Morris Shore readies for Triathlon World Championships

A friend suggested he switch to triathlons. “No problem,” offered Shore. “The only issue is I can’t swim.” “Don’t worry,” came the reply. “You’ll pick that up in a month.”

Sure enough, four short months later, Shore was entered in his first triathlon here in Montreal. He proudly states that he took home a bronze medal for his efforts — then coyly adds that there were only three competitors in his age class.

Still, that doesn’t diminish the impressive nature of his accomplishments. The slew of medals that he’s picked up over the last 17 years are an added touch, but as Shore will tell you, the most important part is that he always finishes the race. “People ask, how do you do it?" he says. "The answer is simple: I concentrate on one leg at a time. When I’m swimming, I’m not thinking about the biking or running portions that are coming up; I’m focused on swimming. The same applies throughout the race. Before you know it, you’ll be at the finish line.”

And though he’s seen a few finish lines in his lifetime, competing in an average of seven events per year since 1991, no race will be more important than the one he’ll run two weeks from now in Vancouver. Now 71 years old, Shore has been called upon to represent Canada at the Triathlon World Championships. There he will mingle with athletes from all over the globe, including a 2000 Olympic gold medalist, Canadian Simon Whitfield, before beginning his own Olympic distance race.

The race will see him swim 2.4 km, travel another 40 km by bike, and end in a 10 km run, just for good measure.

Sounds like a pretty good day’s work. But it’s not too different from the average day for Shore, who trains every second day in the winter and about six times a week once the weather permits it. His ultimate goal is to compete in a Half-Ironman competition, a grueling test of endurance that includes a 2.4 km swim, a 90 km bike ride and a 21 km run.

Future goals aside, Shore is pleased with how far triathlon competitions have brought him. “I hadn’t planned on ending up here," he says. "It’s a thrill to represent Canada and a very proud moment for me.”

And a proud moment for us all. Though he won’t win the race against men up to 50 years his junior, he will finish it — and despite the pain he’ll likely be smiling. “I really enjoy it," he says with a grin. "I love my life.”