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Starting out--at 56
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 2009-11-06 9:20 PM |
Veteran  280   Glens Falls |  Subject: Starting out--at 56Am not finding a lot of post with regards to men my age learning to Tri! Are there others around who have decided to take up this sport going into their senior years? Have been doing a lot of training and have already competed in my first Tri--as a team member. But now its time to step out on my own and have already registered for my first sprint as a solo--looking for others who are also on this journey that can give much needed advice. |
| 2009-11-06 9:22 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Expert 774 | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I started at 48, last year, and was promptly side-tracked by open heart surgery. But, I am now making good progress. What is your current condition? Physically, what have you been doing over the last 5 - 10 years? |
| 2009-11-06 9:26 PM in reply to: #2502021 |
Veteran 280 Glens Falls | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 Like to say, am in pretty good shape. Been riding around 25 miles per day, work out on my total gym daily and have been running every other day--been stepping it up a little at a time. Always been active so am hoping this transition will go well for me |
| 2009-11-06 9:34 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Elite 2553 Tucson, AZ | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I'm not a guy and can't offer advice, but just wanted to say that's awesome!!  |
| 2009-11-06 9:36 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Veteran 399 Puyallup, WA | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 My 55th birthday gift to myself, July 08, was a personal trainer for a year. I was very heavy, out of shape, and STRESSED out from too many years at a desk with no exercise. I did my first Sprint tri Labor Day weekend and I may do a half marathon Thanksgiving. I don't know how many start at our age but there sure are a lot competing. BTW, my birthday gift to myself this year was another year with the trainer. He has been invaluable in too many ways |
| 2009-11-06 9:38 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Member 53 Nor Cal - Bay Area | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 Like gretg8r my first event was an OLY team event. I did the bike portion and had a blast. I might mention (parenthetically) that this site should promote team events. Great way to get people involved, and the dynamics of a team are great. Others there to cheer you on etc..... I've signed up for the Vineman 1/2 aquabike (my back will not handle running, and walking would take toooooo long) in July. Just got to figure out how to swim 1.2 miles. Oh yea, I'll be 66 later this month. The challenge for me will be to find the time to train, but I figure that is no different for any of the others on this board. Just got to prioritize. |
| 2009-11-06 9:49 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Champion 6931  Bellingham, Washington | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I started around 45 and had smoked for 20 years and totally out of shape. I remember straining hamstrings by just the short power walks..... Now I'm 51 and still going, just slower.... Ease into the training, expect some glitches like achey everything and hurdles....But you can do it.... Oh yeah, this is also the best site to use for a beginner triathlete. Good logs, good design, Great moderators and Great People. Edited by BellinghamSpence 2009-11-06 9:51 PM |
| 2009-11-06 9:53 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Master 2855 Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 congrats for taking the initiative to go against the grain ! I am continually amazed by the wide variety of AG's that are doing tri's and marathons. very inspiring.. age should not be a show stopper...ever! if you have the will and a way, go for it!! |
| 2009-11-06 11:57 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Expert 798 Potomac, Maryland | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I just turned 57. I did a couple of short tris in my 40s, and laid off for a while due to overseas assignments (State Dept., not military, so I'm no he-man). When I returned in my 50s I did two half iron-man tris, a marathon, a couple of ten milers and an adventure race over the span of a few years So I'ld say anything is possible. At our age though it's always wise to get an ok from a doctor. In my training now I'm very conscious of avoiding overtraining injuries, so if I need to walk in a training run or ease up in a swim, I do so. I'ld rather take more time to increase distance/improve performance than risk nursing an injury that sets me back weeks/months, or becomes a chronic part of my life. I increasingly compete against myself too rather than other competitors, particularly younger ones who I know are stronger and more fit than I am. I try to remember that I'm in it for the fun and fitness. |
| 2009-11-07 12:26 AM in reply to: #2502017 |
Regular 61 Abbotsford BC, Canada | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I've been training since mid August and have lost 20lbs as of today! (so I ate a pizza I am 61 in December. My Goal is to complete three sprint distances next year and lose another 35lbs. My goal weight is 180-185. These last few months have really been a learning experience and even though I thought I was not pushing too hard I think I actually was. This week I laid off a bit. Things are a bit different for most of us older athletes. Rest and nutrition in particular are even more important than for many other triathletes and stress, such as weight lifting, can be much greater than you realize. I found my old regular weight lifting routines combined with swim/run/bike workouts were simply too much stress, had to dial them back considerably to insure I could get enough tri training in. I also find a day off completely is less of a recovery than a day with some very, very mild run, swim or bike, my morning resting heart rate seems to confirm this. Nutrition is huge. I've never eaten so many salads and so much fruit in my life. |
| 2009-11-07 1:00 AM in reply to: #2502017 |
Extreme Veteran 1112 Las Vegas | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 56 here too. Did my first Tri last March, and came in first in my age group. Since then did my first century, 118 miles, and in December my first full marathon. Then next year a full iron man (they call it the Silverman here in Vegas). I was always a swimmer, but find I really love cycling, (still hate running though) but the cross training is wonderful and breaks us the miles. Welcome to the tri world. Do it for the health of it. |
| 2009-11-07 1:53 AM in reply to: #2502017 |
| 1072 | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I am 62 and completed a HIM this year along with 3 other TRIs. I started doing TRIs 4 years ago at 58 and have done 15 TRIs in those 4 years. Three years prior to that I was out of shape and over weight. At the advice of my doctor I started an excercise program and managing what I ate. In a little over a year I dropped 100 pounds. When I started out I was barely able to ride a bike around the block or walk a mile without resting. I gradually worked up to being able to ride for hours with relative ease over the next two years. Then I joined a local bike/TRI club and they talked me into doing a triathlon. I began training to do one just to see if I liked it. I started adding running and swimming to my exercise routine. After my first one I was hooked. The key I found is to be consistent and increase the workload gradually. Listen to your body to avoid getting injured by pushing too hard or too fast. This is good advice to follow for training at any age, but especially as we get older. It has become more then a hobby, it is a lifestyle. I had rather be riding a bike, running or swimming then playing golf or fishing. I plan vacations around triathlons. It has become an important part of my life. I enjoy working out 10 - 12 hours a week to train for triathlons. Edited by browncd 2009-11-07 1:55 AM |
| 2009-11-07 4:44 AM in reply to: #2502017 |
Veteran 280 Glens Falls | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I knew there were a lot of silver tri-s out there just don't hear a lot from them. Think we need to come up with a regular post/questions and answers section in order to support this ever growing area. Unless it's already someplace and I just don't know where to look? I too look forward to the work out and cross training that triathlons bring. Yes, I need to take it slow sometimes due to those minor aches and pains-but not really that different from the younger men and ladies who are also enjoying the sessions gearing up to that special race day. |
| 2009-11-07 6:41 AM in reply to: #2502017 |
| Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I'm sorry that I'm coming in as the "baby" of this group, with going to be 45 next March, but I am excited to read about all of you peeps getting involved with this lifestyle!!! Congratulations to you all!! You should be quite proud of yourselves! |
| 2009-11-07 7:08 AM in reply to: #2502211 |
Expert 1618 Temple, TX | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 Well I'm not a man last time I checked, but I just finished my first tri season at age 51. Came into it as a swimmer, biked years ago and that came back fairly easily, became a runner from scratch and it is still the evil triplet of the three. I did 5 races this year (4 sprints and an Oly) and won my age group in two and placed pretty well in the rest. It can be done and it is a blast, I am seriously addicted! My advice is to build slowly to avoid injuries and train at distances that are longer than whichever race distance you are contemplating.... and savor the feeling of doing better than a bunch of youngsters! (No offense to all you youngsters out there!) |
| 2009-11-07 7:35 AM in reply to: #2502017 |
Extreme Veteran 694 | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 I started at 48 and will be 50 in a few weeks. Pay attention to what our body is telling you and your going to be fine and have a great time. Congratulations. |
| 2009-11-07 9:31 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Veteran 407 | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 Welcome! I started at 57,will be 59 in January. I ran for 30 years and my body just started to break down. I love the cross training. I do have to say, the recovery period after a long workout is longer than when I was "younger". I really feel great and other than needing to pay attention to when my body is telling me it needs rest, I feel like I did 20 years ago. I agree with all the posts, you have to listen to your body and know when to take a day off, which for me is at least once a week. Good luck and have fun! |
| 2009-11-08 8:32 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Master 1286 Mt Pleasant, SC | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 Hello I turned 50 in March and started my Tri-Training in June and completed my first race in August. Kevin |
| 2009-11-08 9:20 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Extreme Veteran 417 Davidson | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 Dragonfly, |
| 2009-11-08 9:29 PM in reply to: #2502017 |
Regular 90 Port Moody | Subject: RE: Starting out--at 56 Dragonfly, its not how old you are its how old you feel. I just turned 50 last summer and after spending an entire lifetime playing team sports I turned to Tri's2 years ago and so far I have finished 2 olympics and a sprint as well as a bunch of 5kms and 10 kms. I have signed up for IM canada for 2010 and I am so stoked about it. It is now an addiction ! I love this sport, you will as well. This site is so good for info and help. good luck and have fun |
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