Posted on: Friday, April 15, 2005
RECREATION
At 69, champion triathlete has legs to keep on winning
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By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
As one of the top triathletes in her age group, 69-year-old Eleanor Kitagawa of Palolo has outlasted many competitors and inspired countless others with her skill and spirit.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser But more importantly, Kitagawa holds a special place in the hearts of Hawai'i's triathletes, who look at the muscular, flower-wearing, silver-haired woman as a source of motivation.
"I always tell everybody, just look at her legs and you'll never know she's that old," said Chet Blanton, who trains Kitagawa and operates Team Jet, a fitness training group. "She's just awesome."
On Sunday, Kitagawa is scheduled to compete in the JAL Honolulu Triathlon (age-group race) in Waikiki. She is considered by Blanton as one of the favorites in her age group in the 1.5-kilometer (0.93-mile) swim, 40-kilometer (24.8-mile) bike and 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run.
"I treat these triathlons like a workout," said Kitagawa, who turns 70 on June 5. "If I feel good and if I can push a little harder, I'll do it, but if not, that's all right. As long as I finish. That's the main thing."
Kitagawa said she began competing in triathlons seven years ago to stay active and healthy. In 2004, Kitagawa set the women's age 65-69 record at 2:51:09 in the Tinman Triathlon, a 800-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run.
"My motivation is actually bad genes," Kitagawa said. "Bad genes in the family. Diabetes, hypertension."
Kitagawa, a retired state clerk typist, trains seven days a week. She swims three to four miles, bikes around 12 to 30 miles, and runs 24 to 26 miles a week. She also practices aerobics five times a week.
Kitagawa has never complained about the demanding triathlon training, Blanton said. In fact, she thanks him after every workout. For her dedication, the members of Team Jet gave Kitagawa the "Least Likely To Cry Uncle" award.
"She thanks you for torturing her for three hours," Blanton said. "Even on our off-days, most of our people don't train that much. I see her everyday, wherever I am. Out in Hawai'i Kai, I'll see her coming up a hill on her bike, or running."
Kitagawa said she's not blazing fast and calls herself the "sweeper" because "I'm almost on the back tail end" during workouts. However, Blanton said Kitagawa is very consistent.
"She's steady," Blanton said. "She has one speed. If I tell her to run a fast mile, or tell her to run 20 miles, it's the same speed. It's not about speed. It's about being steady and controlled."
When asked about her success, Kitagawa deflected credit to her friends in Team Jet, saying: "I enjoy working with the group." She also praised her competition and the other athletic women who do not get the recognition she has in recent years.
"I'm honored," said Kitagawa, who also won her age-group in the Keauhou-Kona Triathlon last year and also runs long-distance races. "There are women my age, maybe they're not in organized clubs, but they are out there participating. Much older women, also. They're pretty fast runners. They may not enter triathlons, but when it comes to competing in marathons or other long races, they're there."
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
• • • • • • • • • Foodland/Kraft Keiki Triathlon
Where: Kapi'olani Park and San Souci Beach When: Tomorrow, 7 a.m. What: Keiki, ages 7 to 14, take part in event with distances varying depending on age group. Sign-up: Online registration closed April 12.
Where: Course includes a 1.5-kilometer (0.93 mile) swim in Waikiki, a 40K (24.8 miles) bike race around Diamond Head (five loops) and a 10K (6.2 miles) run along Kalakaua (four loops), with a finish inside Kapi'olani Park. When: Tomorrow Women at 9 a.m.
Men at about 11:30 a.m.
What: The JAL ITU World Cup is one of only 12 World Cup events this year and the only one in the United States. Athletes compete for points that help determine who qualifies for the 2005 world championships. Top women: U.S. 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Susan Williams, Americans Barb Lindquist, Sheila Taormina, Laura Reback. Top men: New Zealand 2004 Olympic gold medalist Hamish Carter and silver medalist Bevan Docherty. Canada 2000 Olympic gold medalist Simon Whitfield. Top American finisher 2004 Olympics Hunter Kemper. Notes: The first American male and female automatically qualify for the 2005 World Championships in Japan. ... About 150 male and female competitors expected.
Where: Course similar to that of elite athletes.
When: Sunday, 6 a.m. What: About 1,200 participants expected to compete in age- group race. Sign-up: Online registration closed April 12.
Kitagawa holds the women's age-group record in the Tinman Triathlon, a race she has competed in the past seven years.
Trainer Chet Blanton of Team Jet says consistency in workouts and pace is a big part of triathlete Eleanor Kitagawa's success.
International Triathlon Union World Cup
JAL Honolulu Triathlon
