Ways to Compete as an Adult

PWRLFTR1

Years ago I was a runner, competed in races from 5K to several marathons, then moved on to triathlons. Now I compete as a powerlifter. One of my managers bought a motor home where he and his wife travel across the country (US) competing in races from running, cycling and triathlons. There are so many more options for competing then there were when I was younger, from obstacle races, strongman, lifting and team sports.

MikePfirrman

__TMac__ wrote: »

Indoor rowing? Really fun and intense.

This. You sound a lot like I was. I started trail running (and was pretty bad at it, to be honest, but really enjoyed it). With trail running, my goal was to be at the top of the bottom 1/3! I reached that lowly goal before I had to stop with chronic runner's knee.

I started doing more rowing on the Concept2 while doing rehab. I am not built at all like a rower (I'm 5'9" and have shorter arms and legs but I'm stocky, absolutely not ideal for rowing). From my running, when I started, I could row at 2K, which is the distance most to for racing, at around 8:00. Within a few months, I was at 7:45 or so and learned there was indoor racing or "Indoor Regattas".

Indoor rowing is really close to Cross Fit. As I've become more involved with it, I've met tons of Cross Fitters. My first "race", I finished 2nd next to a guy that was 62 and was in the top 2 or 3 in the US (he rowed a 6:47, which is absurd for a 62 year old). My next race, a local one, I won with a 7:19 time (not great but a huge improvement).

I'm 53 and just did my best this year with a 7:11.7 and I'm training to row at the World Indoor Rowing competition in 2 years at 55 and hope to place in the top 10. Either that or at Crash-Bs (like the US Nationals) in the top 5. I absolutely love it. You don't have to lift too heavy to do it but lifting helps. I race against former college crew or really strong Cross Fitters all the time. There's a reason that Cross Fitters (and most MMA fighters) mostly train on the rower. It's intense and works your whole body. Conor McGregor, Hugh Jackman are among really huge indoor rowing fans.

I'm such a fan of it that I've been asked to join some virtual "clubs" where many of our members are the WR holders and they give me tips/pointers with my training. I'll never be close to as good as some of them (there are females in my club that smoke me, including the current WR holder on the female 2K).

You can compete anytime if you have RowPro on a computer or hook it up to a TV. It's a virtual training/racing program you hook up to your C2 monitor and you can race anyone in the world in real time. You see your little boat guy racing up to 7 other racers! Great for fun competition from your home. Great on the joints/back too. I have a bad back as well (and bad knee). If I can do it, anyone can.

cecekay19

Maybe look at sites like active.com and see what events in your area pique your interest. There are all kinds of events on active.com, runsignup.com, etc. A Tough Mudder might be fun, duathlons, triathlons.

giantrobot_powerlifting

I vote for competitive hot dog eating.