Wes Miller, 63; described himself in High School as a “Slow” white boy. “I tried to be a runner, but was way too slow. I was truly a non-athlete. By my senior year, I had grown to 6’2’ and tried out for basketball.” In school, Wes really excelled at Math. Back then, he thought football players did 2 weeks of 2-A-Days and that’s all they needed to get in shape. Of course, they thought he could flip through an Algebra book and know it all. Wes added, “We were both wrong.”
Today, Wes teaches High School Calculus, Algebra 3, and Honors Algebra 2, in addition to competing in Triathlon, Road Race, Swimming, Cycling, Golf, and Bowling. It took awhile to get where he could compete in sports. He said, “8 years ago I tried to run a 5K, but could only manage to run 2 blocks and walk a block. I was totally out of shape. Luckily my son-n-law came to my rescue and became my coach.” Wes lost 30 pounds and got back down to his High School weight. It took about 3 years for all the training to start paying off. Wes says, “I now compete in every Oklahoma Senior Games. My wife has had a knee replacement and
thinks I’m nuts for being involved in so many sports. One time after completing a Triathlon, I texted my wife typing only FDD. She texted what is FDD? I responded with Finished Didn’t Die! She responded with PTL! I asked her what that meant and received a “Praise the Lord!”
Wes has been to 2 Nationals competing in Triathlon and Bowling. “I actually qualify for several sports each year, but I can only pick 2. I’m hoping to eventually qualify in Golf, so I can give up Triathlon. I’m just not fast enough.” Wes jokes about hoping to outlive his opponents so he can eventually make the podium. He really enjoys competing and tries his best to place, but doesn’t get upset if he doesn’t. “I compete because I love the camaraderie and meeting new people.” Wes is in such good shape his fitness watch indicates there is a 7-year difference in his actual and fitness age. He’s cautious though and focused on preventing injury.
“I don’t get crazy with training and competing. My goal is to stay fit and not lose my good health. Competing in the Oklahoma Senior Games is a great way to help achieve that.”
In addition to teaching and competing, Wes is now coaching long distance runners at Clinton High School. He’s also trying to talk his mother into competing in Water Walking during the games. He’s really hoping to convince her and a couple of friends to give it a try.
Wes thinks he has a different philosophy about competing in sports. He says, “Many people train to get good at a sport before entering a competition.” He added,“enter in several different sports, then try and improve on the ones you enjoy.” He says his favorite sport is swimming but Triathlon which includes swimming, is his weakest. He’s working to improve on that.
Wes has this advice for other athletes. “Don’t compete to gain, compete to keep from losing.”
