When Are You 'Too Old'?

[simon.r]

Last week, for the first time in about 30 years, I went ice-skating. I'm 48. My girlfriend (same age) fell awkwardly and broke her arm. She's since had lots of comments from friends along the lines of 'Don't you think you're a bit old to be ice-skating? I wouldn't do that at my age.' (i.e 40+)

Before we went it didn't occur to either of us that age was an issue, though I did notice when we arrived that we about 3 times as old as most of the other skaters!

So when does age become an issue that stops you trying to do things? Should we have thought about it before we went?

I know the flippant answers are 'age is a state of mind', 'you're as old as you feel' etc etc, but there must be a point where you don't do something purely because you're too old and the chances of injury are unacceptably high?

 

[slowmotion]

A while ago, Clint Eastwood was playing a celebrity tennis match. He was thrashed. His comment afterwards....

" My mind's writing cheques that my body can't pay".

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

You'll already know that the body isn't as resilient as a 25-year old's when you're twice that age. What you should have is a built-in risk-assessment adjuster. Or, to be more accurate, your partner should - it will have been a nasty shock for her. In many ways, it's not what you do but how you do it.

 

[derrick]

You are never to old to try anything, just except you will not do it as well as you would have done when you were younger, am 60 years old and the other half is 50 we still do all the things we did 30 odd years ago, it just take longer to heal.

 

[swee'pea99]

Gordon Bennet, what a sad bunch of friends. I'm north of 50 and it wouldn't for a moment occur to me that I'm too old for ice skating. Clint Eastwood is 81. That's a whole different ball game. But 40+? YeGods!

 

[ColinJ]

I met a cyclist yesterday who is in his 80s. He is still riding despite a lot of health problems. He told me that he did a sub 4.5 hour 100 mile time trial in his mid-60s!

You could say that he should hang up his wheels and not risk his health. All I can say is that I will carry on riding as long as I can and if that means 'doing a Beryl Burton' then so be it!

 

[Kestevan]

Age on it's own shouldnt stop you from trying almost anything. Granted there will be things you approach with a more mature, some may even say cautious attiutude...... but that's a given.

I'm just starting to actually realise at 42 that I no longer bounce quite as well as I did 20 years ago.

Somewhere I read a quote along the lines of "Once you're over 40, treasure the days when you wake up and nothing at all hurts - there won't be many of them". It may well be true, but the alternative is a life sitting on the couch watching the x-factor.....no thanks I'll take waking up and lying there wondering which muscle is going to hurt most any-day.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

You know you are getting old when you enter a nightclub and instantly think

'Jeez, the musics loud!'

Happened to me a little while ago.

Also, can anyone tell me, when you jog, do you stop bouncing after a certain age?

 

[biggs682]

+ 1 re Mad Doug Bikers comments about loud music , same goes for boy racer exhaust and induction kits .

you are only as old as the woman / man you feel

 

[asterix]

My cousin is still flying aircraft in his 70's but then he learnt aged 19 or 20.

Age on it's own shouldnt stop you from trying almost anything. Granted there will be things you approach with a more mature, some may even say cautious attiutude...... but that's a given.

I'm just starting to actually realise at 42 that I no longer bounce quite as well as I did 20 years ago.

Somewhere I read a quote along the lines of "Once you're over 40, treasure the days when you wake up and nothing at all hurts - there won't be many of them". It may well be true, but the alternative is a life sitting on the couch watching the x-factor.....no thanks I'll take waking up and lying there wondering which muscle is going to hurt most any-day.

Last year at age 57 I learnt to plaster. At first it was very hard work even though I was fit. You use all sort of muscles in unaccustomed ways. However it is a very good way of keeping fit, much better than going to the gym because once you start a mix you have to finish the job in literally a 'set' time. It's good fun, rather like playing with mud.

 

[Hacienda71]

You are too old when you are dead.........

 

[MarkF]

I don' think that this quote is flippant, it is entirely reasonable and sensible.

"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old." - George Burns

I skate (50) with my good lady (48) and it's great fun, although we avoid the teenagers sessions. I didn't start cycling till past 40 and am now fitter and in better physical shape than I was at 25, there is time improve yet.

 

[steve52]

im not stopping untill they issue a death certificate, and then i shall only stop to appeal!!!

 

[fossyant]

You are too old when you are dead.........

^ This ^

No point sitting on your arse - get out there and do it. I shall go to my grave rattling and creaking like a BSO. Nothing like some right good 'war wounds'.

I used to work with a lass that you'd think was not into any sport - she was very pretty, always immaculately dressed etc. etc. We soon found out she was into sports, showed us a huge scar up her arm from snow boarding, was mad keen on MTB'ing and also did that off road skateboarding mallarkey. She'd broken just about every limb at least once.

 

[asterix]

im not stopping untill they issue a death certificate, and then i shall only stop to appeal!!!

Why bother, just hang it on the wall with the rest.