I've had to completely restructure my workout routine after years of being athletic—and now paying the price for it. The late-in-life athletes I read about mostly lived sedentary lives in their younger years. Part of me wishes I’d been more cautious during my midlife. I started marathon and triathlon training in my mid-forties, and looking back, it wasn’t the smartest decision. I overtrained, pushed myself too hard, and now I’m benched from the very activities I once loved. The worst part? I don’t even have fond memories of a glory era. If there’s one thing I regret, it’s not just having fun with it—instead, I went all out, and for what? I thank God each day I wake up and can still ride my bike, jog/walk, swim and weight-lift. I loathe the day these are taken away from me. I try and be careful, but stuff happens... and the price is so much higher as we age. Get well soon!!!
I too started marathon training in my late 50s … walking though vs running. I hope I have a few more in me. If not, I’ll negotiate and compromise to 10k, then 5k etc.
Your biking/ swimming/ weights routines are all great to have as part of your life!
As someone whose identity has been intertwined with physical pursuits, I resonate with all of this! I’m finding the negotiation process challenging as well and find your mantra about preferring the ability to walk over the high from winning to be “right on.” Sending you healing thoughts🩷.
Sally, thank you for sharing some of my own journey with pain as my teacher. I am glad that your pickleball injury is on the mend and that you can keep setting those physical challenges that inspire you. Yes it is so hard to come to terms with the limits of our bodies as we age, as my own diagnosis of slipped disc and degenerative spinal issues have made very clear to me these past two months. Rest is so important. My body has emphatically but I like to think kindly told me to slow down in my ever busy ambitious life. Now I have no choice but to listen and learn.
I thought the same about being told this past week that I had to sit still more. It fueled these thoughts I have about my body continuing to get the “upper hand” in deciding what I can do. It’s made me not fear or worry about what aging brings but prepare and picture how I’ll accept and adjust.
I've had to completely restructure my workout routine after years of being athletic—and now paying the price for it. The late-in-life athletes I read about mostly lived sedentary lives in their younger years. Part of me wishes I’d been more cautious during my midlife. I started marathon and triathlon training in my mid-forties, and looking back, it wasn’t the smartest decision. I overtrained, pushed myself too hard, and now I’m benched from the very activities I once loved. The worst part? I don’t even have fond memories of a glory era. If there’s one thing I regret, it’s not just having fun with it—instead, I went all out, and for what? I thank God each day I wake up and can still ride my bike, jog/walk, swim and weight-lift. I loathe the day these are taken away from me. I try and be careful, but stuff happens... and the price is so much higher as we age. Get well soon!!!
I too started marathon training in my late 50s … walking though vs running. I hope I have a few more in me. If not, I’ll negotiate and compromise to 10k, then 5k etc.
Your biking/ swimming/ weights routines are all great to have as part of your life!
As someone whose identity has been intertwined with physical pursuits, I resonate with all of this! I’m finding the negotiation process challenging as well and find your mantra about preferring the ability to walk over the high from winning to be “right on.” Sending you healing thoughts🩷.
Thank you Vera! I am on the mend. I’m going to take my time though - it’s worth weeks of rest to have a shot at years of continued activities!
Sally, thank you for sharing some of my own journey with pain as my teacher. I am glad that your pickleball injury is on the mend and that you can keep setting those physical challenges that inspire you. Yes it is so hard to come to terms with the limits of our bodies as we age, as my own diagnosis of slipped disc and degenerative spinal issues have made very clear to me these past two months. Rest is so important. My body has emphatically but I like to think kindly told me to slow down in my ever busy ambitious life. Now I have no choice but to listen and learn.
I thought the same about being told this past week that I had to sit still more. It fueled these thoughts I have about my body continuing to get the “upper hand” in deciding what I can do. It’s made me not fear or worry about what aging brings but prepare and picture how I’ll accept and adjust.