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Original poster

Is it possible to do a triathlon if you are an overweight, unfit 55 year old?

70 replies

Bryonyshcmyony · 27/07/2021 17:23

Not straight away obvs, but ever? Or is it a stupid idea? I can barely run/walk 5k. I can ride a bike and I am currently having adult swim lessons to improve my swim technique. Is it a mad idea? I'd also need to train in secret as dh would absolutely rip the piss.

OP posts:
Mackiemackie · 27/07/2021 18:10

Yes definitely! Triathlon is such an inclusive sport, all ages, shapes and sizes and everyone is just really encouraging. I'm a back of the pack participant and it's the best place to be! No pushing and shoving on the swim because everyone has gone past you at the beginning, and the biggest cheers when you finish.
It's sad you think your DH would rip the piss. I don't see anything to make fun of here at all. Perhaps he is jealous that he might get beaten by a girl Wink

FinallyHere · 27/07/2021 18:11

I'd rather not come dead last. Anything else would be a bonus

I've done quite a few events in different categories, without telling anyone in advance because there was so much reading the first time when I mentioned it.

A tip I found useful in the early day was to target completing, so anything was a bonus. I would start at the back of the pack so was not often overtaken and anyone I overtake is a bonus.

You have got this, so long as you keep up a sensible training regime. There is a rule of thumb that I kept to, during training, which was to increase either speed or distance and then only by 10%. Starting with your current stats, that gives an idea of how soon you would be ready to take part.

Another tip I found useful was to set up a subsequent target, even a very stretching one, before completing your event. Helps with the post success blues.

DillonPanthersTexas · 27/07/2021 18:14

Can I just ask, what is it about triathlon that makes it such a 'mid life' sport?

I guess most people with families find themselves a bit more time rich when in their 40s their kids are teens. I also think people tend to have a bit more of a life assessment at that age and want to effect change to a more healthy direction. As for the middle class bit cycling can be insanely expensive so I guess you need deep 'professional' pockets.

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Newnewnew1179 · 27/07/2021 18:15

I got into tris in my 40’s and so did a lot of my friends. I found running more than 5k was getting hard on my knees and triathlons are a good way to make you cross train a bit and they’re good fun, with a sprint tri you don’t get bored because you’re always thinking about what comes next.
Definitely have a go OP, I was really daunted when I did my first, especially worried about the swim but there are competitors of all shapes ages sizes and levels of fitness and everyone has always been really friendly. There are plenty of people who walk/slow run the run stage so I really wouldn’t let that stop you.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 27/07/2021 18:17

Would be so funny to just do mine without him even knowing I'd entered

Go for it ! I dare you to.

Newnewnew1179 · 27/07/2021 18:18

Also - I agree a bit about the expensive bikes, I do have a road bike now but I did my first tri on a really cheap hybrid and you see all sorts of bikes being used, it depends if you’re bothered about your time or you’re in the I just want to complete it camp.

Ohfuckitall · 27/07/2021 18:54

I'd also need to train in secret as dh would absolutely rip the piss

Not the point of the thread, but your H is an utter dick.

Your life partner is meant to build you up not knock you down.
And yours has knocked you into the ground if you need to go so far as to train in secret.

Hope you fitness kick means you get renewed confidence and find a fit and good man from your new hobby.

horseymum · 27/07/2021 19:22

I think it's popular to take up later as there is a good variety. You genuinely don't need expensive equipment although of course lots of people love to spend loads. You don't even need a road bike or
you can get a fairly cheap one. Also people are maybe more confident to try something they aren't going to win because you are doing it for yourself. There are so many different events ( usually) and it's actually ok to watch too for family members.

lljkk · 27/07/2021 19:50

yeah, my celebration point on triathlons is "Wow, I didn't come last!?"

A lot of people take the view "Wow, I got the whole way around!?"

I will disagree about bike quality, though. In our local sprint-tris, everyone has a good quality bike. Lots of magic wheels (the sort that cost £700/pair, they take minutes off your time). I've never seen a remotely rubbish bike on the course. I am the only person I ever saw in a swim suit & not a tri suit, too.

imho, tris appeal a lot to people who don't excel at any individual discipline but can be competent at all of them. All ages, but suits middle age well.

. Bombard his WhatsApp with the link until he STFU.
GorgeousLadyofWrestling · 27/07/2021 21:14

Following this with interest! I cycle to work three times a week, 40km round trip. I completed C25k in January and I’m quite a strong swimmer. I was watching the women’s triathlon last night and was so inspired!

But I still barely get round a five k. I am such a rubbish swimmer. And I know what 20k on a bike feels like - cannot imagine then swimming and running. How do people do it?!

A question I had last night was - I wear padded shorts when cycling. Do they have padded swimming costumes for when they then hop on their bikes??

madamegazelle1 · 27/07/2021 21:27

Signing up for it will really motivate you. My husband did this and it really focussed him having never done anything like it before. The shorter distances are perfect for your first one. Everyone was so friendly and all those watching cheered everyone on and willed everyone to the finish line- such a nice atmosphere. Go for it!

Newnewnew1179 · 27/07/2021 21:52

In answer to the shorts question I have a tri suit (cheapie decathlon one) which has padded shorts. The sprint tri I do is swim- bike- run and it’s the transition from bike to run I find tricky but your legs get used to it after about 500m. I think with a sprint tri it’s really all about the cycle because the swim and the run elements are relatively short, one of my friends hates running but she’s fast on her bike so she always beats me by a mile.

lljkk · 28/07/2021 07:13

trisuits have padding in the seat. Less than proper shorts so it can dry out faster after the swim & not feel too weird when running.

Original poster
Bryonyshcmyony · 28/07/2021 07:15

I'll probably get a trisuit as they aren't too expensive.

I'll need to tell dh so I can borrow one of his whizzy bikes

OP posts:
Original poster
Bryonyshcmyony · 28/07/2021 07:19

In answer to a PP who said why is it a middle aged thing - in my case I am quite active but running a marathon or half marathon absolutely doesn't appeal
Triathlon has three different disciplines so no getting bored.

I have a dd who has ADHD and she also does them (or used to she rides horses now) and she loves the fact that you change what you do every half hour or so

OP posts:
drpet49 · 28/07/2021 07:26

I would be aiming for next year. If you can barely run or swim September is not achievable unless you want to come last. Be realistic

Original poster
Bryonyshcmyony · 28/07/2021 07:28

@drpet49

I would be aiming for next year. If you can barely run or swim September is not achievable unless you want to come last. Be realistic
Well, I can run, just slowly, and I can definitely swim 10 lengths.

But I am going to try and find something in April or March next year as I don't want to injure myself.

OP posts:
Orangeinmybluelightcup · 28/07/2021 07:46

Thanks @Bryonyshcmyony (slightly sarcasm) on the back of this and half a bottle of red, my friend and are I are going to get sorted for the spring sprint tri...

Original poster
Bryonyshcmyony · 28/07/2021 07:48

@Orangeinmybluelightcup

Thanks *@Bryonyshcmyony* (slightly sarcasm) on the back of this and half a bottle of red, my friend and are I are going to get sorted for the spring sprint tri...
🤣 Glad to be of service
OP posts:
WineInTheBlood · 28/07/2021 07:53

My friend's sister just completed a triathlon in her 50s. About 4 years ago she was very overweight with multiple health issues and decided it was time to get fit - she just started off with gentle running and has built up from there. She's done amazingly well and seeing all her photos from the triathlon over the weekend has really inspired me - I'm finally going to sign up for some adult swimming lessons!

So I'd say go for it - age definitely shouldn't stop you.

IsabelGowdie · 28/07/2021 08:26

I find this very inspiring! If you are a very rubbish swimmer can you do breast stroke?

I could do the distance breast stroke no problem at a reasonable pace but I have a medical issue that means I can’t do front crawl.

Original poster
Bryonyshcmyony · 28/07/2021 08:27

@IsabelGowdie

I find this very inspiring! If you are a very rubbish swimmer can you do breast stroke?

I could do the distance breast stroke no problem at a reasonable pace but I have a medical issue that means I can’t do front crawl.

Yes I know you can as I've seen people doing it when dh has done tris.

I am having lessons to improve my front crawl atm

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 28/07/2021 08:37

@Jackgrealishscurtains

Can I just ask, what is it about triathlon that makes it such a 'mid life' sport? Absolutely everyone I know who has really got into it recently is a middle class professional in their forties, but I don't really understand what it is specifically about triathlon that makes it so appealing?

I don't mean that in a horrible way, I'm genuinely curious. Like, am I missing out on something amazing here?!

Good luck OP! Flowers

"Triathlon" is begining to sound appealing to me, and I suppose I'm creeping towards mid-life. I was 16 when I learned to swim I was 19 when I learned to ride a bike I was 33 when I learned to run on C25k I was never going to be an early starter Grin

I run up to HM and would have done a 40th birthday crisis marathon, but with all the Covid stuff, I want to know that a marathon is definitely happening before I do 20mi training runs.

Running was great when I had babies/ toddlers because it's so flexible, but I'm begining to get a bit more time and the need for a different gear of challenge.

igelkott2021 · 28/07/2021 08:39

I was also going to suggest gotri.

To the person who can't run - you don't have to. There are variations on a theme where you can cycle and swim; or swim and run, or cycle and run.

I run, cycle and swim but triathlon seems too much hassle to me - transitions, expensive equipment (and races) and early starts!

But a local pool triathlon is likely to be very inclusive and you'll see expensive TT bikes down to 3 speed bikes with baskets on the front. Give it a go. If you like it, you can then look at open water swimming and developing in the sport.

CMOTDibbler · 28/07/2021 09:34

You don't need a whizzy bike by any means - some tris are more posh than others, but no ones going to sneer. I did my first tri on a hybrid, my second on a borrowed road bike which had cost £500. My tri suit the first year was an Aldi one which was absolutely fine.

My aim is not to drown, crash, or fall over (and I did the third in a duathlon and sat on the floor crying till a dodgy looking teenager came and picked me up), and if all three of those are avoided I chalk it up as a success

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