Lebanon
“He’s very good at giving older people a sense of self-worth,” said Jeff Licht, 67, of Hanover. “None of this would be possible without Carl.”
Wallin, 75, of Lebanon, started the group, which includes more than 40 members and meets four times a week at the Carter Community Building Association in Lebanon, after he retired from Dartmouth College, where he was the track and field coach for 40 years. Since then, the athletes involved have participated in competitions and set world records.
“I consider each and every man and woman one of my best friends,” he said.
And his deep regard for each individual in the group is apparent in his interactions with them: there’s the words of encouragement as Wallin coaches them one-on-one and the ever-present pride in his voice as he recounts competition victories, where members were physically when they started in the group, where they are now and where he knows they will be.
“Three-and-a-half years ago, I could barely get out a chair,” recalled Cal Wolfe, 77, of Lebanon, while taking a break from lifting on a recent morning at the CCBA. “Now I’m deadlifting 300 pounds and I have no trouble getting out of chairs or carrying grocery bags.”
Wolfe’s story is echoed by Chuck McCleary, 82, of Springfield, Vt., who was a runner before having foot surgery.
“I’d never lifted before,” McCleary said. Weightlifting, with Wallin’s encouragement, has helped to fill the void left when he stopped running. “I can’t say enough good about him.”
David Brooker, 73, of Lebanon, was working out at the gym one day when Wallin approached him. “Do you want to get stronger?” Brooker recalled him asking. Pretty soon, Brooker was powerlifting and competing in throwing events.
For members of the group, the mental and social benefits of working out are perhaps just as important as the physical.
“When you’re retired you still need some form of structure,” Brooker said. “We have a wonderful group and I love the camaraderie. Everyone here has a good sense of humor.”
Hanover resident Peter Aptakin no longer drives, but that hasn’t affected his participation — other club members give him rides to and from the gym.
“My distinction among these people is that I’m the oldest among them,” the 92-year-old said. Aptakin had started to come to the CCBA to work on his upper body strength. “Then Carl found me.”
“I find that it is quite addicting,” Aptakin said. “It has made me stronger and healthier.”
Roger Penland had known Wallin for decades when he heard about Thor’s Stone and called to congratulate him on the club’s success.
“The next thing I knew, I was out in the field throwing” the hammer and shot put, the 76-year-old West Lebanon resident said.
Penland started competing in events until he was sidelined with a heart attack a few years ago. His doctor had cautioned against him returning to the lifting, telling him he was already doing enough physical activity.
But Penland missed it.
“I like the camaraderie and competition that is instilled here,” he said. With Wallin’s help, he slowly got back into it.
Penland recently met with his doctor, who declared him to be in good health.
“It gets harder as you get older. You just need to keep going,” Penland said. “This group does well. Most of that is because Carl is such a great coach.”
For Wallin, while the competition matters, the connections he has formed with other members of the club matter more.
“We all have a wonderful time,” Wallin said.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.