Today is my birthday. And I’m not worried about the standard “I’m XX: what have I done with my life so far?” as in past years, but instead, I’m freaked about moving into the 35-39 AG.
Is this a sign that Tri is playing too great a role in my life?
I just can’t wait to move to your category 35-39??? The 30-34 is just killing me… I always felt short of 3-15mins to those last IMH spots. The top guys in the 35-39 are as good or faster then 30-34 but it seems that the last 2-3 spots are some how a bit slower??? Yes, I want to get older!!! 
Do you keep a things to do before I’m XX list? It helps me keep things in perspective. I’m going into the 30-34 AG this year and damn at some of the local races last year 7 or 8 of the top 10 overall came from the 30-34 AG. It going to be another tough year (can’t wait for 75-79 them I’ll rule).
Along those lines, I’ll turn 40 just a few days “AFTER” IMAZ, but I already know that all the age groups are very tough so I am in no hurry to move up.
Herbert
Litespeed/QR
Ooops, I had before instead of after
You should be freaked. Prepared to be trampled by the largest, fastest ag there is. Just stay in back and try not to get in the way.
What you have discovered is that in all the age-groups up to I would say about 45, it’s very competitive right at the top( say top three even top 5 in the younger ones) However, as you go up the overall numbers start to drop off and thus, there can be room at the lower end of the competitive group to move in.
My experience is that the 35 - 39 is not easy. If you are thinking IMH and you want to ensure yourself of getting a spot you need to be looking under 10:00 give or take depending on the course.
My dad is ‘pissed’ that he’s moving to the 45-49 category next year, even though he’s only gonna be 44 sometime in December.
First off, Happy Birthday to you.
I always figure moving up in age categories will make it easier to do better. It doesn’t. The 40+ age categories are still pretty darn fast.
Heck, last year I got dropped by Jim Donaldson at the Three Rivers tri. He is in the 60+ age category!
Happy Birthday my friend!
The same guys that are beating you now will also change age groups too. I have been in the age groups since my 20’s and am now in the mid 50’s. If you are still healthy in ten years and still training you won’t be as fast as you are now. Most people get about as fast as they should get after about 6 years in a sport.
I used to look at those “soft” 40’s and 50’s age groups, but guess what? I can’t run a 35 min 10k anymore or go under 2 hr for International Distance either. I think the younger age groups are the “soft” ones now as the top guys are Elite. The eye of the storm seems to be the 35-45 age groups. Good luck. The good news is you are still healthy enough to be there. Kind of sad in the 50’s to see some friends and competitors are not even alive any more. My advice is to outlast them ,those 80 + age groups look “soft” wink wink. G
You will also notice that as you get older that there is a bigger difference between the younger guys in your same age group compared to the older guys in your age group. The difference between a 36 to a 39 year olde is not the same as from a 46 to a 49. As you get older things start to fall apart faster. That being said I’m still as fast as I was, or faster then I was 10 years ago.
I’m turning 50 before the next season starts. I’ve been watching the 50-54 this year in my races. I’ll move from finishing 4th-6th this year to 1st-3rd in my races next year. All the guys beating me this year were 46 or 47 year olds. I LOVE moving up age groups. This is my 4th age group move!!
I REALLY hate the guys that are 48 and finish in the top 10 overall!! First place in our age group by 5 minutes in a sprint race of 600 people.
I’d be a lot more freaked if being bumped down. In a couple of years I’ll be in the 55-59 AG. After that it’s 60-65. If I just keep moving up, with the attrition rate, I’ll be podiuming in my old age.
"place in our age group by 5 minutes in a sprint race of 600 people. "
There is a guy in our area in 55-59 that runs all the local sprint tris. He was an olympic level runner in his younger days and has always stayed fit. He wins his AG by 10-15 minutes every time and always places in the top ten over all.
Worst part about turning 30… 
Luckily I have low expectations for race placement.
You’re freaked about turning 35? Young man, young man, enjoy that age: you are at your prime. Don’t waste those years. You still have the mid-life crisis and the slow but steady decline in ability to come. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t be fretting at all. I would be rampantly enjoying myself.
Today is my birthday. And I’m not worried about the standard “I’m XX: what have I done with my life so far?” as in past years, but instead, I’m freaked about moving into the 35-39 AG.
Is this a sign that Tri is playing too great a role in my life?
I will be entering the 35-39 AG next season. I was thinking it would be easier to place in this group, but Ive scanned the races that I regularly do and the times are faster than the 30-34 AG. Oh well, I guess its time to get off the couch.
oh so slow and mr. mike,
Today is also my birthday, and I too have moved up to the 35-39 AG. I’m kinda excited about it. In most of the races I have done, I would have placed better in 35-39 then in the 30-34.
Another reason is one the guys I train with and race against is 33 and lately he has been beating me. At least now I can play the AG card. Although I did get within 2minutes of him at the last 1/2 IM we did.
Enjoy the birthday, I have already done my 8 mile run and plan on going out with the familyand having a nice steak dinner with a cold beer or 2.
BTW, the best birthday gift I ever got, my oldest daughter was born 7 years ago today. We have a special bond.
Tucker
Nah, age group moving doesn’t bother me. Just another opportunity to be the youngster in the group. But, what did bother me when I turned 35 was this: a lot of age category boxes have a box for 35-50 years old…when I was 35, 50 seemed REALLY old.
Last week, at a restaurant, I was checking out. The girl at the cash register took one look at me, and punched a button that decreased the bill by 10%. I didn’t say anything, grateful for the discount. On the way out the door, I glanced down at my ticket. I noticed my arms sure are getting shorter. Then, I pulled my reading glasses off the top of my head and glanced down at the ticket again…this time, I could read it. It said, “Senior Discount”. I’m only mid-40’s, did well at my first IM last month, had just finished a pool workout followed by a weight-lifting session, and I got a Senior Discount. Do I really look Senior Discount Worthy? I hope not. At least, someone on the Hottie Thread was nice enough to post my picture…maybe they just feel sorry for me.
Oh, wait, this was about you turning 35, right? Well, as you get older, your replies may tend to wander and…and…I sure am sleepy…think I’ll go take a nap.
This whole thread is making me ill. I am going to bed.
Relatively speaking, NONE of the AGs are easy. The same guys beating up on the AGers in the current AG will be the same guys (provided they don’t get bored with the prey) doing it in the next AG.
Joe Bonness and Donald Fink. 'Nuff said.
Tony
If I had a girl friend like yours, I don’t think I would ever leave bed.