At 69, most people are talking about slowing down.
I decided to see how high I could fly.

Yes, I’m training to pole vault.
And no, this isn’t one of those “cute senior tries something quirky” stories. This is serious. The goal is 11 feet 8 inches—the over-70 world record—a number that makes my knees ache just typing it.

How Did This All Start?

A chance meeting.

I was sitting in Dick’s Dive, a local bar in Cozumel, having lunch, when a young woman walked in, sat down next to me, and ordered a beer. She seemed in a hurry. I don’t remember my exact opening line, but she laughed and said she was having one last drink before flying back to Austin.

I told her I was from Austin too, and we started chatting. Turned out she’d pole vaulted for the University of Texas and was now a coach. I mentioned that my niece pole vaulted for the Air Force Academy—and that I’d pole vaulted in high school a long, long time ago.

Before she left, I scribbled down her first name, “Calie,” on a note in my phone. She finished her beer and headed to the airport, and I figured that was the last I’d ever see of her.

Almost a year later, I hit 69—and it kind of freaked me out. I happened to see a pole vaulter on a Facebook reel, and that’s when I decided to try pole vaulting again. Of course, I’d need a coach. I wondered if I still had that girl’s name in my notes.

Sure enough, there it was: Calie. I searched a UT sports archive, found her last name and email address, and figured, what the hell. I emailed her, told her my ambitious idea, and waited to see what would happen.

It must have been an out-of-the-blue moment for her, but she was excited—and we set up a training program.

The Reactions

When I told Lisa, my wife of 10 years and partner for 22, she didn’t flinch. She was used to my goofy ideas. She just said, “Go for it.”

Friends? They were split. Half thought it was inspiring; the other half thought it was proof I’d lost it. Both camps have a point—and between the lines, there was a lot of silent apprehension. People didn’t always say it, but I could feel the “Are you sure?” in their eyes.

The funny thing is, every raised eyebrow made me more determined. I wasn’t just chasing a bar down a runway—I was chasing the idea that age can’t tell me what I can or can’t do.

The Reality of Training

Right now, I haven’t started vaulting yet. That will come soon. At the moment, my training is all about getting physically fit and into vaulting shape.

Pole vaulting demands explosive strength, speed, and coordination—and those don’t magically appear at 69. My workouts are focused on building core stability, leg power, shoulder strength, and flexibility. It’s a mix of sprints, weight training, mobility work, and a healthy dose of humility.

Every sweat session feels like I’m laying the groundwork for that first run down the runway. The poles are waiting. When the time comes, I’ll be ready to grab one and find out what this body can really do.

Why It Matters

Pole vaulting at 69 isn’t about chasing a medal. It’s about proving that adventure doesn’t have an expiration date.

Physically, it’s making me stronger. Mentally, it’s rewiring how I think about aging. The world loves to tell people when to step aside, slow down, or fade quietly into the background. But I’m finding out that the body and mind respond remarkably well when you give them something exciting—and just a little terrifying—to work toward.

The Bigger Message

Your “pole vault” doesn’t have to be an actual pole vault. Maybe it’s learning to paint, starting a business, hiking that trail you’ve been avoiding, or finally picking up an instrument. The point is: challenge yourself.

Find something that lights you up and makes you feel a little ridiculous. That’s usually where the magic lives.

The Leap Ahead

In a few months, I’ll find out if I can clear that bar. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Either way, I’ll know I ran down that runway and gave it everything.

Because at 69, I’m not done testing limits. I’m just getting warmed up.

So here’s my challenge to you: what’s your pole vault?

Author Bio:
Wendell McQuary is the creator of What Happens at 69, a project exploring aging with curiosity, humor, and the occasional bad idea. He splits his time between Austin, Texas, and Cozumel, Mexico, with his wife, Lisa, who shares his love of spontaneous travel and finding alternate routes.

Why I Took Up Pole Vaulting at 69—And What It’s Teaching Me About Aging was originally published in ILLUMINATION on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.