Review
A retired AT&T vice president, French was selected one of 1996's Ten All-American triathletes in the 65-69 age group and one of Five All-American duathletes in that same age group.
In '96, he was a member of Team USA for both the World Triathlon and the World Duathlon championships. He began running in 1977 and switched to the combination races in 1983.
The book, "A Year of Triathlons," is a self-publsihed venture and chronicles French's love affair with racing -- any way he can.
French is a good writer and that makes this personal story enjoyable. For runners, bikers and swimmers, it's probably a must read; for the rest, it's a good bet that you'll enjoy French's wry sense of humor and his honesty. For $9.95 it's a good buy. -- Joanne Zerkel, The Star newspapers, Tinley Park, IL April 24, 1997
From the Author
How could I be that old? I remember the answer I gave my oldest son Dirk a couple of years ago when he asked, "Dad, how old were you when you felt like you were an adult?" I told him "I'll let you know if I ever do." In my mind's eye I still think of myself as a kid, and a person of 65 as someone with at least one foot in the grave.
It was also difficult to see myself as 65 because of what I can still do with my body. My usual routine is to run 10 miles, bike 40 miles and swim a mile and a half, each three times a week. After 20 years of training it's still pretty easy for me to maintain this schedule.
And yet, just below the surface of my mind was a thought I tried to ignore: my father died at 65, and I would soon be that old.
But any gloomy thoughts about my turning 65 were tempered by the happy thought that I would be entering a new age group. I am a member of that strange band of athletes who once every five years celebrate becoming a year older. I am a runner, duathlete and triathlete, and competition in foot races, duathlons and triathlons is divided into five-year age groups. So on my 65th birthday I would enter the 65 to 69 year age group, and instead of competing against athletes as many as five years younger, I would race against many who are five years older. It would be nice to be Page 2
a youngster again.
Putting all these thoughts together added up to this idea: why not mark this "65-year-old" milestone by keeping a journal of my participation in this year's (1996) triathlons and duathlons? Now that I'm retired, friends who think I know how to write are always asking me, "Why don't you write a book?" Well, why not? They asked for it, and I have done it. I hope that they -- and you -- like the result.
