Is there hope for 62 year old
872
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1239 days
tsilcyc posted 1 year ago.
You can build endurance with longer, slower rides. And a slow comfortable ride would be perfect to follow up with a run. I would practice this until you feel good about running off the bike. It doesn't have to be the entire length of the run in your race, you just need to get used to running on tired legs. This is initially challenging for most people.
If your current bike fits you and you're comfortable on it, there's no need to upgrade it.
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840 days
TryScott posted 1 year ago.
The more I exercise, the less I want to eat candy, drink coke, and play computer games.
As for advice on if you can do it... I'm less than half your age, and even though there's a lot of good advice on Trifuel, I consult my doctor on what he thinks I can and can not do. Be careful, have fun, and be safe.
1046
Member
1751 days
Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
First of all let me tell you I´m 30 and I don´t think that 62 is too old for anything!!!
I will second the advice about long low intensity rides. If you can try to get a hand on a good HR monitor. That will help you out with your training. Remember it´s not about how hard you train but how you train.
As for motivation.......that is so personal. One thing can trigger my engine but wont trigger yours. Normally my training gets commitment when I have a race scheduled. So my advice would be to find a race you want to do and sign up (the fear of being already signed up will get you moving believe me). I would schedule the race (with your current condition) maybe around July.
Congratulations on the weight loss! Keep on the great work!
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
2451
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2781 days
Tribro posted 1 year ago.
Welcome to the site and the sport. Absolutely there is hope :) When I start at age 28 I couldn't run a block without huffing a puffing and needing to stop, I couldn't ride more than 25 miles, and couldn't swim to save my life (still struggle with that one). But point is age doesn't matter, we all start somewhere and progress by just sticking with it. Finding groups like you mentioned is a good way to do it. Just put in the time and enjoy the ride.
My dad is 65 he started doing sprints about 5 years ago, trains with a local tri group, and did his first half ironman and Ironman last year. He has no athletic background at all, just put one mile on top of another and you get it done.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
2766
Member
1445 days
tri-ac posted 1 year ago.
If you're willling to try to ride down stairs, you've at least got some spunk. your biggest problem starting out will be holding back, I suspect. Get a heart rate monitor (HRM) and learn about HR zone training. This will slow you down and allow your body (structurally and aerobically) to catch up with your enthusiasm for getting going. There are some folks who downplay the use of a HRM, but it's a great tool for getting started safely and building your fitness up from zero.
and Welcome to Trifuel!
195
Member
705 days
GGehrke posted 1 year ago.
If you watch a large race some time you will see a few other athletes in the age groups above 50 or so, and one of the things that always strikes me about them is that they look like they're having a great time. Don't forget to have fun and make sure you enjoy the sport.
You will also undoubtedly notice that a lot of the younger guys really respect the older racers. I would say that it's a pretty universally held sentiment that older racers are our heroes. Seriously. One important consequence of this is that you will undoubtedly have lots of people cheering you on at the event. The mental boost you get from a crowd cheering for YOU is incredible.
My mother is a triathlete and preparing for her first full IM. She always tells me about one of the other perks of being in the older age groups - since there are so few competitors, she has a much better chance of placing! She has won events or been in the top 3 a couple times. Just tell people you were first, not that you were 1 of 3.
1
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565 days
POJ posted 1 year ago.
I started running when I was 55, 6 feet tall, and 220lbs. I'm now, 61, still 6' and 155lbs. I got off the couch, quit drinking beer, started running and lost the weight. I ran and competed for a couple of years, then added cycling for some cross training. The bike was lots of fun so I started doing Duathlons and became pretty competitive. Not that I was real fast, my goal was to out live the compitition. Six months ago I started swimming and have done 2 Tris this spring. My point is that I'm proof that you're never too old to start. The training over the last 6 years has become a way of life. I guess I don't need motivation, I feel too guilty if I miss a workout. My goal is to do 12 tris this year and enjoy everyone of them. Best of luck to you and I'm sure you'll do it.
16
Member
585 days
SammyB posted 1 year ago.
Wow, I'm impressed with all of the comments. Thanks everyone! I'll just make one long response.
> you just need to get used to running on tired legs
That does seem to be the case: I swam 0.3 mile this morning at my normal pace of a 68 minute mile, then tonight I biked for only 7 miles at a faster than normal pace of 15.5 mph. I stopped just long enough to record my heart rate from the monitor and then started to run. My legs said why & how, but after two blocks, they started to work again. I had to walk a little more than normal to keep my heart rate at a 142 average, but I walk faster than most people jog. I “ran” for 1.6 miles at just a little over a 12 minute mile, so I'm encouraged. I just need to increase my distances each time.
> If your current bike fits you and you're comfortable on it, there's no need to upgrade it.
Well, it's nice for riding with my wife on bike trails, but 20 mph is all that I can force it to go and there's no way I can continue long at that pace. I just want a racing bike with skinny tires, cages for my shoes, and some sort of aero bars.
> The more I exercise, the less I want to eat candy, drink coke, and play computer games.
That is exactly correct: there was no way that I wanted any supper after running and riding , so I've only drank water this evening and I'm ready for bed.
> get a good HR monitor
When I started last year, I first got a pair of Mizuno running shoes and then a Polar FS2 HRM. I try to stay in the 140's. The only time I go higher is with the off-road bike. A couple of times, I've ridden for an hour with an average rate of 150! I was too busy staying on the bike to look at the monitor.
> find a race you want to do and sign up
I will be in the Great Buckeye Challenge, 24 Aug. It's a 0.6 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. I'm also thinking of a a mini sprint before that, just to prove that I can do it.
> If you're willling to try to ride down stairs, you've at least got some spunk
Actually, I just got some stupid! I got the bike (a different one) for off-road trails in the woods and it is wonderful for that. It does not do steps. It went down them and I went down them, but we did not stay together. I will heal eventually and I will never do it again. However, there's some great rocks in the woods .....
> If you watch a large race some time you will see a few other athletes in the age groups above 50 or so, and one of the things that always strikes me about them is that they look like they're having a great time
When I watched them, what struck me was that they didn't have an ounce of fat on their body. Most of me is back to slim, but the waist is still 41 inches. Got to get rid of the fat belly!
> one of the other perks of being in the older age groups - since there are so few competitors, she has a much better chance of placing
Yep, last year, my friend finished first in her class: she was riding a Mt. Bike and there were only 2 in her class. LOL
There were only 3 guys in my age group last year and I think I can beat the third place guy.
> started running and lost the weight
running really makes me loose weight, but I still really hate to run
Thanks again for all the advice. I'm encouraged! --Sam
5
Member
718 days
oldrunner posted 1 year ago.
Hi,
hmm, 62, out of shape and overweight.
My first recomendation would be: do a complete check up!
My second: when you start training think in years, not month. Do structure your training and train slow enough. Try to run one or two minutes and if you feed exhausted then walk for one or two minues. Do this 10 times. Do this two or three times a week and slowly increase the running part.
What ever you do, you should feel good when you train and you always should be able to talk easily to someone when you run or bike.
Learn swimming with a coach or in a triathlon club.
In the beginning, you don't need a heart rate monitor because you probably don't know your maximum heart rate (forget all the formulars like 220-age or so; im 39 so my max HR should be around 180, in fact it's 202).
But the most important thing: what ever you do do it slow enough but try to extend the lenght! Don't do speedwork before you can run for an hour or so.
Most of all: have fun
Alexander
3892
Member
1723 days
Anton posted 1 year ago.
"oldrunner" at age 39? ;)
"If e wishes to sweem in dangerous waters, oo are we to deny im?
-Chef Skinner
http://antonspath.blogspot.com
5
Member
718 days
oldrunner posted 1 year ago.
"oldrunner" at age 39? ;)
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"
- Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
will be in a few years!
16
Member
585 days
SammyB posted 1 year ago.
And I thought it was just the girls that didn't tell their real age! But, you look like 39.
I just had my 62nd birthday and am trying to prepare for a sprint triathlon this fall. Last year at this time, I was a typical old guy: 6'2", 235 pounds, and a 44 inch waist -- prime for a heart attack. I started participating in a bikers & hikers group and discovered how totally out of shape I was. Bought a good pair of shoes and started running & biking. In August, I added swimming & nautilus machines and my friend said that I should do a tri with her. It was too late to do the training necessary for it, so I started saying that I would do it next year.
Well, next year is less than 4 months away and I'm 30 pounds lighter, but I need to be another 30 pounds lighter and my endurance is lousy. I can do any of the three: swimming, running, or biking for the required distance, but after that I can hardly walk. For example, I had a great bike ride and felt good about it, so I though I would see how well I could run. From my house, I run the first block up hill and at the top of the hill, I gave up: I could barely walk, no way I could keep running.
It didn't help that I also do off-road biking and I tried to ride down the cement stairs in my back yard. Do not try this at home, children! At a minimum, you lose about a month's worth of training. I think that my biggest problem is lack of dilligence and will-power: it's just a lots more fun to dring a coke, eat a chocolate bar and play a computer game than run three miles.
Suggestions will be appreciated. Also, I'm still riding a road bike with medium tires, so I need to get a better bike, any suggestions for a poor old guy?