In a few weeks I will be moving from the 55-59 to the 60-65 group. Am I excited? No, I feel much different about turning 60 than I did for 40 or 50. 60 seems kind of old.

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Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

I'm excited to move up to 60-64. We are young again LOL

Wow - several of us going into 60-64 . . . it will be my 39th consecutive year of triathlons!!

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David
* Ironman for Life! (Blog) * IM Everyday Hero Video * Daggett Shuler Law *
Disclaimer: I have personal and professional relationships with many athletes, vendors, and organizations in the triathlon world.

I have more hair than anyone in my age group..................I win.

The 60-64 age group appears to be the popular age group to age up to. I will also be aging up to that group. Kind of ironic as that is about the age you start seeing significant drop off in participation.

I get 59 next year. I'll show those 55-year-old brats that I'm still there!

Moving up to 40-44, which is also the entry point into the Masters category in our local race series.

To be honest, this aging up thing doesn't always work out.

In the last race where I podiumed (is that a word) I wouldn't have in the next age group up.
I have three years to improve (or quit). Assuming I make it that far.

Today happens to be my 39th birthday. As a December birthday person, I always race one year older than I really am. So next year its 40-44 for me. I am not sure how I feel about it. As a FOP guy I know I still have serious competition in this AG (perhaps even stronger), but I suspect my days of chasing the overall podium at local races will soon come to an end.

I have been preparing for two years for moving up to the 50-54 age group next year. In my last race in the 45-49 age group the guy who wins the 50-54 age group is 3 minutes faster than the winner of the 45-49 age group. The 5th place 50-54 guy is only 3 minutes slower than the 5th place 45-49 guy. FML.

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The first time man split the atom was when the atom tried to hold Jens Voigt's wheel, but cracked.

I'm planning to live over 80 and win age group every single time just by register, show up and finish.

I didn’t realize until I read your post and thought about my age, but I am jumping up to same age group as you. I’ve been doing triathlons for about 15 years and every single time I have aged up, my group is more competitive!!! I was hoping 45-49 might change that but I guess not.

Yes, I think this 50-54 is the old fast 40-44 that raised the bar, then did the same in the 45-49, then moved to the 50-54. I believe they are to blame for all these faster requirements across the board that we now have to meet or exceed, haha.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

I'm not aging up to 40-44 until 2021 but wish it was this year. I get all the people saying that the AGs are still super competitive, but overall it should be slightly slower. The fastest 40-44 guy in the country will not be as fast as the fastest 35-39. It just comes down to who shows up as always. I am excited about AG'g up though because I haven't been at this very long and I'm still getting faster. So hopefully while I'm getting faster, some of the fastest guys are slowing just a hair.

This season was my first in the 30-34 AG. So far, it seems to be the same level of competition from 25-29.

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@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

A bunch of races had 3 slots for 40-44 this year (down from 4), and accordingly 50-54 bumped to 4. At AZ, all three of those middle aged groups had 4.

Moving into 45-49 assures you of 4 slots being available at every race.

Yeah, you won't get much relief for about 15-20 years. It will keep you motivated.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

True but the fast times are deeper.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Huh...Like many others, I'll be 60-64 in 2020. But I don't *feel* 60. Thanks to a lifetime of endurance training and racing! When I see 60 y/o that are sedentary, in general...*ugh*. Todd

I'm aging up to 50-54 in January (just turned 49)

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

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https://www.strava.com/...tes/zachary_mckinney

This is literally everyone's plan until crappy health issues cut you down. Run-ending arthritis is just one of them; back arthritis will also kill your entire sports career. Then there's cancer, other chronic diseases, etc.

I predict (as has some sports science analysts) that you'll see the 60+ world records plummet in the next 20 years as the upcoming 35-50 age cohort that is very health conscious pushes the limits of what old people can do.

Our kids will literally be looking at the winning times for the 65+ categories in 15-20 years and think "pffffht. What's all this complaining about aging when the 65+ers are going faster than the vast majority of us 20 year olds!?!"

I'll be in the 50-54 this year. I wish I was in the 25-29 age group. There is less competition.

I have more hair than anyone in my age group! But, none of it is on my head.

I'm aging up to the worst position I have ever been in competitively, I will be 64 and the oldest in that AG. You start to have a severe fall off each year or so after 60, so the difference between you all just popping in from 59 to those of us yearning for our 65th birthday, is more than any other AG below. Of course it just gets worse as you go up, to the point where one year is like a whole age group in your 20's or 30's.

But I will battle anyway, but funny when you look at things like postal swims or other old folks events, most the people in the top half just aged up, or maybe a year ago. When you get to the back, folks just seem to sit out those last few years, then get all pumped again when they are the young gun once again in the new AG...

I was on a cruise (first and last on that line) once and met a guy who had won the hairy chest contest on seven cruises.
If I were a woman, that alone would be enough to turn me gay.

Welcome to the Terrordome!

I’ve had a number of races in which I’ve been several spots off the podium in 45-49 but beat everyone in their 30s.

Whether it’s mid-life crises driving harder training, kids out of the house (or at least doing their own thing), the best equipment, more years of training, all of the above... it just doesn’t get easier in these age groups and won’t in 50-54 either.

Another one moving into the 60 to 64 age group next month and looking forward to it. Just need to stay healthy so I can have the year that I’m hoping to. Will be my 36th year in the sport.

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Mike Plumb, TriPower MultiSports
Professional Running, Cycling and Multisport Coaching, F.I.S.T. Certified
http://www.tripower.org

I just raced for the last time in M35-39 last weekend in Daytona. I was 4th and my time in would have been a 6th place in 40-44. Not sure if overall 40-44 is faster, I doubt it... but the fast 40-44 guys are still pretty fast. Those that stick it out for 10 years or more in the sport eventually learn how to train effectively, recover and race smart. In long course that's all that matters and you can still go fast by fine tuning stuff even if the speed will plateau eventually.

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What's your CdA?

75-79 age group for me...how hard can it be? LOL
Actually I’m pretty excited!

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Moving on up to the 65-69 age group in January.

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Find out what it is in life that you don't do well, then don't
do that thing.

Agreed on all points. Plus, a lot of the time (especially with bike racing), 60 just gets you lumped in with the 45+ or 50+ group anyway. There's no point to aging up if they take away the category after registration and before the start.

If it's like a lot of bike races, they'll just look at the numbers and decide there aren't enough in your 80-84 age bracket. Your age group will be cancelled at the start line and you'll get lumped in with the 45 year olds.

I'm hearing you... Here in Melbourne Australia there are two dudes Damien Angus and Sam Hume who are both freaks and have always fastest in my age group. This year my last year in 40-44 I got second at Geelong 70.3 to Sam Hume by 17min I might add and was stoked assuming Damien wasn't racing. Alas he has already aged up 45-49and was faster than Sam (fastest age grouper)...
https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/15334/events/1/
I think the depth of good athletes drops a way a little but there are always the freaks of the sport that refuse to die...

I’m turning 50 fucking years old. And that toddler runs around like a mad man. I’m fucked.

I'm planning to be wealthy enough to actually enter an official triathlon by 2035-2040. I'll be somewhere around the 70-75 AG...

Louis :-)

I’m turning 50 fucking years old. And that toddler runs around like a mad man. I’m fucked.

Whiner, you are 3 age groups under me, and I got 3 of those little monsters. By the time you hit my age now, your kid will be going to college!! How I wish I was just turning 50 again.. (-;

The other one is 20 (my wife’s). Neither gives a shit what we say :)

Ha, you tell him Lee! ;) I'm impressed with anyone racing past 60. Aging up to 60-64 but injured out.

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http://www.PatGriskusTri.com USAT Certified Race Director
2024 Races: USAT State of CT Age Group Championship/State of CT HS Champs/ CT Club Championship - Sat June 15th (Oly/Du/Sprint) Hopkins Vineyard Tri at Lake Waramaug Saturday July 13th http://www.HopkinsVineyardTri.com

fucking show off!! ;-) and you're right, you win!

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http://www.PatGriskusTri.com USAT Certified Race Director
2024 Races: USAT State of CT Age Group Championship/State of CT HS Champs/ CT Club Championship - Sat June 15th (Oly/Du/Sprint) Hopkins Vineyard Tri at Lake Waramaug Saturday July 13th http://www.HopkinsVineyardTri.com

Oh come on man, they're intervals. hope you're well francois.

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http://www.PatGriskusTri.com USAT Certified Race Director
2024 Races: USAT State of CT Age Group Championship/State of CT HS Champs/ CT Club Championship - Sat June 15th (Oly/Du/Sprint) Hopkins Vineyard Tri at Lake Waramaug Saturday July 13th http://www.HopkinsVineyardTri.com

Another one going to the 60-64 group. In fact I aged up today!

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Athlinks / Strava

Never been better. I am way slower than I’ve ever been. And happier too. Largely thanks to my wonderful family, becoming the father of an awesome little dude etc 🤷🏼‍♂️

I am entering the 30-34 and hopeful that I can climb the ranks as those who’ve started to root their lives take a break from triathlon. I’ll still be here trying to figure it all out, career, avoiding commitment etc. On the plus side I’ve been getting faster and nearing some old high school times.


It seems the majority is vastly older than me. Please tell me this wild ride gets better...

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swim.bike.run.soccer

you mean becoming an iron monk and living sleeping breathing the whole affair isn't a healthy way
to go through life? haha. ill never forget meeting you even briefly at panama city. good to hear you're
doing well, and to keep it on topic.... go kick some butt next year :)

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http://www.PatGriskusTri.com USAT Certified Race Director
2024 Races: USAT State of CT Age Group Championship/State of CT HS Champs/ CT Club Championship - Sat June 15th (Oly/Du/Sprint) Hopkins Vineyard Tri at Lake Waramaug Saturday July 13th http://www.HopkinsVineyardTri.com

That was a century ago!

My last race was IMFL ‘17. Days later, we realize our lives were about to change. And they did!
I’ll race again this coming year as we just moved back to Gainesville. Go gators!

Another one going to the 60-64 group. In fact I aged up today! //

Happy birthday Dean!! It's a milestone of some sort, but at least the times you have to beat do get slower...

ditto...59 and ready to take them all on in M55-59.



But the answers to the question are:

...20% of all triathletes

...and-not me.

I moved into 55-59 last season. It's the 8th age group I've raced in without missing a season. It's a scary way to look at it.

Aging up into the 25-29 age group next year :D hoping to get my elite license though, can't make it a lifestyle but at least there's competition that way

No one in this thread has an ounce of sympathy for you.

;-)

Yep its insane

IM Western Aust top 5 in 44-49 age group all 9.30 and under!

Crazy!

It's funny you say that. I have a friend that moved into the 70-74 this year. He was very excited to be the young guy again. It blows my mind what he accomplishes. He is a lifelong swimmer, Purdue University back in college, so he still swam 1 hour in Kona this year. He decided to see if he had anything left and raced IMFL after Kona and qualified again for next year. Sometimes I have felt like I'm not progressing then I talk to him and realize I'm only 45 and I still have 30 years left in the sport if I train properly. Very inspiring.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

What's scary? that's awesome! Third next season but by the time I get there it will will be my fifth... I went through a car windshield training for my first, been battered and bruised many times but I'm still hooked.

Today I swum 3.5km in the beautiful bay of Melbourne with mill pond flat water and perfect temperature. My 12km run after was a little hot but path along the beach and beach was loaded with all walks of life and good looking people. Yesterday I road 97km on the bike along the coast with a head down tail back, nice temp, slightly overcast at times and a perfect riding day. Tonight I've been drinking beers with a best mate, who I met riding my bike along the same road ten years ago. So may good times riding up and down that piece of road.

Without a silly sport that posses you to do this shit what else do you do? At best I'll outlive everyone win a world title... Mind you them old dudes out of Japan I am sure have cared more for their bodies than me...

Moving up to 60-64 also. Not excited. The new AG has half the slots as the old one.
(1)

Shit I am aging up every year, I will be in Kona 2020 at 78. Now the game is how many others will make it. If you think it is hard now ......just wait!

Don't be surprised. We have guys around us on the overall podium in the local races in their late 40'sh and even up to mid- 50's.

Although ever-so-often the "under legal drinking age" kid shows up and crushes us all.

Thanks Monty! I took 44th place in the 55-59 group at IMAZ a few weeks ago. My time would have gotten me 12th place in the 60-64 group. So if I stay healthy, things are going to get a lot more fun, and maybe even crack a top 10 AG in a big show. But I also totally agree with the posters who have mentioned a drop off at 60. Mine really started at 58. I set all my masters PR's at 56-57, and started dropping off at 58. It's crazy, as I still feel like I did at 56, or even 26, while training and racing... but the times keep slowing down. And damn them long runs hurt these days!

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Athlinks / Strava

Try being a woman racing bikes somewhere besides California. I hit the 60-64 AG this year. In bike racing here (TN), the race category is almost always "women" - all ages, all Cat. Made it easy to quit crits/road and go to gravel.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

When I aged up to 60-64, I was expecting all kinds of good things. Win or podium every local tri and possibly KQ at 2 IM's I entered. Then I crashed big time in a sprint tri and separated my shoulder and cracked a rib. I somewhat recovered, but 5 weeks later I got hit by a truck and cracked a few more ribs and extensive lacerations. My year was wasted even though I did attempt IMAZ, I ended up a DNF as I just wasn't quite ready.

Next few years just didn't seem I could get back to where I was and just languished outside of podium. 3 years later, got hit by another car and really broke me up. Another lost year. I finally took off this year completely from tri's. Now aging up to 65-59 and signed up for IMAZ again. Guess we'll see how it goes after 5 nearly wasted years. I never stopped training, but just never the same as the crash and car/bike accidents.

Wow, best of luck to you. I'm sure you will do great.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

yet another going into 60-64..
hope to actually do a tri next year, injuries permitting..
haven't raced since 2015 and slowed down about 20% since then, so not expecting to be at all competitive.. but as monty says, in 60-64 and up, the years are adding up faster, so best hope is to race the year of turning 60 ;-)

I'm moving up to 45-49. I was a bit late into triathlon, so I set a bunch of PBs in the 40-44 category as I figured some stuff out. I just think it's awesome that there are these five-year categories because it means everyone can stay competitive. I did an open-water swim race this summer and was in the "over-35" category, which seemed a bit rough on the 60-70 year olds in the race!

Good discussion. Let me add, though, that I saw a drop off in terms of participants and speed once I crested 50. I was middle of the pack in my 40s, but I got more consistent, smarter and with better gear and was able to move up in the standings in my early 50s. I will hit 60 in 2021 and am hoping that I can get back into the top of the age group .

There will always be folks who stay amazingly fast; but I submit that if you keep at it with consistency and proper recovery, one can crawl up in the standings ... good luck

Me too. 45 to 49 next year. The next AG is supposed to be easier, but never quite works out that way. Let's see!

The thought I've reflected on in recent months is this: When will I get my last PR? Nike Vaporflys and HED Jet 6+ wheels are helping, but that day is coming. Alas, I'm at peace with it all.

I think you should reset the PR button every time you age up. That way you give yourself a fair chance of success. Expecting to do an overall PR after about 50 could be demoralising if you are comparing yourself to the 30 year old you...