Joining Team Timex this year, I figured it might help keep me feeling young for one more season, at least.  You know, hanging out and sharing experiences with the Tingles, Kummers, and other “lively” and younger, energetic tri folks on the team.  And, it was working.

Trading team emails back & forth about the Beer Mile was cool … even though I am considered a “Grand Master” among beer milers.  Laughing about the Krispy Kreme Challenge – run 2 miles, eat a dozen KK’s, run 2 more miles – and learning that 5,000 Carolina folks actually did it (!) was something that, again, was fun and “youthful,” of sorts.

Which brings me to my recent race experience at the Frozen Foot 5K, put on by the University of Colorado Triathlon Team.  It was a great race, run throughout the beautiful CU campus … and, I ran well – good enough to win my age group.  Which age group, you ask? 50-99 … honest!  Now, mind you, Jodee and I – through 5430 Sports – supports the CU Tri Team and, in fact, we were a Major Sponsor of the race; however, we are now taking a second look at that (kidding).

Of course, as a consummate triathlete, I must point out the course was long (3.25K), and had many short hills and twists & turns.  Being Boulder, too, the race attracted the likes of Timothy O’Donnell, and a very ill Olympian, Matty Reed.  In fact, I can now say I have beaten Matt in a race, as I passed him while he was pretty well stopped and coughing his lungs out.  He wrote to me after the race: “By the way I don’t usually see your back but you looked great out there!”  Good guy for still coming out to support the CU Tri Team.

I also really enjoyed reading AC’s blog about watching all those “old, classic” Ironman videos – especially the “speedo with the mesh tank top.”  I asked AC how old his videos went back to.  Answer: 1991.  Ugh!  I did Kona in 1988, before we even had mesh!  Heck, Dave Scott did his amazing first Ironman in 1980, wearing tube socks up to his knees (of ocurse, they were just an early version of compression socks), and a cotton baggy singlet.

Old’s not all that bad. Next year, I get 10% off all my purchases at Ross’ on “Senior Wednesdays.”  AARP discounts aren’t all that bad. either.  And, a lot of the old clothes I have hung onto are now coming back in style – sort of.

But, one of the beauties of triathlon is that aging and competing still is way cool.  Madonna Buder at 78 … are you kidding me?  Seeing Verne Scott, Dave’s 84 year-old Dad, swimming Masters still twice a week.  And, watching the 60 and 70 year olds truly giving it their all at our races … these visuals are awesome … these are true inspirations.  These folks are to be admired … and, have their own 5 year age groups :).