Never Stop Running: Jon Finds His Stride at The Sequoias

Life doesn’t stop. It finds a new pace. Jon has laced up for most of his life, but it wasn’t until recently that he truly found his stride.

Quick Answer

The Sequoias Portola Valley fosters an active senior lifestyle by offering a natural environment and freeing residents from home maintenance responsibilities. Resident Jon Stoumen exemplifies this, running with greater consistency and joy thanks to the community's 42 acres and direct access to Windy Hill Preserve. This supportive setting enabled Jon to achieve first place in his age group at the Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November 2023, demonstrating continued athletic engagement in retirement.

As a resident of The Sequoias Portola Valley, Jon runs with greater joy, purpose, and consistency than ever before. “There’s something about this place that just makes you want to get outside and move,” said Jon Stoumen. 

With 42 acres of natural beauty and direct access to Windy Hill Preserve, The Sequoias offers a seamless connection to the outdoors, something that’s helped Jon shift his passion for running into a new gear.

Born in Philadelphia and later settling in Palo Alto with his wife, O’Malley, Jon built a successful career as an architect. While living near Stanford University, he enjoyed the scenic track and open spaces, but admits his running lacked structure. “I was on the track team in high school,” Jon said, “but I never had good pacing. That came later when I started running for myself instead of for times.”

Jon finds inspiration and challenge in races, with his active lifestyle at The Sequoias Portola Valley enabling his participation. He has completed numerous races, including a rugged trail half-marathon in Woodside and taking first place in his age group at the Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November 2023. Living in a life plan community like The Sequoias Portola Valley has allowed Jon to embrace a more consistent, active lifestyle, focusing on his health, passions, and time outdoors without home maintenance responsibilities. He emphasizes that 'Retirement doesn’t mean stopping,' but rather 'discovering a more meaningful way forward,' supported by the wellness programs and peaceful surroundings at Sequoia Living communities.

Jon’s tips for healthy, joyful movement:

• Start slow and stay steady. It’s not about speed, it’s about sustainability.
• Breathe smoothly and deeply. Good breathwork keeps your energy up. 
• Run light. The less impact on your body, the longer you’ll go.

Whether you’re an experienced runner or just someone looking to move more, Jon encourages others to find their version of forward motion. 

Joyful living at The Sequoias Portola Valley connects with open trails through residents like Jon, whose journey exemplifies the power of purpose, environment, and community found there. At The Sequoias Portola Valley, Jon has discovered more than just trails; he's found rhythm, inspiration, and connection, demonstrating that life doesn’t slow down but simply finds a new pace. Experience this community living for yourself by selecting a location below.