Milt Silverstein planning comeback, targets M90 records
Milt Silverstein is a Penn Relays masters superstar and many-times champion in the sprints and jumps. But in late 2002, he declared his retirement in a letter to National Masters News. Thank goodness he didn’t mean it. (He sat out 2003 but returned in 2004 and 2005, when he stopped again.) I recently learned from a Geezerjock blog that Milt is planning a third comeback — and hopes to be in studly form as an M90! Curious, I wrote Milt about his plans and peppered him with questions. He said he’s been busy helping his wife, Rhoda, fight her lymphoma.
Milt also wrote:
My birthday is December 6, 1919. I will be 88 years young. I have been keeping myself in pretty good shape (but have) not been running for I have been taking care of Rhoda . . . taking her to the doctors. . . . I plan on getting back into running shape by starting to train right, taking the rest of this year and next year to do that (so) I can be competitive again.
I have been following track and field results in the National Masters News. I will try hard to do well as I have in the past including attempting to break some records in the 90-94 age group.
I would love to compete again in the Penn Relays if they (would have) a 90-and-above age group. As for seeing Payton Jordon running again, it would be wonderful — for he is one great track athlete.
My secret track ambition is the same as it always has been: to encourage as many seniors I can to participate in some sort of physical activity to help (give) them a better quality of life as they get older by setting myself as an example.
Again I repeat: My philosophy is don’t worry about dying; concentrate on living.
As an M80 in 2000, Milt had an incredible season, clocking a legal 14.85 for 100 meters and a wind-aided 31.58 in the 2 at Eugene nationals — the best in the world that year.
Wouldn’t it be cool to see two of the greatest masters sprinters of our generation go mano-a-mano at Sacramento nationals in 2010? Payton vs. Milton!
Make a date, guys.
