Betsy Tootell

Background

When Betsy Tootell isn’t babysitting one of her 10 grandsons, you’ll probably find her swimming, biking or running. After teaching for 34 years and raising her kids, Betsy did her first marathon at the age of 50. In 2013, at the age of 60, she completed her first full Ironman triathlon in Florida, finishing in 14 hours and 47 minutes, and placing third in her age group. To date, she’s completed 4 full Ironman and 18 half-Ironman competitions. Most recently, she qualified for the Boston Marathon for the first time at the age of 64 and the 70.3 Ironman World Championship in New Zealand at the age of 65.

How did you get started in triathlon?

I was a school teacher for 34 years and I always wanted to be an athlete. My sons started doing triathlons and I followed them all over the country and the world, watching them compete at the elite level.

I always enjoyed working out, but I didn’t start running until I was 50 years old and I did my first full Ironman when I was 60 years old.

I finally fulfilled my dream of being an athlete.

What are your goals?

I have goals, but I try not to share them because it puts too much pressure on me. I want to beat my last time, but I am there for fun. I am pretty competitive in my age group of 65-69, which is small, but those ladies are fast. We all check each others calves out before the race.

What is your race morning breakfast?

I wake up at 3:30 am. In my head I have a lot to do, but every race is different. Sometimes you have to catch a bus, sometimes you have to walk. I am not that hungry, but I know I need fuel for the race. I usually eat oatmeal, protein powder and applesauce. Sometimes I’ll have a bagel with peanut butter – it depends on my appetite. Lately I’ve been drinking a bottle of ensure, which fills me up. I’ve had stomach issues in the past between nerves and everything else, but I think I’ve finally found out what works for me.

What does your training look like?

I feel very lucky because I live at the beach. I live in Lewes, Delaware so every day I can swim in the bay or in the ocean. When I did my first Ironman in Florida the water in the gulf was very rough, but I have so much open water experience. I can swim forever, but I’m slow. It took me a couple of years to get used to a wetsuit.

(As an example of her dedication, when her youngest son got married in Virginia, she brought her bike to train before the celebration. )

Have you had any setbacks?

I was at the World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee and I missed the bike cutoff by 30 seconds. I was really bummed at first, but then realized that I made a choice to be there and I was happy for the opportunity.

What was a memorable moment for you?

I will never forget when Mike Reilly called out my name. All of my sons flew down to Florida to watch me during my first Ironman. One of my sons said to me, “Mom this is your moment, enjoy every second of it.” That was 2013 and I’m still crying about it. I’ve had many blessing in my life but that was a highlight. It validated that I was an athlete. Eight months of grueling hard work that I never thought I could do. Doubting myself all along the way and I did it. The aha moment was wow I did it I did it. You can do it. It’s never too late.

Do you have any tips?

1. It’s never too late to start something new

   After watching her sons compete in triathlons from the sideline for years, she never imagined that one day she’d be the one crossing the finish line, she states, “I don’t care how old you are. People have to keep moving.”

2. Think Positive

   She’s always very nervous before the start of the race, but says, “You just think: It’s a 14-hour training day.”

3. Get creative with your routine

   She knew the heat would be searing at her half-Ironman in Raleigh, North Carolina, so she prepared by keeping the air conditioner off in her home and tried running outside as much as possible. When her son got married in Virginia? “I took my bike to Williamsburg,” she says.

4. Take care of your body

   She always hydrates during activities and tries to schedule meals in advance, eating lots of vegetables, home-cooking and ditching processed foods. “I’ve been in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” she says.

5. Set your own pace

   During her first Ironman she spent most of her time at the back of the pack. She says it’s easy to get intimidated, but that you have to do things at your own pace and “just keep showing up.”