“I live sore.” Was the response Glen Howe gave, when asked how he copes with his rigorous training regime. He also didn’t want us to do a story about him in the paper. He said, “It’s not worth putting a story in.” Glen Howe hasn’t ever wanted to be in the spotlight. It will likely embarrass him, but what can you do when someone deserves to have their story told and has done so much for others. A founding member of the Bash up Boys, a group of locals who like to train hard and keep fit, Glen has found himself selected in an Australian Cross Fit team to take on the Kiwis in September in Melbourne.
Glen trains in a number of different disciplines which builds strength and cardio and it came in handy when he traveled to Albury a fortnight ago with training partner Danny Flanery. The amazing thing is, Glen wasn’t that keen on going. He told Flanery that he had to organise it and do the registration. Glen isn’t that keen on computers or Facebook and although he is happy to compete he doesn’t really follow the stats.
At 61, Glen could run rings around many men 40 years younger than him. He may not be the quickest off the mark these days but he would grind them down, he just keeps going.
Flanery said, “I’m thinking we have been doing Bash Ups for 10 years and we started doing Cross Fit the last year. Glen didn’t want to do it, I made him go in it. There is a competition called Master’s League and it puts you up against everyone else in Australia. Glen came first in the ACT and 5th in Australia, I was keeping him updated all the time and logging his scores.
The top 5 in all the state categories went to Albury and they had to do 4 workouts in one day. Our scores went online immediately and Glen came second in Australia. He went from fifth to second.” Glen will take on the top two New Zealand competitors across a 2 day event on September 21 and 22. Flanery said, “His secret is he lives quite healthy, he eats a lot of lollies but he doesn’t drink. He has always done something, touch footy, distance running. When he trains he has a crack and digs in and has a go. If I could be like him at his age I would be very happy.”
Glen Howe has spent over 28 years looking after other athletes in the twin town area and has never asked for anything. What he has been given though is complete respect by those he assists. He said, “Danny keeps me informed, he organised it, he has registered us. All I know is when I’m leaving. I’m always fit that isn’t a problem, I go to Danny’s and do specialist stuff with him on top of other training. It’s just two old blokes mucking around, Chessy has been busy otherwise he would have been involved to.” The whole town will be cheering Glen on and the Times will be following his progress. Well done Glen.
