Growing old competitively
I had a swimming lesson from a world record holder this weekend. She holds multiple world masters records - including every distance for freestyle in her age group and the age group below hers. (Note for less acquatically-inclined readers: masters swimming is competing by age group.)
It’s probably no surprise that she’s faster than me. But it may surprise you to learn that she is 78. Yes, that’s right - 78 years old. Her name is Jane Asher, and no, she’s not the cake lady. She certainly doesn’t look like she’s in her 70s, and she is a very good coach - she even got me tumble-turning which is a feat no-one else has ever achieved. She was very inspiring.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the great explorer, is another great inspiration. He believes that the best way to combat the effects of age is to become more and more active. I think there’s a lot to be said for that approach, although I wouldn’t advocate going to the same extremes as Sir Ranulph, who completed 7 marathons in 7 days a couple of months after undergoing open-heart surgery!
And in the London marathon last year, I was passed on the Embankment by lots of men who looked old enough to be my dad - although to be fair I was passed by almost everybody on the Embankment; I really must learn to pace myself properly.
Whenever I see old people getting on and doing things that most people half their age couldn’t do, such as 86 year old guys doing audaxes (100km + cycle rides) or the competitor at the Tooting Bec triathlon a few years ago whose t-shirt read,”Cyril, 80 not out”, I’m inspired and realise that’s one of the reasons I do triathlons. (Others include the chance to wear skin-tight lycra and rubber 
)
Having written this, I really can’t be lazy and go to work on the tube today, so I’m off to get my trusty Brompton out now and pedal to work.
Chalky
Category: Makes you think | Tags: Jane Asher, old age, swimming, World records
March 16th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
[...] Growing old competitively | Zeusblog [...]
March 18th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Been a while. Good to hear you’re back into the swimming. Heard from Ade in NZ that you were doing the Triathlons. Won a few medals in the NSW Brazilian Jiu Jitsu State Championships myself so fully appreciate and heartly agree with the sentiment of your post. Ian
March 19th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Good to hear from you, what’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - does that mean you have to have a back, sack and crack to compete?
March 25th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Just because i like to be smooth around the meat and two veg that doesn’t make me gay does it? Not that there’s anything wrong with that…some of my best friends…
March 25th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
You’ve been out of Yorkshire for far too long…