Maggie Smith

by Peggy Oliver

Sometimes a racewalker is born; others are self-made. Maggie Smith is the self-made version and she did a fine job of it! She combines her affinity toward a challenge and her dedication to fitness and the result is a very fit gal. Maggie has been rated in the Top Ten Most Fit for Boise City employees for the past few years. She gained her standing by planing the highest in her age group after a battery of aerobic, strength, and body fat composition tests. Maggie was the first woman to break into the ranks of the top ten.

Maggie learned the joys of good nutrition when she lived in Spain with her Air Force husband and enjoyed the culture's extremely fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. When she returned to the country, she and her family lived on small farms in Connecticut--along with sheep and pigs and, of course, her vegetable gardens. Somewhere in between the responsibilities of the farm, her family, and her volunteer work, Maggie completed law school at the age of 40. Maggie challenges herself with what others would call impossible goals.

Maggie's formal exercise career began after she took the job as city attorney for Hamden, Connecticut. As a way to compensate for her less physically active job, and as a way to socialize, Maggie joined the Appalachian Hiking Club. On any given weekend, she could choose from 20 hikes of varying degrees of difficulty. In 1994, Maggie moved to Boise to take the job as assistant city attorney and searched for a western replacement to her hiking club. She found companionship and exercise in walking. Maggie competed in fun runs and placed in every one. So, in Maggie's self-challenging style, she took on Robie Creek. She's also done the Las Vegas half marathon. And for recreation, she skis and dances.

Maggie is fearless in competition and in life. Although she sets and reaches high goals for herself, Maggie is humble. When others compliment on her accomplishments in exercise, she simply states that her definition of exercise is to remain in her same dress size! Maggie, you're a treasure in the Treasure Valley Fitness Walkers.