The golden medal years

Janice Bradley had one reoccurring thought as she watched all three of her teenage boys complete in various track and field events for Battle Ground High School — “I bet I could do that.” 

Fast forward to 2018 and at age 80 Bradley is now in her 15th year as a track and  field athlete and has won 18 track and field medals this year — 14 of which are gold.  

Although Bradley was first inspired to give track and  field a shot while watching her boys in high school, the dream wasn’t realized until she was 65. She spotted an article in the newspaper for a senior track and  field event and decided to give it a shot. She met with a coach in Olympia who gave her a quick lesson on throwing a discus. Her coach was impressed after just one throw, telling her she might have a shot at nationals. Her coach was right. Just this year Bradley won two gold medals at USA Track & Field Masters Outdoor Championships. 

Bradley doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon.  

“I’m hoping to do the 100 meter dash when I’m 100 years old,” she said. 

Born in Illinois, Bradley moved to California in high school. Although track and  field piqued her interest as an adolescent, it was frowned upon for girls to take part. 

“I was always athletic,” she remembers. 

Bradley married Robert, her husband to this day, late in her 20s. Together they served as missionaries in India for a couple years before living in a few different places in Canada — Robert’s native country. In 1977 they decided to move their family south. They scoured the west coast and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest, settling on roughly 10 acres in north Battle Ground where they’ve lived ever since. 

“We love where we live,” she said. “This is God’s country ‘round here.” 

During her professional career Bradley was a laboratory technician, a skillset she used to help launch the Battle Ground free clinic. Now retired with all three boys out of the house, she spends much of her free time volunteering around the area.  

At track and field events Bradley does “all the throws you can think of” as well as high jump and 50 and 100 meter runs. 

Even prior to her late-life track and field career Bradley made a point of exercising on a regular basis. 

She has long been a member of Club Green Meadows in Vancouver and was a member of an athletic club during her time in Canada as well. 

But Bradley doesn’t use dumbbells as an excuse for donuts. Although she doesn’t follow a particular diet and is quick to admit she has a weakness for sweets, she is careful, avoiding certain vices and foods. She’s never been a smoker and has no taste for alcohol. She steers clear of carbs from bread — although at times finds the temptation of a breadstick irresistible — and eats very little red meat. 

Overall, Bradley said moderation with treats you most enjoy is the key. 

To keep her skills sharp between events — She does three or four a year — Bradley has her own equipment at home to practice with. 

Proper preparation is key when one is running and throwing at 80 years old and Bradley offers one simple recommendation. 

“It’s very important to stretch,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what activity you start — stretch well. It will prevent injuries.” 

Continually having an upcoming event to work toward has kept Bradley goal oriented and training is the most important medication she takes. 

“It’s extremely helpful spiritually, mentally and physically — all three of them,” she said of her training and competitions. “When you’re younger you’re pretty active, but as you get older you tend to slow down. I can even feel myself slowing down. But it’s important to try to keep going. Keep active as long as you can.” 

To others her age who might be interested in taking on a new activity late in their lives but are hesitant, Bradley recommends they make it simple on themselves and just focus on the first step. 

“Just start,” she said, also adding some simple advice for youngsters. “If you want to live a long and healthy life, just keep exercising.”