Jim and Carolyn Phillips — Don't stop being active

Jim and Carolyn Phillips are local legends.

SARAH SHAFFER

I have heard their names through the grapevine over the years as being an extremely athletic couple and eventually randomly met Jim while at a crag up the Icicle.

He came hiking up the trail to where my husband, myself and my child were bouldering.

He said he noticed our vehicle that stated Wenatchee Outdoors on the back and he wanted to come meet us and introduce himself.

Jim is well known for his route building for rock climbing routes in the Leavenworth region, as well as his downhill skiing.

Carolyn is well known for her skiing, wood chopping skills (splitting copious amounts of firewood by hand even at the age of 81) along with her triathlon racing.

Jim and Carolyn inspire by the amount of activity they fit in a day along with their youthfulness at 80 and 81 years young respectively while still competing in various athletic events.

They inspire us, and we hope you enjoy getting to know them a bit in this interview.

Question: Jim and Carolyn, please tell us a bit about yourselves.

Answer: Jim: I enjoy spending time with family, skiing and climbing. Being on backpacking trips with our grandchildren as well.

Carolyn: Ditto, but I would add camping, fly fishing and quilting.

Question: Carolyn, did I see on Facebook that you are 80? Jim, how old are you? Did I see you have been married for over 50 years? That is fantastic. How did you meet?

Answer: Carolyn: I just turned 81.

Jim: I am 80 years old. We met in Oakland, California when we were both working at Mills College. Skiing connected us forever.

Question: What type of work did you do at Mills College?

Answer: Carolyn: I taught physical education at the high school level for two years, then at Mills College and later at Pacific Lutheran University.

Jim: I was assistant director of buildings and grounds at Mills College and the director of buildings and grounds at Pacific Lutheran University.

Question: What food or sleep routines should I partake in to have as much energy as you do?

Answer: Jim: Generally I get eight hours of sleep a night. We mostly eat at home and only eat out when we are on road trips. Carolyn makes great homemade meals. Our breakfasts are oatmeal, cream of wheat, eggs, waffles and French toast. Sunday, Carolyn makes her specialty: Swedish Hot Cakes.

Question: For those people who are in their 60s-90s who aren’t super active, what advice or suggestions can you give them to start being more active?

Answer: Carolyn: First of all don’t stop being active. That’s the secret. If you aren’t active, start slow. Walking is a great place to begin. If the person is not mobile, there are a lot of exercises to perform while sitting in a chair.