Are you surprised by your age?

72 here. I believe it's important to never think of yourself as "old." I never use words like old, geezer, old f@rk when referring to myself or phrases like "back in my day." Attitude is critically important in aging.

Twenty years ago, I realized that I would never become as talented as my competition so I resolved to beat them by aging slower. So far, it's working.

In Younger Next Year, Chris Crowley explains that aging is like a river. The current is slow but relentless. If you do nothing, it will just drag you down the river, but since the current is so slow you can fight it for many years, BUT YOU MUST FIGHT IT EVERY DAY. Every. Single. Day.

Less extreme than the rest of this thread, but I'm 25 and can't seem to shake my 20/21 temperment. My instincts tell me to act the same as I did back then but sometimes lucidity comes in and I feel like I'm not acting in a socially acceptable manner. Good example is I go to see my old xc team and end up chatting with the freshmen. I fall into speaking with them as peers and tell them about all sorts of seedy stuff, only to suddenly realize I'm actually 7+ years older than them and that I might seem creepy.

It may take a few more years before you realize that there are adults younger than you. I recall being 32 in 1992. One night I walked into the supermarket and they were holding one of those singles nights that food retailers were trying in those days. I saw the young people singing, gathered around a karaoke machine and it hit me. Nobody looked older than 26. They were all adults and all younger than me.

Dropping Out wrote:

Less extreme than the rest of this thread, but I'm 25 and can't seem to shake my 20/21 temperment. My instincts tell me to act the same as I did back then but sometimes lucidity comes in and I feel like I'm not acting in a socially acceptable manner. Good example is I go to see my old xc team and end up chatting with the freshmen. I fall into speaking with them as peers and tell them about all sorts of seedy stuff, only to suddenly realize I'm actually 7+ years older than them and that I might seem creepy.

Dude, you are self aware enough to stop that behavior. You aren't impressing those 19 year olds with your drinking/drug stories. If you do show up at XC practice, be the cooler older guy and by cooler I mean by acting like a grown @ss man. If you are friendly, personable, but just slightly aloof and quiet and go about the run/workout you'll come off much better.

Dropping Out wrote:

Less extreme than the rest of this thread, but I'm 25 and can't seem to shake my 20/21 temperment. My instincts tell me to act the same as I did back then but sometimes lucidity comes in and I feel like I'm not acting in a socially acceptable manner. Good example is I go to see my old xc team and end up chatting with the freshmen. I fall into speaking with them as peers and tell them about all sorts of seedy stuff, only to suddenly realize I'm actually 7+ years older than them and that I might seem creepy.

Glory Days?

Almost 50. When my parents were that age, they were pretty much useless as far as doing any sort of physical activity other than going for a walk or an easy game of catch in the yard. I thought that I would also be in the same boat at 50. I am glad that I can keep up with my kids as much as any parent can and have not followed in my parents' sedentary footsteps.

I definitely am surprised that I am probably past the halfway point and really can only look forward to trying to fight the inevitable physical and mental decline that comes with aging. My approach is to accept it and not be afraid of the change. I am fine with the fact that I have no desire to go to a pop music concert even though I still am a fan of some musicians from back in the day and have found a few new ones to listen to.

I'm not that careless. I'm dopey enough to talk about partying when asked, but I usually chat about stuff that happened in the locker room or that time one of the guys sh*t himself during a tempo. I launch into it without thinking. I think my sense of humour has stopped progressing.

I hear that Dylan Thomas may some words of advice for this thread.

https://youtu.be/g2cgcx-GJTQ

I'm 56 and most days I don't really think of myself as that old. I'm amazed at watching older movies where the stars were in their 40's or early 50's and really looked quite old. For example, Elizabeth Taylor was one of the great beauties and by the time she was in her late 30's, she was an absolute mess. The way people abused alcohol and cigarettes back then was incredible. So many died in their 50's. I live in Colorado and so many people are so fit. It's really inspiring to see people cycling and running well into their 60's and 70's. Of course, I'm significantly slower than I was but I still enjoy running pretty much every day.

You have to be grateful for life and the good health so many of us enjoy. It's easy to take for granted. I know I don't take it for granted after nearly dying in an auto accident 4 years ago. Aging is not fun, but the alternative is pretty final! Best to make the most of what you have left.

Been running for 45 years, and I well remember as a teen seeing the "old guys" back in the pack (anyone over 30 was old back then) and scoffing at the slow dudes shuffling around the course/track. Now I look at the times they ran and think: "Wow! they were awesome runners for their age! I wish I could do those times."

Racerdb wrote:

60 today. Not too long ago I was looking forward to turning 60 as I was sure I could be competitive in my new age group on a national level. My head says lets go, my body says awww hell no!

The aging from 57 to 60 was the same as 30 to 55. I knew this time would come but its still hard to accept. The cliff you're about to fall from is real. Enjoy your running days while you have them.

Have a good run,

Dave

Happy birthday rdb, long may you run. Hope your mile goes well.

62 here. Running-wise things have gotten better somewhat (at least related to age group/age grading), especially in the past 15 or 16 years and have been able to break through after turning 60. But in a lot of ways as a runner I'd rather be 28-30 an running the times I ran back then (very mediocre (+/-32 min 10K) by letsrun standards). Nevertheless, have enjoyed the age group journey and have done a bit better than my open days.

Career-wise, nearing the end of he road for my chosen profession. Maybe 6 months to 2 years. I don't really enjoy my work these days (things have really changed, and not for the better) and only hanging on for retirement purposes.

Family and stuff are pretty good. Miss having kids around the house, although it was challenging when they were small. Not sure how grandparenting will go, but still a couple years or more off from that.

Years ago maybe in my early 50s my doc, said to keep the good attitude, and that to know that you are getting older but not old. So I feel like that. And I also listen to newer music. Look to the past for wisdom, and good memories, but don't dwell on it.

I got you, I realize that when turn 30, now I am 55 and I am surprised how old I am, yes the age surprises you and not in the good way.

fisky wrote:

72 here. I believe it's important to never think of yourself as "old." I never use words like old, geezer, old f@rk when referring to myself or phrases like "back in my day." Attitude is critically important in aging.

At 53 I use all those words but I'm joking. I don't feel old. Sometimes I feel like my brain is stuck at age 25.

I think people have a vision of what they think someone’s age should be based on looks (no pun intended), therefore people have a hard time believing my age when I tell them I have kids in college ?

I turn 877 in June, and I'm still amazed. It must be diet.

I'm 26 about to be 27. I'm finding that life all blends together when it's not segmented. Grade school/Middle school/high school/college were all broken out and had very different feels. Now the five years after college have seemed to blur together more than previous segments. I wake up not knowing what month it is, because the day-to-day doesn't change with the seasons as much as it used to. No particular sport I have to go to practice for, no class that I know I have in fall semester. The time of year doesn't change what I do very much and year to year there are fewer drastic changes. This may change once I get married and/or have kids and I will look back as my current state as another 'segment' of my life.

Turned 7 a few weeks ago. Was surprised by how much I related to this post. Just a few years ago my Mom would carry me everywhere, now I'm expected to walk and follow directions. Wish I could go back sometimes, but I'm mostly excited for the future.

badazz69 wrote:

Turned 7 a few weeks ago. Was surprised by how much I related to this post. Just a few years ago my Mom would carry me everywhere, now I'm expected to walk and follow directions. Wish I could go back sometimes, but I'm mostly excited for the future.

And you have every right to be (excited about your future, that is).

But it's never too early to start dropping hints to the folks about the need to start saving for your college.

Sometimes they just need a little reminding, that's all. ; )

Keep us posted!

Growing older kind of sucks for the most part. I'll be 61 next month. One of the things that I noticed was that all of us guys that ran XC (4th in state) and track in high school and remained fairly active look much younger than our classmates. No kidding! At our 40th reunion we took a picture of the six of us that attended and one guy looks amazingly young. It helps to have full head of hair and I feel blessed for that. I certainly don't run that fast anymore. I do cycle pretty good and feel I'm a better biker than runner now. Gotta keep up the running as I feel that is a fountain of youth.