HASTINGS, Neb.—When Fred Teller decided to leave the movie theater business in 1984, his daughter, Beth, decided it was a good time to toss him a lifeline to better fitness.
It wasn’t that Teller wasn’t living an active lifestyle up to that point. His hectic schedule included operating the Rivoli, Strand and Hastings Drive-in theaters while remaining involved in community theater and barbershop quartet projects.
It was simply that she wanted him to have the energy to continue his busy ways for years to come.
And so, from her gift of a one-month membership to Hastings Family YMCA, resurfaced his long-repressed affinity for swimming.
“I’ve swam ever since I was a small child, but just occasionally,” Teller said. “But I’ve always enjoyed the water. I just didn’t put time in my schedule for it.”
Nearly a quarter of a century later, Teller, now 82, continues to make a splash three to five times each week in the YMCA pool. In November, he logged his 1,000th mile as counted by YMCA personnel.
To him, the milestone merely bears testament to the fact that he has managed to get in the pool a bit less frequently than he would have liked over the years.
“A good swimmer, it would probably take him four or five years to go a thousand miles,” he said. “In my case, I didn’t go that far. I was hit or miss with it at first—I didn’t go every day or even three times a week. But now I go three to five times a week, and I’m glad I can still do it.”
Judy Hohlen, YMCA aquatics director, has been logging Teller’s miles since he began his 1,000-mile journey nearly 25 years ago. To her, Teller’s milestone is a testament of consistency and dedication.
“I admire him,” Hohlen said. “When the weather is bad, he’s here. When he’s a little down, he’s here. He just knows it’s something that’s good for him, and he does it.”
Though a handful of other swimmers have also surpassed the 1,000-mile mark in the YMCA pool, none has eclipsed Teller’s example of longevity, she said.
As quietly as Teller goes about his business, his upbeat example speaks volumes to those who bear witness to his commitment each day.
“His attitude toward other members is always cheerful, and that seems to spill over to other members and staff,” Hohlen said. “We consider it a privilege to know Fred and to be able share in his achievement.
“He doesn’t try to set any records or come with the idea of, ‘I’m going to swim as far as I can today.’ He just comes to swim enough that he feels good, and he does it often enough that it benefits his body.”
Though he’s dropped his workload a few laps over the years, Teller still manages 15 laps per day three to five times a week, which measures out to a bit less than one-half mile each session. He considers his swimming routine a vital part of his modest but consistent workout regimen that includes riding a stationary cycle, walking and a series of stretching exercises for his back.
“I highly recommend swimming or water exercise of any kind for anyone, especially for seniors,” he said. “It’s exercise without having to worry about impact on the knees and ankles and things like that.
“There’s not a day that I’ve swam that I haven’t felt better when I got out of the pool. It’s sort of exhilarating, but mostly you loosen up the muscles.”
A husband, father and grandfather, Teller said his fondness for swimming dates back to an early age. Though he never swam competitively—his high school in Columbus didn’t have a swimming program—he has always enjoyed making a splash whether it be in a hotel pool, lake or a vacation destination.
“I’m feeling pretty strong for my age,” he said. “I think swimming has been real important for me in maintaining good health. For seniors, you’ve got to keep active and have something to put your mind on besides yourself.”
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Information from: Hastings Tribune,
