Meet a Triathlete: 51-yr old housewife Medy Martinez Proves That Age is Just a Number

This begins a series of interviews with age-group triathletes that I’ll be publishing for the next few days leading up to Ironman 70.3 Cebu.  I think it’s a great way to catch a glimpse of how people train differently for the same event and, more than that, it’s a source of inspiration for many of us who wish to do the same.  Just think: If they can do it, so can I!

For all these interviews, I collaborated with my Coach Andy Leuterio of Alpha Tri.  All the interviewees train under him, just as I do.  Our crazy slave-driver Coach puts us through hell during training (“Bike until you cramp” or “Do a REAL century ride…100 miles”) and, in a funny way, we all hate and love him for it.  

Here’s our first interview…

Name: MEDY MARTINEZ
Number of years in triathlon: 2
Age: 51
Job: housewife

What do you like about triathlons?
The adrenaline rush, the camaraderie, the mental and physical challenge, the crazy, hilarious and inspiring triathlete stories. Most of all, that ultimate “high” feeling you get as you cross the finish line that makes everything you’ve been through so worth it, you just want to do it again and again.

Why did you decide to sign up for Ironman 70.3 Cebu?
A friend has been convincing me to join but I thought I was too old for it. But when I found out that the oldest woman triathlete was already in her 80″s, I know I absolutely have no excuse not to do it. At 50 yrs old, I have more than enough time for this sport. I think as we grow older, the reasons not to workout also increase to a million and one. I felt inspired. I needed a goal. Ironman 70.3 fitted in perfectly!

Give us 3 words to describe your training for coach Andy for Cebu? 

1. Mentally and physically crazy – I’ve had to endure the “I-almost-died-but-didn’t” kind of training which were physically and mentally exhausting. At the end of many workouts, I felt I had nothing left for another day. But after a good night’s sleep, you wake up feeling just fine and ready to take on more.
2. Intellectually stimulating – I must not only train smart, I also had to decipher what’s behind his uniquely titled workouts. I am constantly challenged to learn and improve my skills and technique. Many times during training, I am pushed to exceed my mental limits especially when a voice inside my head is telling me to “Stop this craziness right now!”
3. Inspiring – My bilbil is almost gone without dieting, true… really. Kidding aside, I have realized there are truly no limits except those i set for myself. I keep on surprising myself of things I never thought I was capable of doing. The stronger I get, the better I feel.

Can you share what your training week looked like last week?
Actually, training has been intensed these last 2 weeks . Have you seen the apocalyptic movie “The Day After Tomorrow”? Everyday feels like I am training for the apocalypse! I had one workout that said “Bike 160KM in 6 HRS. Do not dilly-dally.”  My crazy coach must have gotten my age wrong thinking I am 15 instead of 51. Anyway, much to my and maybe his surprise…I didn’t die. I finished it. I would sometimes text him to ask if the workout he gave me was meant to be a joke or if there was some kind of mistake. But all the time, he would answer back “Yessss…That is correct!”

What is your goal for IM 70.3 Cebu? Do you feel confident in your goal?
I want to finish strong and to improve on last year’s time. Back then, I wasn’t able to prepare well and literally felt like crawling to the finish line. This year, I feel confident I can do better with fingers crossed that I won’t get a flat tire.

If you could give only one tip to people who want to go into triathlon what would it be?
Age is just a number and you can get yourself in the best shape of your life as long as work your ass off and never give up.