I hear you on this. At 50, I finally got through IM-Wisconsin this year, in part because it was cool (cold!) Previously I struggled there with the heat in 2003.
I also have found that I run nowhere near as much as I did 4 or 5 years ago. The pool has become the place where the majority of the time is spent now. It has kept me aerobically OK, but bulkier…and my run splits have suffrered because of that.
I can’t handle cold these days. When will it be summer again? I think that heat acclimation is something you can work at and something I make a real effort to work at by staying as skinny as possible and doing some training in the hottest part of the day. I feel I do better in heat as I get older but handle cold worse.
Who you calling old?
Joe Bonness
“I don’t know, but I’ve been told, if you never slow down, you’ll never grow old”
Tom Petty
Well, I view it as a narrowing of my dynamic range. Have never tolerated heat well, but now - in my mid-fifties - I notice that both excessive heat and cold bother me more than they used to. Not sure how much of it has to do with weight - mine has seesawed a bit over the past 18 mo (down 20+, up five, down 10, up 10…), but I have to believe that’s a factor - as well as state of hydration. I had a terrible time with the heat at the Florida 70.3 last year, and nothing that used to work (ice in hat & under armpits, etc) made a bit of difference. On the other hand, ran with my kids recently - it was only a bit below 40F, tho with a pretty stiff breeze, and what would have been delightful running weather five years ago seemed chilly and uncomfortable.
One possibility, in addition to variability in weight (with slow adaptation) is that increasing age results in microvascular changes, with diminished thermoregulatory capability. I have no physiological or scientific basis for suggesting it other than a straightforward WAG (wild-assed guess).
I’m 53 and have always been a hot weather guy. My ideal TT was very hot with humidity so no else could stand it. Noticed last summer, that I’m now sweating more and that increased water volume comes at lower temperatures. Last July, had a mid week training session ended because of heat well into the 90s getting to me. That next weekend DNF’d a TT for the first time in my life, doing a 20K TT. Temp 103 with high humidity. Got sick about 3 miles in. Just couldn’t take it. Definately a change for me.
I’m finding increased ability to tolerate cold. Never was a cold weather rider. (California wimp.) In my 5 years in the midwest, my cold tolerance has risen sharply. Now ride in shorts and jersey down to 50. Arm warmers and leg warmers below that. Don’t get into jackets, tights and caps till below 40 depending on wind. Riding down to the low 20s. That is a huge difference, really enjoy the brisk weather now.
Cheers,
Ric
Art,
During the 70’s and 80’s, I loved running in the heat - less so if it was also humid. I’m almost 61 now and over the past 15 years or so, I have found heat (above 90) to be very troublesome when running long distances. I now try to avoid marathons and 1/2 and full iron distance races where it’s almost certain to be hot. I live in New England and will sign up for regional races that may or may not be hot, but I learned my lesson and won’t race in the southern U.S. again between April and September. I think I’m as tough as ever in some ways, but I melt in the heat now.
I’m 54 and its the cold that gets me. If its below 50 I don’t go out to ride (I only ride), and even that is pushing it. I have ridden numerous times in the 90’s and if I don’t push too hard and keep hydrated its not too bad. Of course, I live in the desert and “its a dry heat.” 
I expected this thread to be viagra related. Either way, it’s good not to be old!
you will be, grasshopper, you will be…
the only positive thing to be said for getting old is that it beats the alternative.
I’m with cerveloguy, I’ve lost tolerance on both ends of the scale. Don’t even try to run fast in the cold anymore, can’t do it atall. I still prefer running in the heat, but have to be careful these days.
I’m with you here. I turn 50 in a few months and it seems I have less heat tolerance as I get older. When I lived in South Carolina 7 years ago we used to do these crazy speed brick intervals at the hottest time of the day. Those days are over.
Don’t overlook the best part of becoming an old guy: your pace puts you closer to the young ladies racing triathlons! Enjoy the views, the sport will only get better for you!
Noticed that I don’t do as well in the heat. Actually I’ve noticed that for each of the last 2 summers my daily runs have gotten slower in the hot months but I’ve been running faster as each year progresses in the cool months. I’m only 35 so now I can add another thing to look forward to as I get older.
I’ve noticed that I race worse in the heat than when I was younger (I’m now 45). Nearly 20 years ago I raced a couple of small 1/2 IMs that had no bottle hand-ups on the bike. I did both with two 20oz bottles. I became very thirsty and dehydrated in those races but I still rode and ran well.
There is no way I could make it through a 1/2 IM with so little fluid these days. First off, I seem to sweat more. Second, dehydration seems to affect me a lot sooner. And third, my sweat seems much saltier. I can still race OK in the heat if I stay on top of hydration and electrolytes but really suffer if I fall behind.
Brian,
You have no business participating in the “old guy” posts. As for me, I believe I am still “HOT!”
Happy New Year!
Agreed
.
" Don’t overlook the best part of becoming an old guy: your pace puts you closer to the young ladies racing triathlons! Enjoy the views, the sport will only get better for you!"
I have definitely enjoyed that aspect of racing slower. I generally pace myself behind some hot babe, and go from one to another depending on how I or they are doing. When I was younger, I ran away from them. Kids sure are stupid.
I am now 58 and 2 years ago the Dr. put me on blood pressure medication and I think that really screwed me up. I was a heavy sweater and after spending a summer on the meds in heat and humidity, I had become an excessive sweater! The excessive sweating led to some real problems with dehydration. I had some real problems figuring out how to adjust my fluid intake during long runs when it was hot and muggy. I switched meds but I still think it effects my breathing. IMHO, most Dr’s don’t understand the real effects of BP meds on active endurance athletes. In fact on some days when I have a long race, I won’t take the BP med until after the race ( I normally take it first thing in the morning).
I’m with Bob and Fleck. I have more trouble dealing with cold that heat. However, dealing with humidity like you have would be a challenge.
I’m with these guys… When I was younger, I really enjoyed the Canadian winter and all the skiing, tobogganing, skating, etc. that went with it. Since I’ve gotten older (45) and gotten more health / fitness conscious (10% BF, 160 lbs.) the winters kill me. I live for the summer when we head to Florida for 2 weeks vacation. The weather is usually hot or really stinking hot. (My 2 favorite types)…
Brad
“IMHO, most Dr’s don’t understand the real effects of BP meds on active endurance athletes”
Couldn’t agree more. I’m on lipitor and an ACE inhibitor - when I tried to discuss the impact for endurance sports with my doc, I got a blank stare. I think we’re on our own; even sports medicine docs aren’t much use, as they are more focused on the injuries that occur (e.g., orthopedically-biased surgical training) than on the underlying physiology of endurance athletes, whether weekend or otherwise.
Can anyone else discuss their experiences with hypertension medications? I think I may be on these after my February physical. thanks
Reply to: IMHO, most Dr’s don’t understand the real effects of BP meds on active endurance athletes"
Couldn’t agree more. I’m on lipitor and an ACE inhibitor - when I tried to discuss the impact for endurance sports with my doc, I got a blank stare. I think we’re on our own; even sports medicine docs aren’t much use, as they are more focused on the injuries that occur (e.g., orthopedically-biased surgical training) than on the underlying physiology of endurance athletes, whether weekend or otherwise
Doc
This could/should be it’s own thread. Great topic!