Old Dudes: At what age did you start feeling old?

I am 42 and been running hard since 13 y.o. Ran college XC/Track, marathons, and ultras post-collegiately. I was feeling good until 34 y.o. I jumped into a 10 km with moderate training. Usually I'd be thinking 33-high, 34-low and I ran 37. WTF. 8 years later I still run 50 or so a week and compete in trail races about 5 times a year. I am slowing, but still enjoy getting out most days. Have increased the cross training recently and will have to do that more and run less in the years ahead. Running-wise I feel a bit old, but in every other realm of life, I feel great. I look 30 and pretty much feel younger (except when pushing the limits in training or racing.)

Anyone can run and stay fit when it comes easily. You find out how much it matters to you when it ceases to come easily. And that time inevitably comes for everyone who sticks with it long enough. Then you find out a bit about yourself.

You don't get to old to run, you get old because you stop running

I was 40 and suddenly single after a 9-year relationship. While performing in a community theater play I met this woman. She was 26 and a modern dancer. Yes, I got lucky. Also, first ever fail of my life. My confidence was shaken. I got to redeem myself later, but then had another fail with a different girl. My confidence was shaken forever. Hope that story helps. Oh, and running wise I feel fine. Haven't really tried to reach earlier heights, or even get close, but I still love to run, and except for the mornings and when passing certain mirrors, I don't feel all that old.

Dude- all you old guys are wankers! I'm 40- clicking 15:30 5ks. Yep it takes longer to recover but then I don't care as much as when I was 25. I can hold my nut longer when I'm boning a girl, and don't say stupid things to hot chicks like I did when I was 25. I love my Mother and the older people in my family as I've gotten older which was something I took for granted at 25.

For you young guys- take a cue from Tony bennett- always stay positive, stay romantic, and good humored- and you'll never look back wih regrets!

When I was 21. Too much sex, too much running and too much booze.

Just kidding. Life has been great at all ages.

Just around Age 35 is when I felt it for the first time. Achilles problems cropping up, calf strains, all stuff that happens to active people around that age. Body parts become less flexible. Hair showed first signs of gray. Injuries every time I ramped up the mileage. From 30-35, no problem at all, still felt the same as my 20s, but from 35 on, it was a different day for me and I entered oldguydom.

You are all a bunch of losers. I feel like im listening to a bunch of n*****s.

i was 15 when i realized i just didnt have the energy i used to

i just turned 43, weigh about 3 lbs more than in college, still break 15s in a 5k, and i have yet to ask that question. i suppose when i feel the need to ask that question is when i'll start feeling old...

Are you sure that your not just a p*ssy? There's really too many people who can do the things you claim you can't at a much more advanced age. I am the same age, run more miles than I used to and if i don't do 2 workouts, a race and a long run it's more a question of motivation than physical ability.

Why do jackasses always feel the need to hijack a thread. I know I feed them when I post this, but come on, you're really not that funny. I guess only to yourself, which is enough.

Go back to old Dyestat.

dont bother getting out of bed wrote:

Im 27 and dont know what this spark is that you older guys are speaking about. I started feeling old and broken down at around 21... thanks to early onset male pattern baldness. what a bitch.

Was this posted by Alan Webb?

For me, it was 48.

You are so full of it it's hilarious.Please, tell me what city you live in. I travel a lot, and if you're game to hang out with a runner your age, I'd love to see where you are supposedly partying at 7am twice a week and 3am the other five nights.

cool guy 505 wrote:

You are all a bunch of losers. I feel like im listening to a bunch of n*****s.

...and yet, in fact, you are listening to a bunch of wh*te guys. Welcome to your stereotype.

Oh, and you can't spell.

I guess I did a poor job of pointing out that someone that is in their mid 20s is anything but old. I can handle a high training load just fine, and if you feel old at my age it's not getting older just probably wimping out. I'm sorry you failed to grasp my point. Also isn't dyestat gone/was for people who give a crap about HS running? Toodles!

socalcush wrote:

i just turned 43, weigh about 3 lbs more than in college, still break 15s in a 5k, and i have yet to ask that question. i suppose when i feel the need to ask that question is when i'll start feeling old...

You're breaking 15 for 5K at 43? So, we must have heard of you based on your WC performances?

At around 32 I started to "socially" feel old. I stopped keeping up with the latest cultural icons, stopped watching MTV, stop keeping up with latest music. I started viewing the 21 year olds as a different generation. Stopped binge drinking at the clubs. Stopped going to after hours clubs and Denny's. Then stopped clubbing altogether.

Physically in my late 30's instead of one recovery day after intervals/hills I sometimes needed 2 days. I stopped kicking it in at the end of races to prevent straining something, so I could be healthy for training and the next race. And training for anything 800 meter and shorter (for all comers meets) almost always resulted in a pulled muscle.

Why do people hijack this thread to beat their chest about how fast they still are in their 40's. The fact is any 40 year old at a club is considered an OLD DUDE no matter what your 5k time is. Letsrun related: if you go to an all-comers meet, your the "OLD DUDE" (where as if you were in you 20's and 30's they (the kids) would call you the "grown man").

Just turned 50. I feel old on morning runs.

I make it a habit to do push ups and pulls ups daily.

Some people dont believe me when I say my age.

Often it's how old you want to be.

I still run 17+ for a 5k.