Does my 1st place "count" if I'm the only one in my age group?

Yes it counts.

Congrats!

Well first off, congrats!

Second, there is probably a reason that you are the only one in your age group. Probably not that many people can complete or want to complete a tri, let alone an oly at 50 years. Shoot, I just hope I'm upright by then (Not saying that 50 is old...)

I think I'd better shut up before I stick my other foot in my mouth, but keep going & congrats!

Now beat your time on the next oly! or HIM?

Ken

Count for what?

Certainly it means that you were the fastest person in your age group that raced the event. And really, that's the whole story about podium placement: it depends a great deal on who shows up.

Does it mean you had a good race or did the best you could do? Not at all.

I've podiumed in my age group in local sprints dozens of times, lots of time finishing 1st. But in my best, most complete race, the one I'm proudest of, I finished fourth in AG. Three faster guys showed up. In another example, the only time I received a medal in a pure running race was for a 2nd AG finish in a half marathon. The slowest timed half marathon I have ever run.

Just run your race, do the best you're capable of on any given day. If podium happens, it happens.

This is very true.  Sometimes the races we are most proud aren't the races where we place the highest.

However, great job and of course you should be proud of 1st place!!!

of course it counts. congrat on getting out there and giving it your all. winner in my book.

I won an age group before. but was more pleased with my over all ranking that winning. 7th overall.

Hells yeah!

You can't control who trained, who shows up, and who executes well.

But you did for yourself, so of course it counts!

+1, well spoken. The level of competition is something you cannot control, but you can control your effort and input.

It's your race, it's up to you how you present it to others.  Everyone is different.  The bottom line is that if you were the only one in your age group, then yes, you won that age group, plain and simple.  You could tell others that the others in your age group knew you were racing and didn't dare show up

When people ask me how my race went, I usually say something like, it went well, fantistic or whatever my feeling was about how I did etc.  If they ask where I placed, I usually tell them where I ended up overall.  They can ask more questions about age groups, gender placing etc. if they want.  I know deep inside how I did vs. how I wanted to perform, that's the important part.

Not a lot of 50 year old ladies out there doing what you're doing so I'm proud of what you've accomplished regardless of age group placing etc.

GREAT JOB on being such a force to be reckoned with and scaring off the competition!

I once won my age group in a 5k by beating the 'other' guy in my class and 15 years later my son won his age group in a giant slalom ski race by also beating the other guy.

A win is a win in my book and congrads.

Okay, cool.  Lot's of great feedback/thoughts.  Thanks for helping me think through this one.  "A win is a win!"  I'll take that.