PIARA WATERS runner Carol Bowman is now in full training as she approaches the World Masters Athletics Championships.
More than 4000 participants will compete in the championships from October 26-November 6 in Perth, along with 3000 support staff.
The 61-year-old will be one of 500 West Australians competing in the championships, with more than 1000 Australians registered to be part of the games.
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READ NOWMs Bowman said when she first joined she didn’t realise how fit some of the seniors were.
She will compete in several events including the heptathlon, 300m hurdles, steeplechase, 1500m and 400m.
Athletes must be at least 35 to join masters, with Ms Bowman joining up when she turned 50.
“When I joined masters I thought everybody would be out there with their frames,” she said.
“I am young; 61 is the new 41.”
Ms Bowman said the reason why she enjoys running is for the enjoyment and hitting her goals.
“I just enjoyed it and it’s a challenge of getting personal bests and setting goals and it’s good for your mental health,” she said.
“My best hope is the steeple as there are two very fast girls and I am hoping to jag a third.”
Ms Bowman will be no stranger to competing at the championships, having previously been to four games.
She has been training with David Carr, an 83-year-old athlete who will be competing in the championships.
In order to achieve her goals, Ms Bowman is training five to six days per week, sometimes morning and night.
She will even get up before 5am some mornings in order to fit a run in around her job of being a nurse.
The running events up to 1500m metres will be staged at the Western Australia Athletics stadium (WAAS) in Mt Claremont, while most of the longer track events – 5000m, 5000m walk and 10,000m – will be held at the Ern Clark Athletic Centre in Cannington.