Helena Tibber: Winning Races at 80+!

Helena Tibber is a mother of five and grandmother of 12 who is retired after working as a computer programmer.

She took up running in her 40s and since then has completed 5 full marathons and, for the last three years in a row, has come in first in the 10 kilometer race in the Jerusalem Marathon for her age group.....of 80 and over!

Listen to this episode of Frum Women in Motion and get inspired to #KeepMovingForward!

Transcript

Ellen Z. Goldberg: [00:00:00] Helena Tiber is a mother of five and grandmother of 12, who's retired after working as a computer programmer. She took up running in her forties and since then has completed five full marathons, and for the last three years in a row, has come in first in the 10 kilometer race in the Jerusalem marathon for her age group.....

80 and over. Join me now to hear her story and get inspired to Keep Moving Forward!

Ellen Z. Goldberg: As from women, we're always running for our families, our work, our communities, and our values. But what if fitness could be more than just another thing on the to-do list? I am Ellen z Goldberg, and on this podcast we explore how movement can bring us closer to the best version of ourselves. And closer to Hashem because when we build physical strength, we build spiritual strength too.

Join me now for from Women in [00:01:00] Motion.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Welcome to Frum Women in Motion. I'm your host, Ellen Z. Goldberg, and I have the extreme pleasure today of welcoming Helena Tibber to the show.

Helena is the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Jerusalem Marathon, 10 K. First place winner for her age, group of 80 and over. Helena, thank you so much for joining me today. 

Helena Tibber: It's a pleasure. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: So I always like to start with a special quote, and the one that really came to mind for you is from Tehilim Perek Nun-Bet. V'ani k'zayit raanan b'veit Elokim I am like an ever fresh olive tree in the house of Hashem.

Helena Tibber: That's, that's very nice.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: I just, when I thought 

of you, I thought this is it. So before we get started. I wanted, I like to [00:02:00] sort of focus the spiritual energy of each interview for something special. For someone special. Like, I would like to focus this interview for a refuah shleima, for healing from my mother, Rhoda, Risha Devora bat Penina.

Is there someone that you are davening for, that you would like us to include? 

Helena Tibber: No, 

I'm not actually at the moment. davening for anybody. No. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Baruch Hashem! That's beautiful. Thank G-d. Alright, Helena, tell us about yourself. What fills your day? 

Helena Tibber: What, what today is?

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Yeah. 

Like sort of what fills 

your day? 

What, 

Helena Tibber: What are you, do what fills my day?

Yeah. Actually I spend a lot of time reading. I love reading. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Wonderful. What kinds of things do you like to read? 

Helena Tibber: Oh, anything, everything and anything. I got the newspaper. I've got, I buy books. Got books for your law. I've got a whole library here. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: That's terrific. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. And so let's talk about exercising.

Yes. Uh, [00:03:00] when did you start exercising? Has it been something that you've always done throughout your life? 

Helena Tibber: No, it was, I think I was in my forties actually. I've, I've taken out the, uh. I don't know what to call them. It's like a coin that I got from the marathon, from Tiberius. Oh, there's no way of showing you it.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Like the medal? 

Helena Tibber: It's a medal, yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Oh, Uhhuh. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah. I took out all my medals from Tiberius, so I saw that. I started in. 2011. I took, I ran my first marathon in Tiberius. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Wow. Like you ran a full marathon as your first race?! 

Helena Tibber: Full marathon. Yeah. In Tiberius it, but it's a good route because it's very flat.

There's hardly any ups and downs. You run along you, along by the Kineret It's very nice. It, it's very beautiful. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: It does sound beautiful, but that sounds like it. Wow. An awful lot to do for your very first race. Yeah. How long had you been exercising before you decided to run the [00:04:00] marathon there? It 

Helena Tibber: Took me, I think at least six months.

I don't, I think I bought a book and, and I just went according to the book and practiced running. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Wow, which book did you read? 

Helena Tibber: Yes. Yeah. The first time I ran the marathon, uh, I didn't do so well, and I didn't feel marvelous at the end. I came in, I came in way behind everybody else.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Do you remember what your time was? 

Helena Tibber: All the times were over six hours. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: I think that's wonderful. 

Helena Tibber: I had a great time. I think my best time was about six and a quarter hours. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: That's incredible to think of exercising and keeping moving forward for over six hours. That's incredible. I've actually had a great time this week watching videos from the New York City Marathon of the Yes.

Not the people who came in first, but the people who came in. It's pitch blackout. They've been walking not six hours, 7, 8, 9 hours. It's very moving to see these people going across the finish line and they, [00:05:00] they just didn't stop. So's very impressive. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: And 

Helena Tibber: sometimes there were, there were people who were left behind.

Older men. Older men. I know. They're probably quite a bit older than me and, uh, I would catch 'em up sometimes. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Amazing. 

Well, so what made, you'd said you were in your mid forties when you started exercising and running? 

Helena Tibber: Yeah, mid forties. Uh, I was born in 42 and 

my first marathon was 2011. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Wow. So

did you still have 

kids at home when you started exercising? 

Helena Tibber: Yeah, but they've, I think were already grown up 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: okay. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Wow. 

Helena Tibber: I've got five children

Ellen Z. Goldberg: five children? Okay. Wow. And you have, I assume, grandchildren by now. 

Helena Tibber: Uh, yeah, I've got, 

I've got 12 grand children. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: 12! 

Baruch Hashem!. Um, wow, this is great. So do you remember, like, what made you decide to say like, oh, I'm gonna start exercising and was running your first exercise that you did or you did something else [00:06:00] before running?

Helena Tibber: I dunno, it's some. Somehow 

came into my mind. Perhaps I'd like to do that. Maybe I thought about it and I bought a book about preparing for it and also with a local, um. Local clubs I belong to I thought the idea would be that, that they, that people would sponsor me or give money and towards a charity.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Well, that's, I love that. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah. And that, and that's, and that's what I do in Jerusalem as well. I, I. I, there's a charity here that has a, they have teams in the, uh, , race in Jerusalem, and, uh, people donate. Like I get, got quite a lot of donations to charity. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Tell us about the organization. For those of you listening, this is actually how Helena and I met.

We were both running for Team Lema'an Achai. 

Helena Tibber: For the organization Lema'an Achai. Yes. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Helena, tell us about Lema'an Achai and the work they [00:07:00] do. 

Helena Tibber: Lem'an Achai is a, is a local organization and they, they do all sorts of help to the local population here. The people who have problems with money, uh uh, they provide food .

They do all sorts of charity work. Yeah, I think 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: they're terrific. I, I love their motto is that they like to give people a hand up, not a hand out. 

Helena Tibber: Yes. I just, that's right. Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Believe in them and their mission so much. 

. Yeah. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah. They're very good. They're very good. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: So folks, I'm going to put a link in the show notes.

If you would like to make a donation to Lem'an Achai in honor of Helena, that would be just terrific. 

Helena Tibber: Yes. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: I, why not? We should, can get started. Are you planning to do the 2026 Jerusalem marathon or any of the other races this year? 

Helena Tibber: Today, I ran for the first time for probably for several months, I think.

Certainly weeks . 

i want to try and get back into 

it, but [00:08:00] I think it's gonna be slow. But the first race will be in, uh, March. I don't think I'll go to Tel Aviv for that. That which is the first one. It's usually the beginning of March. At the end of, uh, and the end of March is the Jerusalem one which I love to do, and I, it feels so wonderful when you're running in Jerusalem.

It's, it's such a, it. Such a wonderful thing to do and you're running, with all this history around you and people are running with you and people running with, with prams and kids and it's, Jerusalem is, it's amazing. It's amazing. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Such a special 

place. Absolutely incredible. Well, you told me now that you're coming back from an injury, but so before this, like what did your, yes.

What was your daily or weekly exercise schedule like? 

Helena Tibber: I would run about four times a week. I think two or three times. Five. K, one, uh, one, uh, eight. Eight k. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: So [00:09:00] 5K is about three miles 

Helena Tibber: I want, and I tried, I also tried on a Friday to do a 10 k. , I hope, I hope I'm gonna go back to that, to every Friday I would do a 10 KI 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Amen Amen. 

I remember asking 

you how do you run, how is your long run on Fridays?

I said, how do you prepare Shabbat? And you said, I don't prepare Shabbat. I go to my daughters. 

Helena Tibber: Exactly. 

I've got, I've got a wonderful family and they, and they support me. And uh, yeah, 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: that 

is just beautiful. When did you make aliyah to Israel? 

Helena Tibber: In 

196....5.. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Oh my gosh.. 

Helena Tibber: I've lived here most of my life.

Yes. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: What were things, wow. Not really about running and exercising, but what were things like in Israel in 1965? 

Helena Tibber: It was, it was completely, completely different. Completely different to the what it is now. I went to, I started off by going to kibbutz 'cause I had family there. An aunt, some uncles and aunts, uh, and [00:10:00] grandparents, on Kibbutz Kfar Blum, up north.

And, uh, I was enjoying myself there, picking apples, bit of family. And, but then my aunts told me it's which, and she was right that I shouldn't stay on the kibbutz because I wasn't married. And then who am I gonna meet on the kibbutz? And, uh, I saw an advert for, uh, Israeli aircraft Industries for programming and I'd, I'd done programming in, in, in England.

So I went for the interview and I got the job and I later married the person who interviewed me. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Oh, great story. And five kids later. Wow.

That's terrific. 

Helena Tibber: And five kids later. Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Oh, that's, that is terrific. Okay. Wow. I really, one of the things that's important to me is for trying to take my exercise schedule and give it a spiritual outlook.

I like to thank Hashem for the fact that I can stand, that [00:11:00] I can walk, that I can run , 

Helena Tibber: I do that. I never used to. But more recently I've started in the morning saying the prayer and the thanking Hashem for, for everything and yeah, and it's good to, what's it I can't think of the word too.

To be in touch with Hashem during the during the day. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: So important. So important.. I totally agree with you. . Are there ways that you feel like your exercise has helped you to grow as a person, to become a better person? 

Helena Tibber: I think it's good for my health. It's become a better person.

Possibly, yeah. But because, because it makes me happy and then, then obviously possibly I'm a better person because of that. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: I interviewed somebody else, Sarah Wizman, and she said how when she runs in the morning, she's always in such a better mood for the rest of the day. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah, exactly. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: So how many races have you run in?

Because it sounds like a number of them. 

Helena Tibber: Oh, wow. 

You know, I [00:12:00] don't remember how many I was counting up the number in. Tiberius, I think it was about five. I did five. It's only once a year there. Five. I did five there.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Five full marathons? 

Helena Tibber: Five full marathons. Yes. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Unreal. Um, approximately, and so you were in your mid forties when you ran your first marathon.

Helena Tibber: Yeah. Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: That is so hopeful for, for me, and I'm sure for other people listening to still be running in your eighties, that is just terrific. Wow. What would you say your favorite race to run in? Is it Teveriya because it's flat 

and pretty?

Helena Tibber: It was at the time, but I think now Jerusalem is, 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: there's certainly nothing like running through the streets of Jerusalem.

Helena Tibber: Nothing like 

running in Jerusalem. Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Great. Do you do other forms of exercise, Helena, or is it mostly just running? 

Helena Tibber: No, I don't, no, I don't do any other exercise. Oh. strength training, which I've, I've stopped me for a while, but I want to go back to [00:13:00] it. Yeah, must go back to it. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: And what did you do for your strength training?

Helena Tibber: I've got a schedule what to do, pushups and, uh, squats and things like that. Yeah. And using your arm muscles 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: so important. So very, 

Helena Tibber: yeah. Yes. That's, it's 

very important, especially at my age, because otherwise was it just gets weaker and weaker. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: I actually would, I bet your bone density is just fabulous . As a nurse, this is how I think. 

Helena Tibber: But

actually, they claim that my bone density isn't very good and they tried to give me something for it, but didn't work out. But I know it doesn't seem to be bothering me, so 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: please Gd. Okay. And I can only say with all this weight-bearing exercise, if it's not good.

Unfortunately, we can only imagine how much more it might be if you didn't.

Helena Tibber: If I didn't. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: This exercise. 

Helena Tibber: Exactly. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Okay. What would you say [00:14:00] to encourage women, like there's always a time when we're exercising that things get kind of negative. For me, it's always the very first when I'm just starting exercising, I'm just full of negativity.

I should go home. I'm too tired. I don't have time for this. Maybe I should go to the bathroom. How do you deal with that 

Helena Tibber: Thing is I, I remember how I feel after the exercise. And it encourages me to do it. Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Yeah. That's that's great. How do you feel after you exercise? 

Helena Tibber: Wonderful. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Oh, that's so great.

Helena Tibber: Even if it's been hard. Even if it's been hard. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Now, have you encouraged any of your friends or your children to start exercising? 

Helena Tibber: I haven't, but, but one of my grandchildren has caught the bug and.

he did a 10 K think in Tel Aviv, and I think he's gonna carry on with it 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: isn't it terrific to see our influence [00:15:00] on the next generation. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah. Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: So what would you say if there's let's say there's a woman listening who hasn't exercised very much and she says, oh me, I'd like to start, what advice would you give to her about starting to exercise?

Helena Tibber: Try and find out, get advice about exercising from people who know don't start off too fast. Take it easy, do it in steps and I think once you've started, and then, then you'll, you'll feel that you want to continue. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: I think that's really true. Just start and do a little bit and you bit, yes, please G-d, you will feel like you want to continue because in general you feel pretty good after you exercise with the caveat that nobody should push it too much and

Helena Tibber: Exactly. Should know. 

Not to overdo it, but yes, 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: exactly. So when you [00:16:00] ran the Jerusalem race last year, like when you ran it before that, had you come in in like the top five or was this the first time that you had placed or the, or this is like a regular thing for you 

Helena Tibber: in, in jerusalem. I've always been first. Always.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: You were first, okay. Wow. No, 

Helena Tibber: I, I've ran four or five times in Jerusalem. I can't, lemme try see the,

Ellen Z. Goldberg: and do you remember, what was your approximate time for running the 10 kilometers?

Helena Tibber: I, I get 

a, I get a trophy each time. I was trying to remember how many trophies I've got, but think three. I think I've got three. But every time I've come in first 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Oh my, wow. So three times you've run the Jerusalem 10 K and come in first.

Yes, 

Helena Tibber: I'm first, yes. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: That's incredible! And approximately what is your time to get first in the 80 plus category in the Jerusalem marathon? 

Helena Tibber: Actually my, the last time I did it was my fastest time, which was an hour and 40 minutes. [00:17:00] Not 40 minutes. No 20 minutes. Think an hour and 25 minutes, less than an hour and a half.

And I didn't really, I didn't really think I could do that because my previous times had been just over an hour and a half. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: And did you know when you crossed the finish line, like, wow, that was a great race, great time. I think I just, yeah. 

Helena Tibber: Yeah. I 

felt it when I crossed the line. Yeah. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Incredible. And what's the ceremony like when they hand out the trophies?

I don't think I'll ever be attending such a ceremony. So tell us, for all of those of us, like me, 

Helena Tibber: they do 

it inside the, um, a building and the, the special building, what they call it, the, uh, 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: ah, it's in Binyanei HaUma. 

Helena Tibber: They have cinema. Cinema, so Cinema and Uhhuh, 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: cinema City. 

Helena Tibber: There. That thing. Yeah. And they take one of the floors and they, uh, they have the distributors distributing the, uh, all the trophies and everything.

Yeah. And they take a picture there, and something to eat. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: In the show notes for [00:18:00] this show, there will be a picture of Helena with her trophy from the Jerusalem marathon. For those of you who would like to put the voice with the picture. Helena, it's just so encouraging talking to you.

What final thoughts would you like to share? Like the, the motto of this show is that women should just keep moving forward. Women of all ages and stages of life, women of all shapes and sizes. I love that you encouraged us to, what final thoughts do you have to share? 

Helena Tibber: Yeah, exactly. It doesn't matter how big you are or small, you're, how fast you think you can run, how athletic you think you are.

Just start doing it and you'll see how much you enjoy it. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Helena-- terrific! Words, we should all please G-d live by. Thank you so much for being my guest here. I really appreciate it. All good things to you.. 

Helena Tibber: It lovely talking to you. 

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Be well.

Before we end, I want to update you about the [00:19:00] contest with Kosher Casual to give away one of their amazing swim and sports skirts with attached leggings. on Instagram, please like Frum Women in Motion and Kosher Casual and say why you'd like to win one of these skirts. If you don't have social media, just drop me an email at FWIM613@gmail.com. We're choosing the winner at the end of Chanukah.

Ellen Z. Goldberg: Thanks so much for joining me on this episode of Frum Women in Motion. If you'd like a copy of today's show notes with links to what we talked about plus photos, so you can put faces to the voices, follow on social media, or send an email to FWIM613@gmail.com and if you are a frum woman in motion, I'd love to hear from you.

Maybe you'll be my next guest. Until next time, keep moving forward.