You have to first qualify in a regional game and next a state game
to qualify for the national games. It is usually the top three winners
in each age group however in some cases the top four will qualify.
Triathlons are not the only sport for Senior Games. They have dominoes,
horse shoes, table tennis, swimming, race walking, running, volley ball,
some areas have forms of square dancing, bike races, and other forms of
sports. Triathlons are swim, bike, run back to back. Check it out. You
may find a sport event you can enter in. Bridge anyone? Table tennis?
Volley Ball?
The National Institute on Aging has a guide for Seniors over 60. If you
are not into Eudurance Sports or if you want to get fit and slow the aging
process then click here and download their handbook.
Visit their website for more information.
FYI: Suggestion from this Triathlete's Wife and Webmaster:
Keep more than records of your training times and final race times.
Keep a journal. I have read that successful people keep journals.
Include notes of how well you performed, where you need to improve
and where you DID improve. Have someone take pictures of you AND
take videos of you especially when you swim. Take a hint from
football players. They review and repeatedly review after the game
to see where they need to improve and how to improve.
Open water swimming at sea is totally different than swimming in a
lake or in a pool.
Swimming in a group is totally different than lap swimming alone or
with a buddy or two.
Consider how to acclimate to where the event will take place. That
doesn't just mean your body. Consider how the climate will affect
your vehicle and the distance traveled will affect your vehicle.
Consider the time zone where the event will take place and study your
own body's circadian rhythm. If you are not familiar with that term
I suggest you get familiar with it.
Is it worth shipping your racing bike or should you take it with you?
Pros and Cons: If you are traveling a long distance you do not have
to be concerned about the weather from point A to point B and having
to take your bike in every night of travel. However shipment can be
delayed. The person putting the bike back together may not put the
seat on correctly. What if you have a Power Tap? Not just anyone can
reinstall that Power Tap. Delays, delays, delays. I would think twice
before I shipped my bike. (Food for thought because bikes were delayed
at the games in California and one seat was put on too tight that I
am aware of according to Alfred. The participant had to adjust the seat.)
Consider the stress you may be going through at or before the time
of an event too. Alfred and I had just moved two weeks prior to the
National Senior Games 2009. We had evacuated for two hurricanes six
days apart before the State games in 2008. We were evacuees at the time
of the 2008 State Games (Hurricane Ike). Those are major stress factors.
How do you de-stress from such events prior to a race? Hmmmmmmm good question.
Any answers out there?
Pilots use a check list. I would include one with my Triathlete equipment
if I were a Triathlete. Nurses use what we call our "second brain." It's
a check list of what we have to do during our shift. Use a check list.
Use it before you leave your house to be sure you have all the necessary
supplements and equipment and clothing with you. Use it before the race
to refresh. And for Pete's Sake, don't try anything new on race day.
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