The Tarpon Springs Triathlon will be full of determined people, but perhaps none more so than this seasoned sawbones.
By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published September 9, 2005
TARPON SPRINGS - Three or four times a week, Dr. Charles Lasley, a cardiovascular surgeon, runs 4 miles to the Clearwater YMCA. Normally, he plays about four games of handball, followed by some racquetball with his wife, Jan. Then he may pump iron for a while.
If she doesn't show up with a car, he runs home.
He's 83 and plans to live to 120.
Saturday morning, the fitness fanatic will be among the hundreds of bodies churning through the warm gulf waters or biking along the winding bayous as part of the 17th annual Tarpon Springs Triathlon, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tarpon Springs.
"This will be my 72nd triathlon," Lasley said proudly. On Sunday, the Belleair resident plans to compete in another triathlon in Clermont. He says he does eight or nine a year.
Lasley tried his first "tri" about 15 years ago, when he was in his late 60s. He competed in two Half-Ironmans five or six years ago and the Montreal world championships in 1999. That Olympic distance triathlon consisted of a 1-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and 6.2-mile run, he said. In 2002, he was rated No. 1 in the 80-84 age group by USA Triathlon.
Although he still competes in the Olympic distance St. Anthony's Triathlon, these days he prefers the kinder and gentler sprint triathlons like the one that will be held Saturday. The event will consist of a quarter-mile swim, 10.5-mile bike ride and 3-mile run.
But what about arthritis, tendonitis and other aches?
Lasley shrugs off the pain factor.
"I don't believe in arthritis," he said. Yes, he admits he gets back and hip pain, but it's nothing a little aspirin or Chinese herbs can't cure. He wears orthotics in his jogging shoes to correct an alignment problem. And he makes a practice of stretching his muscles regularly.
"What most people think is arthritis is really tendon or ligament pain," he said. "Proper stretching and strength training can diminish that pain."
Lasley, who said he performed the first open-heart surgery at Morton Plant Hospital in 1975, has seen firsthand the results of poor diet and lack of exercise.
Now the octogenarian leads a class called Prescription for Health at Calvary Baptist Church, where he touts a biblical diet based on raw fruits and vegetables, and limited amounts of fish, turkey and chicken.
Evidently he practices what he preaches. The 5-foot-8 athlete weighs 135 pounds - his college weight. His blood pressure is 125/70 and his cholesterol is 190, without medication. His body fat is about 8 to 11 percent. He continues to work in an operating room, assisting in gastric bypass surgeries about three days a week.
Lasley's athletic career began when he was a boxer in college. He sailed in his 20s and took up Mexican bullfighting in his 30s. In his 50s, he got hooked on marathon running.
"There is nothing more efficient than running to get you where you want to be," he said.
In addition to jogging, he usually bikes once a week to prepare for triathlons.
"It's not enough," he said, "but I try to do at least 20 miles."
He doesn't like to swim, but he does so occasionally at the YMCA, at his condominium pool or sometimes at the beach.
Lasley has also been playing handball for 50 years and surfing for 30.
"I haven't surfed for a few years and probably won't unless my son gets me out on a surfboard," he said.
If you go
The 17th annual Tarpon Springs Triathlon will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. As many as 600 triathletes, both children and adults, are expected to compete. The park will be closed to vehicle traffic at 7:30 a.m. and will reopen about 10:45 a.m. Awards will be given in weight and age categories. A racing bike from Chainwheel Drive will be raffled. Call (727) 938-4359.Street closings
The following streets will be closed for the race: Sunset Drive from Howard Park to Florida Avenue, Florida Avenue from Riverside Drive to Gulf Road, Gulf Road from Florida Avenue to Whitcomb Boulevard, Whitcomb Boulevard from Gulf Road to Spring Boulevard, Spring Boulevard from Whitcomb Boulevard to Grand Boulevard, Grand Boulevard from Spring Boulevard to Athens Street, Athens Street from Grand Boulevard to Dodecanese Boulevard, Dodecanese Boulevard from Athens Street to Roosevelt Boulevard, Roosevelt Boulevard from Dodecanese Boulevard to Canal Street, Canal Street from Roosevelt Boulevard to Riverside Drive, Riverside Drive from Canal Street to Florida Avenue.
Many side streets flow into the race course. Drivers are encouraged to avoid those streets during the race.
