You Are Never Too Old To Tri

By Coach Matt Russ

At what point does life cease to challenge you? This question is answered by decisions and choices; it is not a sentence. We are all creatures of comfort and habit, and as we age, it may be progressively harder to step outside our respective boxes. We become tentative and cautious; and sometimes it takes a push.

I have worked with Clayton Pond and his family for nearly a decade. Clayton is one of the more interesting people I have known in my life. He is an extremely talented and famous artist, and his works have been displayed in the Smithsonian Institute. He has a childlike enthusiasm, energy, and sense of humor that belies his 67 years. Clayton is a dedicated family man who became an empty nester last year as his two children, Drew and Katherine, now are attending college.

He seemed a bit lost at first and I suggested the challenge of a triathlon. When I first began working with Clayton he had a very weak back and unstable left knee that often gave out. He walked with a slightly hunched posture and slight limp. His first question, and perhaps a good one, was whether or not his body could withstand the rigors of a sprint triathlon. I explained that I believed it could if he fast-walked the run. We tabled it.

Clayton is what I would consider “hyper-analytical.” He will look at all the angles before making a decision, then step back and adopt another perspective, and look at all the angles again. This process may continue for some time. I suggested biking as a means of cross training and he began “looking into” the various brands, models, and features. We were somewhat stymied by the price until his wife Marjorie stepped in and bought one as a birthday gift for him. Without her intervention, we would still be shopping.

Clayton is remarkably consistent in his training. He rarely misses a workout and logs his daily walking mileage. He moves with much better speed and balance than most men his age, and is in great cardiovascular shape. Clayton swam in college and began doing laps at his local gym. He found a few neighbors to ride with and had completed well over the distance of a sprint triathlon. He attended one of my beginner tri clinics. I had him on the ropes.

Rarely is a first time triathlete over-trained for a sprint triathlon, but Clayton was. He was swimming up to 3000 yards, could bike comfortably for well over the race distance, and easily fast-walk 6 miles. He even did some “brick” workouts in which he combined several disciplines into one workout or day. I suggested race after race, and he would “check them out” or “think about it.” I suggested more races through the summer. At the end of the summer I reminded him that there were only a few races left this season and that they would probably fill up.

Clayton came in and declared that all the races for the remainder of the season were full. I saw my chance and issued the challenge that I would email the race director and try to get him in if he would commit to doing a triathlon; he agreed- knockout. I emailed Denise Novicki, race director and founder of the Tri To Remember. Denise graciously let Clayton into the race for which I am still grateful.

Clayton came in with 3 PAGES of questions for our Wednesday appointment. I still have them. Most of them were actually good questions for a first timer, and some of them were down right hilarious. We patiently checked them off. Clayton drove up and pre-rode the course. He was a bundle of energy and nerves. God bless his wife, Marjorie. He confided he had not been this nervous in years. Sometimes it is easy to forget how intimidating it is participating in your first race with over 700 athletes- and being the OLDEST one in the group! He was afraid of being the old guy coming in dead last. I knew that would not be the case but it did not help him sleep better the night before the race.

Race day arrived wet and rainy. I was driving the team car to set up our team and sponsor tents at the finish when I saw Clayton unloading his equipment. He was running a bit late and I could only imagine how this was adding to the pre-race anxiety. I was in a line of traffic and could not stop or make it to the start. He was on his own.

I caught him coming out of the water looking strong. He gave me a typical Clayton joke as he went up the first hill. I don’t remember what it was but it was a good sign. He looked like he was having a good time. Marjorie caught up to me at the finish and said he was about a mile out. I ran out with my camera and snapped a shot of him running, not walking, up the last hill. We walked/ran into the finish - an hour ahead of his projected time and an hour ahead of the last finisher. After 15 years of coaching I have compiled a pretty nice stack of podium finishes but I must say this was one of my proudest moments. He got second in his age group and I was glad he got second not first. Now we have something to go after.

The week post-race we dissected the race in great detail. Every leg, every hill, every piece of equipment was an opportunity to improve, not a barrier to impede us. There is a mental switch that gets thrown in this sport that will never cease to amaze me. Clayton swam 3 miles yesterday.