ROGER LALONDE / Staff

Craig Carlson, a triathlete extraordinaire.

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Craig Carlson trudges the Marco hills, sprints along its byways and jumps on a bike to do the same.

He does it six days a week.

That’s the monotony of a triathlete.

Carlson knows the grind well, having competed in 98 triathlons since he turned 50 more than 20 years ago.

His first triathlon was in Crystal Lake, Illi. He was a member of a team, taking part in the running portion.

“For 10 years I had competed in 10K races, too many to count really,” he said. “Once I got into a triathlon it took me in. It keeps me in overall good shape. Even with little aches and pains, it improves my quality of life.”

He competes in two types of triathlons. The Olympic style and sprints.

In Olympic or International format, Carlson swims one mile, bikes 24.8 miles and runs three miles. In sprints, he swims three-quarters of a mile, bikes 12 miles and runs three miles.

In a typical training week he will swim 3.5 miles, bike 75 and run 28 miles.

His next two events on his way to reach the 100 mark will be at St. Petersburg on July 13 and in Clearwater on Sept. 21.

His most recent race, June 7, was in Vancouver, B.C. The Northwest weather hampered the event.

The water temperature was 55, the air 58 and it was also rainy and windy.

“They canceled the men’s swimming,” Carlson said. “The lifeguards couldn’t even be in the water. They exchanged swimming for an additional two-mile run.”

He said a strong biker has the advantage.

“If the bike course is particularly tough, a strong biker has the edge,” Carlson said. “In most races the edge goes to the biker where most of the time is recorded. There are some great bikers around the world.”

In the Vancouver World Championships there were seven countries represented in Carlson’s 70-74 age class. He came in with a respectable time of 2:37.52, finishing 14th of 27.

In a regular Olympic distance race he usually comes in the top four for his age group. In 2007 he won three sprints and came in second twice. In Olympic distance he registered a second and a fourth.

Competition has also taken him to Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Tennessee. His most pleasing win in his age group was in Lake Geneva, Wis.

“It was the toughest course I’ve ever competed in a Triathlon,” he said. “The hills were rough, the water tough and the biking hilly. I was very pleased to win my age group.”

He also likes running in the annual Marco Hill Run the Saturday before Christmas. “I love the race, I love the hills,” he said.

His best times came from age 55 to 65.

“My times were in the 2-hour-40-minute range, while today it is more around 2:55,” Carlson said.

But he warns the younger competitors to watch out for the older competitors.

“I’ve seen runners up to 75 years old be very competitive,” he said. “I know I get pleasure when I pass the 30-year-olds.”

Carlson says his wife Karen’s dedication to him and the sport means a great deal.

“Her tireless dedication to the sport, attending races in bad conditions and pushing me at times, has made a major difference,” he said.

The Carlsons have to two daughters, Beth and Julie.

“Both were good swimmers and Beth and I race together in Jacksonville, Carlson said. “Julie is busy raising three boys.”

So when will he retire his swim suit, bike and running shoes?

“We have people competing in the 80-84 class,” he said. “I hope to be running in that age bracket.”