I Just Completed My First Triathlon at 58. The Biggest Part of My Training Was Yoga.

"All of a sudden my awareness shifted, as it often does when I meditate. My mind slowed down and I could observe the reality of where I was without the overwhelming fear. That moment of perspective helped me reconnect with the sensation of being in my body, and the rhythmic movement of swimming. I was able to lengthen my exhalations and my body responded by slowing my breathing. That allowed me to keep going and I thought, "Maybe I can do this.""

"I never considered myself athletic. The most exercise I had practiced was gentle asana (yoga postures) for the last 35 years. My focus has always been more on the subtle practices of pranayama (breathwork), meditation, and yoga philosophy. My interest in exercise started innocently enough a few years ago with beach walks. Each morning, I noticed a man who was considerably older than me, probably in his early 80s, jogging the entire length of the beach."

"My walks slowly turned into hesitant jogs. My body protested at first, although the sensations from running felt like exploring a new asana, which intrigued me. Even when I became sore, I felt a new strength that I had either never experienced or forgotten. Running also felt like an extension of my breathwork practice. When I was running, I was so aware of my breath and how my body was constantly trying to deepen it. It felt like my body was practicing pranayama"

At 58, a long-time yoga practitioner transitioned from gentle asana, pranayama, and meditation into regular beach walks that progressed to running and endurance training. Inspiration came from observing an older jogger and led to hesitant jogs, soreness, and a growing sense of strength. Running felt like an extension of breathwork, increasing breath awareness and depth. Signing up for a sprint triathlon culminated in a 500-yard open-ocean swim where meditative awareness and lengthened exhalations calmed panic, slowed breathing, and enabled continuation. Gradual practice, breath control, and mindfulness supported expanding physical capabilities later in life.

Read at Yoga Journal