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34 • JANUARY 2022PHOTO FinisherPix
Going The DistanceTHOMAS MOOREMistie Desper“Just get out there anddo something, anythingactive, away from theTV, the stress, and dosomething that youenjoy,” said 71-year-oldathlete Thomas Moore.Born and raised in Edinburg, Mississippi,Thomas always had an interest in running. Hisschool did not have a track to run on at the time,but that never stopped him from running orbeing active. In 1983, four years before movingto Brandon, he saw a brochure for the Heart ofDixie triathlon in Philadelphia. At age 33, hecompeted for the first time and was hooked.Triathlons are an endurance multi-sport raceconsisting of swimming, cycling, and runningof specified distances.He said, “I always just needed an outlet andnever wanted to just sit. My drive comes fromjust the sport itself and looking forward to doingthe races and the training involved in it all.”Becoming a widower in 2008, Thomasadmitted, “I remember running to just ease mymind, to help a stressful situation. Long runsdefinitely helped with grief. It was almost a formof therapy.” Thomas began to pour himself intohis training.Competing in eight to twelve races eachyear, training becomes nonstop–simply a way oflife. He admitted, “You cannot take too much ofa rest or you will lose your mobility, especially asyou age.” His training consists of simplyswimming, running, walking, and hiking.Thomas admits that he has really never used atrainer, he just gets out there.Reminiscing about his multitude of eventmemories, he recalled his most challenging racewas the Escape from Alcatraz in 2019. “Thewater was 55 degrees with a strong current.If you weren’t careful, the current would pullyou under the Golden Gate Bridge. I rememberstopping for a moment mid-swim to look backat the island and just take in that moment.”Alcatraz is a 22-acre island in the SanFrancisco Bay area. A federal prison was on theisland that housed some of the most infamousand notorious criminals in history. The strongcurrents and cold water made escaping the prisonnearly impossible. Thomas had successfully swamthe “impossible.”The farthest he has traveled for a race wasover 7,000 miles to Beijing, China. In 2011,Thomas competed in the ITU World ChampionshipGrand Final. This race was Olympicdistance consisting of a 1.5km swim, 40km bikeride, and a 10km run. Not only did Thomascomplete the rigorous race in the cold and rain,but he also placed 16th in the entire world in hisage group.Thomas’s most rewarding race so far wasthe Ironman World Championship in Utah in2020. He said, “Part of the biking was throughthe mountains at almost a 9% grade. The lastmile was totally uphill.” After this year’sIronman, he and a few friends hiked manynational parks throughout the area. Utah isknown for its breathtaking scenery–from itssnowy mountains in the north to its iconic reddesert landscapes scattered through the south.This race is dear to his heart.Thomas plans on competing in the Ironman70.3 in 2022 in Chattanooga, Tenn. “If I winmy age group, I would be able to compete in thechampionship in Utah again. I have to becareful because those young 69- and 70-yearoldswill be in my flight this time,” he joked.He said, “I never try to convince anyone todo a triathlon because it can be dangerous. I havehad my share of bike wrecks. I have broken mycollarbone, suffered a hip injury, and had a toothknocked out. I tell people to just walk. Get outand go hike. You don’t need anything special or agym. Just use your neighborhood, just stay active.”In the off season, you can find Thomastrail-walking and mountain biking at The Quarry.He added, “Its so nice to see more and morepeople there enjoying nature and staying active.”Thomas’s motivation comes from doingsomething he is truly passionate about alongwith the desire to stay in “pretty good condition.”He admits, “I watch what I eat, and I just stayactive. This has allowed me to stay healthy andnot need any medications at all. I do not have totake anything.”Slowing down with age, he admits thingsget harder and harder. Thomas encourageseveryone of any age to just stay active and dosomething you love and enjoy.There is great joy found in getting outdoors innature and getting the stresses of the world out.Hometown MADISON • 35
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