Marcella Frost never imagined that one day she would be living the life so many others had described to her – a life of activity, excitement and travel.
But now the 80-year-old Oxford resident is getting ready for her very first adventure – she is preparing to walk in the 27th Annual Flint Crim Road Race on Aug. 23.
“I’ve never been athletic in any way,” said Frost. “My life has always been my family and the church – it was very mundane. Everybody would go places and I never did.”
Frost, who moved to Oxford at the age of eight, spent 28 years working as a secretary for Oxford Schools. She was married to Walter Frost, now deceased, and the couple has two children and one grandchild.
Frost explained that after her children had grown and her husband had passed away, she only really left the house to go to church.
“I didn’t mind that,” she said. “I didn’t really have the desire to go anywhere.”
However, all of that changed on August 31, 2001, when Frost met physical therapy assistant and nationally licensed massage therapist Grant Hoyt.
Frost said that several years ago she injured her leg while exercising and the pain never really went away. During an appointment with her cardiologist, the doctor bumped her leg and she winced.
“He told me I needed to get it taken care of and he gave me Grant’s name for a therapist,” said Frost. “I hesitated for a week or two and finally made the appointment.”
Hoyt began treating Frost with the “hands-on” approach of Myofascial Release. The technique involves providing sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. The concept behind the treatment is that the fascial system (a connective tissue) of the body covers everything from bones to organs, and when one area of the system is snagged, the entire system is effected – similar to pulling a thread on a knitted sweater.
After two months of the treatment, Frost said she began to see results. She described feeling more mentally alert and physically stable.
“By that time I had really started to notice a difference,” she said. “I began to gradually see an emotional difference as well. Now I have a complete life-style change and others have noticed the difference.”
Frost added that the idea to enter the 10-mile Crim actually originated with Hoyt, who is sponsoring her for the event.
“I thought ‘It would be nice, but…’” laughed Frost.
Hoyt on the other hand is confident in his client’s abilities. He said that during her treatments he has found an incredible energy change and increased enthusiasm, both physical and mental, in the 80-year-old.
“This is a goal for her. It’s something that she can achieve because she is strong,” said Hoyt. “I’m not her sponsor. I’m her motivator and her coach.”
Hoyt added that Frost’s progress would not have been possible without her determination.
“Every instruction I’ve given her, every stretch, every exercise, she has gone over and beyond with what I’ve instructed her to do,” said Hoyt. “She has pushed herself further than I could.”
And that determination is what Frost hopes will propel her through the race.
“My goal is to finish,” she stated. “I’m looking to do something different and feel that sense of accomplishment.”
Frost began training for the road race in mid-June. Lately, she has been walking both morning and night every day. At her last timing, she was able to a mile in just a little over 18 minutes, and her farthest distance has been seven miles.
“Wow is the word when describing Marcella,” said Hoyt. “People need to meet her. When they take what you teach them and go even further – then you get a Marcella.”
“When somebody does something good, they should call it a ‘Marcella.’”
Frost said she is looking forward to the race not necessarily to win her age bracket, but just to finish and enjoy the experience.
“I would really encourage others to be involved in something like this if they can,” said Frost. “It gives you so much vitality, something to work towards – and I know now, I may not live longer, but I’m going to live better.”