Too Late to Start?

[boydj]

Have you considered triathlon?

Great suggestion.

I took up running after giving up football in my early thirties, and after a couple years was running sub 2:50 marathons. Then I tried triathlon and got so fit that I ran a whole load of PB's the year I turned 40. At 19, with a good fitness background you have lots of potential and the time to develop new skills - and it will take time.

Anybody with a swimming background has a head start in triathlon, because the swimming is the most technical discipline. Mixing up the training with running, cycling, swimming and gym work is actually less demanding on the body than concentrating on a single sport (at least until you get to elite level).

Join a club to get the benefit of coaching - and enjoy whatever sport you take up.

 

[Saluki]

It might be too late to start tonight as it's gone 8pm now and the bike shops are shut. Try tomorrow morning, early, when they open.

I started competing in triathlons in my mid 20s and did well at them until I was 36. I am still very competitive on a horse and am giving some serious consideration at taking up Cyclocross this winter. I'm 51 and I'm not leaving it too late to start.

 

[Truth]

Just go for it mate would be my suggestion ! Be thankful that you are 19 and have the choice of whether to or not ! ENJOY

 

[david k]

Hi all,

I am a 19 year old male and have been a competitive swimmer my entire life. Over the past year I have suffered a number of injuries to my shoulders/back which have prevented me from pushing myself in the pool. Due to this I have been quite upset and feel slightly lost as to what to do with myself.

I have recently been considering cycling as an option as all of my injuries are in my upper body, but I keep convincing myself that it is too late to get into cycling as a competitive sport.

I would be grateful if anyone with experience in competitive cycling would able to help me make a decision as to what to do. Many thanks.

Without questions definitely not too late, don't let anyone suggest it is.you can be a superstar if you want to be,Mao for it

 

[HarryTheDog]

Alex Dowsett started off as a swimmer, he was told his shoulders were too big to make him a truly quick Time trialer by some person LOL. ( now pro cyclist Movistar) A 22 yr old turned up at our club 3 years ago ( Loyd Chapman) he was a fitness instructor with no real cycling background. He went from 4th cat to 1st Cat in his first season. He now is a semi-pro riding for Richardson Trek.
I once saw a Italian woman in her mid twenties in her first season in a national race who was a ex runner, she disapeared off the front after the first lap and was never seen again by the peleton. ( couldn't handle a bike but was ruddy fast)
If you get coached properly and have a big engine and the determination, the sky is the limit basically. Of course there is nothing so unfair in sport as good genetics but you cant do much about that.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Sarah Storey also won Olympics gold medals as a paralympic swimmer and made the transition to some very impressive cycling in both paralympic and elite women's cycling.

 

[jay clock]

Triathlon. You'l be one of the best swimmers even with an injury