It’s been a year since I last competed in a marathon, two years ago in a duathlon, and almost five years since my last Ironman.
As I get older, my performance seems to slow down, and my pace has gotten slower as well. Of course, I don’t expect to get any faster, and beat the results of my past races. Afterall, I am 62 years old, but hey, I am still as active now as I was 20 years ago when I was in my 40s.
Since retiring here in Dumaguete from New York four years ago, I truly have been enjoying more the outdoor activities like swimming, cycling, and running. I don’t even have to deal with indoor training due to heavy snow during winter.
I have been active in the running sport the last 32 years since 1991; and in triathlon the last 17 tears since 2006.
In all those years, I trained passionately and consistently, and I often joined races to compete and measure up.
Until about six years ago, I was diagnosed with a bone spur on my spine. The doctor told me that it’s from years of pounding the pavement (did I say 32 years?).
Although there’s no cure for bone spur, maximizing preventive measures through core strengthening allows me to continue running.
In my bucket list are races that I want to complete (or have just completed) before I will officially hang those shoes.
One was the 42-Kilometer Cebu City Marathon — which I completed last year, running over the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.
I have since signed up for Ironman Cebu 70.3 slated jn April 2024. It has intrigued me to do that race because firstmost, I won’t have to travel far; secondly, it’s an iconic race, and considered one of the best Ironman 70.3 in the world.
As a certified coach in triathlon, and running in general, I carefully prepared a training plan for myself and for some local athletes competing in Ironman Cebu in next year.
Training for triathlon consists of extensive training in swimming, cycling and running. It takes more time than marathon training but in the same token, the body needs more time to rest and recover.
For older athletes like me, rest is as important as time spent in actual training. Our body needs to recover quickly so that it can focus on the next workout. One would not be able to train hard everyday if the body has not been well-rested; otherwise, it will just give in and break.
Even the fittest of athlete needs to rest and recover.
Although I am the oldest in the group, and probably having competed the longest number of years, I still have to make sure that I don’t get injured, and may have to make some adjustments, if possible.
Listening to my body when it is screaming to take it easy is No. 1 in the list of things to do for injury- prevention.
Incorporating some strengthening exercises with swimming, cycling, and running is also important.
My goal here is to be able to start the race injury-free, and finish the race safely.
I will periodically update my progress, and share my journey in the coming weeks and months.
Have a wonderful Christmas, and a healthy New Year, everyone!
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Author’s email: Ironmandario@gmail.com
