Grey Power September 2018

14
NZ GREYPOWER MAGAZINE » SEPTEMBER 2018
Proving age is no barrier
Tom Cockerill may have ticked over 73 years on the clock,
but he’s also clocked up far more mileage than most
people his age. Based in Dunedin, Tom is a familiar face
at walking and running events around the country and
he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
BY LISA POTTER
Having recently competing at the
South Island Half Marathon
(Ashburton), despite a small calf
muscle tear, Tom finished third fastest
overall and was the second male to finish
in the open aged event, competing against
walkers less than half his age.
Next up he’s pounding the pavements
around his hometown of Dunedin in
preparation for a half marathon there this
month. This is followed by the South Island
Masters Games and Tom then heads
to Tasmania for the Burnie 10; Australia's
premier 10km road race, followed by a 21k
event in Melbourne a week later.
His achievements are many, and he
kicked off 2018 winning the 3000m track
walk at the Oceania Masters Athletics
Championships held in Dunedin.
“This was a really special moment for
me as it was such a closely fought battle,
winning it out from under Geoff Iremonger
from Wellington, as he soundly
beat me in the previous events, as well
as in the 5000m track walk and the 10k
road event.”
Another event with a close finish saw
Tom haul in the leader with about 2km to
go, but having made an earlier pact that he
would hold back at the finishing line, the
competitors crossed the line together.”
This is typical of Tom’s personality. As
much as he has a competitive streak, he’s
involved in the events for the camaraderie
and fun.
Tom’s story is even more inspirational,
give that he is competing and maintaining
such a high level of fitness after some major
health setbacks including needing spinal
fusion in the 1980s and being affected
by neurotoxicity in 2009.
“That was by polyurethane floor coating
and I cancelled out of driving for about
six months as my eye muscles would not
bring things into focus,” says Tom.
“Life is all about balance.”
“I was troubled with all sorts of eye related
problems, and started walking to try
and turn my health around, and to overcome
stumbling and losing my balance.
“On the advice of the Brain Injury Association
Otago I did an intensive programme
on brain gym exercises to improve
the brain wiring and coordination
between the brain and eyes.
“There’s no doubt about it, that walking
paved the way to a better and healthier
lifestyle. My many obstacles became challenges,
and I didn't give up, pushing the
boundaries even at times when not feeling
the best.”
Tom also has background of dyslexia
so takes extra special care when filling in
entry forms.
While he thrives on the many events he
competes in around New Zealand, he says
much of his focus is trying to stay injury
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Z8659J
The power of oxygen
From elite athletes and adventure
seekers to the senior market,
Auckland's Leslie Crawford is in
hot demand for her business of selling
recreational oxygen.
Having discovered and used it herself
for energy boosts while skiing in
the States, Leslie bought Oxygen Plus
(95% oxygen in a can) to New Zealand
last year.
Under normal conditions, ambient
air contains 21% oxygen. That’s without
considering the presence of compromised
or polluted air.
Oxygen Plus products are enriched
with a much higher concentration –
95% oxygen – more than four times the
normal air we breathe. The other 5% in
Oxygen Plus products is ambient everyday
air.
"Interestingly, one of my largest markets
is people wanting to treat the frailties
of ageing," says Leslie.
"Oxygen Plus is proving useful for
older people without respiratory disease
who develop dementia and other debilitating
conditions. Oxygen is thought to
improve their quality of life in a dramatic
manner.
"Researchers have also found that
oxygen is a way to restore neurological
function in brain tissue damaged by
stroke.
"There have been recent articles published
around the use of Hyperbaric
oxygen therapy (HBOT) for people who
have suffered strokes.
"The treatment involves patients lying
inside a pressurised chamber and
breathing pure oxygen to stimulate
growth and healing."
Leslie has many customers who share
their stories with her.
"Oxygen Plus is helping them get up
in the morning, enabling them to mow
the lawns without gasping, achieving
18 holes at the golf course and so much
more."
Leslie also has a personal connection
using Oxygen Plus with her father’s ill
health and her mother’s tiredness in caring
for him.
The calming effect that the oxygen
has when her mother is having an anxious
moment is very obvious.