When I was a much younger triathlete I remember watching the USTS national championships television coverage from Hilton Head, S.C. In it, they featured the best master triathletes. One of the guys—a pilot—said that for some reason when you turn forty you get this urge to become as fit as possible. I turned forty a while ago and I’m not sure why, but I never really felt that.

Some people are saying that 50 is the new 40. Maybe that explains why I’m now feeling an urge to get fit again. It’s not a huge urge, but the motivation is mounting as March 19—my 50th birthday—approaches. Not only is it a milestone birthday, but the inaugural San Juan Ironman 70.3 race is being held that very same day. Add to all of this the fact that my mother lives in San Juan, and you leave this Boulder-based coach and triathlete without excuse. 

For those of you who don’t know me, you can check out my profile on Mark Allen Online for the more polished version. The short version is that I am a triathlete who started back in the day with no clip-in pedals or aero bars. I raced hard for about 15 years making the National Amateur Team USA in the Olympic distance, not to mention six trips to Kona where my best time was 9:34. I had the pleasure there of running a few miles with Tim DeBoom along Ali’i Drive (back when he raced Kona as an amateur), forming a good connection along the way. I trained in Boulder during my Ironman years where I met Mark Allen. Years later he called me to help him automate his coaching system, and MarkAllenOnline.com was born. Our business has grown into a successful online coaching center, and has allowed me to combine my passion with my occupation—something that I know sounds wonderful to many, and that I would never trade. Believe me though, the minute you mix your hobby with your job it can endanger your passion. But I’ve managed so far, and I must say, it’s been good.

What could possibly be my reasons for starting this blog, steeped as I already am in triathlon? One is to share in the challenges of getting fit at 50. I just read a forum where all these 50-year-old guys were complaining. “The problem with hitting 50 is that it hits you back,” one had written. I’m not trying to delude myself—it will not be easy.

Another reason is a little more personal: dealing with getting slower. Many people that I coach set PR times at 40, 50, or even later. But most of these folks have not been athletes from a young age, and more than likely were sedentary, and smoked or drank too much before finding athletics. Then I have many athletes my age or older who are constantly miffed that their times do not improve, and refuse to consider age as a factor. I understand their reasons, but all you have to do is look at results in any big race to see that the times do get slower on average. It is a strong wave to fight against.

My plan this time around is to embrace my age without looking back (too much!) You probably will not hear me say I set a new PR during this campaign. My personal bests in swimming were achieved in college when I was 18 years old. There’s no point trying to even come close at 50. In cycling I managed to split a 4:56  on the Kona course with both transitions included. Do that at 50? Lasts year’s best bike split by a 50 year old at Kona was 5:01, without transitions. Tough, to say the least. On the run there is a small chance that I could come close as my PR’s in the 70.3 (1:30) and Ironman (3:40), but these are somewhat soft.

There’s one more thing that’s soft. Another huge barrier, and my third reason to blog this experience is weight loss. At my fastest in Kona—and at most other races—I weighed 165 pounds. That’s about 30 pounds less that I weigh now, and losing it will not be easy. So, I will share how that is going and my approach.

The final challenge is I will be training in dry and snowy climate for a hot and humid race in Puerto Rico.  Can I make this any tougher for myself? There are no guarantees. I may very well fail to get to the start line or to win my age group. But you can read about my journey anyway, though I warn you, it’s not off to a good start!

This July I did a 5-mile run race and did not prepare very well for it. I was super sore and after a few days off I went for a run and my calf seized up. I’ve barely run since then, as every time I think I‘m healed my calf tightens and I can’t go further. After a great spring of running, I’m a little bummed about it. But there’s time. At least let’s hope so. Stay tuned!

Feature Photo: The author, with Mark Allen. Photo by Timothy Carlson