Category: Our Stories

In 2023, I introduced readers to Joe Simonetta, who, at age 80, competed in his first-ever race of any kind—a triathlon, no less—and won gold in his age group at the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh. You can read that story here: My First Race of Any Kind: Triathlon – Joe Simonetta’s Story.

Two years later, Joe returned to the National Senior Games, this time in West Des Moines, Iowa, for the 2025 edition of the triathlon—and once again, he came out on top in the Men’s 80-84 age group.

“I previously won in 2023 in Pittsburgh—so this was a successful title defense,” Joe wrote in an email following the event. While it’s easy to focus on his back-to-back gold medals, Joe’s story is about much more than podium finishes. It’s about the spirit of healthy aging, embracing new adventures later in life, and finding joy in competition and camaraderie.

Extra Rain Forces Change

The 2025 National Senior Games’ triathlon reminded competitors of the importance of adaptability. Because of the heavy rainfall leading up to the event, the lake used for the swim leg recorded high E. coli levels. This forced race organizers to change the race, replacing the 400-meter swim with a one-mile run on a course separate from the 3.1 mile (5 km) course for the third leg of the triathlon. Fortunately, the organizers adapted quickly, making sure all participants knew the change well in advance so there was no confusion on race morning.

Therefore, the format for this triathlon became:

• 1-mile (1.6 km) run
• 12.4-mile (20 km) bike
• 3.1-mile (5 km) run

A Dry Start

Joe came to Des Moines determined to defend his 2023 win. “I had more knowledge and experience this time. I improved my swim stroke and planned to use a wetsuit for the first time.” He had also included more interval work in his run training until calf injuries slowed him down.

He also bought a quality road bike for training and racing—unlike in Pittsburgh, where he rented a less competitive bike. Other changes included racing in a tri suit and using a bib holder race belt to reduce his transition times.

The race began at 7:40 am under clear skies and cool temperatures in the high 50s. Joe described the pre-race atmosphere as calm and friendly, with athletes chatting and volunteers offering encouragement. “There was an undercurrent of excitement as we all knew we’d be starting differently than planned,” he said.

Joe admitted his disappointment at not using his swim training in this race. He was also concerned about the additional running. “Heading into the race, I was concerned about the 5k run because I had been dealing with calf injuries in both legs that had severely limited my run training.” While he had recovered from the injuries using rest, massage gun therapy, magnesium glycinate, compression sleeves, and pickle juice, he ran with greater caution.

Still, the modified format made for an interesting challenge. “It was a fast start that got everyone’s heart rate up right away,” he recalled. Joe said that he ran the 1-mile and the 5k at a conservative pace to avoid a recurrence of injury. After the race, he said that he could have run a bit faster without risking injury.

Hills, Lakes, and Tree-Lined Trails

According to Joe, the bike leg was “hilly and challenging,” featuring several long, gradual climbs that tested endurance, plus a few short, steeper sections that forced competitors to dig deep. “The downhill sections were fast and exhilarating, but you had to stay alert,” he explained. “The course was well-marked and well-monitored by volunteers and law enforcement, which made it feel safe despite the traffic on some stretches.”

The final 5-km run looped around a picturesque lake inside West Des Moines’ Raccoon River Park. Joe described it as a pleasant mix of shaded, tree-lined paths and open sections that offered sweeping lake views. “It was a beautiful setting,” he said, noting that the scenery helped distract him from fatigue during the last miles.

A Competitive But Friendly Race Atmosphere

Joe was quick to highlight the volunteers and organizers, who made the event run smoothly, even with the late change to the racecourse. “Everything was well-organized, and the staff and volunteers were friendly and responsive—both on site and via email before the event. The overall atmosphere was positive and supportive.”

This atmosphere continued throughout the race. Despite the Senior Games triathletes being serious and competitive, they were also friendly. “While everyone was pushing hard during the bike and run, words of encouragement were common.”

A Familiar Rival and a Warm Finish

At the awards ceremony, Joe was seen shaking hands with second-place finisher Rob Norris from Michigan—a fellow triathlete with whom he’s now shared three race start lines.

Joe recalled that Rob was also his main competitor in Pittsburgh in 2023. “We’ve developed a friendly rivalry,” Joe said. “Seeing familiar faces out here makes it even more enjoyable.”

That handshake wasn’t just a sportsmanlike gesture. It celebrated persistence, sportsmanship, and the connections formed through shared challenges.

A Laid-Back, Hassle-Free Venue

Joe also had high praise for West Des Moines, Iowa, as a host city. “From the easy-to-navigate Des Moines airport, to the excellent bike rental shop, to my hotel and the race venue—all close to one another—it was hassle-free.” Joe characterized West Des Moines as wholesome, open, and relaxed, with lots of green in the hillsides, forests, and cornfields.

“The people I met were friendly, and the pace of life felt more laid-back than in many places.”

Still Inspired

Joe’s performance in 2025 is impressive, but what’s more powerful is the example he continues to set. In his words, “The goal is to keep moving, keep challenging yourself, and enjoy the process.”

Whether you’re 58 or 85, getting started is always worth it. Joe’s first race was at 80. His second gold came at 82.

To learn more about the National Senior Games and how you can get involved, visit the official NSGA website.

Were You In Des Moines?

Let us know in the Comments if you attended the 2025 National Senior Games either as a participant, volunteer, or spectator.

Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.

Editor’s note: The return of senior triathlete Mike Battersby to Ironman triathlon racing highlights commitment, a willingness to learn, and mental toughness.

From Yorkshire to Singapore—and Into the World of Triathlon

I’m Mike Battersby, a senior triathlete age 68, based in Singapore though originally from Yorkshire, UK. I’ve been married to Lee for 46 years. We have two daughters and three beautiful grandchildren. Before retirement, I worked for a U.S. software company covering the Asia-Pacific region. These days, I keep busy cycling, running, staying fit, and diving into photography.

My guiding principle is simple: fit body, fit mind. I’ve always believed in the power of one’s mind and positive thinking—and triathlon has brought that to life in ways I never imagined.

A Comeback Story Rooted in Challenge

My journey into triathlon wasn’t driven by competition, but by necessity. In my late 40s, I was obese, suffering from chronic hip bursitis, and at one point, nearly immobile—relying on crutches and even a wheelchair. Cycling became my recovery tool. From there, I worked my way up to a sprint triathlon in Singapore in 2007.

I kept going after that first triathlon. Between 2007 and 2011, I did 11 triathlons of a mix of Sprint, Olympic, and half-Ironman distances. This included the World Championships at Ironman 70.3 Clearwater (Florida) in 2009. I also finished three long course cycling races, two full marathons, and one duathlon. All but the one in Florida were in Singapore, Malaysia, or Indonesia.

Then, in 2012 I did Ironman Texas. Over the next twelve years, I did Ironman 70.3 Bintan in Indonesia three times, and five long course cycling races, including one in Australia.

I figured that Ironman Texas was my “one and done.” Until 2024.

Guinness, Old Friends, and One Bold Commitment

Fast forward from 13 years from the 2012 Ironman Texas. Over a couple of pints with my old friend Rick (with whom I finished Ironman Texas in 2012) during his 2024 visit to Singapore, I learned he was planning to return—this time to support his son Lachlan, who’d taken up Ironman racing himself and doing well in the sport.

Two pints in, I looked Rick in the eye and said, “I’m in.” That moment lit the spark. It gave me the perfect reason and excuse to chase one more Ironman and support a friend and his son in the process.

Back home, I told Lee, and as always, she was fully supportive. The only request from my family: “Do it right. And do it safely.”

TriDot Coaching and Training After 50

Until October 2024, I was largely self-trained, doing most of my training in Singapore with different riding and running groups. I did swim training by myself. However, for the upcoming Ironman Texas, I knew I needed a smarter approach than before. That’s when I reached out to SeniorTriathletes.com, and Terry VanderWert connected me with Coach Kurt Madden, TriDot’s Director of Coach Development.

I was skeptical of remote coaching at first because my earlier experience with it hadn’t worked. However, the first Zoom call with Kurt changed everything.

Kurt was the real deal—close to my age, still racing Ironmans, and full of grounded wisdom. He wasn’t selling a cookie-cutter training plan. After the call, the three of us – Rick, Lachlan, and I – signed up with Kurt as our coach and began using the TriDot AI training platform.

With TriDot, our training was:

• Data-driven (using my Garmin and Wahoo devices)
• Personalized to my performance and recovery levels
• Adaptive, based on my needs as a senior triathlete

Coach Kurt held weekly Zoom calls with us to tweak training, to address physical limitations, aches, and challenges, and to keep us on track. The structure, feedback, and accountability tailored to our individual needs was a massive improvement over my earlier self-coached years and previous generic remote coaching. Looking back, committing to Kurt and TriDot was one of the smartest decisions I made on this comeback journey.

A Week in My Ironman Training Plan

Every day began with my wife asking, “What’s your schedule today?” I stuck to the plan with military discipline, missing only one session over several months.

I followed Kurt’s advice closely: believe in and follow the plan, even when you feel you could push harder—stay with the plan. The time I didn’t and did an extra run, I pulled a hamstring.

Here’s what my weeks looked like:

• Endurance & interval workouts across swim, bike, and run
• Strength and mobility training at home or the gym
• Early morning long rides, starting at 4 a.m. to beat the tropical Singapore heat. Navigating hundreds of traffic lights during longer outdoor rides around the island added an extra layer of challenge and focus.
• Trail runs, stadium track intervals (to build leg strength), treadmill sessions, and bricks, sometimes in temps over 40°C (104°F)
• Indoor cycling with a Wahoo Kickr
• All training was solo, demanding high self-motivation

Training peaked at just over 15 hours per week, with no rest days toward the end.

Ironman Texas 2025: Race Day Reality

The swim was my biggest anxiety. I’m a slow swimmer by nature, but the extra training Kurt had put in the schedule paid off. I hit my predicted swim time almost exactly and came out of the water with a great mental boost.

The bike course, a flat two-lap stretch along the Hardy Toll Highway, tested my mental strength. A brutal headwind on the outbound leg and the loss of my Special Needs bag for hydration and nutrition meant I had to rely on scavenged nutrition from volunteers.

The run started strong, but around mile 10, my lower back went into spasm. Each step became more painful, and I alternated between running and walking. My focus became survival—I aimed to reach mile 18 before the cutoff and made it with time to spare.

By mile 22, unable to straighten up without triggering more pain, I continued by adopting a “Quasimodo” shuffle to keep moving forward. At this point, I had some ugly thoughts going through my mind. First, I was angry with myself for not doing more back and core strength training. I also began to doubt myself. I started thinking of what I’d say if I didn’t make the 17-hour cutoff. Fortunately, I realized what was happening, and quickly thought of something different. I had to Finish.

Coming up to mile 23, I saw Rick, his wife Deanne, and my wife Lee waiting on a bench. Bent over and in visible agony, I avoided eye contact with Lee, fearing she might stop me if she saw how bad I looked. I waved, stayed focused forward, and pushed on.

Then, somewhere near the final water station, a volunteer shouted, “Here he comes—he’s still going!” That made me laugh. “You bet your bottom dollar I am,” I thought.

I crossed the finish line 11 minutes before the cutoff, bent over, in pain—but elated. One of the volunteers who helped me across was the race winner, still there 10 hours later, supporting other finishers. That’s the spirit of Ironman.

Lessons Learned as a Senior Triathlete

My experience over the past year taught me important lessons.

Invest in a Coach

Kurt Madden taught me so many things I hadn’t considered, he taught me to train safely, train effectively and how to unlearn bad habits Together we developed a dynamic training plan that was specifically tailored in order to reach my goal of finishing the Ironman safely.

Trust your Training Plan

Follow your training plan. And, don’t over train. Remember that when one is feeling good, we are most vulnerable to injury. Don’t neglect Strength and Mobility Training.

Nutrition and Hydration

Fueling properly before, during, and after training sessions is non-negotiable—this was one of the biggest eye-openers for me. Kurt also introduced me to Vespa Nutrition, a unique supplement derived from wasp extract that helps optimise fat metabolism for endurance performance. After speaking with Peter Defty, the president of Vespa, I decided to give it a try and found it to be a game changer in both my training and on race day. It made a significant difference to my recovery.

During training, ensuring your diet is optimised so you have the energy to recover is just as important. My doctor, Dr Chong, introduced me to two Swiss supplements: Celergen and NGF, both of which I took to aid my recovery and, I believe, had a positive impact on my overall performance and ability to bounce back between sessions.

Quality Sleep, Rest & Recovery

These are vital, especially as an older athlete.

Equipment

Invest in the right equipment in order to fully measure your metrics, If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Racing

Run your own race, follow your plan, stay calm, and adapt to your body’s signals

The Greatest Benefit of Triathlon: Reclaiming “I Do”

Thanks to triathlon, I no longer say, “I used to…” I’m actively doing.

I’m stronger, more mobile, and more confident than I’ve been in decades. I’ve reconnected with old friends and rediscovered the joy of being part of the triathlon community. And yes—there might even be more Ironman 70.3 races in my future.

Thanks to triathlon, I no longer say, “I used to…” I’m actively doing.

Mike Battersby

Advice for Triathletes Over 50

• If you think you can—you can. Belief is the first and most important step.
• Don’t quit at the first hurdle. When someone says “no,” don’t treat it as final. And, ignore the naysayers. Don’t let others steal your dream.
• If you’re dealing with an injury, don’t use it as an excuse. Seek several professional opinions. Look for others who’ve recovered from similar injuries—especially with alternative approaches like compensatory muscle training.
• Find and invest in a coach of similar age who truly walks the talk and who uses a smart, AI-driven platform like TriDot for tailored training. Be coachable; listen, apply, and stay consistent. Also, be ready to let go of what you think you know and embrace new tools and methods.
• Listen to your body. Don’t adopt a no pain, no gain attitude. As you get older, it hurts!
• Stay curious, keep learning, and never give in. As Churchill said, “Never, never, never give in…” And, as I always say …., “Onwards & Upwards, ALWAYS!”

Have Questions for Mike Battersby? Leave Them in the Comments Below

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Much has been written about performance declines that accompany age. However, little has been published about the importance of older athletes to the sport of triathlon. Similarily, no one has studied the motivation for older athletes, particularly those age 65 and over, to continue in triathlon. Until senior triathlete Sarah Gordon sought the answer.

Older Athletes are Important to Triathlon

I have seen first hand the importance of older athletes to triathlon. In 2016, I competed in the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships in Omaha, Nebraska. After the two-day competition involving the Sprint and Olympic distance races, I analyzed the ages of participants.

It intrigued me to see that 42 percent of the male and female participants in the Sprint distance were 50 years and older. (I analyzed this age range because it is the target audience for SeniorTriathletes.com.)

For the Olympic-distance triathlon, over one third of the participants were 50 years and over. With competitors’ ages spanning 15 to 84, the percentage over age 50 demonstrated how important older athletes are to triathlon.

What is the Motivation for Older Athletes To Train and Compete in Triathlon?

Then, about nine months ago, I published Sarah Gordon’s story. Sarah was beginning the research project that was part of her doctoral studies in Leadership: Health and Human Performance at Concordia University – Chicago. Since then, Sarah completed her research and successfully defended her dissertation titled “Exploring the Exercise Motivations and Perspectives of Successful Aging with Older Triathletes.”

After completing her Ph.D., Sarah and I sat down to discuss her research, why she chose this subject, and how she collected the research data. During this conversation, Sarah also shared some of the key findings, including at least one surprise from her research.

Listen to our conversation through the link below. Click on the three dots on the right side if you wish to Download the recording for offline listening.

Here is a link to Sarah’s doctoral dissertation on Proquest.

Want to Contact Sarah Gordon?

During our conversation, Sarah provided contact information for anyone wanting to discuss her research and its implications.

• Tel: +1 (703) 283-1818
• Email: slgordon48.sg@gmail.com

Share Your Comments and Questions With Others in the Senior Triathletes Community

Please let me know of any questions or comments you have from this post. Also, let me know of other topics you would like to see discussed.

Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.

Amy Kite thought she just might be able to complete a triathlon. Supported by family and new friends from a local triathlon club, Amy turned the idea into reality, finishing her first triathlon within the past month.

Journey To Amy Kite’s First Triathlon

Amy Kite’s interest in triathlon began as part of an overall journey to be more healthy and active. This trek, captured by her mantra “Movement is medicine,” started around four and a half years ago when she and her husband moved to The Villages, Florida, from Virginia.

Located in central Florida, The Villages promotes an active lifestyle for its residents. Plus, its climate makes it easy to exercise outdoors throughout the year. For these reasons, Amy soon found herself active in water aerobics, beach tennis, pickleball, and golf. She also began running three to four miles once a week.

When Amy began arriving early for a water aerobics class, she started swimming a few laps of breaststroke before class. She found that she also loved swimming.

As she thought about her enjoyment of running and swimming, she wondered if she could do a triathlon. All I have to do is add biking, she thought.

In early December last year, she shared her thoughts about triathlon with her husband, a former marathon runner. His response, confirming that she would be able to do a triathlon, was all the encouragement she needed. Remembering his racing days, that “If you don’t sign up for it, you won’t do it,” he encouraged her to register for a race,

Before race day, organizers canceled the first Sprint triathlon in Ocala, Florida that Amy had registered for. Was this a sign?

The cancellation was not a sign for her to abandon her triathlon goal. Instead, members of The Villages Triathlon Club, with whom she had swum while training for her first triathlon, encouraged her to do a triathlon in nearby Clermont. Amy registered for the AdventHealth 42nd Annual Great Clermont Triathlon, and finished this race on March 9^th of this year.

Training For Her First Triathlon

So, how did Amy train for her first triathlon?

After deciding to do a triathlon, Amy watched a few YouTube videos on triathlon training. With information in these videos, Amy built on the swimming and running she was already doing.

She realized she needed to learn the freestyle stroke for the triathlon swim. Fortunately, she met a man at the pool where she swam who had done half Ironman and Ironman triathlons. He introduced her to bilateral breathing, which is breathing on alternating sides (left and right) rather than just to one side.

Putting these together, she continued training each morning before work using the following schedule:

• Swim: 1 hour three times per week.
• Bike: 20 to 25 miles twice each week.
• Run: 4 to 6 miles once per week.
• Weight training: 30 minutes of a free weights routine two times each week. This training focused on the upper body to support swimming.

Then, in early December, 2024, Amy connected with Donna Maguire and others in The Villages Triathlon Club. Amy reviewed her schedule with several triathlon club members. They confirmed she was on the right path for a Sprint triathlon. She also swam with the triathlon club occasionally, picking up a few more pointers along the way.

Lessons From Triathlon Training and Racing

Amy described her first triathlon as “fantastic,” noting the event’s excellent organization and the volunteers’ helpful and supportive nature.

What other lessons did she learn from competing in her first triathlon?

“I don’t like a lake swim”

After swimming in the 82 to 84 °F water of the Lake Miona Recreation Center pool for her training, Amy found swimming in Lake Minneola for the triathlon unpleasant. Not only was it dark, but even with her wetsuit, the 72 °F water felt especially cold. “I don’t like cold.”

“Triathlon need not be expensive”

Preparing for her first triathlon, Amy purchased a used triathlon suit, a used wetsuit, a new pair of swimming goggles, and a new bike helmet. During the race, she rode her mom’s fifteen-year-old Marin hybrid bike (and still ended with a third-place age group finish.) She proved you don’t need to spend a lot of money to finish a triathlon.

“My training prepared me for the triathlon”

As a “morning person” who enjoys training, Amy was consistent in executing the training schedule. Therefore, she approached her first triathlon with confidence . . . and a few doubts sprinkled in.

Before race day, Amy had set a goal of finishing the triathlon in 1 hour, 30 minutes; she beat this goal by several minutes. She also earned a third-place age group finish. Considering that she used her mom’s “vintage” hybrid bike, her results confirmed her belief in the training schedule.

While she had not trained for the swim-to-bike and bike-to-run transitions, Amy said her “transitions were smooth, thanks to the advice of Barb from The Villages Triathlon Club.”

Amy credits part of her success to the food she consumes. She eats a “low carb, carnivore diet with low to no sugar, avoiding processed foods.” This approach has helped her lose weight, and feel full of energy during training.

What’s Next For Amy Kite In Triathlon

Amy admits she has been “bitten by the [triathlon] bug.” She has already scheduled two more races.

The first is a 1.2 mile ocean swim off Anna Maria Island, near Bradenton, Florida. This swim, more than twice the distance of the Sprint triathlon swim, will help her decide about doing longer triathlons in the future.

The other race already scheduled for 2025 is a second Sprint triathlon, the Turtleman Triathlon in Jupiter, Florida on June 21^st. Unlike Amy’s first triathlon, this one will include a swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

Amy plans to do two more Sprint triathlons in 2025, for a total of three this year. After these, she plans to re-evaluate her thought about training to compete in an Olympic distance triathlon in 2026.

To Seniors Considering Triathlon: “Do It”

According to Amy, if you are thinking about doing a triathlon, “go ahead and do it.” Like many of us, Amy had some doubts before the race. However, she focused on finishing the race, not on the unknowns.

Questions and Comments For Amy

Are you thinking about doing your first triathlon? What questions do you have for Amy Kite about triathlon? Leave them in the Comments below and I will make sure she sees them.

Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.