David Mitchell

Steve Virgen

David Mitchell played hockey in Canada.

He grew up in Winnipeg and was practically raised into a life

dominated by ice, sticks and pucks. He began ice skating at age 6.

Now, he has turned in his skates for running shoes. He has taken

on dozens upon dozens of courses in sunny Southern California.

Mitchell, 66, a Costa Mesa resident, has been competing in half

marathons, 5,000- and 10,000-meter races for the past 24 years and

wants to continue running for another 10, at least.

While most people his age are retired, Mitchell continues to work.

He is an engineer, specializing in earthquake safety in regard to

construction. When he’s not working, he’s running ... about 25-35

miles a week.

“I just saw people doing it and I said, ‘I ought to try that,’ ”

Mitchell said of his start in running in 1979. “I enjoyed it. It’s

competitive. It doesn’t matter where you’re at in the mix. Whether

you’re first or last, you’re always competing against someone. That’s

good for you.”

Mitchell belongs to the Cal Coast running club, headed by longtime

Corona del Mar High track and field and cross country coach Bill

Sumner. Mitchell said the club helps him stay in tune with his

running. He also has friends in the club to help keep him motivated.

It’s not that he needs their motivation. He already has enough.

“I run for health reasons,” Mitchell said. “I couldn’t imagine

myself sitting or having that problem of, you know, when you get in

hot water. You think, ‘Why did I do that?’ I would have to ask that

question about my health. I would hate that. I see so many people my

age; they’re not finished, but they could have been better.”

There are certain aspects of Mitchell’s life that are done, but

not running and his career. He played hockey, football and handball

in high school and college. He continued to compete in hockey well

into his 40s, playing in senior leagues and an old-timer league, he

said.

He had been playing handball until eight months ago. The sport

took a toll on his shoulders and he decided to quit after going

through too many injuries and rehabilitation.

However, there seems to be nothing holding him back from racking

up the miles in running. Last month, the 66-year-old competed in the

Orange County Half-Marathon. He did not do as well as he would have

liked, but he finished the 13.1-mile race nonetheless.

He finished in two hours, eight minutes. Nearly 20 years ago,

Mitchell finished a half-marathon in Canada in the 97-minute range.

Now he’s content with finishing races but he’s still captivated by

the competition.

On Thanksgiving, he started his day with a 5K at Dana Point, known

as the, “Turkey Trot.”

He said running has kept him in great shape and he also tries to

“eat reasonably well.” Mitchell, who has five children and seven

grandchildren, will compete in a half-marathon in Sycamore Canyon

this month. He has competed in 15-18 races this year, he said, and

plans to have the same type of schedule next year.

He doesn’t see himself losing his motivation. He will not lose his

concentration during the races, as well.

“In a race, you’re always thinking about finishing,” Mitchell

said. “No grand thoughts go through my head. You’re pushing. You’re

trying to concentrate on finishing the best you can. I don’t think

about politics, religion or women when I’m in a race, because if you

do, you slow down. You have to focus.”

Mitchell said he has applied those same thoughts to everyday life

and his career. That’s why he remains energetic about his work and

does not plan to retire until he reaches 70.

“Probably,” he said.