The wear and tear of use, of environmental factors, and of
our own genetics cause gradual weakening and breakdown of our tissues. We may peak in different aspects of our lives at different ages, but always fairly
early on, with gradual decline with age. Gymnasts may peak in their teens in
the sport while some endurance athletes or those in strength sports may not
peak until their 30’s. All, however, decline with age.
Our minds do not age in the same way. The expression “youth
is in the mind” takes note of this. We all know people who seem to be more
youthful than their ages or physical appearance would suggest. It is that they
see themselves as more youthful and this carries over to everything from their
outlook to their choice of activities. The problem comes when the mind/body
disconnection becomes too great.
I played soccer throughout school, including 2 years of high
level college soccer, with nary an injury before my studies became too rigorous
to continue this. The next time I tried to play organized soccer was in my
40’s. By then, it was immediately evident that I no longer had the endurance to
run a soccer field for two 45 minute halves. I could have worked back up to
that but there were other issues. My knees hurt when I made sharp cuts and
turns and they became swollen. An MRI showed a small meniscal tear, probably
from wear and tear rather than an acute injury. I realized that my days of
playing organized, competitive soccer were over. Even though my mind still
loved the game and wanted to play, my body wasn’t cooperating.
I still feel more like I am in my late teens or twenties,
than 60. I believe that I have taken reasonable care of myself and that my
physical condition is pretty good for a 60 year old, but 60 is 60. I will never
be as fast, as strong, or have the endurance that I would have had in my teens,
twenties, or thirties. What I do have is more insight, less competitiveness,
and, hopefully, a great deal more wisdom.
The first gives me more awareness of my motivations and
desires; the second makes me want to set certain goals for their own sake, not
because I want to beat others doing the same thing, and the third tells me such
things as not to push too hard or ignore certain aches or pains, to make
allowances for my age, whether my mind wants to or not. Dr. Millard, my mentor
and professor in plastic surgery said in one of his books on principles of plastic
surgery not to leave all of one’s best effort in the gym or out on the road. I
think about this often when exercising before work, knowing that I need to save
some energy for my patients that day.
The war on getting older is not a full out assault but more
of a delaying action to slow down the inevitable. The goal is not to try to
live forever but to try to live each day to the fullest and to do what we can to avoid unnecessary problems.
Florida Ironman training log:
This week I finally got into more of a routine but still have a
ways to go to feel like I am truly working a plan. Still have to decide on
coaching but having trouble working out the pros and cons. I tend to like doing
things on my own, but for this particular effort, there are a lot of reasons to
have expert help.
Training summary:
Swim- Monday, Jan. 7- 1225 yards in 28:24
Thursday,
Jan. 10- 1475 yards in 34:20
Bike- Saturday, Jan.
12- 31.39 miles in 1:59:34 (average 15.8 mph)
Run- Wednesday, Jan
9- 3.52 mi in 30:57 or 8:47/mi pace
Friday, Jan
11- 5.43 mi in 48:23 or 8:55/mi pace
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