The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — In a few days, The Villages Florida Senior Games will begin, and returning athletes will be trying to improve upon their established history. Three members of The Villages Aquatic Swim Team — Marguerite Muller, Alice Kelly and Barbara Galpin — are among this group.

In this year’s games, Muller will compete in swimming, cycling and both race/walk events.

“I am also doing in-line skating,” she said.

To prepare, Muller has been racing/walking two or three times a week, skating a couple of times a week and cycling three or four times a week. She also continues to practice as a member of VAST. Swimming contributes to her cross-training.

“It’s a good way to keep in shape,” she said.

But she would like more time to train.

“I wish there were four more hours in every day,” Muller said.

Athlete Alice Kelly will be competing in 5K and 10K cycling, the 5K road race, several track events, the 5K in-line skating event and more than a gallon of swimming events.

What’s surprising about Kelly, a Senior Games multiple medalist, is that she had never participated in high school sports. She believes people should get out there and try things like the Senior Games.

“I think this is a great program,” Kelly said.

Kelly trains by running three times a week. Belonging to VAST, she also gets to swim with her fellow athletes, including Barbara Galpin.

“She’s my good friend,” Kelly said.

Her goal for this year’s games is to try to run around her best times and to do better in swimming.

“I’ve put a lot more into the swimming,” Kelly said.

The last, but by no means least, member of this trio is Barbara Galpin. Galpin will be hitting the ground running for the May games.

“I’m doing 16 events,” Galpin said.

These include cycling, the 5K road race, all three table-tennis events, six swimming events and most of the track events.

She said she has to be in sports, and the Senior Games have become a labor of love for her. Galpin has an autoimmune condition which has been helped by her participation in athletic activities. Doctors told her that being physically fit has helped her fight the problem.

“Running saved me,” she said.

Galpin will be in a different age group this year, the 60s. Although she knows it’s competitive, she remains positive.

“I’m already qualified for swimming,” she said. “I’d like to do well and do for myself.”

For training, Galpin believes in doing something every day, whether it’s training as part of VAST or running a minimarathon at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Discussing the Senior Games, Galpin said, “I wish everybody good luck, stay safe and have fun.”

Sean Maxfield is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9303 or sean.maxfield@thevillagesmedia.com.