STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley’s newest centenarian--Charley French--set three world records this week, less than a week after turning 100 years old on Aug. 3.

But the only thing he could muster was a shrug.

"I could care less," he said, as he prepared to go for the record at Hardcore Training Center in Ketchum. "I'm 100 and I just go in there and do whatever it is for a minute and it's a world record."

Trainer Bill Nurge talks to Charley French as the elder gentleman warms up.

Actually, that wasn’t quite true, pointed out Bill Nurge, French’s personal trainer, who talked him into attempting the feats.

One 100-year-old man had made his mark on the Concept2 RowErg. So, it wouldn’t exactly be a shoo-in for French.

You would’ve thought French would arrive at the training center and immediately start pulling and pushing in pursuit of his records.

But that wasn’t the case as Nurge put him through what he called a “light workout” first—pedaling a stationary bike that involved both hand pulling and pedaling, working the treadmill, punching a boxing bag while standing on one foot, kicking a soccer ball with Nurge and even pounding a soccer ball into the gym floor while standing on one foot.

Charley French continues his warmup as Bill Nurge looks on.

"You think these exercises are hard when you're 30, 40, 50—wait until you're a hundred," said Nurge, whose Hardcore Training has become a gathering spot for athletes chasing the ultimate measure of fitness.

Finally, the big moment came as French prepared to take on the RowErg and SkiErg machines, which Nurge said, represent the hardest, most objective measures of fitness, power and endurance on the planet with thousands of elite athletes testing themselves against them.

Nurge should know. He holds 50 World Records on the Concept2 machines, including the 10K Overall World Record and a 10,000-meter World Record.

"On the RowErg, moving is so difficult because every joint goes through a full extension and compression," said Nurge.

Charley French plays a little kickball with Bill Nurge before he makes his record setting attempts.

Several Hardcore Training members cheered as French began pulling and compressing on the Concept 2 RowErg.

When the pulling and pressing was done, he had set the 100m world record for the 100+ age group, breaking his previous age-group record for the 95- to 99-year-old group by 10.3 seconds.

That’s a twofold increase in average power output, Nurge noted.

A few minutes later, he tackled the SkiErg, pulling down vigorously as if he were double poling himself around a Nordic ski track.

The SkiErg mimics one of Charley French’s favorite activities—Nordic skiing.

When done, he had set a 100m world record on the SkiErg in 35.5 seconds for the 100+ age group. That broke his previous age-group record—set just a year ago when he was a spry 99—by 2.6 seconds.

“At his age, the rate of decline per year is about 10 percent, so to actually improve his power output by 24 percent is huge progress,” said Nurge.

Originally, French had just planned to try for two records. But, after setting the first two, he decided to go for a third—a moment on the SkiErg machine.

When done, he had set the one-minute SkiErg record for his age group, pulling 44 strokes over 162 meters.

“He's officially the fastest 100-year-old indoor skier on the planet,” proclaimed Nurge.

French is no stranger to a little competition. He set an Ironman record in the 60-to-64 age category that stood for 13 years. And he has run 290 marathons, while amassing dozens of medals for running, skiing and cycling.

But, at 98, he felt like he was slowing down and so began working out with Nurge.

"He has been in here ever since," said Nurge. "And this is what's keeping him young."

"Bottom line is everyone had fun, nobody got hurt, and Charley's three World Records reflect a 62 percent increase in average power output over the past year," Nurge said. "Which is not only awe inspiring, but irrefutable evidence that you're never too old to train, improve fitness metrics, and set some World Records!!!"

After the three records were set, the enthusiasts left, but French remained. After all, he still had some modified pushups and pullups to do as Nurge put him through the remainder of his workout.

"I'd like to be able to ski this winter," French said, as he was presented with a giant sticky bun sporting a single candle by Nurge’s wife Naty.

French is also considering skiing in the 34K Boulder Mountain Tour Nordic ski race—or at least, the Charley Course Half-Boulder named in his honor. And he’s talked about accompanying the Vamps to the World Masters in Norway next winter.

“As you get older, though, you have to sometimes switch to other things,” he said matter-of-factly. “And what’s important for me now is to be here two times a week.”