TED MOORE has Experience setting goals for a Younger Generation
by Connie McMullen
Ted Moore of Reno is most notably known for the role he played as a pilot flying a Central Intelligence Agency owned Air America helicopter that shot down two North Vietnamese biplanes over Laos in 1968. The CIA honored Moore in 2007 for his part in the mission; recognition that came 8 years after his official retirement. Moore served 43 years in the military, 33 of which were active duty.
Today Ted Moore is committed to a different type of active duty. In his Golden Years he is dedicated full-time to his workouts. Having been an athlete most of his life, his daily exercise routine is a mission that most youth would envy. At 69, Ted trains two to three hours daily, and oftentimes coaches others. In high school he competed in track and field, and played football and basketball. He served as president of walking at UNR, in 1950 competed in track, and played handball while in the service. Moore ran half and full marathons more than 20 years, but today racewalking is his sport of choice.
“I'm really enjoying retirement,” Moore explained. His advice to younger counterparts: “If you want to enjoy your retirement later in life, you got to be fit enough to be able to do what you want to when you want to do it. If your unable, than retirement is not going to be very fun.”
Moore uses a three-legged stool to keep fit: exercise, strength, and flexibility training. He racewalks an hour and fifteen minutes after stretching in the morning. He paces himself 5 to 6 miles a day; taking four days off a month. “It has to be a lifestyle thing; part of what you do,” he said. Moore also varies his speed depending on what he is training for, mixing it up with high, low, and medium intensity. He tries to keep fit by burning 450-500 calories an hour. High intensity racewalking will burn up to 600 -700 calories an hour. “That's how you keep your weight in check,” he adds.
Moore also works to build strength using reformer and floor Pilates, a system of springs and pulleys. “Pilates is so effective. It gives you that combination of strength and flexibility.”
“To maintain strength and endurance, one has to work at it. If you let up anywhere along the line, it is that much more difficult to get back to where you need to be,” he said. “Fitness is made up of 10 or more different things that include balance, and accuracy. You have to have the whole package to make it work properly.”
Last year Moore was ranked No. 1 in the United States in the 5k and 10K racewalk in his age group, 65-69. He held the fastest mile time in the world at 8:07. Shorter distances are his best events. “In the 1500 Meter I'll try to do between 8:00 and an 8:15 mile.”
Ted Moore, 69, races MJ Baglin, 62,
at Idlewild Park.
In the 2006 Huntsman Games, St. George, UT Preliminary-1500 Meters, his time was 8:1.80 in the men’s 65 group.
Moore is also the American record holder in the 3000 Meter Outdoor. His record time was 16:38. In 2005, he became National Indoor champ in the 3000 Meter.
In the 2006 Huntsman Games, St. George, UT, Preliminary-5000 Meters, Moore's time was 28:46.10. He tries to racewalk the 5000 Meter in 28 to 28.5 minutes.
In parting to finish his workout, Moore said “I've been very fortunate... I have had a lot of injuries but nothing too serious.”