It’s a misty morning in June as I find myself poised on the edge of a steamship, about to plunge into the chilly waters of Lake Muskoka in Gravenhurst, Ontario. My agenda? A 1,500-meter swim to the shore, followed by a 40-kilometer bike ride along Highway 169, and culminating in a 10-km run through the rolling countryside. Despite the constricting feel of my wetsuit and the purple swim cap, a shiver of both fear and exhilaration courses through me. “What exactly have I signed up for?” I wonder, before taking a deep breath and diving in.
The 16-degree water is an instant shock, my heart rate spiking, but my foggy goggles quickly steal my attention. Visibility is near zero, and I’m frantically trying to clear them while treading water and struggling to regulate my breathing. The steamship’s whistle blows – my signal to begin the swim – and with that, my very first Olympic triathlon is underway.
The reactions from friends to my taking on this challenge, just days shy of my 50th birthday, ranged from disbelief to admiration. Coordination has never been my forte – a past cycling mishap involving cacti in Arizona serves as a testament. Yet, I felt compelled to mark this milestone birthday with something more profound than the usual vacation or party. The inspiration struck when gym buddies began discussing triathlons.
“Do it because you can,” my brother-in-law Daniel, a seasoned triathlete himself, advised. His words resonated deeply. The previous fall had been heavy with news of global unrest, and the idea of training for a triathlon offered a sense of control amidst the chaos. For me, embracing a challenge “because you can” was also about celebrating health and freedom – gifts I deeply appreciate as I step into a new decade.
Where once a midlife crisis might have manifested as an affair or an extravagant sports car purchase, today, endurance sports have emerged as the new symbol of midlife reinvention and challenge. Individuals aged 45 to 64 are increasingly viewing this life stage not as a crisis, but as an opportunity. They’re embracing demanding races like triathlons and Ironman competitions, engaging in rigorous training regimes, and running marathons. This shift is not just about confronting aging; it’s about celebrating this new chapter of life. For many, this is a period where they finally have the time to commit to intensive training now that their children are grown – a triathlon demands at least eight hours of weekly training, escalating to 16 for an Ironman. Others have reached a point in their careers where they possess the financial stability to invest in top-tier equipment, coaching, and nutritional support.
Jason Vurma, president of MultiSport Canada, an organization hosting over 9,000 athletes annually in various endurance events, confirms this trend. “The strongest demographic for us, in terms of participation, is the 45-plus age group,” he notes. “Just reaching the starting line of a sprint triathlon—a 750-m swim, 20-km bike, and 5-km run—requires consistent training: swimming one to two times, cycling up to three times, and running weekly. That’s a significant commitment, especially for those still establishing their careers or starting families.”
Amy De Domenico, 55, exemplifies prioritizing family. As a mother and stepmother to seven, she transitioned from a law clerk to a homemaker to manage her large family while her musician husband toured. She maintained an active lifestyle through fitness classes at a local GoodLife Fitness. In 2017, as her youngest approached ten, De Domenico signed up for her first sprint triathlon at 48. “I saw that age as liberation,” she reflects. “With older kids, I had the freedom to pursue my own interests. I wondered, ‘What am I going to do for myself now?'”
De Domenico quickly became passionate about racing. She competed in four sprint triathlons that season, achieving fourth place in her age category at Wasaga Beach. “That was a thrill. Finding something you excel at is incredibly rewarding. It motivates you to push your limits.” The following year, she engaged a coach and trained for her first Olympic-distance triathlon, qualifying for the 2019 World Triathlon Championship Series in Lausanne, Switzerland.
In the same year, De Domenico completed her first half-Ironman and partnered with a friend, Trish Omeri, for The Amazing Race Canada (Season 7). One particularly daunting challenge involved diving under ice in Great Slave Lake. She credits her triathlon training for preparing her for the ordeal, accustomed as she was to wetsuits and cold water immersion. De Domenico’s endurance journey continued with a full Ironman shortly before her 54th birthday and the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, featuring a 2.4-km swim in the shark-inhabited San Francisco Bay. She is now set to compete in the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Torremolinos-Andalucia, Spain.
“Adventure wasn’t always my focus. My life revolved around driving kids to hockey, soccer, and therapy appointments. One child is deaf, another has autism, requiring constant attention,” De Domenico explains. “Now, I have the space to explore personal challenges. I’ve discovered a resilient side of myself I never knew existed. Age feels irrelevant now.”
Michael Back, a Toronto entrepreneur, marked his 50th by undertaking the Everesting challenge – repeatedly ascending and descending a chosen hill until accumulating 8,848 meters of elevation gain, equivalent to Mount Everest’s height. On September 22, 2023, his 50th birthday, he completed this feat by hiking Mount Whistler eight times, supported by his wife and sons. The grueling endeavor took 31 hours.
“It was an incredible, sustained high that lasted for days. Pushing myself to my absolute limit was a novel and powerful experience,” Back recalls. His motivation stemmed from observing peers grappling with age-related physical issues. “I wanted to prove my enduring fitness, strength, and stamina. Turning 50 became the catalyst to elevate my fitness, and I have no intention of slowing down.”
This year, Back tackled an Olympic triathlon, mastering swimming and cycling. A half-Ironman is under consideration for his next challenge. Back believes these demanding pursuits enhance his capabilities in all aspects of life: “As a business owner and father, these challenges make me more effective in both roles.”
Back embodies the growing demographic of middle-aged endurance athletes. Andy van Bergen, Everesting’s founder, notes, “Our participants have aged significantly since 2014. We consistently hear that this phase of life is the first time since their twenties where they can prioritize personal goals after focusing on career and family.”
Van Bergen, 45, emphasizes the role of tenacity and determination in endurance sports – qualities often amplified in midlife: “Life experience and accumulated resilience are powerful assets. The number of photos showing Everesting finishers with their families, cheering them on, is truly inspiring.”
Reflecting on my own triathlon, the overwhelming support from my husband and sons was profoundly moving. Their cheers were more energizing than any energy gel. Attempting this in my twenties or during the demanding years of raising young children would have been unthinkable.
After years of prioritizing others, the joy and fulfillment of setting and achieving a challenging goal through dedication and effort was transformative. It was a rediscovery of a long-dormant feeling. I am now eagerly anticipating next June, ready to test my limits again in another triathlon – hopefully with less initial fear and the enhanced perspective that comes with age.
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