TriAugusta Triathlon Club

I have been a TriAugusta Triathlon Club (TA) Board member since 2015 and have been the President for two years and the VP for two additional years. I’ve participated in more than a dozen Ironman distance 70.3 events, mostly the Augusta Ironman 70.3. I started participation in triathlons in the early 1980’s in Virginia Beach when there were no names for shorter triathlons and 70.3’s didn’t exist as well as defined wet suits. I was only aware of the “real” triathlon in Kona.

One year in the early 1980’s, I received a fairly substantial bonus, so took advantage to purchase a road bike. Since I was training for a marathon at the time (which I never completed), I thought now that I have a bike, although a touring bike with rat traps, a triathlon would be much more fun since activities change. Of course, I didn’t know much of how to participate and some of those triathlons were memorable and not because it was fun, but I learned a lot in each event. I then moved to South Carolina in 1990 and didn’t readily find triathlon events nearby. I did find only a couple short events in Aiken and at Lake Murray near Columbia, SC, but effectively stopped participating.

Upon my retirement in 2014, I learned of the Augusta Ironman 70.3 being one of the largest Ironman 70.3’s in the country. So, I restarted training with a couple of friends subsequently learning that TA existed. I readily joined and started participating in some of the TA training events. The TA members were so welcoming that I got involved with helping the club. Now 10 years later, I’m still at it.

Here are some things I’ve learned along the way that apply to me and not necessarily you, but sharing in case it helps.

• First and foremost, for me, triathlon participation is a hobby. For me, it is meant to be overall fun with a feeling of accomplishment at times. Of course, formal retirement with only part time work, if I don’t want to train on a specific day, I don’t. If I miss several days, I feel like I am missing something, so am driven to re-engage and do some kind of athletic activity.
  I don’t use a training plan or a coach. Using a training plan or coach will definitely improve one’s performance level; I am happy to just be a participant, although I do physically pay for it during some events.
•  I enjoy Sprint or Olympic triathlons because they require less commitment on a specific day and are usually a much smaller event. You can perform these events all in one day and they don’t require much consideration for day-of-event nutrition planning.
• Nutrition for longer events is a must. Although, I have not mastered my nutrition implementation on longer events, I continue try different things. If you want to become a high-level participant, you must consider you own personal nutrition plan, seeking advice when necessary.
• As an older triathlete, one must understand that one’s level of performance will go down over time. However, for me, the last 70.3 event was my overall fastest event with a little help from river current and an easy transition setup. Experience, health, staying injury-free near and at the time of the event, gear and nutrition greatly influences your performance results.
• Experience and constantly improving fitness did play a role in my performance in the early years of participating in 70.3’s. Although I have run most of my life, by the time I get to the run in a triathlon, it was and still is the hardest segment of a triathlon for me. When I restated in 2014, I could not run the entire half marathon distance. However, that is OK, just like taking a break in the swim or stopping at the water stops on the bike when necessary. I kept at it and usually, but not always, I can run the entire distance although I would like to run faster.
• You may notice, I refer to my performance in triathlons as a participant, not a competitor. The only true competition is against myself. If I have a reasonable ranking within my age group, great, but performing well to my own capabilities is the most important. Again, it’s just a hobby. I really don’t know anyone that is looking to be a professional triathlete. I don’t think it pays very well either. For me, if you are not a professional triathlete, then your true competitor is yourself.
• Some days just doesn’t work. There will be some days, regardless of training level, that you just won’t perform well either in training or in an actual event. That’s OK, work on the next one!
• High level training and participation is not necessarily the healthiest thing you can do for your personal longevity. Consider your personal goals as you persue your health and fitness levels.
• A friend loaned me a book, Outlive – The Science & Art of Longevity by Peter Attis, MD. Reading and more importantly understanding this book is highly encouraged for those of us interested in a healthy lifestyle and longevity of life or health span versus life span.

So, for me, it’s a great sport with multiple disciplines where you don’t have to be great at all events to be a competitive triathlete. However, the real competition is with yourself. So, work to stay healthy and injury free and enjoy this great hobby with similar life-leaning friends.