Exploring the USA Through Triathlon

Terry L. VanderWert on April 14, 2026

Terry VanderWert, author of Triathlon Adventures Across America, and his wife Joy before the New Jersey triathlon

Above: One stop on a 12-year journey across all 50 states—now told in full in Triathlon Adventures Across America.

After completing my first triathlon in 2011, my wife, Joy, and I looked at each other and said, “Why not?”. Why not travel across the USA and complete a triathlon in each state?

Triathlon Adventures Across America book cover

From Blog Posts to a Complete Story

What began as a simple idea—“Why not?”—became a 12-year journey across all 50 states.

While these posts capture moments along the way, the full story—including deeper insights, challenges, and reflections—is told in my book:

Triathlon Adventures Across America

Discover the complete journey here

I was hooked. On triathlon, that is.

At that moment, we joined our love for road trips with my interest in triathlon. We called this “Triathlon Across the USA”.

Triathlon Across the USA

In this quest, our goal was for me to complete a triathlon in each of the 50 states of the USA. It was more rewarding than we imagined.

This adventure took us to many out-of-the-way parts of the United States, places we would probably never have visited. For example, many people who live in Oregon don’t know about Sweet Home. We have eaten, slept, and raced there.

These ‘race-cations’ also provided opportunity to visit family and friends, several who have since passed away. We are grateful for the memories of extra time with them.

Through these travels, we met people across the triathlon community with a connection to family members. We have met people hundreds of, even more than a thousand, miles from home who have friends or family near where we were living or have lived.

In one case, the race director of a triathlon in a southern state had run near our house while visiting in-laws in Minnesota. We also met a young lady in Alaska who was on our daughter-in-law’s high school swim team.

Encounters like this became commonplace.

More Than a Race—A Life Chapter

Over time, this journey became about more than triathlons. It became about marriage, family, loss, friendships, and discovering what’s possible later in life.

That deeper story—what it meant to us and how it changed us—is captured in:

Triathlon Adventures Across America

Diverse Experiences With More To Come

We also learned a lot about this country. Through our travels, we experienced differing terrains, altitudes, race courses, weather, race types, scenery, and, of course, food. We learned to deal with the unexpected.

I learned so much. We identified at least one new experience in each triathlon. I listed these new experiences under the ‘Race Firsts’ heading near the end of each post.

On May 20, 2023, nearly twelve years after finishing my first triathlon, Joy, our three children, and I visited West Virginia for a triathlon in the 50th state. This moment ultimately led to the writing of Triathlon Adventures Across America.

I am grateful to the Lord for giving me a supportive and fun wife, resources, and physical strength to complete this goal. We enjoyed our travels around the beautiful USA.

We met many incredible people, young and old, who share my love of triathlon. You will find some of their stories on this website under the Our Stories menu.

Terry & Joy VanderWert

The Villages, Florida

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Finding a State in the “Triathlon Across the USA” Story

Start Anywhere—Then See the Whole Picture

You can explore each state individually below.

But if you want to experience the journey as it was meant to be understood—from beginning to end—the book brings it all together in one continuous story.

View the full journey here

Below the picture you will find a list of the states in the USA. Click the link with the name of the state. The story about our time in it will appear.

completed Triathlon Across the USA goal on May 20, 2023
We completed our Triathlon Across the USA journey on May 20, 2023. The last race in this quest was the Parsons Volunteer Fire Department Cheat River Triathlon in Parsons, West Virginia.

Please note the region names and grouping of states below follow the standard used by the US Census Bureau. I didn’t just make them up.

Northeast

States of the Northeast USA
Northeast USA

Midwest

States of the Midwest USA
Midwest USA

South

States of the South USA
South USA

West

states of the Western USA
Western USA

What Is Your Favorite State for Triathlon?

I am often asked about my favorite state or favorite triathlon.

This question is difficult to answer. Each of our experiences has been so different and remarkable. That may not be your story.

From 50 Races to One Story

Each state holds a piece of the journey.

The book connects them all—into a story about endurance, adventure, and what’s possible after 50.

Explore Triathlon Adventures Across America

What is your favorite state for triathlon?

Let us know in the Comments section below.

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‘Gotta Tri’ – Triathlon in The Villages, Florida

Terry L. VanderWert on April 10, 2026

members of The Villages Triathlon Club for senior triathletes

The Villages, Florida, located between Orlando and Ocala in central Florida, is a 55+ community like no other in the USA. To say that residents and visitors of every age and ability are required to stay active is no stretch. 

Thanks to The Villages Triathlon Club, triathlon is one of the sports growing here.

The Villages Triathlon Club Builds on an Active Lifestyle

If I were to pick one word to describe The Villages, I would choose ‘active’.

As just one example, consider that from 5 to 9 PM, 365 days per year, each of the three Town Squares has live music with residents and their guests filling the dance floors. 

To prepare for the evening, one needs to take afternoon dance lessons.  That is, unless you are golfing on one of the more than 50 courses, biking, doing water aerobics, playing pickleball at one of the roughly 150 courts, swimming in one of the 102 pools, or involved in any of the other hundred or so activities.

Triathlon-friendly ‘Biker Shuffle’ with Scooter The DJ at Spanish Springs Square in The Villages, Florida .

My Introduction to The Villages Triathlon Club

Reading the sports section of the daily newspaper of The Villages, The Daily Sun, has become a ritual when visiting the area. Articles in the paper often highlight accomplishments of active seniors. These stories never fail to encourage, inspire, and even amaze.

One article that especially grabbed my attention was that of a resident who had restarted swimming after quadruple bypass surgery.

Wanting to learn more about the story behind the story, I contacted the article’s author.  He eventually introduced me to Donna Maguire, founder and president of The Villages Triathlon Club.

members of The Villages Triathlon Club preparing for the swim
Members of The Villages Triathlon Club often race together at sprint to Ironman distance events.

Beginnings of The Villages Triathlon Club

Donna Maguire started The Villages Triathlon Club in April, 2015 after venturing back into the triathlon world following her and her husband’s move to The Villages. While in central Florida, she learned about nearby Clermont, the so-called ‘Triathlon Capital of the World’.

While The Villages had groups for almost every activity and interest imaginable, there were no running or triathlon clubs. However, that changed through a ‘chance’ encounter between Donna and another ‘Villager’, Pat Johnson.

“One day, I met Pat while we were both playing pickleball. She told me that she had just signed up for her first triathlon at age 70. Pat had no idea what she was in for,” said Donna with a smile.

“She had less than three weeks to prepare for the race. So, I took her under my wing and shared my limited experience and some of my equipment.   Helping her helped me. And with that, the idea that would lead to the triathlon club was born.”

Donna started sharing her vision with other triathletes.

“Many of them encouraged me to start a triathlon club. All I wanted to do was find people to train and play with. Did I ever!

“We now have both a triathlon club and a running club”.

The Villages Triathlon Club Today

The Villages Triathlon Club’s mission is “to provide, for all levels of athletic ability, a network of information, support services, training, racing, and social activities in a friendly and supportive environment”.

Membership is open to residents who are currently participating in triathlons or have completed races in the past and have a desire to get involved again. Also welcomed are first-timers who want to learn about and prepare for a multi-sport challenge.

She and many of the club’s members have become ambassadors for triathlon throughout The Villages and beyond. Members often attend triathlons as a club, complete with t-shirts, warm-ups, triathlon suits, and other apparel bearing the club logo which was designed by Donna.

Donna’s support for triathlon even shows in her e-mail signature which includes the words ‘Gotta Tri’.

Many of these athletes also emphasize recovery. You can explore these insights further in our post on recovery strategies for triathletes over 50.

Sharing Triathlon Information Among Club Members

Both the triathlon and running clubs have Facebook pages to foster communication and support among members. “We encourage all club members and meeting attendees to try to do a triathlon.”

“I’m not an expert and although I share my experience, I also want to be sure that members have a variety of levels of expertise and experience on which to draw.”

Monthly educational meetings are another way the club promotes triathlon for its members and anyone interested in competing in the sport. These meetings are a time for sharing “tons of information”. Many include guest speakers to discuss topics related to training, rest and recovery, nutrition, and racing.

Triathlon Training Events

The Villages Triathlon Club also regularly organizes training events for its members.

The club has group runs on Sunday mornings. During the week, members regularly get together for 60+ mile bike rides at one of the local trails.

The Villages Triathlon Club holds groups swims two mornings per week
The Villages Triathlon Club holds group swims two times per week in one of The Villages’ sports pools..

The club also has standing Tuesday and Thursday morning reservations at one of The Villages’ sports pools. During this time, swimmers of all levels, from beginner to experienced, meet to build their swim fitness and improve their triathlon-specific swim technique.

For example, the group works on swimming close together and drafting, to become accustomed with the contact that often occurs during the triathlon swim.

Club members have also met for group swims and practice triathlons at nearby Lake Minneola and Lake Weir. One of these events included a triathlon swim lesson from a professional triathlete.

The Villages Running Club also hosts group runs on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s morning that leave Lake Sumter Square at 6:30 AM during the summer months.

Before COVID-19 shutdowns, the club reserved Lake Sumter Square (one of the three Town Squares mentioned earlier) on Friday mornings for a free Boot Camp. 

Attendees would gather at 7 AM for a 4-mile run that included interval training. Then at 8 AM, the Boot Camp session was led by one of the club’s members. Finally, a yoga class was held at 9 AM for the most ambitious members. A priceless start of the day.

Why Do A Triathlon?

Why should someone in or approaching retirement age participate in triathlon?

According to The Villages Triathlon Club members, there are many benefits from training in the three different sports. There are health benefits from being stronger, more fit, and, for some, losing weight.

Training in swimming, biking, and running helps avoid overuse injuries by working different parts of the body. It also prevents boredom, which can lead to inconsistency.

There are also social benefits; meeting new people, developing friends with whom you can share successes and struggles as well as learn, or go golfing.

For Donna and many other club members, triathlon has also helped build confidence and mental strength.

Not learning to swim until later in my adult life, Donna had always had a fear and discomfort in the swim portion.

“Little by little I’ve started to overcome that fear, something I never thought I’d be able to do.  I keep reminding myself – ‘Just breathe’.

“We all have something that is scary and out of our comfort area. We can take the easy route and just avoid that situation or tackle it and feel confident.”

Donna Maguire, founder of The Villages Triathlon Club for senior triathletes
Senior triathlete, Donna Maguire celebrating her age group win at the 2015 Great Floridian GFT 1/3 Ironman Triathlon

Have Questions for The Villages Triathlon Club Members?

The Villages Triathlon Club highlights the value of the encouragement and camaraderie that comes from being part of a group that shares common goals and interests. For example, Donna has gone from ‘considering quitting triathlon’ to a 2x Ironman finisher during her time with The Villages Triathlon Club.

Feel free to post questions and comments for Donna and The Villages Triathlon Club members in the Comments section below.

Comments: Join the conversation below — Click on “Subscribe” (located above the Comment box) if you’d like to be alerted to replies to your Comment. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a new comment is published. Please note that I review all comments before they are posted.

This post was originally published on March 25, 2016. I updated it after Joy’s and my visit to The Villages during April 2021 and again in April 2026. In September 2021, we became residents of The Villages, where I am currently am a member of The Villages Triathlon Club.

Recovery After 50: What Every Triathlete Must Know

Terry L. VanderWert on April 10, 2026

recovery after 50 image showing couple in their 70s after a leisurely run

What does recovery really look like for triathletes over 50—and how does it change as we move into our 60s, 70s, and even 80s?

To answer that question, we surveyed members of the Senior Triathletes community. The goal was simple: learn from real athletes what actually works when it comes to recovery.

We received responses from more than 30 triathletes between their 50s and early 80s. What emerged were clear patterns—and some powerful insights—that can help all of us train smarter and stay healthy longer.

As I reviewed these responses, I found myself reflecting on my own experience training and racing later in life. Many of the themes that emerged—especially the importance of recovery—mirror what I’ve experienced firsthand and shared in Triathlon Adventures Across America.

The Most Effective Recovery Strategies

When asked which recovery strategies help the most, several stood out.

Prioritizing sleep was the most frequently cited strategy, followed by:

  • stretching and mobility work
  • strength training
  • foam rolling or massage
  • easy recovery workouts
  • hydration

Nutrition and scheduled rest days were also important, though mentioned slightly less often.

Together, these responses paint a clear picture of how recovery evolves with age.

Sleep is the foundation of recovery for older triathletes.

What this tells us

Recovery for older triathletes is not just about taking a day off. It is an active process that includes:

  • maintaining mobility
  • supporting the body with strength work
  • managing training stress

Recovery in Your 50s: Still Strong, But Changing

For many athletes, their 50s are a time of continued performance with the first signs of change.

Recovery is still relatively quick—but no longer automatic.

Athletes in this group noted:

  • the need to be more intentional about recovery
  • increasing importance of stretching and strength work
  • early signs that hard efforts require more attention afterward

In short, recovery is no longer something that just happens—you begin to manage it deliberately.

What Changes in Your 60s

The 60s appear to be a turning point.

A consistent theme in the responses was that recovery takes longer—and the difference is noticeable.

One athlete put it simply:

“It takes longer to recover from strength training and hard workouts.” — Age 61

Others expressed similar experiences, noting that hard efforts require more planning and more recovery time than they once did.

Athletes in their 60s reported:

  • needing more recovery time between hard sessions
  • being more selective about intensity
  • placing greater emphasis on strength training and mobility

This is where many triathletes begin to shift from a mindset of pushing harder to one of training smarter.

Recovery in Your 70s and Beyond

This is where the most significant changes occur—and where the insights become especially valuable.

Now in my 70s, I can relate to many of these responses. Recovery is no longer something I take for granted—it’s something I actively manage. The difference isn’t just physical; it’s a shift in mindset.

The dominant theme across responses in this age group was clear:

Recovery takes longer—and it cannot be rushed.

One athlete captured it well:

“It just takes longer to recover. Cannot be forced.” — Age 81

Others emphasized the need to allow more space around hard efforts and to avoid pushing through fatigue.

Common themes included:

  • needing one or more easy days after intense sessions
  • placing greater importance on sleep
  • focusing on consistency rather than intensity
  • paying close attention to how the body responds

Perhaps the most important shift is this:

  • training plans still matter
  • but listening to your body matters more

Does Experience Matter as Much as Age?

While this survey focused on age, another interesting pattern emerged when looking at years in the sport.

Athletes newer to triathlon tended to focus on specific recovery strategies such as hydration, stretching, and nutrition—what to do.

In contrast, athletes with more than 10 years of experience were more likely to emphasize judgment:

  • listening to their bodies
  • managing effort
  • avoiding the temptation to push through fatigue

In other words:

Experience doesn’t eliminate the need for recovery—but it improves how you respond to it.

Age determines how much recovery you need.

Experience helps you learn how to manage it. This becomes especially important as recovery time increases with age.

What All Age Groups Agree On

Despite the differences across decades, several themes were consistent:

  • Sleep is the most important recovery tool
  • Strength and mobility work are essential
  • Recovery is an active process, not just rest
  • Listening to your body becomes increasingly important

Key Takeaways for Senior Triathletes

If there is one message from this survey, it is this:

Recovery is not a limitation—it is a skill.

And like any skill, it evolves with experience.

  • In your 50s, you begin to pay attention
  • In your 60s, you start to adapt
  • In your 70s and beyond, you learn to respect recovery as the key to staying in the sport

Final Thoughts

I like what Barb, a member of The Villages Triathlon Club in her 70s, said:

“Don’t worry about getting older. Train for getting older.” — Barb, The Villages Triathlon Club

Her comment is consistent with the encouraging findings from this survey: that triathletes are not simply slowing down—they are getting smarter.

By prioritizing recovery, adjusting expectations, and listening to their bodies, senior triathletes continue to train, race, and enjoy the sport for years—often decades—longer than they ever expected.

This journey—and the lessons learned along the way—are part of what I share in Triathlon Adventures Across America, where recovery, resilience, and adaptation play a central role.

Comments

If you’d like to contribute your experience or learn from others in the senior triathlon community, visit SeniorTriathletes.com for more stories, training insights, and resources.

Comments: Join the conversation below — Click on “Subscribe” (located above the Comment box) if you’d like to be alerted to replies to your Comment. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a new comment is published. Please note that I review all comments before they are posted.

Ask Our Coaches: Six Months To An Olympic Triathlon

Terry L. VanderWert on March 31, 2026

Tony Washington talks about strength training for senior endurance athletes

Question

We received the following question about the time required to train for an Olympic distance triathlon. For those of you not yet conversant in the distances of the various triathlon types, the Olympic distance triathlon comprises a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run.

Here is our senior triathletes question:

“Is six months sufficient time for a 72 year-old male to train for an Olympic Triathlon?

I’m generally fit, but have been going to the gym less frequently in the past 6 months than I did prior to that time. At the gym I exercise for strength and cardio (running on the treadmill and cycling).

Coach Tony Washington’s Reply

David,

Terry passed along the question you sent through the SeniorTriathletes.com website.

Congrats on being 72 years young and taking charge of your health and fitness. Life changing stuff.

I’d love to hear more specifically about your current regimen but I’ll make some little assumptions in general. Since you are cycling and running, you are ready to roll. If any of these sessions are already over 30 mins, even better. How’s your swimming? I highly recommend TriDot Pool School. I can help with video analysis too.

Where are you located? While 50% of the athletes I coach are local, I travel the country for work and often meet up with my remote folks for one on one sessions.

I love that you do strength work. Building a strong frame is critical to sustain the training load. Your strength and core are the foundation of keeping you moving forward in an Olympic triathlon. It’ll keep you injury free and flexible too.

TriDot is an amazing program personalized to you and your goal race. We’ll evaluate your fitness changes every month and reset your training zones. I’ve been using it as an athlete for over a decade and coaching using it for 6 years.

Keep the questions coming,

Tony Washington

Senior International Captain/Grandpa

Founder and Head Coach – Team No Coasting

IRONMAN U Certified

Certified TriDot Coach

Certified TriDot Pool School Lane Lead

https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/tonywashington

Join the Conversation

Share your comments, questions, and experience below. You may also submit your question(s) through the website here.

Comments: Join the conversation below — Click on “Subscribe” (located above the Comment box) if you’d like to be alerted to replies to your Comment. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a new comment is published. Please note that I review all comments before they are posted.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. I am not a physician. Always consult your healthcare provider before making training or treatment decisions. You assume full responsibility for your participation in any exercise program.

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