Home› General Training Discussions

This Will Happen to Me More and More

Al TruscottAl Truscott
in General Training Discussions

Yesterday I did an Olympic distance triathlon, with 400 overall participants. At age 62, I was the third oldest there, after a 63 y/o man and women. When I pointed this out to my wife, she said, "Whoa, you're a dying breed." I responded: "I don't want to be a dying breed, I want to be a harbinger of the future."

Overall, I was 115/385 finishers; 169th on the swim, 101st on the bike, and 114th on the run. Like Satchel Paige said, age is a question of mind over matter; if you don't mind, it don't matter. He also said I have to keep working on my swimming.

Comments

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    I like the harbinger of the future much better. A few weeks ago I was in a local sprint triathlon (cancelled do to T-storms- that's another story). At packet pickup I pulled out my little swim cap to see the color and then checked the list to see what wave I would be swimming with. To my horror it read:

    "Women 45 and over".

    45 AND OVER???? Oh dear, I didn't realize I'd already reached the "and over" age group!!! That made me feel pretty old.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Way to go Al.

    Don't feel bad Nemo. A week ago I received my first senior discount. Because the chillers were out at my regular pool, I sought out another to get in my RR2 swim. Found a public pool with long course set-up...not bad. I noticed the sign said $4 entry for adults. Because it was my first time there, I had to fill out some paperwork and show my license for residency purposes. The lifeguard looked at the license and then told me that would be $2. I said I thought it was $4? Although I won't be 55 for another year, she tells me it's only $2 for seniors which they defined as over 50. And so it goes.
  • brianrobkelly@hotmail.combrianrobkelly@hotmail.com
    So, I was thinking of you guys yesterday, and trying to recall all i had read in this forum about pacing and all things, because I left my garmin at home accidentally and my infinit for the run, and any extra i might need on the bike.. for a HIM... So I was flying blind the entire event (no watch of any sort) and used experience only garnered by my age! I held steady on the bike, keeping the matra " if you think you are going to slow on the bike, prove it on the run". felt great getting into the run...odd?? about mile 7, this young guy (30 ish) comes up to pass me. i notice he has a garmin on, so i run with him and ask him what pace he is going..i figured 7:30 ish..he says 7:15..( i do not like to be passed..bad trait i know)..I think fine, i am ok with that pace, let's see if you are. so we ran side by side for about a mile before I left him (smile on my face)..my goal was under 5 hrs..finished at 5:01 (oh well)..but did 1:36 on the run..very happy with that. Have IMOO coming up. Won a nice colorful palque for my grandaughter who was born last week..i want her to know that limitations are for others, not her.
  • Bruce ThompsonBruce Thompson

    Al and Brian - Congrats on your excellent races yesterday.  You guys can still fly, and Brian not many grandads are doing 5 hour HIM.  Congrats on the birth of your granddaughter - what an excellent role model you are. 

    I'm with you on the future.  Got to make everyday count.

  • Bill McKeeBill McKee
    Al and Brian thanks for the great stories!! I am a way BOP athlete, but one of the rewarding things for me has been that both my 2 teenage daughters have done triathlons. After our whole family recently volunteered at our local Oly Triathlon and after my own recent HIM my younger daughter is gung ho to do a Sprint. We have picked one out and I am having a ball training with her each day...Like Brian said, I think it's a good sport for showing our kids by example.

    I brought my older daughter to the EN IM Wisconsin Rally last summer specifically to see the Chicas. What great role models for a teenage girl, to see woomen athletes working hard and having fun in pursuit of a big goal.

    Thanks to you fast guys for the inspiration!
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Bill- that's so cool! I'm so glad we could provide a positive role model for your daughter.
  • brianrobkelly@hotmail.combrianrobkelly@hotmail.com
    The Irony of it all..I did the IMOO camp this past weekend. We rode 105 miles on friday, and then ran 6 miles..very hot. I was toast after the run, as I ran way to fast, and pretty near killed myself. So, I cleaned up and dragged myself to a Perkins restaurant that was real close to the hotel for some food/fuel. So after all that work, sweat, etc..for the 1st time, I see that I can order off the 55 plus menu..and get a discount, because I am old. I was laughing inside. The Irony of our lives and what we do here!
  • Barbara SpitlerBarbara Spitler
    What an awesome discussion you guys! Al and Brian, congrats on your smokin' races! You inspire me! Bill, so cool that you brought your daughter to IMOO camp! I tell you, I am so in awe of the things that Nemo et al, do, I can't tell you! They are truly good role models for ALL women! And men!!
    Brian, your comment about Perkins is golden! I love it, "The Irony of our lives and what we do here!" Isn't it so true?? And my teenage students at school, look at me and think I'm ancient! LOL! They couldn't keep up with all that I do! And I am a serious BOP'er! LOL!
  • brianrobkelly@hotmail.combrianrobkelly@hotmail.com
    Just Sayin'....... rode 104 miles in 5:38 today..cycling has never been my strength, no matter how hard I try, and I have tried hard over the last 10 months..i get frustrated that I cannot come closer to 5:15 ish when I see others doing it..although I know I am way older than them..still bugs me..but after the bike, I did 7 miles so easy, and was in the 8:30 pace, which made me happy...My manrtra is always that there is no good bike leg, without a good run. Running is my strength, and IM is all about the run after all. Have always know that certain things come easy, certain things take a bit more work..just wish in this arena, that all would come naturally easy!
    Went to dinner with my wife..a martini was so relaxing, and knowing that I am probably the only one in the place that put in the work I did today...I wish speed was not so fleeting.

    ps..love this forum..a great place for "us" to hang out ...have a great week everyone!
  • NortonNorton
    Brian,

    Just a reality check: old dudes crushing 5:15 or better on the bike are far and few between. If you can roll a 5:4x followed by a marathon at 8:3x pace you'll be right up there.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Brian - yep, that's a very solid 7 hours or so you put in; as Bill suggests, it could very easily translate to a 5:45 bike leg followed by a 4 hour run, which you'll find relatively few folks doing.

  • Michele CellaiMichele Cellai
    So here is what I see in Al's initial post- there are only half as many women as men in the "and over" age group. I can get to the top by attrition!
  • Bruce ThompsonBruce Thompson

    Well I was in my first ever " 50 and over" age wave start this weekend in a local OLY.   Of course we were the very last wave so we "don't get run over by the younger people".  I didn't like it any more than Nemo did, so I decided to take it out on the course.  My time was 2:24:30.  Got 47 place out of 380 OA, and 2nd in M55-59 AG.  My splits:

    S - 29:02  T1- 3:03   B - 65:29   T2 -1;42  R - 45:16

    Felt really good to pass alot of those younger people who started in earlier waves who were going to run me over.

  • jim ebertjim ebert

     

    good going Bruce.

    while i don't like being passed, i certainly enjoy passing. it's much better for my ego.

    i've been temped to lie to get into an earlier start group it see if fear of being passed would improve my time. i haven't tried it yet. fear and pain have their benefits. i see it as similar to  Lucy Vancamps philosophie of "things that hurt instruct".

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Bruce - Super sounding numbers! It's when you're passing all those younger, slower people that you realise, age is purely arbitrary.

    We've all got out little stories of shock at finding out we're consdiered old. I'd been racing for ten years in the 50's. My first race in 2009, a half marathon, I got a plaque I was quite proud of for coming in first. I was admiring it as I walked up the hill to my car to go home. I looked down, and thought they must have given me the wrong one. It read "Men 60-64 Division Winner". The "6" just didn't look right. 

  • Bruce ThompsonBruce Thompson

    Al - The "6" may not have looked right, but I'm pretty sure the "W"  for winner looked right to you.

    It is fun passing other racers regardless of age.

    Thanks for your perspective on my race numbers.  That means a lot to me coming from you.

Sign In or Register to comment.