Charly Johnson ran track and cross country in high school, college and while serving in the Army. After that, though, he gained weight; by 1971, he weighed 268 pounds. He returned to running and by 1976 had lost weight and run his first marathon. He went on to run 25 marathons, including Boston and New York City 10 times each.
“From 1976 to 1990, I averaged two marathons a year, plus several half-marathons and 10Ks,” says Charly, 83, who was born in Boston and lives in Dallas. “Along the way, my best friends have come through training, racing and fitness.”
Typical week of workouts. I work out at the Town North Family YMCA six days a week, usually from 7 to 8:30 a.m. I do weights as well as the rowing and elliptical machines.
If I had just 20 minutes, I would: Concentrate on the elliptical.
Proudest fitness moment: When I broke three hours in the Boston Marathon in 1981.
Favorite healthy food: Fruit and yogurt.
Favorite indulgence: Chocolate-chip cookies. Love them!
Fitness mentors: My high-school coach, Doc McCarthy, got me started, and my college coach, Jerry Tatton, kept me going.
Fitness goals: To stay healthy, keep the weight off, and keep enjoying it.
What I would tell someone who wants to follow my routine: Start slowly and build up strength, and watch your shoes. When I was running, I got a new pair of shoes after 300 to 400 miles. Over roughly 50 years of running, I had only one injury — a sore Achilles. I was lucky.
What my workout says about me: Whether racing on the road or working out at the Y, my goal was and is to stay fit and enjoy the activity. If I set a goal, I completed it; I never dropped out of a race.
You don’t have to be a six-day-a-week workout machine to be a Fitness Profile. Nominate someone at lgarcia@dallasnews.com.
On Twitter: @ohlesliebarker
