Cedar Rapids, Coraville women in pool for Iowa Games

AMES - Visit the YMCA on Stoney Point Road SW in Cedar Rapids about 11 a.m. most weekday mornings, and you'll see Glenda Sharp's smiling face in the swimming pool.

At 74 years young - with another birthday coming in September - the Cedar Rapids native said she's never felt better. Swimming has been a big reason for her body's rebirth after open heart surgery in 2002.

“Swimming just keeps me going,” said Sharp, who sports a pacemaker and defibrillator and also is diabetic. “Life is wonderful. I'm stress free. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't swim.”

Sharp and Virginia Lane of Coralville swam side by side Saturday during the first race of the day in the Iowa Games' swimming venue at Ames High School.

The women have shared hotel space the past three years for this event since Lane, 63, arrived in the state as a chaplain educator at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Lane drives to get Sharp, as she did two weeks ago for masters races in the Quad Cities and two weeks before that for another in West Des Moines.

“She's real good about toting me around,” Sharp said.

Lane, a competitive swimmer as a youngster in Ontario, Canada, draws strength from her swimming partner.

“It's fun to watch her,” she said. “Anybody who is older is always an inspiration.”

Lane would like to be swimming laps at Sharp's age and beyond. Both women entered several events for Saturday and today.

“My hope would be a lot longer,” Lane said. “I don't take any medication other than a puffer for my seasonal allergies. I don't think there's too many women my age who do this type of strenuous exercise. The competition just gives you something to work toward.”

Sharp is one of 361 athletes from Linn County competing in Iowa Games events, fourth-most in the state.

She also keeps in shape with weights and aerobic work, but Sharp gains the most fulfillment from swimming.

“When I get done I feel like a million bucks,” she said. “It's really weird. You start out feeling crummy, but as you do the workout you can feel the change. ... It's the closest thing to heaven.”

Sharp has been so active she's on her second pacemaker.

“I ran down the battery on the other one,” she said.