“She couldn't even start off the blocks and was really slow, but every time she finished, she got a standing ovation. She is my inspiration,” he said.

Farmer was raised in “ski country” and had been skiing for more than 60 years without an injury — until a few months ago that is.

“In March, I was skiing with my youngest daughter in Santa Fe when I crashed on some ice on the last 200 feet of the last run of the last day. I had an emergency hip replacement and spent 13 days in the Santa Fe hospital and rehab unit,” he said.

However, even with his latest injury, Farmer is not planning on giving up skiing anytime soon.

“I will also be skiing again next year, although probably a little slower and more careful. I have to slow it down. I have to work on taking it a little easier. I don’t need to go quite that fast,” he said, chuckling.

Farmer said having a support system and a network of friends is huge because they encourage each other to persevere and not give up on their daily workouts and exercises.

“I think at my age it is important to have the camaraderie of a team or group to encourage trying to enjoy things,” he said.

When asked how he would encourage men and women his age to stay active, Farmer replied, “it’s hard to remain active if you don’t enjoy doing it.”

“What I found is the people who were really good at something at one time have a hard time with it now. People who were mediocre actually have an easier time of it because they’re not disappointed when they go to a meet. For the average person, if they can find something they like, they’ll probably be better at it than guys who were really good at it when they were younger,” he said. “If it’s not fun, don’t do it.”

He also recommends individuals to purchase the book, “Younger Next Year.”

“All you have to do is show up to still enjoy a lot of things as we age,” Farmer said. “I am the oldest person on the (swim) team and probably the slowest, but still, it makes me want to get in the pool and start swimming again.

“Don't give up on everything you love to do.  Remember, ‘age, deceit and treachery will always triumph over youth and skill.’ Always have fun.”

ashley@hcnews.com | 817-573-1243