Iron Pol

 
Feel Your Age 05/23/2008
 

I can't begin to recall the number of times I was told "act your age" growing up.  And it's fortunate I have my own house, because it's something I would probably hear to this day.  I have a hard time even believing I'm about to turn 40, let alone acting like a 40-year old should act.

I think I did well in my 20s.  I had the drinking, partying, barely surviving school thing down pretty well.  When I joined the Navy, my college training served me well since the routine is fairly similar.  You simply replace "class" with "work" and "howework" with "stand watch."  The partying and drinking stay pretty much the same.

When I left the Navy, I got a grasp of the student thing.  College is way different when studies are higher up the priority list.  Having kids helped me get a handle on the "adult parent" part of life.  I like to think I'm pretty good with kids (other than 8th graders, they are a real challenge), and when the health and safety of youngsters is involved, I'm the consumate adult.

Still, 40 is a foreign concept. Perhaps it's because I put less emphasis on age and more on action. I know plenty of older (and younger) people with whom I share many values. That is certainly true of triathlon. Whether 20, 40, or 60, a triathlete is a triathlete. Especially in the age group world.

Acting my age has always been tough. It's still a challenge. I am learning, though, that FEELING my age is much easier. In fact, it may be my inability to ACT my age that results in my feeling much older. Or perhaps it's just that recovery takes so much longer.

Moving forward after the marathon, I have a half-IM and a 50-miler on the official race plan. In addition, I have the one event that will ensure I FEEL my age at least one more time, this summer. When I take on the B-Fit B-Day challenge, the swim is sure to push me to my limits. The 40 mile bike and 10 mile run are comparatively easy. The four mile swim is where I'll probably feel it.

That is why I will undertake this challenge a bit differently than many. I will be tacking the swim on as the FINAL event. I will complete the bike and run in the afternoon of day one, and finish the swim in the morning of the "second" day. I figure the night's rest will be the same regardless of when I swim. And knowing that I don't have to get on a bike or go run will make the pain of the swim more tolerable.

Now all I have to do is decide when I will tackle the challenge. Perhaps the swim WON'T be the hardest part...

 


Comments

Wendy

Fri, 23 May 2008 15:06:40

Best of luck with the challenge, IP!

 

triguyjt

Sat, 24 May 2008 09:00:29

Your words hit home about the age numbers.....
enjoy the 40th birthday..its a special day, and should be celebrated.
of course our ways of celebrating (fit-challenge) are different than others...but we celebrate just the same by extending outselves..thats cool.
i will do an informal challenge for my 55.
but it will be a challenge, non the less.

per previous post...cool about the co workers helping out...very nice....

 

Cliff

Sat, 24 May 2008 21:24:54

:). And here I am feeling old because i just turned 28 :P. We will only get older, we might as well do things we enjoy.

4 miles swim...woah.that will be a long one :)

 



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