How many of you out there are like me and made the transition from team sports to triathlon later in life? I was a lacrosse player all through childhood, high school, college, and post collegiate club circuits. I walked away from the sport in my early 30’s. I got tired of playing against guys right out of college in their 20’s, grew sick of organized practices, games, and the injuries. Most of all I grew out of all of the sophomoric frat boy antics that come with being on a sports team including the excessive alcohol consumption and skirt chasing. Don’t get me wrong all that was a blast when I was in my teens and twenties but it gets old as you mature into your 30s.
After a couple years of just lifting in a gym I decided to compete in a few multi-sport races last year and it hooked me. This is the first year I am taking it really seriously and I have managed to be quite competitive in my first 3 races this year including my first 70.3 (Eagleman). It has really filled the competitive void I had when I stopped playing lacrosse. However, now I can train/practice at my own pace on my own schedule and I can choose when and where I want to compete. It is refreshing to be involved in athletics again yet not feel pressured to get drunk at the bar with the team after a game or to listen to juvenile chatter about last nights bedroom conquest after closing time. Most of us mature as we get older but few athletes ever lose the desire to compete. I’m really greatful that I got turned on to triathlon, it has been a great experience so far.
I’d love to hear about the experiences of other former team sport athletes who have made the transition to triathlon. I suspect there are a lot of us.
How many of you out there are like me and made the transition from team sports to triathlon later in life? I was a lacrosse player all through childhood, high school, college, and post collegiate club circuits. I walked away from the sport in my early 30’s. I got tired of playing against guys right out of college in their 20’s, grew sick of organized practices, games, and the injuries. Most of all I grew out of all of the sophomoric frat boy antics that come with being on a sports team including the excessive alcohol consumption and skirt chasing. Don’t get me wrong all that was a blast when I was in my teens and twenties but it gets old as you mature into your 30s.
After a couple years of just lifting in a gym I decided to compete in a few multi-sport races last year and it hooked me. This is the first year I am taking it really seriously and I have managed to be quite competitive in my first 3 races this year including my first 70.3 (Eagleman). It has really filled the competitive void I had when I stopped playing lacrosse. However, now I can train/practice at my own pace on my own schedule and I can choose when and where I want to compete. It is refreshing to be involved in athletics again yet not feel pressured to get drunk at the bar with the team after a game or to listen to juvenile chatter about last nights bedroom conquest after closing time. Most of us mature as we get older but few athletes ever lose the desire to compete. I’m really greatful that I got turned on to triathlon, it has been a great experience so far.
I’d love to hear about the experiences of other former team sport athletes who have made the transition to triathlon. I suspect there are a lot of us.
Could it be that most of those guys were not that competitive in the first place?
The last time played any team sports was high, which admittedly isn’t so long ago, but I did play football and rugby throughout. Tried out track in my senior year which is what got me interested in individual sports because I didn’t have to rely on being picked by a coach anymore. Also I realized after high school that I needed something to do to fill the void athletically otherwise I’d end up being one of the guys wishing they’d started 20 years and 40 lbs earlier.
the excessive alcohol consumption and skirt chasing. Don’t get me wrong all that was a blast when I was in my teens and twenties but it gets old as you mature into your 30s.
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I’m 47 and don’t drink, but thank god I didn’t get this memo!