Glynn inducted into Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame
Nothing was going to stop Kay Glynn from attending this year’s Iowa Senior Games.
Certainly not surgery.
Glynn wasn’t about to let previous surgeries keep her out of competing at the games. In 2013, Glynn had her hip resurfaced. Glynn dealt with osteoarthritis in her hip at the time and got the surgery done late in the summer to alleviate the pain. Last year, Glynn tore her ACL. She still competed, but required another surgery afterward.
“It was back to surgery and I had to wait for another six months,” she said.
The surgeries didn’t appear to affect the 62-year-olds legacy at the games. She was one of three Iowans inducted into the Iowa Senior Games 2015 Hall of Fame June 12 at the Valley Community Center in Des Moines. The other inductees were Tarry Cory and George Long, both of Urbandale.
“It’s a good feeling and it’s a great accomplishment when someone recognizes what you’ve been able to do,” Glynn said.
After her recent surgeries, Glynn got back to work right away on rehabbing and getting ready to compete this year. Glynn has competed in every event from sprints to the long jump and the pole vault.
“I wasn’t sitting around being bored because I had so much rehab that I did, which was like working out everyday, but it wasn’t as fun,” Glynn said. “Time wise, I still kept really busy, but I missed going to the nationals and state meets.”
Rehabbing was tough, admittedly, but it never shook this self-motivated grandma’s faith she’d be back. She’s been working out in one form or another most of her life since beginning in dance at the age of four.
“I was inspired by those people (who rehabbed successfully) because I’ve seen the surgeries that they had done when they came back,” Glynn said. “They were motivation for me during that time when I couldn’t do anything.”
During her time off the track, Glynn spent much of her idle time rehabbing, as well as spending more time with her family, which includes her husband, three children and eight grandchildren.
“It was really nice after my surgery to know that I can spend more time with the grandkids because I wasn’t off at track meets,” Glynn said. “So they really filled in as far as keeping me busy. I know there’s a life beyond track meets.”
Even with her closest grandchild about five hours away, Glynn said her rehab schedule was modeled around time with family. They often work out together.
“They know I can go out and rollerskate again. They can pole vault and work out with me,” Glynn said. “I put the music on and watch them do their things that they’re working on and involved in. It’s their turn to perform for me.”
Glynn competed at the Iowa Senior Games June 13, winning gold medals in the 50, 100 and 200-meter dashes, as well as the running long jump, triple jump and the high jump. Glynn owns 15 Iowa Senior Games records and has 35 career medals, 33 of which are gold.
Glynn, who went to Nishna Valley High School, is also a member of the Iowa Girls High School Track and Field Hall of Fame, being inducted in 1979.
Glynn has no shortage of competitions ahead, including the National Senior Games July 10, the Summer Iowa Games July 16-19 at Iowa State University and the Star Games of America July 28-Aug. 2 in Lincoln and Omaha.
With the multiple surgeries behind her, Glynn learned she needed to change some of her workouts if she hoped to continue to compete. She didn’t rule out possibly needing more surgery on her other hip, but at this time she still plans on competing and staying active.
“There are other people that have the same issues as I do, but they’re just sitting at home in chairs not having fun,” Glynn said. “If I’m going to have arthritis, there’s no reason for me to sit at home and let it get the best of me.”
Glynn will also be featured on WOWT as part of John Knicely’s feature “Knicely Done.” The feature will be on WOWT Thursday.