Is 26yrs old too late to get into Triathlon participation?

wayne0308

Hi,

I'm 25yrs old at the moment and about to turn 26. I've been fitness training on and off for the last year or so and I'm just starting to really get results as far as endurance is concerned. I'm really getting in to it at the moment really and enjoying it.

I was wondering, at my age is it too late to start participating in triathlon events? Not that I'm very old or anything but bearing in mind that it may take many months to get to the right level of fitness do you think it would be a good idea?


Thanks.

mloc123

I hope not

sean_84

Of course not. You mightn't win, but neither do most people who enter

shels4ever

wayne0308 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm 25yrs old at the moment and about to turn 26. I've been fitness training on and off for the last year or so and I'm just starting to really get results as far as endurance is concerned. I'm really getting in to it at the moment really and enjoying it.

I was wondering, at my age is it too late to start participating in triathlon events? Not that I'm very old or anything but bearing in mind that it may take many months to get to the right level of fitness do you think it would be a good idea?


Thanks.

some would say with some propper training in a few years your just going to hit your prime age

Never too old to start something good.

Iron Enthusiast

Hi Wayne,

Some people dp their 1st triathlon when they are 60, so your definitely not too old.
I did my first Tri 3 years ago when I was 24 and am now doing my 1st IM at 27, so your pretty much at the same age I was (and I wasn't exceptionally fit)

Just train smart, do your research and slowly build up the length of the events you do -

It's all part of the fun!:)

mitresize5

from the triathlons I did last year it looked like the average age was mid 30's

there were very few old fella's around 26!!

Oryx

26 years. Too old. Believe me, your perspective on what is old changes the more years you have to look back on.

Im beginning tri training as of this year. I have 10 years and then some on ya. You are not too old now, nor would you be too old in fifteen years. Its all relative.

wayne0308

Thanks guys for all your replies and encouragement. Motivation was always the problem with me but your comments will most certainly help me. Cheers! I know the question was a bit silly, I had an idea in my head that most competitors would have been training and regularly competing for years. My brother used to do triathlons regularly and it was scary how fit that guy was

Given the training required, would it possible to be ready for a short event within 6 months, given proper training. (I've only begun my research into working out an efficient training regime) It seems there are many helpful posts here on the forum on training for such events.

RedB

wayne0308 wrote: »

Given the training required, would it possible to be ready for a short event within 6 months, given proper training. quote]

No problem. Plenty of people manage that. Of course, how well you do depends on how fit you are now, if you have any background in the 3 sports and how much time / effort you can put in but you can definitely complete an event within that time frame. I've been there and I'd recommend it.:)

hunnymonster

I was 33 starting out :eek: Couldn't swim and didn't own a bike 6 months before my first IM so as they say. it's never too late.

wayne0308

RedB wrote: »

wayne0308 wrote: »

Given the training required, would it possible to be ready for a short event within 6 months, given proper training. quote]

No problem. Plenty of people manage that. Of course, how well you do depends on how fit you are now, if you have any background in the 3 sports and how much time / effort you can put in but you can definitely complete an event within that time frame. I've been there and I'd recommend it.:)

I'm a decent enough swimmer, it's been a while since I've went on long distance swims so that will still take a bit of work. I'm a regular mountain biker so I think a lot of work is needed to get road fit. The bike I have at the moment is only a flat barred trainer, one of the giant FCR's. So I might invest in a proper bike in the new year. I'm really starting to get better at running and really starting to enjoy it.

Does anyone have some good online resources for beginners at hand?

Oryx

hunnymonster wrote: »

I was 33 starting out :eek: Couldn't swim and didn't own a bike 6 months before my first IM so as they say. it's never too late.

Wow. You give me hope. Non swimmer to IM in six months is beyond impressive.

OP, from what youve said just then, youre way ahead of the game.

baldykav

Just do it!

I think it was bryan mccrystals first or second season this year and he won the national series so of course it can be done. I think he's late 20's.

I believe that the majority of people take it up later in life which is the biggest problem facing the sports elite end at the moment so you're gonna be in the majority

Too many people talk of Tri' being really hard and a major challenge but in my opinion they do it to feed their own ego's. The perception of Tri' is that it is some sort of Superhuman sport, but it is far from that, it is completely do-able for the vast majority of in anyway able bodied people.

I have a load of friends who did Triathlone 2 years back and they all did about 2 weeks "training". My girlfriend did her first Tri' with 1.5 weeks "training".

If you want to do as well as you can - train hard. If you want to just get around, then you'll be fine.

RedB

wayne0308 wrote: »

RedB wrote: »

I'm a decent enough swimmer, it's been a while since I've went on long distance swims so that will still take a bit of work. I'm a regular mountain biker so I think a lot of work is needed to get road fit. The bike I have at the moment is only a flat barred trainer, one of the giant FCR's. So I might invest in a proper bike in the new year. I'm really starting to get better at running and really starting to enjoy it.

Does anyone have some good online resources for beginners at hand?

One of several sites for beginners:

www.trinewbies.com

You're way ahead of lots of beginners. Check out the calander on Triathlon Ireland and see if there are any duathlons or sprint tris that would suit you.

griffin100

There's a 11-12 week plan here for beginners sprint distance here - http://www.trinewbies.com/ . It worked for me - although you will not win any races using it

On the age thing, I did my first tri last year at the age of 35 and next year will be doing an IM (touch wood). Having looked at the results of IMUK last year the qualifying times for the 3 Kona male qualifiers were faster in the 40-44 age group than in the 35-39 age group;)

MrCreosote

baldykav wrote: »

The perception of Tri' is that it is some sort of Superhuman sport, but it is far from that, it is completely do-able for the vast majority of in anyway able bodied people.

Spot on there. Just like anything it's as hard or as easy as you make it.

And the biggest groups in tris are the 25-29 and 30-34 ages. So at 26 you'd be one of the young whippersnappers at most of the races.

nomadic

I'm 26 and looking do a few tri's next year aswell. Just joined the National aquatic centre today to kick start my swimming. OP have a look at the eirman X race. Its off road so would suit you. I do a bit of MTB and plan on doing it.

wayne0308

Was just looking at the training plans on trinewbies.com. They were exactly what I needed. Looks like a great site.

I need to check out a few of the pools up here in Dublin. Once I do I can get stuck in on the swimming. I'm off and on living in Santry I'm weighing up the benefits of one close or far from me. I could do some running or cycling training in getting to the pool in the later stages of training.

In the mean time I'm going to try and build up my running. I'm going to get started with some cycling tonight with the first week of one of the plans and see how hard/easy it was and see if I can start at a later week on the plan.

I'm 26 and looking do a few tri's next year aswell. Just joined the National aquatic centre today to kick start my swimming. OP have a look at the eirman X race. Its off road so would suit you. I do a bit of MTB and plan on doing it.

That would be cool for me. I'm sifting through the events that are on next year in order to have a goal to work to. Going to make a calendar and plan my work and work my plan

toomuchdetail

Go nuts on the Triathlon, did my first this year at 41 with no real fitness to start with . should have done it years ago , no one to beat but yourself .
If you do 1 chances are you will do 5/6 of them next year so planning your calendar is a good idea along with your training .Also look to join a club which is something I still have to do.
Some good pool tri's in Nenagh and Limerick which are good for confidence.

tunney

toomuchdetail wrote: »

Go nuts on the Triathlon, did my first this year at 41 with no real fitness to start with . should have done it years ago , no one to beat but yourself .
If you do 1 chances are you will do 5/6 of them next year so planning your calendar is a good idea along with your training .Also look to join a club which is something I still have to do.
Some good pool tri's in Nenagh and Limerick which are good for confidence.

Fingal too is a good pool race to start with.

Truffle

baldykav wrote: »

Just do it!

I think it was bryan mccrystals first or second season this year and he won the national series so of course it can be done. I think he's late 20's.

I believe that the majority of people take it up later in life which is the biggest problem facing the sports elite end at the moment so you're gonna be in the majority

Too many people talk of Tri' being really hard and a major challenge but in my opinion they do it to feed their own ego's. The perception of Tri' is that it is some sort of Superhuman sport, but it is far from that, it is completely do-able for the vast majority of in anyway able bodied people.

I have a load of friends who did Triathlone 2 years back and they all did about 2 weeks "training". My girlfriend did her first Tri' with 1.5 weeks "training".

If you want to do as well as you can - train hard. If you want to just get around, then you'll be fine.

I started training for tri's and first sat on a bike and started swimming in january 08..Total novice but i had played football and did a bit of running from an early age. It isnt an impossible sport or an 'elite' sport!!

theres a great family feel and atmosphere on race days.. The comradery is great.. There is help everywhere and my experience is that people are only too willing to help you out..

Just train smart, know your limits, dont over do it early on( like i did and plenty of others!!!) most importantly enjoy it..

Bryan McCrystal

potsy11

www.beginnertriathlete.com

For all tri questions, queries, diaries, forums, videos, advice, coaches etc.

Great website.

MCOS

Truffle wrote: »

I started training for tri's and first sat on a bike and started swimming in january 08..Total novice but i had played football and did a bit of running from an early age. It isnt an impossible sport or an 'elite' sport!!

theres a great family feel and atmosphere on race days.. The comradery is great.. There is help everywhere and my experience is that people are only too willing to help you out..

Just train smart, know your limits, dont over do it early on( like i did and plenty of others!!!) most importantly enjoy it..

Bryan McCrystal

Fair play to you on your unbelievable progress in less than 2 years, clearly a natural :eek: Savage season too... welll done man!

Bambaata

yeah congrats Bryan!!

To add. I turned 26 this year and it was my first season of tri. I had completed some races in previous years but i hadn't done any training for them and i emphasise the word "completed" them. Thus year i put some structure to training, trained regularly (still far from what i really should have been doing) and hence had some great results. I archived all my goals and wouldnt have had too many younger than me finish ahead of me. Most finishing ahead of me were older and i don't feel like I'll hit my peak for some time yet (well i sure hope not). To me it seems like a sport that requires a fair bit of knowledge and experience to get any where close to your peak and that takes time both to learn your weaknesses/strengths and how you should adapt your training around them and your goals.

Also the beauty with races breaking results by age category means no matter what age you are you can still have something to aim towards should you goal be to simply perform well in your age group. For instance the AG world/euro champs have an even amount of spaces available per 5 year age category. I went over to the Euro duathlon this year in Budapest and the guys in the 40-44 group were unbelievable. I finished midway through my age group but i wouldn't have been any better placed in that category!!!

baldykav

Spot on Bryan. I think the majority of people don't realise how accessible, open, do-able! and friendly the sport actually is.

The way I see it, you're still racing the same course as everyone else so unless you're sauntering around you're probably going to hurt the same if you come last then if you come first. In some ways I have more respect for the people who do a course like Kenmare in 6+hrs than those who are in the 4's. Could you imagine the pain they are going through for 2hrs more time than the front runners?!

I think this helps create a good atmosphere at the races for all involved whether you're going for the win, or just doing it for the challenge.

tunney

baldykav wrote: »

Spot on Bryan. I think the majority of people don't realise how accessible, open, do-able! and friendly the sport actually is.

The way I see it, you're still racing the same course as everyone else so unless you're sauntering around you're probably going to hurt the same if you come last then if you come first. In some ways I have more respect for the people who do a course like Kenmare in 6+hrs than those who are in the 4's. Could you imagine the pain they are going through for 2hrs more time than the front runners?!

I think this helps create a good atmosphere at the races for all involved whether you're going for the win, or just doing it for the challenge.

Probably comparable to the pain that the 4 hours people went through when they actually did some training.

MrCreosote

tunney wrote: »

Probably comparable to the pain that the 4 hours people went through when they actually did some training.

How about starting a thread called "Slow Triathlons- a non-achievement?" :P

Truffle

Thanks for the compliments ..

What drove me to the line in kenmare was the competitors i met on the way back in the run( it was an out and back run).. I would say 90% of the athletes i met on the way back gave me a shout of encouragement..I was in serious pain..it was so lonely on the first half of the run because there was nobody around.. your head plays tricks with you..All that said i finished second..(you think i won it the way im writing this!!!)I nearly had brian keane!!! NEARLY! ...

one fella even clapped at me... how he had the energy to clap i'll never know..

BMcC

dare2be

Truffle

When you say you had played football at one stage before taking up triathlon it wasn't by any chance Irish League football was it? Just know of someone by the same name and thought it might be you?

Anyway, well done and its an inspiration to those who want to take part in these events

Truffle

dare2be wrote: »

Truffle

When you say you had played football at one stage before taking up triathlon it wasn't by any chance Irish League football was it? Just know of someone by the same name and thought it might be you?

Anyway, well done and its an inspiration to those who want to take part in these events

Thank you!

Thats me.. Not too many Bryan McCrystals about..

dare2be

Truffle wrote: »

Thank you!

Thats me.. Not too many Bryan McCrystals about..

Thought that!!

Looking forward to the Sportsman Duathlons in the new year. Looks like a good route for the run and cycle.

baldykav

I think everyone died a death on that course alright.

coming home at about the 17-18k mark I was on Auto' survival mode but saw some people going the other way who were at 3-4k and looked like complete death. For me it put in perspective that the 6+hrs heads hurt just as bad! I know that I didn't feel that bad at that point!

Keane was a freak on the day, he seemed to just potter around the course. Had a chat with him after and he said that his goal was to just hold 17kph on the run. freak.

RedB

baldykav wrote: »

I think everyone died a death on that course alright.

coming home at about the 17-18k mark I was on Auto' survival mode but saw some people going the other way who were at 3-4k and looked like complete death. For me it put in perspective that the 6+hrs heads hurt just as bad! I know that I didn't feel that bad at that point!

Keane was a freak on the day, he seemed to just potter around the course. Had a chat with him after and he said that his goal was to just hold 17kph on the run. freak.

Ha - don't talk to me about those speed merchants with their 6+ hour HIM's ! If you want to see the commited people then you'll see them at the tail end of the event as much as every other position right up to the winner. I only got into Triathlon patricipation this year as a 40 year old and the absolute best things about it were that I could participate in the same events as the elite and that I could finish them (within my own target time). Now of course I want to do it faster, better and maybe even longer someday but it is definitely a sport that welcomes all ages and abilities.

This is an extract from the end of my own Lost Sheep race report for what its worth.

"If there's one thing worse than embarking on a 2 hour run in the sun at this stage, its realising that lots of people have already finished it, had a massage and are eating ice-cream while they watch a 50yr old woman run past you! Doooh. I won't bore you any further with details but I did manage to pass four people during the next 2.5 hours but that's more down to my walking prowess more than anything more spectacular. I momentarily thought about busting a gut to break the 7 hour mark but the dizzy spells, concrete legs and lethargy won that argument and so I romped home in 27Xth place in a time of 7:XX. Would I do it again? Hell ya. I'll be back and this time I might even train properly for it!"

Truffle

baldykav wrote: »

Keane was a freak on the day, he seemed to just potter around the course. Had a chat with him after and he said that his goal was to just hold 17kph on the run. freak.

The guy is a talent alrite.. Ive never seen anyone bounce so fluently over tarmac before!!

check this out lads/lassies..

http://setantatri.com/latest_news.php?option&id=175

Brilliant course with little or no traffic interuption!
Log it in the diary.. keep an eye on the website in the next couple of weeks..

great prizes for every level and you might even get a sandwich & a bowl of soup after

BMcC

baldykav

Looks good, may have to take a trip up for one or two.

Your training plan also looks good, no weekends! your secret's out?

911sc

wayne0308 wrote: »

I was wondering, at my age is it too late to start participating in triathlon events?

If you are at 26, then i already have one foot in the grave....

I ran my first marathon at 39, did my first duathlon at almost 40, and my first triathlon at almost 41 year old, Olympic and HIM distances.
My first ultra marathon will be at 41.5yrs, and hopefully Ironman at 42.

While i have no pretention of ever winning a race one day, i usually finish somewhere in the middle of the pack...but most importantly, i am really enjoying what i am doing...and the pain associated with it!

jmdsk

Thanks for the inspitration 911sc. I'm 39 going on what feels like 50. I used to do alot of cycling with a little running. So I have a plan for next year to do a duathlon in February or March. I'm going to start learning to swim from January, so hopefully i'll go for a couple of sprint tri's later in the year and after that who knows.

tart

Wayne ur an old man now, better get the slippers and pipe out, What i would do to be 26 again, It`s never to old to do a sport you love....

rainbow kirby

tart wrote: »

Wayne ur an old man now, better get the slippers and pipe out, What i would do to be 26 again, It`s never to old to do a sport you love....

I'm the same age as the OP here and I feel like a kid on this forum at times :pac:

wayne0308

tart wrote: »

Wayne ur an old man now, better get the slippers and pipe out, What i would do to be 26 again, It`s never to old to do a sport you love....

I've started a training plan at the weekend there and I certainly feel like an owld man at the moment but it's started well. I might create a log to keep myself motivated especially over the xmas.

I'm still searching around for a pool here in Dublin, has anyone been to the Northwood health and fitness in Santry? Does anyone have any other recommendations?

The National aquatic center would be an ideal place, it's a good distance away from me though sadly.

tunney

wayne0308 wrote: »

I've started a training plan at the weekend there and I certainly feel like an owld man at the moment but it's started well. I might create a log to keep myself motivated especially over the xmas.

I'm still searching around for a pool here in Dublin, has anyone been to the Northwood health and fitness in Santry? Does anyone have any other recommendations?

The National aquatic center would be an ideal place, it's a good distance away from me though sadly.

The public pool in Ballymun.

wayne0308

tunney wrote: »

The public pool in Ballymun.

Just had a look at it there, it looks great it's only a short ride on the bike from where I live too. I'm going to head out for a look later this evening.

Bambaata

wayne0308 wrote: »

I've started a training plan at the weekend there and I certainly feel like an owld man at the moment but it's started well. I might create a log to keep myself motivated especially over the xmas.

I'm still searching around for a pool here in Dublin, has anyone been to the Northwood health and fitness in Santry? Does anyone have any other recommendations?

The National aquatic center would be an ideal place, it's a good distance away from me though sadly.

Northwood is fine if you are ok for swimming early (7 - 9am). It has a lot of members because it is so cheap and thus can be cramped in the evenings. I've never had any issue getting a lane at 7am though.

jog

i only discovered this board today (dec 09) - was thinking about doing my second triath (june 10) and im inspired now again by all the encouraging posts you have received Wayne. ive been swimming in mornings all winter - swimming first thing before work is an amazing way to start the day! keep us up to date on your training!