Furthermore, was it reasonable to consider getting into triathlon later in life? I have had so many wrong impressions of age throughout my life. And, some were held not that long ago.
I decided to develop a one-question survey asking those of the Senior Triathletes community to give the age of their first triathlon. I promised to share the results this month.
Median Age is 50
The results show that the median age for a first triathlon among those in our community is 50. And, as the graph below shows, the distribution of starting age is relatively uniform from the 30s through the 60s.
Distribution of age of first triathlon for SeniorTriathletes.com quick survey respondents. Sample size: 18.
Admittedly, the sample size for this analysis is small. However, based on these results, I don’t see starting in triathlon as indicative of a mid-life crisis. If it were, the distribution should have been more concentrated in the 40s and 50s.
In our survey, these two age blocks represented only 44% of the responses.
Besides the results of this survey, I have spoken or corresponded by email with many of you. I have heard various reasons and motivations for doing a first triathlon. Many of these have involved younger family members whom you have inspired or who have inspired you. I do not recall any related to finding meaning for their life.
Take a look at some stories published in Our Stories. You will find many reasons and motivations for starting in the sport of triathlon.
During the first four months of 2021, I published a one-question survey on SeniorTriathletes.com. The survey asked about triathlon’s greatest challenges for seniors, both beginner and experienced triathletes.
Meanwhile, here is a summary of the responses.
What Are the Greatest Challenges with Triathlon for Senior Triathletes?
The bar chart below summarizes results of the 2021 survey. For readability, I have included the description of each of the challenges below the chart.
One of the challenges included in the survey was ‘Not having the right bike’. Since this category did not receive any responses, I have not shown it in the graph.
Results of a 2021 survey of senior triathletes about their greatest challenges with triathlon.
Legend of triathlon challenges for the bar chart above:
A – Not having a training plan that works for me B – Injury or illness C – Concern about the swim D – No races in my area that fit my schedule E – Not enough time to train F – Recovery too long to complete all training G – Lack of training facilities H – Other
The Survey Says: “Triathlon’s Greatest Challenges for Seniors”
I reviewed the responses in light of questions and comments from other triathletes age 50 and over during the past five years of writing for the SeniorTriathletes.com.
Here are my takeaways.
#1 – Not having a training plan that works for me
I am not surprised that this challenge is the one most frequently mentioned.
I started SeniorTriathletes.com intending to write about Joy’s and my adventures in Triathlon Across the USA and stories of other triathletes age 50 and over. Early on, however, I started getting questions about training plans for those in the 50+ age groups. The common message was ‘other training plans are for younger people’.
From the conversations I have had with many seniors who do triathlon, sprint to Ironman distances, there is consensus that our needs in training change, in some areas dramatically, around age 50. For example, changes in our musculoskeletal system with age is one reason that weight training becomes even more important.
Would you purchase an age-specific triathlon training plan? Press ‘x’ to Skip..
#2 – Injury or illness
Following is a comment from a Team USA qualifier at the 2016 USAT Age Group National Championship:
“One of the hardest things to learn while training for this sport is knowing when to rest. I was self coached for many years and often found myself going two or more weeks without a day off and then I would collapse. [My coach] has been adamant in making me take more rest days. It is not uncommon for me to take two rest days in a week now.”
Any training plan that does not recognize the unique needs of older athletes, including rest, proper stretching, and appropriate levels of stress, will likely lead to injury.
#3 – Concern about the swim
I am also not surprised that this was ranked as one of triathlon’s greatest challenges for seniors. My perception is that the majority of triathletes come from a running background. They either never learned to swim or have not swam for many years other than to splash around in a backyard pool or lake.
The ‘icing on the cake’ is the contact that often occurs during a triathlon. Anything that causes anxious breathing can also be mentally challenging.
Congestion in the triathlon swim can create anxiety in some triathletes.
#4 – No races in my area that fit my schedule (tie)
In any year, there are not as many triathlons as other endurance events, such as 5k. Nevertheless, most regions have races within driving distance. As we saw, many endurance races, including triathlons, were canceled in 2020.
I will be surprised if this challenge is ranked as high in a survey repeated in 2022 or beyond.
#4 – Not enough time to train (tie)
Time can be a challenge for everyone, especially those who have families and are working full-time. This challenge would likely be ranked higher were it not for the portion of the senior triathlete community who are retired.
#4 – Recovery too long to complete all training (tie)
This challenge relates to training. From my conversation with experienced triathletes, this is not a significant factor because rather than not completing all training, they will simply modify a day’s planning if they have not fully recovered, rather than skip a session.
#7 – Lack of training facilities
Over the past year, fitness centers have been closed in many regions of the world. Triathletes have invented creative ways to continue their training, even if it is at or around their homes.
Furthermore, ice skating and cross country skiing are great forms of cross training for biking and running for those who are unable to run outside during the winter.
Let me know in the Comments section below if you are looking for guidance on training without using a fitness center.
Other
I included this checkbox in case I had failed to include one of triathlon’s greatest challenges for seniors. There were some ‘Other’ responses to which respondents added a few words to describe these.
The responses were more or less split between (1) COVID-19 related issues and (2) lack of confidence in their ability to finish a triathlon.
What’s Next?
It is interesting to learn other’s thoughts about triathlon, especially when they are of a similar age. However, knowing them begs the question “So what are you going to do with this information?”.
The survey’s results have motivated me to create even more content that will provide useful information for the community of senior triathletes.
Many of you have dreamed of being part of a group that trains together using a plan customized for the age and training goals (for example, distance of the next triathlon) of those in the group.
Interested in joining a training group? Let me know in the Comments section below.
What Do You Think Are Triathlon’s Greatest Challenges for Seniors?
Let us know using the Comments section below how you interpret the results. Are there any surprises?
Do you have suggestions on how the Senior Triathletes community can be more connected? How about suggestions for training together, virtually if not in person?
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.
April 14, 2020 – We hear a lot these days about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses. Among these businesses are the ones near and dear to our hearts who put on multisport events.
While the triathlon season has not started for most of the northern hemisphere, there is an air of uncertainty. Some races have been canceled for this year. Other early season races have been postponed when it is possible for the organizers to reschedule them.
Having participated in triathlons across the country, I am on the mailing list for many multisport businesses. I thought you might be interested to see how one race organizer is dealing with this uncertainty while working to keep their business afloat during this crisis.
Georgia Multisports Productions
Race Director and Senior Triathlete Jim Rainey sent information about the Georgia Multisports Productions (GMP) 8-week challenge.
Jim wrote in his email:
“We have recently created a Georgia Multisports Strava page to try and help us stay together and motivated so when the pandemic is over, and our lives are back to normal we are ready for what comes next.”
The event began April 1st and will continue through May 30th so you still have time to participate. Running and cycling miles will be tracked through a FREE account for the George Multisports Club on Strava. After joining the running and cycling events, register on runsignup. With the registration, you to receive awards, a t-shirt and discount for a future race.
How Is Your Favorite Race Business Handling the Crisis?
Let us know in the Comments section below what your favorite race company is doing about their early-season races, whether triathlon, 5k, or other.
The internet abounds with information about training, preparing, and planning for a triathlon, and most of us these days have great internet from somewhere like spectrum internet in order to access this information with ease. Through my years taking part in the sport, I have come across many websites, among the best websites for triathletes, especially those age 50 and over.
As its title implies, this post includes information about the websites I have found to be the ‘go-to’ sites for my triathlon journey.
RunningintheUSA.com is my first choice when searching for triathlons across the USA.
Running in the USA Multisport Events menu
Why I Started Using It
As soon as Joy and I decided to do triathlons in each of the states of the USA, I started searching the internet for websites that listed various races. I found several sites, some with a regional focus. Over time, I found that I relied more and more on Running in the USA.
Who is Behind the Website?
RunningintheUSA.com is the product of hard work and commitment of the husband and wife team of Bill and Mary Flaws of Waukesha, Wisconsin. According to the website:
“Mary is an avid runner, and Bill is sane. Mary does the website programming. Bill takes the pictures that are featured on the home page. We work many many many many hours scouring the internet, maintaining the information in the directories. This is our full-time life work. We don’t have other jobs. We barely do much else besides maintain this website. It is our life, and we love it.”
Video Demo of RunningintheUSA.com
Key Features
The site can currently be used to search a database of over 41,000 running races such as 5k, 10k, half marathon, and so on and over 2,700 multisport events like triathlons.
Search for triathlons by
Region
State
Type of multisport event (e.g. Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathon)
Search for races in adjacent states on consecutive dates
Apparently, there is an important population of those who share an interest in completing races in multiple states. For this group, the site developers included a feature under the Multisport Events tab called ‘Double Stater’.
The “Double Stater” menu is used to search for triathlons held on consecutive days in adjacent states.
Best Website about Sleep and Your Athletic Performance
Whether you are stepping up to the plate at a softball game or waiting for the starting gun at your next triathlon, the quality of the sleep you have had will affect your performance.
Best Website for Swim and Other Triathlon Training Gear
Triathlon is sometimes referred to as a rich man’s sport. This comes in part from the expense of registration fees, even though there are race organizations who are offering reduced fees. But that’s a story for another time.
Another reason that triathlons can be an expensive sport is because of the amount of clothing and equipment one needs purchase for training and racing in three quite different sports. Of course, much of it is unnecessary. As long as people have basic training wear, they should be fine to train and compete in triathlons. People can get some athletic clothing from websites like Imprint, they offer custom t shirts that are ideal for sports. Runners can get their clothing customized with their name or the marathon name, for example. That’s a great way of letting people know that you’re running the marathon. Perhaps seniors should just look for basic training wear, they don’t need to splash out lots of money on unnecessary clothing.
Meet SwimOutlet.com
SwimOutlet.com is the first place I go when looking for a new or replacement item for triathlon training or racing. This is also where my wife, kids, and grandkids go for their swim clothing and equipment. This comes from several years of shopping many sites and ending up purchasing items from the Swim Outlet site.
SwimOutlet is a USA Triathlon certified multisport retailer.
While you should shop around, I have consistently found Swim Outlet to offer a full range of products in a range of quality and price points. And, prices are competitive and, many times, the lowest. Plus, they offer a price match.
Following is a quick tour of the SwimOutlet website.
Here we are at SwimOutlet.com website. To help you get started on your journey here, I want to highlight a few areas in which triathletes may be most interested.
First of all, at the ‘Gear’ then ‘Swim Gear’ tab, you can find everything imaginable for swimming no matter if you are a beginner or professional triathlete. With so many products to choose from, Swim Outlet helps shoppers zero-in on the right ones using product-specific filters such a size, brand, color, material, and price.
The site also includes several guides such as the one for sun protection shown here. You can find the link to this and other pages in the SeniorTriathletes.com post about my favorite triathlon websites (this post for those watching the video on SeniorTriathletes.com).
The ‘Triathlon’ link beneath the ‘Gear by Sport’ area under the ‘Gear’ tab, takes you to pages where you can find triathlon, biking, and running specific items. By the way, Swim Outlet is a USA Triathlon certified multisport retailer.
And if you are a Value shopper looking for the best deals, click on the SALE tab from the Home page. Here you will find good quality at the most competitive prices. For example, if you are looking for low cost jammers for your swim training, check out their grab bags by typing ‘grab’ in the search bar.
Take a stroll through the SwimOutlet site. I think you will enjoy it and be amazed at the wide range of products and their good prices.
Thank you for watching.
END OF VIDEO SCRIPT
Featured SwimOutlet Pages
Pages of the SwimOutlet website highlighted in the video review are:
Disclosure: Please note that SeniorTriathletes.com is a participant in the SwimOutlet.com affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to SwimOutlet.com. As an affiliate, I will receive a small commission for any purchases made at SwimOutlet.com when you use the link in this post.
SwimOutlet.com offers quality products at competitive prices.
Please check out SwimOutlet.com and share your comments below.
If you have done a triathlon, there is a good chance you are already familiar with Hammer Nutrition since they sponsor many triathlons and endurance sporting events. In fact, you likely received in your swag-bag a sample of a Hammer Nutrition product – a Hammer Gel, Endurolytes Fizz, or one of their Energy bars.
Hammer Nutrition home page
I was introduced to more of the Hammer Nutrition products and how to use them by Senior Triathlete James Chapman at the Rocky Gap Triathlon in Maryland.
Then, when
training for my first half marathon, I exchanged emails with Steve Born. Steve laid out a fueling plan for both my
training and the race itself. Without
the right fuel, an otherwise enjoyable challenge can become a disaster. I don’t go out on a long bike ride without a
few Hammers gels – just in case.
Since I sweat a lot during exercising of every kind, Hammer Endurolytes capsules are also great for maintaining electrolyte levels.
You can take a quick tour of the Hammer Nutrition website by clicking on the frame below.
I am on the Hammer Nutrition website. You can see its contents by hovering over the four top-level headings – Top Sellers, Fuels & Supplements, And More, and Education.
Hovering
over ‘Fuels & Supplements’ shows you the range of products for training and
racing and for daily consumption. You
can explore these further by clicking on one of the red sub-heads.
The ‘And More’ shows you ‘Gear’, including Clearance items and Electro Stimulation products which I have used and really enjoy. It also includes ‘Clothing’, ‘Coffee’ and ‘Body Care’ products with which I have less experience.
The fourth heading is ‘Education’ which contains a whole host of articles and quick-read advice pieces to help you learn about and fine-tune your fueling and hydration approaches for both training and racing.
As you
can see, the site is easy to navigate. I
recommend taking at least a few minutes to take a look around it. I am confident you will come away with some
new and useful information.
Thank you for watching.
END
Featured Hammer Nutrition Pages
Pages of
the Hammer Nutrition website highlighted in the video are:
If you
want to receive a 15% discount on your first order with Hammer Nutrition, enter
Customer Number 203519 when prompted.
To be transparent, that Customer Number is assigned to me. I will also receive a credit on my next order under the Hammer Nutrition Referral Program. If you like, you can also participate in this program once you have become a customer.
Please check out Hammer Nutrition and share your comments below.
