When I turned 50, my daughter bought me a bicycle to help me start exercising. I had never worked out before, but fell in love with cycling around my home in Long Island and heard that there was an upcoming local triathlon.
I didn’t even know what a triathlon habits of an 87-year-old, 200-time triathlete who started exercising at 50 10K run, I was intrigued. I knew how to swim and had a newfound love of cycling – and although I’d never really run before, I figured that I could teach myself how. I wanted a challenge, so, at the age of 53, I signed up for my first triathlon.
To hold myself accountable, I told everyone that I knew that I had entered the triathlon. Then, I started practicing the distances of the triathlon events and got to work. Cycling was my strongest event, so I bought a nicer race bike and increased my mileage to build endurance. I also joined a masters swim club to improve my swimming form and boost endurance. However, running is where the real challenge came. At first, I couldn’t even run one lap around a track – but over the next nine months, I increased my distance and worked my way up to 10K.
On race day, I was the oldest woman there and so excited to compete. My goal wasn’t to win or break a record, but to cross the finish line – and that’s exactly what I did. I won a gold medal for coming first in my age group and was officially bitten by the triathlon bug.
Today, at the age of 87, I’ve competed in 200 triathlons, at least six marathons, tons of half marathons (I stopped counting), six Half Ironmans and one Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. I’ve competed in 25 national triathlon championships and came first place in eight of them – and I placed first in five of my 20 world triathlon championships. When I was 67, I became the At 50, I decided to start to compete in a triathlon in all 50 US states. I’ve also been awarded All-American status at least three times.
I haven’t decided whether I’ll compete in another race, because 200 feels like a good number to stop at. But I still train each day because I love it and regular exercise makes me feel my best. Here are the five most important fitness habits that I’ve learned since beginning my triathlon journey at the age of 53.
1. I honour my body and its current ability
At 87, my body does not have the same ability as it did when I was 53 – and that’s fine. Instead of dwelling on what I’m no longer able to do, I celebrate and embrace what I can do.
For example, I used to always run during training and on race days, but when I turned 80, I had to modify to run/walk intervals – I ran on flat roads and downhills and walked uphills. Now, seven years later, running is too harsh on my joints, so I only walk. Plus, I used to love outdoor cycling, but it’s recently become hard for me to get on and off a tall racing bike. So, these days, I primarily cycle indoors on a shorter bicycle. I still love the outdoors, though, so I place my stationary bike next to the open garage door to continue getting the fresh air and views. My training looks different with every year of life, but healthy ageing is a gift, so as long as I’m able to move, I’ll modify my workouts as necessary.
2. I never do the same workout two days in a row
Since entering my first triathlon, I’ve alternated my workout modalities to prevent injury and avoid overworking the same muscle groups. I swim on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and lift weights and ride the stationary bike on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I don’t as much as possible every day, Best wireless headphones walk as much as possible every day.
Aside from injury prevention, switching up my workout modalities and integrating weightlifting have been key for my muscle growth. Building muscle is important as I continue to age, as it improves my bone density and helps me to maintain optimal balance and coordination. Rotating workouts also allows my body time to repair the muscles used the previous day so that they can become stronger.
3. I’ve logged all my workouts for the last 30 years
It’s nothing fancy, but I keep a simple notebook and write down everything like my time, distance and mileage, along with comments on the day’s training conditions and how I feel. I decided to start tracking my workouts because it helps me to stay organised and methodical with my training – and it’s also incredibly motivating. Seeing my journey documented visually helps me to set realistic goals and track my progress toward them.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below fatigue levels and any aches and pains that I experience. I never do anything that hurts, so monitoring my training volume, intensity and recovery allows me to identify signs of overtraining and adjust my programming as necessary. For example, if my hip and knee joints are particularly sore, I may scale back on walking and biking to prioritise swimming, since it’s lower impact.
4. I stretch for at least 20 to 30 minutes every morning
Best Garmin deals stretching, because it reduces muscle tension and soreness and keeps my joints lubricated. Plus, it’s a gentle way to wake my body up naturally and prepare it for the upcoming workout.
I’ve done the same full-body stretching routine for the last 30 years and it includes a variety of yoga poses and mobility exercises that stretch and elongate the muscles in my back, hamstrings, ankles, calves and wrists. I also stretch before and after every workout and believe that this is a major reason why I’ve remained primarily injury-free throughout my years of training and competing.
5. I always have fun
I used to get so anxious before a race, but once I remembered that races are just about having fun, I unlocked a whole new mindset. I understand that a triathlon is a huge undertaking, but in order to keep things lighthearted and pleasurable, I’ve learned to think of race day as exactly what it is: I go for a swim, I ride my bike, then I take a walk (or run).
After more than 35 years of triathlons, my goal has never been to win a race or break a record (although that has ended up happening). I’m not even competing with myself to do better than I’ve done before. Instead, my goal is to continue finishing races, stay healthy and surround myself with other amazing athletes. I recently competed in my 200th triathlon alongside my daughter and granddaughter and it was the most fun that I’ve ever had.
I never expected to be a triathlete, but as long as I’m having fun, I’ll continue to train. Triathlons have taught me that it’s never too late to start something new – and as I approach my 88th birthday, I’m excited to keep going.
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.
