Participation in a sport is a great way to enjoy physical exercise. However, as we age, many people tend to give up entirely on something they genuinely love to do. It does not have to be that way; we can learn to adjust, have fun, and play our favorite sport differently.
We should never completely give up a sport we love as we get older. If we try hard enough, we can adjust and try different types of similar sports and just slow down gracefully.
I was the fastest runner in my public school, and earned a gold medal that I still treasure. In high school I was an anchor in the 440 relay for the Police Athletic League in Brooklyn, N.Y. Then, in my 20s, I ran many 5 Ks for charity. I continued in my 30s when, in fact, I was timed by my supervisor in the Air Force when I ran a quarter mile in a minute at the age of 37. I continued 5K's in my 40's and gave up running in my 50's.
I am now 75 and still do an occasional 5K run/walk once or twice a year. I have adjusted to 80 percent fast walking 15 percent jogging and save about five percent in the end for sprinting down the to the finish line. It's exhilarating to see the crown cheer even if you come in next to last in the race. You still made it!
To maintain realtively good fitness my daily exercise is in the pool one hour every day, and I do water aerobics (that includes biking and jogging) and enjoy it much more than running on a trail. We can modify by doing what we loive as we get older and,hopefully, still have fun competing with others every now and then! Amen!
Photo: Kayaking with my daughter, Barbara Joy. Another sport that I will enjoy until my arms give out. LOL
I had both knees replaced several years ago. My hip replaced last year. And at some point I'll have my right shoulder totally replaced. Then I'm either going to join the Senior Olympics...or call the producer for the next Avengers movie, convince them they need a gray hair on their team, and then volunteer to become Silver Lightening! She with the wisdom of a lifetime and her rocket powered scooter (red w/flames naturally).
Good advice for those once they have reached a certain age, stop doing something that they love but, unfortunately, stop doing everything when arthritis starts to creep in and take away their enthusiasm.
I recall my father saying that he regretted giving up softball, but when he looked around when he was 45 and relegated to the outfield, and discovered he was playing with 20-year-olds, he decided it was time to quit. But he continued bowling and got into golf that both he and my mom enjoyed for very long time. Finally, he reverted to a bicycle and walking.
You made me think of the time when I was about 45 and found that I could no longer swim without endangering myself. And, when I reached about 53, had to stop my long walks in the state park and get into a wheelchair. I fell many times and acquired many stitches on my forehead and around my eyes caused by my plastic glasses being smashed when I tripped over something and hit my head. My exercise machine I bought used and used for about 10 years just burned out its motor and I'm working hard to get it fixed because I will never find another one like it to buy again.
"HOMEGROWN: The Making of the 1972-73 Providence College Friars" is a retrospective of that remarkable season as well as a history of the school's basketball program, which was responsible for drawing the local talent that propelled that team to succ
This book tells the story of the 1999 Providence College Friars baseball team, the last season that the sport was played at the institution. Baseball was set to be eliminated after that season in order for the school to comply with Title IX regulatio
"HOMEGROWN: The Making of the 1972-73 Providence College Friars" is a retrospective of that remarkable season as well as a history of the school's basketball program, which was responsible for drawing the local talent that propelled that team to succ
