Anyone realize their best years are behind them? (Page 2)

Some good replies here.

Honestly, most people are so far away form their potential that even though there maximum potential may decrease as they age, they still have a ton of room for improvement by training smart, being dedicated, eating well...etc.  People just can't get away with being lazy and sloppy as much as they could when they were younger.  Young people can do ok and get by despite poor habits. 

Whose that masters marathon runner in Europe?  There was such a good interview somewhere I read once. 

I am 46 and started doing Triathlons last year in April.  I looked at my training log from June of last year and I was running about a 9 minute mile pace for my six mile run.  I can now do the same run with a 7:30 minute mile pace so I think I have a few more "faster" and better years ahead.  I may not be able to say the same thing (faster) in a few more years but who knows?. 

I will say my life is better and I am looking forward to more years of training and racing.  I love the sport and I have a fresh outlook on life now.  I used to place my job ahead of everything else in my life and thought I was doing what a man should do in providing for his family.  After losing that job, losing 50 pounds and getting into Triathlons I have a new focus on life.  So I will say my Best years are ahead of me.

Started Tri's at 33 - now I'm 38 and I'm finding that I'm still getting faster. What I've noticed is that I sore longer after a workout than I was at 34 and it takes longer to heal from injuries. 

Feel free to steal it any time.

If I may quote myself..... 

"Lately I am slowely coming to the realization that my best year (performance wise) is probably behind me."

I have many good years ahead of me but eventually we all come to the realization that you are slowing down.  I could whistle thru the graveyard and tell myself that I'm not getting older but I have to be honest with myself. 

Once again, I quote my OP, "I'm not writting this to depress anyone, I just want people who are still improving to look around and smell the roses and enjoy the journey and appreciate that you have not yet peaked!  Now, get out there and train!  :-)"

It's only depressing if you chose it to be depressing.

x2 from the 51-year-old mother of 4.

Rogillio, pretty sure I know the point you are making and I don't find it depressing or demotivating.  If others do then, well, they're reading someting other than the words in your post.

I turned 50 last November.  I started running and doing tris when I was in my 20s. My fastest times were when I was in my early to mid-30's.  I would say after about 8-years of racing. Other than my IM at the age of 49 I didn't have a single PR in my 40s.  I realize that after so many years of doing this stuff a person is going to slow down.  Noone can change that.  Some guys still get faster in their 40s and even 50s because they started trainnig at a later age.   But after about a decade we will all reach that peak.  That doesn't mean we step away from the sport...we just change our expectations.  Actually, when I felt I could be faster I put a lot of pressure on myself to PR.  It's actually more enjoyable for me now that I am older and don't beat myself up for missing a workout or missing a split by 2-seconds.

With only one IM under my belt I think at 50 I might be able to do a little better at that event.  But other than that I don't see ever being faster at any other distance that I have completed.  But I will still set some goals and continue to s/b/r for as long as my body allows me to.  Not at the pace I did 15-20 years ago...but I will still enjoy it as much as I ever did!

I have turned 47 this year and celebrated it by doing a HIM on the day, never felt better. Did a PB in my last sprint tri a week ago. Taking part in the nationals next week and I am sure I will smoke a few of the younger uns. I am in the best shape I have been in since my military days many years ago. Yes, I take a few days to recover after a event, did some trackwork on Tuesday and somehow got mixed up with the middle distance crowd. repeat 800 and 400 with guys and girls 21 years younger than me. Managed to keep up with them.(it was brutal though and as I sit here I feel every year of my life)

I prefer to think of myself as a good red wine, just getting better with age.

Even if I do slow down with age, it does not really matter, compete in higher AG, set yourself goals. Have you seen how easy it is to medal once you get to 60?

Turned 41 this last month.  I am not getting older...I am getting better!! Never been in better shape than I am now.  40's are the new 20's.

The older I get, the faster I was!  Watch out in the Walmart parking lot when I'm 80.

Kinda agree with amy here...i'm about to turn 36 and have never been fitter or faster. my fastest 5Ks on up came at 35, and I'm still getting faster.

Now, I realize that we all slow down eventually, but as long as you think you can keep improving, you probably will.

BTW, if 40s are the new 20s, then are 30s the new teens? Can I act like a spoiled brat and pretend I know everything?

Harry Callahan, 1973.  One of the great modern philosophers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0

Quoted also by my brother's cardiologist when I told him I started doing triathlons at age 50

As someone said early in the thread, it depends on how you define "best."  I'm over 50 now, started running again in 2004 after 10 years on the couch, and am still managing PRs here and there...but recovery definitely takes longer, injuries are more frequent, and I'm definitely coming to terms with the fact that the PRs won't keep coming forever (or maybe even at all).

But I don't train or race to set PRs...I train and race for the challenge of doing the best I can given my current age and circumstances.  As long as I feel like I'm holding myself honestly to that standard, I'm happy and don't feel like I'm in any sort of meaningful "decline."

I took up tri last year at age 37 and I definitely feel like I have some improvement in me for some years to come.  I hope I still have the enthusiasm for the sport to keep going once I come to the realization that I've peaked.

Now the reason why I do triathlons now instead of basketball for my cardio workouts?  My best years were DEFINITELY behind me there.

Yeah, well, I did it to myself.  I can't run a 4:50 something mile anymore, I can't do the back 5k of a duathlon in 16:30 something, I can't hit all the hills in the big ring and power up them.  Then I got lazy with a new career, wife, kids, 50+ pounds added on but...10 years later...(15 years later on those run times)

...I lost 60 and got slimmer and more defined than ever, I eat sooooo much healthier, I drink a lot less, sleep a hell of a lot better, am totally in love with my family, I am so much happier than ever before and, athletically, I can swim faster and farther (didn't swim "back then") and I can also run farther and, best of all, I discovered the love of coffee.

The best times?  They are the ones that I am living in right now and they always will be!

Just remember, that graveyard is filled with indispensable people. Things keep moving along. Make the best of it.

I may have peaked (speed and fitnesswise) at age 50.  But now at 54, with a repaired heart, I am looking at plenty more "best years" (if not the fastest)!  Besides swm/bike/run, I enjoy ocean racing (sailing), including every Newport Bermuda Race since 1984.  Some of the sailors are in their 80s.

I started when I was 45. At 55 I'm still getting better. I think I still have a few good years left. I've already had a couple PRs this year and also a couple AG wins.

In a local 5K this past weekend, a 64 year old guy ran 17:39. That gives me something to aspire to. A relatively young guy - only 42 - ran 15:07 for the overall win.