Peter Saccone rises at 5:30 a.m. every day as he has for decades. Instead of going for a run or to his job as a fifth-grade elementary school teacher, the 82-year-old former ultramarathoner now goes to his workout room, which has a stationary bike, treadmill and rowing machine.
For 2 1/2 hours, he works through his routine with the same discipline that carried him through more than 100 marathons and grueling six-day races. “I say to myself, you know how good you will feel at 9 a.m.,” he explains, his still lean runner’s frame a testament to a lifetime of exercise.
The reward: “You will have a good meal, and you can spend the rest of the day reading and sitting in the sun,” he says.
This is Saccone’s next chapter three years after he had to stop running, three years after he stopped driving, and more than two decades after retiring from a teaching career that transformed hundreds of young lives through the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other.
Saccone taught fifth grade at Meridian Elementary School in El Cajon, where he created “Funner to Be a Runner” — a name his 10-year-old students came up with when he started taking them out to walk, and eventually run, around the school field. Three times around equaled a mile, and those miles added up to more than just physical fitness. For 23 consecutive years, he says his students posted the highest academic test scores in the school. Afterward, they would go back to the classroom and listen to classical music for 25 minutes while writing and reading.
His program was featured on local TV news, in the Los Angeles Times, in Sports Illustrated and in a YouTube video created by the American Sports Institute. What mattered most to Saccone were the quiet transformations — the child who discovered they could do something well, the struggling student whose self-esteem blossomed with each lap completed, and the natural athletes who helped their classmates.
Peter Saccone, 82, works out in his garage at his home in Lemon Grove. For 2 1/2 hours, he works through his routine with the same discipline that carried him through more than 100 marathons and grueling six-day races. “I say to myself, you know how good you will feel at 9 a.m.,” he said. (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“I made it a point to run with every kid every day,” Saccone recalls from his Lemon Grove home.
Today, Saccone’s world has contracted a bit, but his spirit hasn’t. He hasn’t been to a store in years, relying on ordering groceries online from Walmart and weekly food deliveries from Jewish Family Service of San Diego, whose driver, Sage Fregoso, has become such a regular presence that Saccone bought him a holiday gift.
“For many customers, my co-workers and I are the only people they see socially all day,” said Fregoso, who has worked for Jewish Family Service for five years. “I can’t think of a more noble thing to do than feeding the people.”
The organization’s “delicious” meals — five frozen entrees, fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk — sustain Saccone’s vegetarian lifestyle. When he needs to get to doctor’s appointments, Jewish Family Service’s On The Go ride service for seniors provides transportation with five days’ notice.
“I am fortunate to have found Jewish Family Service,” he says, and he contributes to the organization even though it’s not required.
His days follow a predictable rhythm that would be monotonous to some but provides comfort to Saccone. After his morning workout, he reads for about three hours — mysteries by Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, James Patterson are his favorites. The Lemon Grove library mails him five books at a time in a bag, selecting titles based on his preferences. He watches a little television — just KPBS and NBC, no cable needed.
“Many of my friends are gone,” he admits matter-of-factly. Two close running buddies suffer from Parkinson’s. The social world that once revolved around group runs and dinners at Soup Plantation after adult fitness classes that he taught has evaporated.
Saccone doesn’t dwell on losses. Instead, he focuses on what remains: good eyesight for reading, helping neighbors whose trash cans he still takes out, and the satisfaction of knowing he’s made a difference — not just through teaching, but through the 97 gallons of blood he has donated to the San Diego Blood Bank. His goal is 100.
“I try to think about positive things,” he says. “I don’t throw in the towel. I keep plugging along.”
Peter Saccone, once an ultramarathoner and elementary school teacher, focuses on what remains: good eyesight for reading, helping neighbors whose trash cans he still takes out, and the satisfaction of knowing he’s made a difference — not just through teaching, but through the 97 gallons of blood he has donated to the San Diego Blood Bank. His goal is 100. (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
At 82, Pete Saccone has discovered that the next chapter doesn’t require a lot of travel or a busy social calendar. Sometimes it’s enough to move your body as best you can, to lose yourself in a good book, and to know that somewhere out there, former students are living better lives because once upon a time, their teacher taught them that it’s “Funner to Be a Runner” — and that with each step forward, no matter how small, you can transform not just your body, but your entire world.
For its most recent fiscal year, Jewish Family Service delivered 82,129 meals. There is not a waiting list. Individuals must live within a designated service area that includes 36 zip codes in San Diego County. They must be homebound or socially isolated. The program is funded by the federal Older American Act and private contributions. The Jewish Family Service On The Go program provided rides to 735 individuals and is funded by SANDAG, the County of San Diego and private contributions. There is currently a waiting list, and Jewish Family Service is continuing to identify and onboard additional volunteer drivers. People who want to volunteer or drive can visit Featured Volunteer Opportunity: On the Go Driver – JFSSD or call (858) 637-3050. If you need a ride or help accessing a meal, call (858) 637-3210.
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