Instead, Mr Barfoot is about to compete in his fifth half triathalon of the year.
The Barfoot & Thompson director is the oldest entrant in next weekend's Challenge Wanaka triathlon.
Mr Barfoot, of Auckland, has competed in several Challenge Wanaka events, including the first event in 2007.
In 2012, the finish line was kept open an extra hour so he could complete the 226km course. He said he had competed in triathlons for about 20 years. However, his 80th birthday in May added a new urgency to his involvement with the sport.
‘‘I have got to do as many events as I can this year.‘‘I am trying to do several world championships.''
In January, he competed in the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman and earlier this month, in the Melbourne Half Ironman.
A ‘‘bad bike crash'' during the New Zealand triathlon championships in Wellington last month had not deterred him.
‘‘In recent years, I have had three bad bike accidents, and I have got a replacement hip and I'm showing a few scars ...
‘‘But you don't have to have a quick reaction time that you need in other sports.‘‘I wear glasses, I have got hearing aids, gold capped teeth, it doesn't get in the way.''
His recent triathlon efforts were ‘‘nothing to skite about'', he said.
‘‘I have not finished or have come last in the first four, so I am hoping my luck will change for the fifth.''
While he still worked four days a week, Wednesdays were dedicated to 100km training rides, he said.
An Auckland cycling group known for its loud attire also provided a social way to train.‘‘In Auckland, we are the ‘fluorescent yellow brigade'.
‘‘When you are younger, you wear the latest Lycra and Tour de France T-shirts, but when you get older you're more worried about getting hit, so you wear fluorescent yellow.''
When it came to Challenge Wanaka, he had only one goal.‘‘It sounds awful, but I want to beat someone.
‘‘The winner wants to beat the whole field. I only want to beat one.''Asked if he had plans to give up triathlons, he said not yet.
‘‘A lot of people say they like to retire on their own choosing, rather than be dictated by the clock.‘‘I don't have enough strength of character to do that.
‘‘I'll be dictated by the clock.''
