Great advice from Coach Della Irby, www.coachdellairby.com
Today I met with one of my athletes and turning 60 this year was a big subject. I will also be turning 60 this year so it got me to thinking.
Remember when you had your 40th birthday and your friends threw you a party with black balloons and everyone in your office dressed in black that day?
There was a time when turning 40 was considered being and old goat; especially if you are an athlete. Depending on the sport, athletes typically peak before 30. At 40, your best days used to be behind you. Well, that has changed…. Cyclist, swimmers, runners and other athletes are progressing long after they were suppose to hit their peak. Just look at Tom Brady (Football quarter back) and Meb Keflezighi (marathon runner) and Catherine Pendrel (mountain bike).
How do these superstars defy the well-established limits of age? How can the average amateur athletes learn from them and compete in our 40’s, 50’s and even our 60’s. Here are a few of my tips for the master athlete:
1) Be careful what you swallow. Eat and drink like Tom Brady (look it up). He is very care of what he puts in his body. As we age, we are not able to eat like we could in our 30 and even in our 40’s.
2) Stay consistent (my biggest training philosophy). Train daily if you can. All of it doesn’t have to high intensity but staying consistent will help you build the house over a good foundation.
3) Keep intensity in your training schedule, even in the off season. This doesn’t mean every workout has high intensity, but you should see some intensity in your schedule each week. I put in short intensity spurts in my athlete’s workouts even in the off season.
4) Train with a purpose. Today’s purpose might be an easy day but go into each workout knowing what you are going to do.
5) Cross-train; especially if your main sport is running. Swimming is a great cross-training sport for runners and cyclist.
6) Add or increase strength training. Especial in the off season when you have more time to add it in. A PR (personal record) is build in the off-season.
7) Don’t compare your 50 to 60 selves to your 30 self. Set new goals and new PR’s. Be the best 60-year-old in your next 5K run or triathlon. Be in the top 5 Master overall in your next Ironman or half Ironman. Compare yourself to your age groups, even if you did win overall races in your 30’s and 40’s.
😎 Most of all believe in yourself. It first comes from you. Then surround yourself with others that believe in YOU!
See you at the races in 2022! Here’s to aging!!!!
A little about Coach Della:
I am a wife, mother and grandmother; a life long runner, place as high as 2nd place at the KY Derby mini marathon and 3X division Ironman Louisville Champion. I live and train in Louisville, KY.
I am a USAT Certified Coach, Ironman University Certified Coach and enjoy coaching athlete from beginner to elite with their running and triathlon goals. I have qualified for Ironman Hawaii Ironman World Champion 11 times and have completed the race 8 times.