Getting into Triathlons as a mid-life crisis (Page 2)

I have to say no for me.  I was very fit in my 20's and let things go in my 30's.  I finally realized I had to do something in my late 30's because I couldn't walk without pain due to a hip problem.  I decided to lose weight prior to surgery.  I later decided to sign up for a tri because finishing would be an accomplishment and the journey would help lose weight.  After the 1st one, I wanted more. 

I'm 40 now.  I ran my first 10 mile run of my life on my 40th birthday.  I ran my first half mary a month later.  I will do my first HIM next month.  Who knows what is next.  I do know that my kids find it pretty crazy but my son wants to do one now so I'm happy that it inspires him.

I'm not in any crisis... found myself more overweight and out of shape than I ever thought possible and corrected it.  Aside from feeling like I need more hours in the day, I'm just fine thank you.  I'm 36, so I'm not sure where that puts me in the mid-life crisis equation.  

Definitely a mid life crisis thing here.  I wanted to do something, anything, to honor turning 50 and when I read about a sprint tri, that was my answer. 

I secretly went swimming just to see if I could make it 100 yards without stopping.  If I could do that, I figured I could work my way up to 400 meters. 

Then on my 50th birthday I announced that I had signed up for a triathlon.  When they asked, "Why?" I replied by saying "Mid Life Crises" and nobody could argue.

Besides, I can't afford the kind of car that would signify mid life crisis.

Edit to add:  I've never been athletic.  I enjoy walking, but 2-3 miles once or twice a week was my norm.  I had a bike a long time ago, but I'll bet I never went more than 5 miles at a time.  And I've never liked swimming.  (But surprise/surprise, the swimming is my favorite part of this tri stuff - you could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized how much I enjoy it.)

Edited by Far Left Texas 2010-08-26 5:24 PM

Started this year at the age of 46.  Started a new job and I was running when there wasn't a Gym available. Saw a brochure for a sprint Tri and said what the heck.  Been hooked since.  Love the training, the sport and the sportsmanship.  I thought I was in good shape until I started this training.   My wife has been supportive, I guess it is somewhat cheaper than a new car.

The BT group has been great with advice and support.

No crisis, just a good change in my life.

Since I started tri'ing around 19 years ago, I wouldn't call it a mid-life issue at all.  I got away from it for about 10 years due to the active lives of my kids, and finally was able tofind time again after the oldest left for college. 

The motorcycle I got this year is NOT a mid-life crisis either.  I wanted to be a "motorcycle man" when I was in second grade, according to the papers I found from them.  So I am just realizing my childhood dreams.  That's my story, and I am sticking to it.

I don't know if I'd call it a mid life crisis but my new bike did cost more than my first car did. Probably goes faster too.

Being someone who lost over 60 pounds after getting into tris in my 30s, having the body marker tell me I had some great legs on my 40th birthday was one heck of an ego boost.

Have fun and enjoy the ride!

57 years young now started tri last year to do somethng else besides swimming.  Cross training as a way to lose weight after 15 years of self employment in restaurant biz.  People in that biz know you never eat, you just graze all day long.

So not really mid life anything, as I was an athlete all my school life.

Not a bad mid-life crisis, if you ask me...though you could easily spend on race gear and fees (over the years) what it costs to buy a hot car, you'll be better off for it :-)

My 40th year brought me to my knees with some serious lower back issues. The swimming I started doing then was the third discipline, as I had always been a runner and a bike rider. Triathlon was my rise from the ashes.

I never really viewed it as a crisis rather an opportunity for new experiences. I am 44 years old and had initially been a runner.   I got into road cycling when I turned 40 as an alternative way to stay in shape and also something a little easier on my joints.. I tackled my annual century ride and eventually did a 150 mile ride because I always felt like I need a fitness goal to keep me motivated. I first became interested in Tri's when my wife and I stayed at a camp ground right on the bike course for IMLP. I have been standing on the edge thinking about jumping off ever since. It just took me several years to do so. I will do my first sprint triathlon in two weeks and have really enjoyed the diversity of the training. My body has responded well and I am so glad to have some variety. Cycling every day was getting tedious. I was initially intimidated by the swim but since practicing it in open water every week I have actually grown to like the swim. I am afraid I am already addicted to this crazy sport!!

I've been asked if I'm trying to fill the Empty Nest void.  I would say that's somewhat true, but it's not that I'm trying to fill the void, but more that now that I have much more time (and money) I can focus more on me. 

Edited by scubagrrl 2010-08-27 10:31 AM

I was blessed with a fast metabolism so I've never been overweight.  But I was definitely in poor aerobic shape for awhile.  So now friends see me doing triathlons and the general comment is "um... why do you need to work out?"  If you lose weight it's visible to your friends.  If you are closing in on the speed you had in college, they have no clue.

I don't know if I'd call it a mid-life crisis but I took a hard look at myself and felt like I had been wasting what God gave me.