WHAT MAKES OLGA RUN? the Mystery of the Ninety-Something Track Star who is Outpacing Time; and What She Can Teach Us About How to Live Longer and Happier Lives

A warm and inspiring story about achieving our full potential

When Olga Kotelko first stepped onto the running track at age 77, she wasn't expecting much. She'd retired at 65 from a career as a teacher in Vancouver; she'd played a little recreational softball, but she'd never been an athlete. No one knew she was about to break every record in the book. But that's what she did. In the 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 4 x 100 relay, hammer throw, javelin, shot put, discus, long jump, high jump, and triple jump, Olga (who is now 94) has gone on to set 23 new world records for her age category. Now Canadian journalist Bruce Grierson has set out to learn what makes Olga tick. Following her to Masters Circuit track events, and tagging along as she allows herself to become the subject of scientific scrutiny, Grierson explores not only the secret to Olga's astonishing abilities, but what practical lessons we can learn ourselves, about how to stay healthy as we age. Bruce Grierson is a Canadian science journalist, whose work has been published in Psychology Today, the New York Times Magazine, Discover and Scientific American among many others. His first book was U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living the Wrong Life? (Bloomsbury, 2008). a good and very prominent TV segment (The Today Show) on Olga: http://www.today.com/id/49063771/ns/today-today_video/#54125087