Marathoner Stays Fit at Fox Run

Running a marathon at any age is a huge accomplishment. But completing your very first marathon in your 80s is impressive on a whole other level. That is Fox Run resident Marjorie Kagan's claim to fame. A few years ago, Marjorie ran the New York Marathon at age 81. She had never run a marathon before and hadn't even previously been a runner. But after just seven months of training, Marjorie completed her first marathon in 6 hours, 36 minutes, and 18 seconds.

“My husband had died, and I wanted to do something new,” Marjorie says. “I had a friend who is a marathoner, and I asked her, ‘Do you think I can run the marathon?' and she said yes, so I started training.”

Marjorie had the best time out of the group of four that she ran the marathon with. While she had not previously been a runner, Marjorie is a native New Yorker and walks very quickly. “I find myself not running, but if I have to walk somewhere, I keep a fast pace,” she says. “I can't stop myself.”

Blessed with good health

Marjorie has always been blessed with good health. She says she's not exactly sure what the secret is to her health and longevity, but she does think her mother's healthy cooking set her up for success.

“My mother was a very good cook and she knew what my brother and I should be eating. I knew how to eat and what not to eat,” she says. “Then I carried it on and I still eat well.”

In the fall, Marjorie moved to Fox Run, an Erickson Living-managed community in Novi, Michigan.  She had been living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and wanted to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law, who first discovered Fox Run and suggested she consider the community.

“They thought I should be closer and they found this place and said, ‘You will love it,'” Marjorie says. “They were right. I do love it. It's a lot of fun.”

Making friends

Marjorie has had the opportunity to start getting to know her new neighbors. She shares her apartment home with a puggle named Tcvi, which is Hebrew for “animal in the forest.” Marjorie and Tcvi have already started making friends during their daily walks on Fox Run's picturesque walking trails.

“We have a nice dog walking route, and there are about six or seven dogs who get together to play,” Marjorie says. “It's very nice.”

Marjorie has found it easy to continue her healthy eating habits at Fox Run. Marjorie says she has been impressed by the quality of the food and likes that fruit is served with almost every meal.

“I like the way they do their cooking here,” she says. “I think it's very healthy.”

Delighted to be here

As she gets settled into her new home, Marjorie says she is looking forward to volunteering to help people in need and exercising at the on-site fitness center. “The people and the staff are very nice,” Marjorie says. “I am delighted to be here.” And Tcvi is delighted that Marjorie was able to secure an available home that features a convenient patio. And, Marjorie says her son and daughter-in-law, who initially encouraged her to check out Fox Run, are happy to know that she is living at a community where she is safe, comfortable, and will be well taken care of during the pandemic and beyond.

“They come and visit with me. They are very good,” Marjorie says. “They are happy I am here, and I am happy to have them nearby.”

Consider Fox Run if you're interested in living in a connected and engaged senior independent living community. Beautiful walking paths, gardens, resort-style amenities, an on-site medical center staffed by full-time medical professionals, and new friends await. Request more information today.

Written by Meghan Streit