I jumped in headfirst, registering for my first triathlon and began training. In my mind, I thought how hard can this be? I had been a runner on and off throughout my life, so running a 5k was nothing and riding a bike for 16k would be easy. My daughter was a swimmer in college, an all-stater in high school, who set records for 4 different events at the pool I began working out at. My son’s name was also on the record board as a member of the high school swim team. It was clear from the beginning, the kid’s swimming gene didn’t come from me. If I remember correctly, my first workout consisted of a total of 300 yards, not consecutively and with lots of breaks. It was eye opening and frustrating, but I never let myself get discouraged. I stayed committed and built my endurance and confidence.
On the day of my first race, I successfully completed the 500m swim. I jumped on my…wait for it…mountain bike…to tackle the bike leg of the race. I quickly lost track of the number of people on road. Bikes who passed me, which only fueled me for the 5k in which I passed several of the same people. I learned two things that day. First, I knew I wanted to continue racing. In fact, I found another triathlon a month later and signed up immediately. The venom from the triathlon “bite” was now coursing through my veins. Secondly, I needed a road bike and to up my training.
Over the past 10 years, my triathlon calendar hasn’t always been full. I’ve had a couple of years I didn’t compete at all due to various injuries and a job that required significant travel curtailing my training. A couple of years ago, my daughter and fellow Varlo Ambassador, Samantha, rekindled my triathlon flame by signing up for her first sprint triathlon. In 2019, we competed in an Olympic distance triathlon. She then went on to complete her first Ironman 70.3 and then her first full Ironman in Madison, Wisconsin.
Since then, I recommitted to triathlon. Samantha and I signed up for the Ironman 70.3 Virginia Blue Ridge in 2020. Even though it was postponed, I never stopped training and have become hooked on biking. I have a new road bike, bike trainer and new fitness set up in my basement. My Garmin stats tell me my VO2 Max is in the top 10% of my age and gender and that I have the fitness level of a 20-year-old. It’s hard to believe I’m in better shape at the age of 54. I’m excited for what’s ahead this year including two Ironman 70.3 races…fingers crossed. More to come!
On the day of my first race, I successfully completed the 500m swim. I jumped on my…wait for it…mountain bike…to tackle the bike leg of the race. I quickly lost track of the number of people on road. Bikes who passed me, which only fueled me for the 5k in which I passed several of the same people. I learned two things that day. First, I knew I wanted to continue racing. In fact, I found another triathlon a month later and signed up immediately. The venom from the triathlon “bite” was now coursing through my veins. Secondly, I needed a road bike and to up my training.
Over the past 10 years, my triathlon calendar hasn’t always been full. I’ve had a couple of years I didn’t compete at all due to various injuries and a job that required significant travel curtailing my training. A couple of years ago, my daughter and fellow Varlo Ambassador, Samantha, rekindled my triathlon flame by signing up for her first sprint triathlon. In 2019, we competed in an Olympic distance triathlon. She then went on to complete her first Ironman 70.3 and then her first full Ironman in Madison, Wisconsin.
Since then, I recommitted to triathlon. Samantha and I signed up for the Ironman 70.3 Virginia Blue Ridge in 2020. Even though it was postponed, I never stopped training and have become hooked on biking. I have a new road bike, bike trainer and new fitness set up in my basement. My Garmin stats tell me my VO2 Max is in the top 10% of my age and gender and that I have the fitness level of a 20-year-old. It’s hard to believe I’m in better shape at the age of 54. I’m excited for what’s ahead this year including two Ironman 70.3 races…fingers crossed. More to come!