Carla, many kudos to you for your accomplishments. Once a runner, always a runner. Once a triathlete, always a triathlete, even if you aren’t actively engaged in racing. I recently read an article about the FIO2 of older athletes, elite athletes who were no longer working out. Amazingly, theirs was still in the fit range compared with the general population. As another former athlete, (swimmer and runner) I know a bit about what it feels like to slow down. It was very hard at first. I had a lot of time on my hands because I had been running 45-60 minutes for my daily runs, I did speed work once a week minimum, and then I had my long runs once a week, and as you know those can get very long, varying from 2-3 hours. I also lifted weights and did Pilates and yoga. It was a second occupation. In fact, the new gap in my schedule was one of the reasons I found YLF and took on my wardrobe revamp project! I stopped running marathons after a stress fracture of my femur when I was training for the Boston marathon. Too many miles on too old a frame? I thought that for a long time...... I recently learned that I have a congenital kidney problem that effects my bone density. It makes me very sad. I stopped swimming after med school. I cannot get myself to do laps again or to swim in a lake. I love the social aspects of running, and that is what I miss most about not running with my buddies anymore. I have found Pilates, Yoga, some focused weight lifting and the occasional shorter run are good substitutes. I have a road bike, but never ventured into Biathlon’s or Triathlons. I know too many people who have been injured badly on their bicycles and two who have lost their lives. I am afraid of riding on the roads around here. I ride on rail trails when I can find them. I admire anyone who is brave enough to ride on the road and who has completed triathlons. You have met a personal challenge that few people can manage. It doesn’t matter if there are other people older than you who are still going. All athletes know that it’s all about our personal best. If you have done your personal best, then you are the winner!
