most competitive age group? your best years?

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2009-08-05 8:21 PM

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Subject: most competitive age group? your best years?
Perhaps this is a naive question, or one that has been asked -- but is 20-24 always the most competitive age group?  I'm just curious as reviewing the races I've been in, it seems to somewhat hold true.  However, I've seen races where the 25-29 and even 30-34 are equally competitive in terms of the fastest times. 

The 'age' old question of athleticism vs. experience.  As a newb (24) I'd argue that if I were to compete in the 20-24 division, even had i started earlier, the experience gained training/racing would make me much more competitive when I'm 25-29 than I am now. 

There is obviously an age where not only do you physically peak, but family and other responsibilites take priority as well.  Just curious though as to others thoughts on when their 'best years' were (or will be) and why...

2009-08-05 9:03 PM
in reply to: #2330720

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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?

Though any race can have a winner from any number of age groups, I think the 30-39 age group often produces the most winners and most competative participants.

I am 31.  I was 4th in my AG and 4th overall in Tri-U-Mah

I was 8th overall and 4th in my age group at Chain of Lakes this year.

At Graniteman, I was 19th overall and 7th in my age group.

This is all just anecdotal, but this shows that there are lots of people in the 30-34 or 30-39 age groups placing pretty high.  Though there are very fast people in the 25-29 age group, I think that by the time people get into their 30s, they've been competing in triathlon for a few more years, have lost their new-triathlete smell, tend to have the faster toys, and have gotten down to business.

2009-08-06 9:29 AM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?
Here's my two cents.

The most competetive age group is the age group you're in! Each group in and of itself is highly competetive. To make podium in a race of any size is a pretty decent accomplishment.

That being said, for the overall win, it's all over the map. Obviously, the 20 somethings are going to have youth on their side, but I've seen plenty of overall winners in the 30+ age groups.

Best years? I'd say your best tri years will be after you get a couple years under your belt, acquire some good bike technology and have developed good training habits.

Keep in mind that in this sport often times 'best' doesn't equal 'win'. Most of us compete against ourselves and consider any race we end on our feet a win.
2009-08-06 9:40 AM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?
I'd say for wimmins, between 30 and 55 is where the speed is.

If you look at the MMS top 10 standings for last year, the ages are:
30
36
38
34
49
43
34
17
42
34

Muscle memory plays a huge role. I am able to finish in about the same times as I was when I started...on about half the training volume (and only a picofraction of the intensity). Most (not all, but most) of the top athletes locally are at least in their 30s, many in their 40s and 50s. Cathy Yndestad, Jan Guenther, Kevin O'Connor, Brian Bich, DT, etc.

I do think, however, as more and more youth get into triathlons (and more opportunities like the Batteries Plus Junior team arise), we will start seeing more and more competition in the younger age brackets. But I think your phsicality def. improves into your 30s.-40s.

Edited by mmrocker13 2009-08-06 9:44 AM
2009-08-06 2:47 PM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?

Wow, I'm pretty surprised at how naive my assumption was but am greatly encouraged that I have many years left before I ever peak if I continue on this path...

Same fitness with less volume and intensity ?  Sign me up for that.  Will gladly continue to 'deposit' workouts into the bank in order to reap those type of rewards.   

2009-08-06 3:13 PM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?

On a side note, I looked at the current MMS standings (http://www.midwestmultisport.com) and find myself in 15th place in my AG, only 5 places behind our own elite racer, Ms. Rocker!  Hah.  I sort of wish I was doing Turtleman, just to get more points      

2009-08-06 6:52 PM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?
When they first started the series, I was OBSESSED with my points...the first year I didn't do 5 MMS races and didn't get the little fun bag o' stuff, I was sooooooo sad (also b/c they used to give GOOD schwag if you win your AG...). Now if I get in 3 or 4 races, I'm all Woo Hoo!

But no, you don't want to be doing T'man. The swim is gross in a good year. This year promises actual disgustingness. and T'storms and 93 degrees. Yay!

And I am hardly elite :p :D
2009-08-06 6:53 PM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?
It is truly a wonderful thing.
2009-09-04 8:10 AM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?

Here's a slightly different way to look at it, using my results as a 48 year old at Apple Duathlon and Pigman Half Ironman this season (I won't have enough races in the MMS to try to win my division again)

Apple Duathlon   Placed 25th OA, 2nd AG   Here's how I would have placed in the following age groups:

20-24  3rd
25-29  2nd
30-34  3rd
35-39  6th
40-44  2nd
45-49  2nd

Pigman Half Ironman   Placed 18th OA, 2nd AG   Here's how I would have placed in the following age groups:

20-24  1st
25-29  2nd
30-34  3rd
35-39  1st
40-44  1st
45-49  2nd

Does this suggest that the 30-39 range is most competitive, since I would have placed lower in those age groups?

 

2009-09-04 8:33 AM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?
I guess that I have always looked at it like Jim has. Where would I have placed in the various age groups?

While I don't have a ton of results this year, in the past I have come to the same conclusion as Aaron and Jim that the 30-39 AG (on the men's side anyway) seems to be the toughest to gain a podium spot.

The reason that the 20 something AG isn't seemingly very competitive is probably due to several factors including the age structure of the family, establishment of career goals, and the cost of the sport.

When one hits the 30s, the kids are usually a bit older, job is more settled and money is a bit more available. Not to mention the fact that during his 20s, the average male has allowed himself to get a bit soft and round which provides ample motivation to get back to, or even exceed, previous levels of physical conditioning.
2009-09-04 11:29 AM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?
B-One - 2009-09-04 8:33 AM I guess that I have always looked at it like Jim has. Where would I have placed in the various age groups? While I don't have a ton of results this year, in the past I have come to the same conclusion as Aaron and Jim that the 30-39 AG (on the men's side anyway) seems to be the toughest to gain a podium spot. The reason that the 20 something AG isn't seemingly very competitive is probably due to several factors including the age structure of the family, establishment of career goals, and the cost of the sport. When one hits the 30s, the kids are usually a bit older, job is more settled and money is a bit more available. Not to mention the fact that during his 20s, the average male has allowed himself to get a bit soft and round which provides ample motivation to get back to, or even exceed, previous levels of physical conditioning.


Ladies and gentleman... we have a BINGO!!!  Hit it right on the head with that one.  This is my first year in Triathlon (actually it is my first 1/2 year since I had back surgery on February 6, 2009 which wiped out all training from October 2008 through  - yes I know the exact date - March 7, 2009) and I had to (over?)train like a banchee to get a podium spot at Heart of the Lakes in the 35-39 age group and if it wasn't for my prior training as a decathlete in college - and then getting fat in my late 20's/early 30's - and now having the older children and "toys" necessary to assist on the swim/bike/run that I would not have had in my 20's, I can compete at a pretty high level in every race... but not elite... yet... but soon.  Watch out Kevin and Curt and Bich and Palmer and Kathy and...

Edited by harveyskees 2009-09-04 11:30 AM

2009-09-05 2:18 PM
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Subject: RE: most competitive age group? your best years?
I vote 35-39 for men.

At the St. Paul long course, this age group took the top 5 positions and 7 of the top 10 spots.
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