Former operating theatre nurse Sue Kemp ran her last half marathon in Iceland at age 71.
It was the culmination of more than 20 years of long-distance running while living with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Sue shared her story ahead of a free arthritis seminar at Wallsend Diggers on Wednesday, which will advise on how to self-manage arthritis using nutrition and exercise.
Now 76, Sue described exercise as her "full-time job".
The Merewether resident was first diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her knee in 2000. She wasn't keen on a knee replacement, so she kept moving.
"Since then, I've run 20 half marathons," she said.
About eight per cent of people live with osteoarthritis and about two per cent have rheumatoid arthritis.
The seminar, run by the Arthritis Movement (formerly Arthritis NSW), will help people better understand and manage their symptoms.
Health educator Mary Frack said the aim was to help people in Newcastle "live their best lives".
"There are evidence-based strategies that can reduce pain, improve movement and help people stay independent. These are practical tools people can start using straight away," she said
Sue now has osteoarthritis in her neck, hands and feet, as well as her knee.
She said the pain can be debilitating, but she pushes herself to keep exercising.
"I just have to get on with life," she said.
She takes two osteo paracetamol tablets three times a day.
"It takes the edge off it. I've been told I can take them morning, noon and night and that won't damage my kidneys," she said.
She can't take ibuprofen because she has high blood pressure.
"I just keep on moving. I row about five times a week. I've just taken up swimming. It's very good because it doesn't have the impact," she said.
"Because I've always been a runner, it's a bit hard to let it go. I still do parkrun every Saturday morning."
Sue worked as an operating theatre nurse at John Hunter Hospital for years, retiring at age 69.
She's been running since age 28.
"I did my first half marathon in my 40s," she said.
"I used to run half marathons in under two hours. Because I have pain, I'm not running as fast as I used to.
"I had to change my mindset and not think everyone will beat me, but I'm still competitive with my own age group. It's just about keeping on going."
She took up running because it was good for her mental state.
"If you've got a problem, you just put your shoes on and go for a run and the world's a much better place when you get back," she said.
Her nursing work was hectic.
She worked in emergency and elective surgeries in many areas such as neurology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat and general.
"I loved my work, but you were always stressed," she said with a laugh.
"I'd run from our place to Nobbys and back and then go to work. When you work at the John Hunter, you don't sit down. It's flat out. You don't know what will come through the door.
"I'd drive to work and think, 'What will it be today, just let me get through this day'. I always did'."
The seminar starts at 10am on Wednesday. Visit arthritis.org.au or call 1300 275 826 to book.
