This amazing collection of athletes at the Summer National Senior Games, presented by Humana, participated for many good reasons. For some it’s is the competition itself. Others have something to prove to themselves and their fellow competitors. For others it is a celebration of health and well-being. Here’s a collection of our favorite quotes:

“I love coming here. It motivates me to be the best I can be. Besides, if I weren’t here I’d be home eating cookies.”

– Lois Gilmore, 80, of Janesville, Wisc., who won a gold medal in the women’s 80-84 1500 meter run. Lois is the #1 ranked 80-year-old female runner in the world by U.S. Track and Field.

“I am working on my second hundred.”

– Trent Lane, 101, of Baker, La., who set a world record in his age group in the hammer throw. Trent won gold medals in the men’s 100+ hammer throw, discuss and shot put.

“I love the aura of the track. I love to run. And my husband says it makes it easier to live with me.”

– Margie Stoll, 70, of Nashville, Tenn., who won a gold medal in the women’s 70-74 1500 meter run

“I want to get out and test myself. I want to get the adrenaline going. I get excited for it. I try to win every time. I don’t think you can afford to let that go.”

– Bill Harvey, 65, of Glen Brook, Nev., who won a bronze medal in the men’s 65-69 discuss. Bill has competed in international competition as well and is nicknamed “The Skinny Guy” by the Europeans.

“I started playing tennis when I retired and I was kidded about how fast I was. So I decided to try out for the Senior Games. This helps me stay in shape and keep my weight down.”

– Ken Shooter, 71, of Centerview, Ohio, who entered his first competition at the age of 70. He won a bronze medal in the men’s 70-74 long jump. He is also competing in the high jump and 100 meter run.

“We are ALL crazy.”

– Barbara Jordan, 75, of Burlington, Vt. who won a gold medal in the women’s 75-79 200 meter run and holds world records for the 300 meter hurdles run, indoor 200 meter run and indoor 60 meter run. She is in 5 athletic Hall of Fames including her high school, college, state of Vermont, Runners over 65 and Master’s Athletes.

Swimming competition.  Men’s and women’s first day competition and awards ceremonies

Events include:  1500 meter race walk, pole vault, javelin and 800 meter run.

Glenn Dody, 80, of Mesa, Ariz., was one of dozens of athletes recognized in three athlete send-off events prior to the Summer National Senior Games. Humana is once again the presenting sponsor of the Games in 2011 and hosted the send-off events. Glenn was honored at the Humana Guidance Center in Mesa in a ceremony that included Olympic Gold Medalist Peggy Fleming. And this week, at the Games in Houston, Glenn won a silver medal in the men’s 80-84 400 meter run finishing in 1:42.80. Congratulations, Glenn!

Knoxville, Tenn. Humana member Donna Beeler wishes that sports had been offered for girls at her schools when she was growing up.  The 71-year-old mother of three sons spent her married life going to sporting events that her husband and sons participated in.  “Now I’m going to the events my grandkids are in.”

25 years ago, Donna’s husband died.  Wanting to fill the vacuum left by her husband, Donna decided that it was her time to take up sports.  “I’ve tried 17 sports and like them all!”

At the Summer National Senior Games, presented by Humana, Donna is participating in track and field events (hammer throw, javelin, high jump) and shuffleboard.  She’s liking the “old people’s sports,” shuffleboard and horseshoes, but her first love is still track and field.

Donna’s daily physical regimen is:  a 4 mile walk at 4 to 4.3 miles per hour, a half hour on an elliptical machine and weights for upper body strength.

“When I get back from Houston, I’m going to try to get my senior citizens center to start doing things that are more active … now all they’re doing is playing cards and knitting.  I’d like to get people more active at my church … start a race walking group, play horseshoes or basketball … pray harder, play harder!”

For Donna, her active lifestyle is what keeps her going.

(NOTE:  In one of the photographs, Donna is posed with her shuffleboard partner, Marcia Long)

When Nancy and David Jordan retired from their teaching jobs, they sold their house and started calling their RV home.

David told Nancy he wanted to tour New England and see the fall colors.  They stopped at a small town in Vermont and saw people playing a strange game they’d never seen before.  Curious, David left the RV, watched the game, introduced himself and asked what game they were playing.

Pickle ball!

Pickle ball is a game played on a hard surface court about the size of a badminton court.  It’s played with solid paddles much like racquetball paddles, and a ball similar to a wiffle ball.  The scoring is somewhat like table tennis with its own set of rules that are peculiar to the game.

Nancy and David became pickle ball converts. They are now board members of the USA Pickle Ball Association (USAPBA), and spend a good deal of their time RVing to pickle ball tournaments.

Nancy says she did no organized sports before discovering pickle ball.  She loves it, and credits it for keeping her in shape, something she says would not have happened if not for the game.

Pickle ball is a demonstration sport at the Summer National Senior Games.  Nancy and David are representing USAPBA at the games, hoping it will become a sanctioned sport when the Games convene in Cleveland.

Ken Blanchard, 82, participates in his 8th Summer National Senior Games.

At 82, Humana member Ken Blanchard of Baton Rouge, La. is uniquely qualified to discuss good health.

The winner Thursday of a silver medal in the men’s 80-84 1500 meter run at the Summer National Senior Games, Ken’s advice on health is simple.

“Good health is all about lifestyle choices,” he said after his winning run at Turner Stadium in Humble near Houston. “Exercise even if it’s a short walk. Don’t smoke. Don’t overeat.”

That advice has served the retired chemical engineer well. He says he has no major health problems and will continue his competitive runs for as long as he can. This is Ken’s 8th Summer National Senior Games and the 10th time he has medaled in a race.

During this year’s Summer National Senior Games, presented by Humana, Ken will have three more times to win a medal. In the coming days he will participate in the 800 meter run, 5K run and 10K run.

“I find being competitive gives me motivation,” he says. “I run to win.”

He adds with a quick laugh, “I couldn’t say that 10 years ago.”