This piece comes from my triathlon buddy, David Chambers from Dubai. It is a story about veteran excellence in sports. Cheers, mate!
Just so you know an Ironman is a 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run and the cut off is 17 hours...ENJOY!
In October, Hollander eclipsed Robert McKeague as the oldest man to finish in Kona – at 81 he came across the line in 16:45:55. Hollander believes there are few keys to his longevity – both in sport and life:
1) He stretches every day.
2) Anaerobic training. “You need to push yourself,” he says.
3) “There are no fat old people so watch your calorie intake,” he writes on his website.
He also feels that triathlon is a great way to remain fit and healthy as you age. Here’s another quote from his website:
Especially for the older athlete, this form of competition (triathlon) is most beneficial because it involves several completely different disciplines. The swim gives you better upper body and improves the core strength. The cycling is great for a non-weight bearing aerobic work out and finally the run is certainly an aerobic work out. Now you move from one to the other sports, as your training requires. If a minor injury occurs you can keep fit in one of the other sports. The advantage for the older athlete is that you are training the whole body. If you are young you excel at one sport but as you age, if you put too much localized stress on the skeleton and muscles they break down and falter. If you have multiple sports you will have the likelihood of better overall health. In addition Triathlon encourages the older athletes and provides awards up to any age that can complete in the allotted time usually 17 hours for the Ironman.
81? Finishing Kona? Are you kidding me?
On another note, Singapore’s younger uber-marathoner and SEA Games gold medalist in triathlon, Mok Ying Ren (a future medical doctor) made it a three-peat in the brave defence of his national title. His story is inspiring for the way he made his recovery from race-related injuries.
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