2023 Labor Day Issue

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Time and Road-Tested: This One is for The Ages 26 Story by ELLEN WILKOWE Photos by KAREN FUCITO From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Joe Greene of Lake Hopatcong arrives at Lakeside Field in Jefferson at 5:30 a.m. and begins his day with 15 minutes of stretching. This is followed by some “long, slow-distance running.” Then the real workout begins: sprinting over various distances, followed by practicing starts. Oh, and he’s 81 years young. “These are all about focusing on those first strides,” he said. “Sprints require an explosive start, lengthening your stride, and finally managing your oxygen intake.” Meanwhile, Frank D’Orio of Lake Forest spends his afternoons hitting the trails outside Forge Fitness at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway. He uses the inside of the gym for weightlifting only. Don’t even mention a treadmill to this 88-year-old long-distance runner. It’s all outdoors, all the time, no matter what the weather. “I need the fresh air, the sunshine on me and the birds singing,” he said. These are no run-of-the-mill workouts, though running is certainly the focal point. These regimens are serious training sessions for the New Jersey Senior Olympics, which, over the years, have landed the two octogenarians a collection of medals. Since 2018 Greene has accumulated 13 medals, including three gold, seven silver and three bronze, running in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter races as well as participating in the shot put. Meanwhile, D’Orio, who started competing two years ago, has also amassed a collection of medals, including two golds in the 1500-meter, a silver in the 800-meter and a silver in the 50-meter dash. The New Jersey Senior Olympics take place throughout various athletic fields and sporting facilities in Woodbridge from September 8 to September 10. In existence for more than three decades, the competition is open to athletes 50 and over and includes 22 games, including archery, bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, running, swimming and of course pickle ball, the most popular entry, to name a few. The New Jersey games are also a qualifying event for competitors who wish to move on to the National Senior Games. Participants such as Greene and D’Orio are placed into age categories that are divided into five-year increments. Greene will compete in the 80-84 group. D’Orio will compete in the 85 and older group. In addition to age groups, the event further divides the competitions according to gender. LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Labor Day 2023 Greene and D’Orio are long-time acquaintances who have crossed paths over the years, either at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Lake Hopatcong or Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, which their similarly aged but now-grown children attended. They also crossed literal paths during their runs on local roads. This was all before they entered or even knew about the New Jersey Senior Olympics. “I found out about it in the sports section of the paper,” said Greene. “I went to the website and it was easy to navigate, so I decided to throw my hat into the ring when I was 75.” That was six years ago. He added shot put to his resume out of mere curiosity, as well as a means to balance out the running. “It was something I wanted to do, an added dimension to just running,” he said. “I tried the discus at first but couldn’t do it. It surprised me how challenging it was to get off a decent throw.” Now in a new age bracket—the 80-84-yearolds—he jokes that his load has been lightened as he trades in the standard six-pound shot put for a four-pounder. “The shot put is all concentration and an oomph at the end,” he said. “It’s a little different.” An English teacher for 40 years, Greene consistently ran for 30 of those years, running “three times a week for about five miles,” he Left to right: Frank D’Orio does sprint work at Lakeside Field. Joe Greene practices the shot put at Lakeside Field in Jefferson. Greene and D’Orio with some of the medals they’ve won. said. An athlete since his youth, Greene played football, baseball and of course ran track in high school. On the competitive front, he participated in 5Ks and boasts the completion of a halfmarathon. One too many knee operations later, he switched to biking. Then, following a bad accident, he traded in his wheels for track and field and balances that out with gym workouts. In addition to training outside, he lifts weights, stretches and does yoga three days a week. “I try to firm up and tone the muscle groups,” he said. “I try to make it about fitness, rather than bulking up. That’s a young guy thing! “When you get older, being injury free is half the battle,” he said. D’Orio agreed, emphasizing the importance of taking recovery days. “You gotta take time to heal,” he said. This will be D’Orio’s third year participating in the Senior Olympics. He found out about the games through Greene when the two ran into each other at the post office. “I mentioned it to him and the next thing you know he’s at the starting line,” Greene joked. In his debut year, D’Orio finished first, taking home the gold in the 1500-meter run. A retired engineer from Picatinny Arsenal, D’Orio took up running 55-60 years ago as an after-work social activity with a group of his colleagues. He also ran with the Morris County
Striders running club. “It was all in good fun,” he said. “There’d be plenty of bickering, too.” Prior to running, his athletic career consisted of high school and college wrestling, but he never pursued another sport until he met his colleagues at Picatinny, and he’s been running ever since. “It’s always been distance running,” he said. “Mostly 10 milers and 15 milers.” Then there was the New York City Marathon that he trained for and completed in 1976, as well as a few Army ten-milers. Both men hail the positive side effects of their fitness regimens. “I sleep much better,” D’Orio said. “Psychologically it’s a wonderful experience,” Greene added, citing the “runner’s high.” Come race day, the men travel to Woodbridge and join fellow competitors in their respective age groups. Despite having competed for multiple years, Greene said there’s still an element of surprise in anticipation of the event. “You never know what you’re getting into until you’re there,” Greene said. “You’re completely outside of your comfort zone.” When he is not training, he can be found reading, a lasting effect of his English teacher career, and tending to chores around the house. D’Orio enjoys his off-track time spending time with family, particularly his five grown daughters and their families. DOCKHAND SERVICES LLC Dock Building Dock Repairs Bulkheads 201-378-8797 www.dockhandservices.us LUXE LIFE B Y K A R E N F O L E Y FOR SALE 40 Payne Road in Andover Twp., NJ $1,195,000 This exceptional, custom home sits on over 7+ acres. Featuring a beautiful Mother/Daughter suite on the ground level that includes: Living Room w/new carpet, 2-sided gas fireplace, 2 BRs, 2 Baths and a brand new kitchen & appliances. The main house has 3 Bedrooms, 4 Luxury Baths, Gourmet Kitchen w/highend appliances & granite. The Living & Dining rooms feature stunning views of manicured grounds & share a 2-sided fireplace with custom moldings throughout. Karen Foley, REALTOR ® Sales Associate c.973.906.5021 karen.foley@sothebysrealty.com luxelifeagent.com Prominent Properties • Sotheby’s International Realty 670 Main Road • Towaco, NJ 07082 Office 973.335.5700 • prominentproperties.com Each office is independently owned and operated. Great Room features a vaulted & beamed ceiling, wet bar, fridge & walls of windows overlooking heated pool & wraparound deck. Relax in the Conservatory w/heated floors leading to 2 decks & more scenic views. Enjoy dining on the covered patio by the pool. Attached heated & AC 2-Car Garage has storage and upgraded floor. The separate 3-Car, Alarmed Garage is perfect for the car enthusiast! Main yard is completely fenced in. Enjoy exercising in the separate Cottage Gym with heat & AC. lakehopatcongnews.com 27
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2023 Labor Day Issue

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