The Pros and Cons of Beginning Your Triathlon Training After Age 50

———————————(gasping expression after my latest race)——————————

Yesterday I felt like I slammed into an invisible wall with my training.  Last week I knew had been hard, but I thought I had backed off some this week, plus gotten more sleep.  This being only my second season attempting triathlons, and only sprint distance at that, I’m in no way an expert on training, but I am an expert on how I feel and so here is my list, as a woman, of the pros and cons of beginning to train for triathlons after the age of 50:

Con:   I am constantly evaluating whether or not my aching muscles are due to progress, injury, or aging.

Pro:  I get to take lots of hots baths and am encouraged to get regular massages.

Con:  I need more sleep, and since the body doesn’t seem to like to alter its schedule these days, I have to be more careful about getting to bed on time.

Pro:  I sleep very soundly most of the time.

Con:  I feel stiff a lot and have to be careful not to sit in one place too long.

Pro:  I am stronger than I was even this time last year and I am more limber overall.  I hear others my age complain of aches anyway, even when they don’t exercise regularly.

Con:  The competitive streak in me is often discouraged by the speed of the younger crowd, as I wonder if I am loosing muscle mass and stamina from aging as fast as I am gaining it from training….

Pro:  No one really expects much from someone my age, so every day of training and every race finished is an accomplishment.

Con:  If I stay out late dancing the day before a hard workout, my workout suffers noticeably.

Pro:  I have more energy for dancing, thus more fun.

Con:  I had to spend money on more workout clothes and smaller normal clothes.

Pro:  I am not having trouble with weight gain.  Someone recently suggested I shop in the junior’s section.

Con:  Between workout schedule and sleep needs, I have less time for other interests.

Pro:  I am spending lots of time with my main training partner and coach, my husband, even if he does bike and run circles around me.  He gives me lots of positive encouragement.

Con:  Since my hormones are fairly wacko at this age, I can’t really plan around them; plus, I have related body aches and core temperature spikes over half of the month.

Pro:  It is accepted that I may cry at anytime and it won’t stress out my training partner.  My coach is all for dressing for comfort, too.

Pro:  Nearly everywhere I go, I run into someone I haven’t seen in a while who  says, “Hey, you look great!  What have you been doing?!”

Pro:  My kids think its fun that I’m being so active and racing.

I’m sure there are more things that could be added to the list.  In fact, I welcome you to do so in the comments for whatever your situation in life and how it affects your training.  This morning, in my mind, the pros out-weight the cons, so maybe we’ll pass each other on the street as we bike or run!