When my first born, Gordo, won the 2002 Ultraman Hawaii three-day triathlon event, I realized that my lifestyle had to change or I would be left behind in the wake of a turbo-charged global community of vibrant triathletes. It took me just over two years to join my local triathlon association, upgrade my swim stroke and commit to a regular triathlon training schedule.

Almost 60, at the time, age didn't cut it as an adequate excuse for non-participation. Through my speedy metamorphosis, I benefited from my son's online coaching services and from a book he had co-authored with Masters triathlete Joe Friel.

When I was ready to attempt my first full tri-training session, I glided through the swim, stayed focused on the bike and sailed through the run to a sprint finish.  I then set my first triathlon goal - completing a real triathlon race held each year on campus at the nearby University of British Columbia.

What impressed me as I undertook my late-in-life reinvention was the friendliness of the triathlon community. Athletes of all ages and skill levels compete side by side. 

Who knew that being older and being new to swim, bike, run routines would actually garner encouragement and admiration. Much to my surprise, my son's friends and fellow coaches helped launch me with tips, gifts of cool tri gear and race strategy ideas. Now, every person I encounter at events seems available to help speed my athletic goals into reality; as the parent of a world-class athlete, there are certain advantages.

Plenty of folks comment about my genes. I never divulge that my son's father was actually a running powerhouse in his teens.  My strengths, which have increased with passing years, include stamina, wise pacing and a talent for consistently recharging my energy thus avoiding burnout.

Becoming a later-life triathlete has presented quite a few grim challenges. One year, for example, during the annual Ironman Canada Week in Penticton, B.C., age-group champion Sister Madonna Buder (now 80) blithely invited me to join her for a swim in the lake. Petrified, at the time, of open-water swimming, I politely declined the invitation. Within two years of that experience, I had ramped up my swim stroke and had left all phobic inclinations far behind.

With focus on breath and stroke rhythm, I learned to calmly move through every swim portion of each triathlon race I entered. While many triathletes start their races paralyzed with apprehension during swim starts, I discovered that this aspect of the sport, which I grew to love, was actually my strength. Overcoming my fear unleashed my greatest athletic advantage - my inner swim diva!

As I look forward to many more years of competition my zeal for sharing my experiences with other triathlete novices increases. My sureness each race day revolves around a reliable flowchart-training poster, which includes everything from my highlighted course map to a list of required nutrition for before, during and after my race. With luck, I am almost guaranteed a spot on the podium every time I compete simply because my winter event presents weather conditions that most women my age wish to avoid; by training in the worst possible situations and having a realistic goal of simply finishing, my first place medals are usually guaranteed.

Of the most benefit during my reinvention: knowing that my son's actions had ignited a spark dormant in me. Without his guidance, companionship at the outset and skilful demonstration of required race protocols, I would have remained on the sidelines. As fate would have it, I am now on course, often watched and cheered on by youth and young adults. I could never have imagined that getting old could be this much fun!

JANUARY 2011 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND
JANUARY 2011 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND