How A Sprinter, 62, Gets Stronger With Age

India Bridgette kneels next to the scoreboard telling the story of her gold medal win in the USATF Masters Indoors Championships, which was a new American record. There is a whole lot more to her story. Read below.

By Ray Glier

You are not supposed to get stronger as you get older, but India Bridgette, 62, has discovered that elusive thing.

In October, 2023, she moved from Atlanta to Houston and started training with the legendary Masters runner and coach, Bill Collins. India, a sprinter, upped her training for speed and endurance, which we will talk about here.

“His (Collins’) methodology is totally different than anything I have ever done,” she said.

It has so far paid off. In Chicago, at the USATF Masters Indoors Championships, India was part of a world record relay in the 4X200 with Liz Deak, Sue McDonald, and Joy Upshaw. They flew to a 1:56.99 (W60-64).

In the Penn Relays last month, Bridgette joined three 40-year olds for a gold medal in a 4x100 relay. She actually grew the team’s lead to 20 meters with her third leg.

The public address announcer in the stadium gushed, “India Bridgette, despite being two decades older…”

Twenty minutes after the relay, India went 13.66 in the 100 without starting blocks and using a three-point stance.

The 13.66 is .02 off her American record for the 100 set in 2022, but it is early in 2024 and India absolutely feels she is getting stronger with Collins’ help and her own drive.

Geezer Jock is all about breaking through barriers of mind and body. You don’t have to be a Masters world-class sprinter, like India. Just know it’s possible to beyond.

How is Bridgette accomplishing this going “beyond” in running?

One key to share here—and it is significant—is the consistency of India’s training sets.

She trains on the track four days a week and one of the heaves is four sets of five 100-meter runs. India runs 100, walks back, runs 100, walks back, runs 100, walks back, runs 100, walks back, and runs 100 and walks back.

She does this four times. Remember, Bridgette is 62.

“I know I have to breathe correctly to get an effective workout,” India said. “The goal is to do them consistently. Don’t jog one and sprint another.

“The key is you’ve got to make it count.”

The result since October is more power, India said.

“It is the power that gives you speed,” Bridgette said.

Another day of training was five 420-meter runs after a morning gym workout. The idea is building strength to maintain mechanics and not get sloppy in the sprint.

“I have more power at 62 than at 60 years old and my endurance level is stronger,” India said. “You have to complete the workout.”

It is quite a feat to be where she is considering Bridgette did not jump into the sport until five years ago. After she began in Masters track, India tore it all down and overhauled her technique several years into her Masters career.

Bridgette is ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world in the 100. That’s what some serious training can help you achieve. Her goal is a gold medal in the 100 in Sweden. Here is a link to her Go Fund Me page. 

It would be a worthwhile investment.