Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: Rogillio on 2011-03-09 8:14 AM

I was 35 before I ever got into triathlons and for years I just got better, stronger, faster.  While there have been peaks and valleys and many surges in my training, I've held a pretty steady s/b/r routine for the last decade+.  Lately I am slowely coming to the realization that my best year (performance wise) is probably behind me.  That would be 2008 when I felt like I was on top of the world fitness-wise and finished my second IM in 14:30.  Snce then I have had a few injuries....discs in my back and both knees blown out.  And I've come to realize that recovery from a hard training day comes slower nw and I can't seem to keep the volume of training up like I used to.

I realize that 48 is not 'over the hill' but a man's got to know his limitations.  I know many people, especially younger folks, think they will continue to improve until they drop dead and I used to believe that myself.  But slowly reality sets in.

I'm not writting this to depress anyone, I just want people who are still improving to look around and smell the roses and enjoy the journey and appreciate that you have not yet peaked!  Now, get out there and train!  :-)

~Mike

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: briderdt on 2011-03-09 8:16 AM

My fastest years may be behind me, but not my best.

I've read a lot of studies and such that say that, no matter what age you start, you can expect a good 7 years of improvement.

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RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: ironbaby on 2011-03-09 8:19 AM

I hit 30 couple of months ago. Still not over it.

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: jcrrankin on 2011-03-09 8:21 AM

yes, at age 54 reality sets in - physical abilities decline, but its all about being the "best" given all the factors and demands in your life - age, family, job, etc.

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: DanielG on 2011-03-09 8:25 AM

My fastest probably are but I don't give a damn about that. My best years are still to be had.

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: trigal38 on 2011-03-09 8:28 AM

At age 38 (I can say that for 2 more weeks) I am entering my 3rd year in triathlon. I didn't improve as much as I liked last year so I bought a tri bike to help me out a little. We'll see......

 

But yes, I am enjoying the challenge and realize it will not last forever!

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RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: aquagirl on 2011-03-09 8:31 AM

I have not been "athletic" for a terribly long time, so I tend to look at this differently.

My recent knee surgery and subsequent issues have changed my game dramatically though, as in I HAVE no game at the moment. But rather than feel my best is behind me, I am trying very hard to just change my focus. I may never actually be able to do another tri again. I just don't know. 

So instaed of gazing backwards, I am looking forward: planning on hiring a cycling coach, interested in pursuing ultra cyclying, want to learn to rock climb and really REALLY want to learn to ice climb.

This is how I am dealing with it............which is not to say that this approach is always successful, as I still have my "I feel terribly sorry for myself" days. But I am trying......

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RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: nhunter344 on 2011-03-09 8:46 AM

I only got into triathlons a couple years ago, and at 38 I hope to still have some improvement left in me.

I do wish I had discovered triathlon a long time ago so I could see what I was really capable of, but better late than never!

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Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: peewee on 2011-03-09 8:51 AM

I ran a 10k this weekend and saw in the results a 61 year old ran a 42 min race.  He only beat me by four min.  I fiqured I still got a ways to go I am 35.

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: pschriver on 2011-03-09 8:54 AM

48 and IM faster than I have ever been. You can't change the past but you can change the future. I am still looking forward to my improvement.

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: Afletcher on 2011-03-09 9:02 AM

I am in way better shape than I was since I aged out of drum corps, not that I was ever in bad shape, but when I turned 40, I instantly could no longer focus on printed words / music.  Eye sight wasn't great to start with, but it went FAST!
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RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: jhoffman2 on 2011-03-09 9:04 AM

I am 56 and just started tris last year.  So I still feel like there is lots of room for improvement, but also realizing that the years for that are limited.  So if you have been doing tris for a long time, as you get older your fastest years are probably behind you.  And if that is particularly frustrating, maybe you change it up a bit and try something different.  The beauty of starting something new is there is lots of room for improvement.

Jim

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: Slidell4life on 2011-03-09 9:08 AM

I think BryanCD will need to come to this realization pretty soon. It's not going to be pretty, and I hope I'm there to see it.
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RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: Mike_D on 2011-03-09 9:09 AM

He11, no! They're in front of me! I'm a year off the couch, down 60 pounds, feel & look as good as I have in 25+ years, and am trying to get more fit every day. Its all good looking forward! Can't wait for this year to start.

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: KathyG on 2011-03-09 9:09 AM

I'll be 50 this year and have been at this since 2004.

I continue to get faster in my IMs more due to execution than speed. I find race execution improvement a good challenge for me.

I'm hopeful I can get faster...set a swim PB in January, optimistic my bike bike FTP can get higher, not so sure about running since I have had some injury issues that I'm struggling with. My fastest run race times were in 2008.

It is all about having fun, training consistently and see what happens.

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Dream Big, Train Consistently, Find joy in the journey

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: The Dude14 on 2011-03-09 9:13 AM

I just turned 25 so I hope my fastest years are still ahead of me.  If I can be half as good as the people I talk to on this site then I will be a happy guy!!!!
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RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: jford2309 on 2011-03-09 9:17 AM

I will turn 40 this year and I feel like I am still getting faster each year. I also think I am getting smarter about training and racing then I was 3-4 years ago.
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RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: RedCorvette on 2011-03-09 9:26 AM



x2

At 57 I enjoy life now more than I did 20 or 30 years ago.  Think I have a better perspective on a lot of things these days.  

Triathlon is just one of my many hobbies and interests.  I didn't do my first triathlon until age 50, after experiencing some life-threatening medical issues.  I thoroughly enjoy being able being able to train, especially at an age when most of my peer group have morphed into couch potatoes.

I know this triathlon stuff isn't going last forever which makes me thankful and appreciative every time I can get out and swim, bike or run.

Just trying to enjoy it while I can.

Mark  
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"It doesn't get easier, you just get faster" Greg Lemond
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontai

RE: Anyone realize their best years are behind them?
BY: ejshowers on 2011-03-09 9:30 AM

I am 48 now and have been a lifelong runner but more recent triathlete.  I will never be the runner I was in my 20s and 30s (sub-17 5k, sub- 38 10k), especially since 2 back injuries forced me to reinvent myself, but feel my best tri times are ahead on me. 

I have never focused much on the bike, but feel if I do I can improve quite a bit there from my best race average of 21.7 mph over 20 miles.  I do have a goal to AG podium at some point in a local race.  Steady and smart training yielding fitness and speed gains while staying injury free will be the key for me, as it is for most folks I'd guess.  We'll see if I ever get there, but I am enjoying the journey immensely, so no downside if I never do!