Detour on the Path to the Fountain of Youth

The road to maturity is not a straight line. It zigs and zags and sometimes backtracks. Youth on the other hand is fleeting. Once it's gone, it's gone. Youth leaves strong memories that flash to the front of your mind through sights and sounds and feelings.

Baseball reminds me of my youth. So do popsicles and lazy summer days. Something about being outdoors and carefree reminds me of being young. I love summer and I love the memories of summers past.

My summer opened with a flourish this past weekend as I competed in my season's first triathlon. After my successful return to competition last year, I trained throughout the fall and winter with hopes of greater success this summer.

2011 was going to be my breakout triathlon season. Having fallen in with a few seasoned veterans who know how to train, I developed a training routine that got me faster and stronger. Also, because I turn 50 this year, this season I get to compete against older athletes. In fact, in many races this year, I'm going to be the youngest competitor in the 50 - 54 group.

My hopes for great success were dashed somewhat in January when I had my first ever operation--a bilateral hernia repair. That stopped my training for nearly two months. Then, in early April, just when I was getting back up to speed, my left shoulder became so sore, I could barely lift it.

But, I soldiered on, and continued training. Slowly I added more swimming laps, testing the shoulder. Then I started adding distance to my runs. I even took the bike out for a couple of spins. Ready or not, race season was here and it was time for me to get moving.

While competing in triathlons doesn't make me feel young, it does help me contend with aging. Training helps me keep my weight down, my joints flexible, and my spirits up. Since I have no choice but to turn 50 this year, I might as well be the strongest, fastest, meanest 50-year-old I can be. So I run, I bike, I swim, almost every day.

Youth is so attractive, which is why finding the fountain of youth is a never ending quest. While adventurers and explorers no longer drudge through malarial swamps in search of the fountain, hordes of middle aged strivers flock to physicians hoping to find a pill an injection or an operation that will give back at least the appearance of youth.

On the other hand, old age can be repellant. As my mother's health continues to decline, I'm amazed at how uninviting are her nursing homes. Unlike my son's school that is filled with youth and virtually throbs with energy, my mother's nursing home feels cold and lethargic. Though smiling staff give a welcoming appearance, the residents are hunched, unsmiling and lifeless. I want to leave the minute I get there.

So in my quest to remain lively, if not exactly youthful, I've found triathlon training the right tonic for me. As I push myself I'm engaged, alert and alive. It's the best I can do right now.

After Sunday's race, I was satisfied with my results. Considering that I lost almost eight weeks of training this year while recovering from major surgery and injury, to finish 8th of 30 in my age group was not a bad result. My goal is still a top five finish sometime this summer, and I have several races ahead for me to achieve that goal.

Being young is easy. In the world's eyes, you are appealing simply because of your youth. As you get older, however, the world turns its gaze away ever so slightly as each day passes. By the time you're my age, you are interesting only if you've achieved something or can do something for others. As you connect with the world, to stay relevant you must give more and expect less in return. Just at the time when you have more to offer because of your wisdom and experience, the world looks to younger faces for fresh ideas and creative energy. I can't control that.

But I can shave some seconds off my quarter mile splits. I can improve my swimming stroke. And I can get a decent racing bike, finally! And I can crack the top five. Don't worry, you'll be the first to hear it. Haha.