THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 2, 1994 TAG: 9409300245
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
CAPTURING THE CROWN of Ms. America Masters isn't something that's very easily achieved.
It takes countless hours in a gym building muscles, a strict diet regimen and incredible self-discipline.
It's no party, that's for sure.
But for Gayle Schroeder, it is definitely a lot of fun.
Schroeder, an Ohio native who has lived in Virginia Beach for the past 20 years, recently captured the title by winning her height class and overall division.
She is body building's Ms. America Masters. The contest is for women 40 and older.
Schroeder has been into weight lifting for about 15 years and began serious competition in 1985.
Just like with her workouts, the results were good right from the start.
She captured the Ms. Old Dominion title her first year and has gone on to win numerous state and regional contests. She was the lightweight winner in the 1986 Ms. Pan American competition and was the 1990 Ms. USA Masters champion.
And this petite athlete doesn't just have muscles that look good, she has ones that work.
Schroeder is also a two-time U.S. Powerlifting Federation national masters champion in the 105-pound class.
She has achieved a lot in her body building career and at 47, there would be no face lost if she decided to set aside the weights.
But that isn't going to happen. At least no time soon.
``I'm going to be doing this for a long, long time,'' she said. ``As long as I'm looking better each year than the previous me, then I know it's working for me and I'll stay involved. So far, I'm looking better and better every year.
``Besides, this keeps me young and looking good. I feel better now than when I was in my 20s. Back then, I was married and doing the domestic thing.''
The end of her marriage is what she credits to spurning an interest in the sport. The fact that she would be doing something good for herself was appealing.
``My son had some weights, I tried them, and I really liked it,'' Schroeder said. ``I've been at it ever since.''
There was a time, early in her career, when Schroeder had to face a difficult decision - to stay drug free and work harder, or take the easier road.
``It's very satisfying to me that I won this contest knowing I'm drug free,'' she said. ``There are contests where you look at people and you can be pretty sure they aren't. There are signs.
``It's tough for some people. This is body building and the best overall package up there on stage wins. Some people feel they have to do what they have to do to get that package. But there are consequences to deal with.
``I wrestled with the idea of steroids for a while, but the side effects really scared me. I decided that if it took me longer to get where I wanted to get to, then it would take me longer.''
After piddling around with weights for a few years, Schroeder employed the help of personal trainer Al Walke - then at Olympian Gym and now at Flex Gym.
To become what she has, having a serious trainer is vastly important.
``Al's been working with me since the beginning,'' she said. ``He's great, the best in the world. I never would be where I am without Al.''
While Schroeder watches her eating habits, she contradicts the myth that you have to starve yourself to get the ``ripped'' looked desired by most judges.
In fact, she eats all the time.
``I eat better than most people do,'' she smiled. ``I do, however, restrict myself in calories. I keep my protein and carbohydrates guaged, but I eat every three or four hours. When I'm hungry, I eat.''
And despite the long hours of dedication to her sport, Schroeder hasn't ignored the rest of her life.
She once owned an Exxon gas station and was most recently employed by Miller Oil.
Now, with title in hand, she is at a crossroads in her life.
But one thing's for sure, no matter where she goes, the method of transportation will have to provide time for the gym. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
``. . . this keeps me young and looking good. I feel better now than
when I was in my 20s. Back then, I was married and doing the
domestic thing,'' says Gail Schroeder, 47.
by CNB