 Chat to Bernie Portenski and you’ll soon be laughing out loud.
That’s of course if you can decipher her delightful New Zealand accent. Luckily this interviewer is from Down Under and speaks similar lingo.
Bernie’s a New Zealand icon. Since she laced up her shoes at 30, Bernie has racked up 28 marathon victories during her 106 (and still counting) marathon finishes.
Like her hero Paula Radcliffe, Bernie’s got plenty of guts and determination. She’s also a hoot, irreverent and tells “it as it is”. Bernie’s been trimming hair and cutting records for years.
Photos Courtesy of Bernie Portenski Word of Bernie’s legendary status made its way to me a while ago. My mate Sharon Higgins, who I trained and raced with in Australia, had run with Bernie on several NZ teams. I loved hearing about their wild celebrations after racing a big city or World Cup marathon. I was in awe of their fast times and party-girl antics. What women!
When master blogger Ken Stone recently highlighted Bernie’s W60 World Records, I was curious to know more...
The RunDown
Bernie Portenski, Age 60, Born 26 August 1949.
Lives Wellington, New Zealand.
Partner Peter Horan, one daughter and one stepson.
Self employed Hairdresser.
Distance Runner.
Running Club: Wellington Scottish Harriers.
Summary of Running Achievements
3 time New Zealand Marathon Representative
28 Marathon Victories (Open & Masters)
Completed 106 Marathons
14 Age Group World Records (mile to 10,000m)
1st Masters 1993 Boston Marathon
1st Masters 1993 Twin Cities Marathon
Numerous New Zealand Masters Records (1500m to marathon)
New Zealand Masters Athlete of the Year Award (2006)
 Personal Bests:
Marathon - 2:34:39 (NZ Olympic Qualifying time)
Half Marathon - 1:13:29
10k Road - 34:17
5k - 16:49
10,000m (track) - 34:58
Huffing & Puffing
WRT: Why running?
Bernie Portenski: I started running in 1980 at 30, really by accident. I was trying to give up smoking. My ex-husband suggested I run as it might get me off the fags. So I ran around the block, running and smoking at the same time.
Someone came up to me in 1985 and said, “If you give up the smokes you might be a good runner”. I thought that’s it I’ve got to quit. It took five years on and off but running did help. I worked my way up and found my passion.
Coming Back for More
WRT: Your first marathon was Rotorua (NZ) at 31. You’ve won it three times and ran your 100th marathon there. Tell us about the attraction.
 Bernie Portenski: I love it. It’s a hard and hilly course and loops around beautiful Lake Rotorua. Over the years I’ve had some great runs.
I’ve turned up nearly every year whether I’m in shape or injured and have walked it several times.
I even ran it when I was four months pregnant. I was 41 and my specialist said, “Don’t run”. I said, stuff you I’m going to do it. I didn’t race and was out of the danger zone and not too big. It was just a fun time.
I’ve run it 10 days after racing Boston. Winning it for the first time was exciting. I was 48 and ran a PR on the course of 2:43.
WRT: You’ve run the Boston Marathon four times and won the Masters Title in 1993, what was that like?
Bernie Portenski: It was great. The funny thing is that I ran a faster time the year before (1992) and finished second master. I guess it’s all about who shows up.
My friend (and fellow runner) Gabrielle O'Rourke made the connection with Roger Robinson and his wife Kathrine Switzer. They helped us out and once we started we kept going back. We became good friends and loved going to Boston.
Editor’s Note: Roger Robinson and Kathrine Switzer are former elite marathoners, authors, race commentators and speakers. Gabrielle O'Rourke has also won the master’s title at the Boston Marathon.
Top of Page WRT: In 1998 you ran three marathons in two weeks, what possessed you and how did you body hold up?
 Bernie Portenski: Well I was a bit greedy. It began the previous year when I won a trip to the 1998 New York marathon.
I’d already signed up for the Auckland Marathon, which was the week before New York. The Auckland organizers wanted me to race, as I was the favorite.
After winning Auckland in 2:44, I flew to New York where I had a bad run finishing in 3:01. I got straight on a plane and flew back to Christchurch (NZ).
The prize for winning Christchurch was a ticket to the Honolulu marathon, which I’d never done. I won Christchurch in 2:55 and got my trip to Hawaii.
Photo Courtesy Ross Setford/Getty Images It was a mind game to race them all. But my body was fine. I was 48 and felt 38 and just rested for a bit between races. Of course I couldn’t do this now.
Like to comment on the Bernie Portenski story? Post it here.
Aging
WRT: Last year you moved up to the W60 age group. What’s the aging process been like for you?
Bernie Portenski: Now I rarely run comfortably. You need to be passionate to put up with the pain. It comes down to how much you want something.
In my 40’s I still felt like I did in my 30’s. In my early 50’s I felt like I did in my late 40’s. I was ok up to 55 and still running reasonable times. At 51, I ran 2:50 marathons. Suddenly it was a landslide at 55. Things got drastic I just slowed down.
I struggled with menopause but came through it. Last year in 2009, I was running 18:30 for 5k and thought, I’m going to beat those W60 World Records. I’d planned to go to Sydney to the World Masters Games to try to break the records. Then, almost on my 60th birthday in August, I got sick. I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a thyroid illness.
I couldn’t believe it and thought I’ll never get those bloody records. I was put on medication and worked so hard to get back.
Editor’s Note: Bernie recently set two W60 World Records. At the Wellington Masters Track and Field Champs on February 21st, 2010 she ran 18:51.13 for 5,000m. One week later she smashed the W60 10,000m World Record by 16 seconds running 39:04.23.
Recovering
 WRT: How did you get back and what changes did you make?
Bernie Portenski: The biggest changes I’ve made over the last five years, is with my recovery. It’s all about your ability to train and recuperate.
I cross train, wear compression socks and tights, have ice baths and massages.
I’ve got an old rubbish bin out the back full of water. Before I go on my run I throw in two bags of ice. After every demanding session I stand in it, thigh deep, for eight minutes.
Bernie after her W60 10,000m record. In winter I wear a beanie, woolly coat, thermals and gloves to keep my upper body warm. From the waist down I’m in my knickers and socks!
After my runs I try to do the stationery bike for 20 minutes to cool down. Or I swim, which is like having a massage. I swim 4-5 times a week and ride the stationery bike for four hours a week.
I believe in cross training straight after a demanding run, layering one on top of the other. I don’t think you should just stop moving after your run. It’s been great for my recuperation. I can get out of bed the next day without too much pain.
Also I swear by my compression tights and socks (a la Paula Radcliffe). As you get older your ligaments, muscles and tendons don’t hold together so well. The tights are like wearing a bra for your legs, holding everything in.
I always wear them in training and afterwards for recovery. I usually wear the compression shorts or socks for my marathons, as you don’t want things too tight in a race. I wish they were around when I was in my 40’s and 50’s. My legs mightn’t be so damaged.
I’ve also added two gym sessions to my weekly training. When I was 42 I didn’t go near the gym. As I got older opening a jar of jam was a mission for me. So I do pushups and sit-ups, etc all those awful things that runners don’t want to do.
Benefits of Being 60
WRT: Running at your level is hard work. What did you think about New Zealander Liza Hunter-Galvan (W40) getting busted for drug taking?
Bernie Portenski: What a shock that was. I was a fan of Liza’s and felt a kinship with her. We’d both suffered at the hands of the New Zealand selectors. In 1992, I qualified for the Barcelona Olympics, finishing second fastest behind Lorraine Moller, but the selectors didn’t pick me. Lisa also had to fight with those terrible people to get on the NZ Olympic team.
But Liza’s a cheat, I don’t care how many times you do it, even if it’s once you’re still a cheat. That’s why I like being 60. At this age the druggies are either dead or can’t run. The older you get it’s unlikely that anyone’s "on the turps".
Top of Page A Cut Above the Rest
WRT: Can you tell us about your career as a hairdresser?
Bernie Portenski: I started my hairdressing business at 21 with just a shampoo girl. Over the years my business grew where I had larger salons with several girls working for me. Not sure if it has enhanced my running as your spend a lot of time on your feet. But being self-employed you can take time off to run.
I’m now semi retired but still working too many hours, six days a week. I feel like I’ve come full circle as I’m working out of my garage. It’s only 2km from where I started and I’m back with just a shampoo girl.
WRT: What do you clients think about your running?
Bernie Portenski: Most of my clients don’t know me as runner and my running friends don’t know me as a hairdresser. These two sets of people don’t converge. I might be cutting someone’s hair for years and they see me in the local paper and say, “I didn’t know you were a runner”. Then running friends say, “I didn’t know you cut hair”.
WRT: What about your hair, do you worry what it looks like before a race?
Bernie Portenski: I don’t give a stuff what I look like, never have. That’s the good thing about being 60 nobody cares. It’s a relief. Others looked good but I didn’t. It’s like what they say about plumbers, their sink is blocked at home.
When I was running the Boston marathon, I’d do my friend’s Kathy Switzer’s hair in the hotel bathroom the night before the race. Kathy would be in the lead car covering the race for TV with my hairdo. I’d be running the race with my unmade hair.
Traveling
WRT: You’ve managed to see the world with your running.
Bernie Portenski: I didn’t get the chance to go overseas in my early 20’s like many people. I went straight from college to managing my business. Since turning 38 I’ve traveled a lot, mostly with NZ teams and won trips to overseas marathons. I’d hobble around after the race to see the sights.
WRT: Our friend Sharon Higgins, who was on NZ teams with you, told me stories of you both dancing on the tables after races.
Bernie Portenski: Yes, we’d go out partying after our marathons. We probably lived on endorphins. It was fun. Sharon and I were on the NZ team for the 1989 World Cup in Milan, where I ran 2:49. Afterwards we bought a Eurail pass and toured Europe for 10 days. I flew home to Auckland and hitchhiked down to Rotorua and won the marathon the next day in 2:46.02.
 WRT: Do you still see any of your NZ teammates?
Bernie Portenski: I saw Gillian Costley the other day, I was running and she was riding. Gillian said, “G'day, you old tart, what are you doing still running?” I said, “What are you doing on a bike?” I stay connected with some of the girls but not many are still running.
WRT: Why do you think that is?
Bernie Portenski: Maybe the passion is not strong enough now. I started later than most of them. I ran my personal best for the marathon at 42. I think the later you start the later you finish. I was reading about the wonderful Sabra Harvey on your website. She started late also.
Going For It
WRT: What other W60 World Records are you gunning for?
Bernie Portenski: In a few weeks I’ll try for the 3,000m. In June, it’s the half marathon in Christchurch. Then I’ll fly to Australia, where I’m aiming to break the World Record in the Gold Coast Marathon in July.
I’ve got to go for it this year, as soon I’ll be another year older and God only knows what will happen then.
Like to comment on the Bernie Portenski story? Post it here.
Read Your Comments on Bernie's story.
Top of Page Return from Bernie Portenski to Women's StoriesReturn from Bernie Portenski to WomenRunningTogether
Post Your Comment
Do you have a comment on this story? Share it!
Your Comments
Click below to see other comments...
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave us a comment in the box below.
|
