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40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic?
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| General Discussion | Triathlon Talk » 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? | Rss Feed  |
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 2010-10-06 8:16 AM |
Champion  10471    Dallas, TX |  Subject: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic?So last night I'm having dinner with 3 ladies I use to work with. Respectively they are 42, 43, and 52. They all let me know that once I hit 40, it all does to h@ll and my body will start to fall apart! While I won't disclose my age, I will say that I am in the 36-40 age group. Now mind you, one of the ladies (43 years old) is completely unhealthy. Never works out... and is about 80 pounds overweight. The other lady (42 years old) is a healthy thin, and maybe works out 3 days a week and doesn't do anything too strenuous as far as a workout. The 52 year old is the healiest of the three. She runs 4 miles every other day, has done a half marathon recently, swims, etc. But even she commented that things that didn't make you sore before (aka: walking a 12 pound dog pulling a leash), will make you sore for weeks. I will say that all 3 said that once you hit 40 you get a tummy pooch that will NOT go away no matter what you do. It got me thinking... and worried! I'm getting closer to 40 and I fear it all falling to pieces! But then I look at the 40-45 age group of women at tri's, and they are the fastest age group! So are the men! Gosh, men seem to keep getting faster till they are 50! Then I became hopeful... that my active lifestyle and training for tri's will keep that all from happening. But will it? So to the 40+ers... will it all fall apart and become a lot harder to exercise and recover when I am 40+? Or will it stay about the same with some minor issues because I am already very active and healthy? Hhhuuuummmmm..... Edited by KSH 2010-10-06 8:17 AM |
| 2010-10-06 8:23 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Champion 8936   | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? There's nothing magical about any age that some switch turns on or off. It's about how you take care of yourself. Yes, we all have some functional decline as we age, but that's a very gradual thing that we can slow down by eating right, exercising, minimizing stress, etc. |
| 2010-10-06 8:29 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Champion 16743 Somewhere I can be nekidd | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I'm not 40, yet, but I have a 54 year old SIL that looks FANFREAKINTASTIC and still has a six pack. She never stops moving, and I've never heard her complain about having any problems like they were talking about. |
| 2010-10-06 8:31 AM in reply to: #3135460 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? DerekL - 2010-10-06 8:23 AM There's nothing magical about any age that some switch turns on or off. It's about how you take care of yourself. Yes, we all have some functional decline as we age, but that's a very gradual thing that we can slow down by eating right, exercising, minimizing stress, etc. I agree with this. However, I think it's odd you won't state your age because that is saying you ALREADY have a problem with your age and you haven't even hit 40 yet. It is my experience that folks unwilling to accept their number age have a harder time accepting their physical age. I know people who hate their birthdays and won't tell people their ages and they all seem to have a problem with how they feel. Whereas women who embrace their age - I am 41 BTW are happier with themselves and their bodies. Age is only a number but it is to be embraced not avoided or hidden. It also seems different people have different ages. I think you could talk to some women who say it all went downhill after 30 or when they hit 35 or aver baby # whatever, the age, the # of children etc. is all a scapegoat. 5 kids and 41, never been happier. |
| 2010-10-06 8:32 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
| Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I'm 44 this year. I'm faster than I've been in about 10-12 years. I've got the middle age pouch going on but it's not even close to what I see in the rest of the office, hell I'm even better off than a lot of the 35-ish year olds around here. I doubt it's going away. I'm healthier than I've been in a long time and have actually quit taking anti-acids. I used to take them daily and now I cannot remember the last time I took one. It completely depends on what you're doing and taking care of yourself. If you keep on doing tris, don't sweat it. Those ladies are looking for an excuse and something to blame their lack of motivation on. You're doing a hell of a lot better than that. |
| 2010-10-06 8:33 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Master 1440 | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? BULL i started this when i was 48, I am in better shape than I was at 25. My sisters are 49 year old twins One has been athletic since she was born the othe4r got involved later in life. Nietehr of them is "falling apart". Two of my sisters in law are both in great shpae and both are over 50 (Well over) and once is a Type one diabetic. Wea re all a step slower, butr not one of us is on a down hill slide. On the toehr hand two of my sisters in law that never took care of themselves well.... different story. I think it is in how we go about it. If we arae careful about injuries and realize that we are not 10 ft tall and bullet proof we can do this a long time. My last race had a woman that was 87 years old. she weighed about 98 lbs soaking wet. She was eel fast through the water and pretty quick on the bike. The running not so much. She does 2-3 Tri sprints a year, she was dead last but she was in great shape. |
| 2010-10-06 8:34 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
| Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? My body went to he11 when I hit about 35 or so from playing a lot of v-ball. I sure miss those days. The joints are my nemesis. |
| 2010-10-06 8:35 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Pro 4353 Wallingford, PA | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? Well.... I didn't get into tri's until I was past 40..... I would say I am probably now in the best shape physically I have ever been in my life. I'm averaging running 50 miles per week training for a marathon now. I did my long run yesterday, and while I have a little bit of lingering soreness this morning, it's really not bad at all. I will say that I probably have to be a little more cautious about how quickly I ramp up volume and or intensity than younger athletes, but I think if you train intelligently, listen to your body, cut back or take an extra day off when you need to, then it's not bad at all. (I will add that I haven't reached menopause yet - and will admit that I'm curious how that will affect things in the future.....). I'm sure it won't be too terribly long before I reach the point where I am no longer getting faster - but I haven't hit it yet. |
| 2010-10-06 8:38 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Master 1372 Tosa, WI | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? 43 and still rocking FOP finishes in races and back to wearing the same waist size I did in high school for the last 3 years. That being said, I will echo what has been stated earlier that "Age is a state of mind, embrace it, flow with it, and learn to listen to your body." It might take a little longer to recover from that intense work out, but your BQ number keeps going up every year also!  |
| 2010-10-06 8:40 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Veteran 291 Just South of Disorder | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I am 49 and will be 50 next June. I did my first tri when I was 48. I have always considerd myself athletic. I played softball; golf; worked out when time permit and I ski alot. So when I thought about doing a tri I figured I could do it. Well it was hard and challanging but I did it and came in with a good time. You just need to work hard at it. The hardest part for me was and still is finding the time to work out. I have three kids 6; 10; and 11 who play sports and I coach most of them. My wife is a nurse who works nights so the kids are mine three nights a week. I would run in the morning; at night; at lunch at work. Biked when I could. The kids actually got into it which made it better. They used to sit by the lap pool and count my laps. I say go for it. I always say "Age is Something People Accuse You Of" Start out slow and just do your best. You will feel better physically and mentally trust me. Don't be like 98% of your High School or College friends. Get in shape and stay in shape. It's easy to sit on the couch and eat bon bon's That way the next time you see them they will be like. Man you look GREAT!!! Good Luck Edited by Mister Mike 2010-10-06 8:41 AM |
| 2010-10-06 8:41 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? Consider the source... At 47, I've found that I recover a little slower than 20 years ago when I do something I'm not used to, but we're talking 3 days instead of 2 for full recovery. But my recovery from normal workouts is pretty much the same. I'm not slower because of my age. You will only fall apart if you let yourself fall apart. Bodies implode from lack of use. |
| 2010-10-06 8:43 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Pro 4277 Parker, CO | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I would somewhat disagree with Derek as I did see a big change at 40. I have always been thin and would eat anything I wanted. At 35 I was about 150 pounds...at 40 I was over 200 for the first time. Yes, there were some things that changed my lifestyle that contributed to the weight gain (marraige, 1st child) but my matabolism changed...I could no longer have Mtn Dew and Ding Dongs for breakfast! Anyway, it's not all bad, I made adjustments to my diet and actually started doing triathlons again after almost 10-years away from the sport. I never dropped back to 150 but as my wife tells me...that's just too thin anyway. I have dropped to around 175...sometimes in the 160s. My run times are also considerably slower than when in my 30s...but biking and swimming I don't really think I have lost much (unless I am climbing on the bike). And there are lots of fast people over 40! As far as that "pooch" that you mention. My wife is 44 and has always been pretty fit with a 3:18 marathon time. She complains about the "pooch" that won't go away even though she is pretty much the same weight as she was when we married. But then she has also given birth twice. Anyway, not trying to give you anything to worry about but just letting you know that yes...the body does change. But you should embrace it! You can still be very fit, have goals, accomplishments, and probably some PRs if you train smart. I'm turning 50 this year and I still feel relatively young...for an old man.  |
| 2010-10-06 8:45 AM in reply to: #3135555 |
Champion 8936 | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? rayd - 2010-10-06 8:43 AM I would somewhat disagree with Derek as I did see a big change at 40. I have always been thin and would eat anything I wanted. At 35 I was about 150 pounds...at 40 I was over 200 for the first time. Yes, there were some things that changed my lifestyle that contributed to the weight gain (marraige, 1st child) but my matabolism changed...I could no longer have Mtn Dew and Ding Dongs for breakfast! |
| 2010-10-06 8:51 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
| 1072 | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I am 63 year guy, so that qualifies me as a "40+ers". From my perspective, it is a myth that you fall apart after you turn 40. It may be the case if you don't take care of yourself. By that I mean eat right, exercise, get proper rest, etc. If something hurts and it doesn't get better with rest, then you need get look at by a health care specilast. These are things you should do at any age. It just becomes a little more important as you get older since I find I don't bounce back as quickly as I used to do. I completed my first HIM last year. It took me a little while to recover, but not much more then some other folks in my TRI club how are in their 30's. I am building my base for next year and plan to do several triathlons next year including another HIM in August. I plan on keep active for years. I feels as good as I did when I was 40. A little slower maybe. I not alone in this. I hang out with a group of Triathletes and cyclist that range in age from 35 to 72. The 72 year old can hang with the fast group. He did a 10K TT last weekend and averaged 24 mph for example. |
| 2010-10-06 8:59 AM in reply to: #3135601 |
Champion 8540 the colony texas | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? 40 is the new 30.. so you just recieved ten bonus years as an early Christmas present. turning 40 or jumping into my new AG 45+ as of yesterday for 2011. wasn't a big deal.. Health & injuries problems that I've had the last year or so has been. And they weren't age relateled ones. What's funny is the toughest birthday for me was my 35th. No clue why. But that one messed with my head more than any birthday. Stay active. Both mentally and physically. Keep having fun. Don't stress about what you don't have but learn to enjoy what you do have |
| 2010-10-06 9:05 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
| Regular 227 NorCal, near Lake Tahoe, Ca | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I'm 51. I did my first tri at 46. I was in better shape in my 40s than I was in my 30s. It really is a state of mind. No, I don't heal as quickly as I did in my 20s, but I'm smarter about how I train and what I do. If you fight yourself you'll hurt yourself. Listen to your body and you can go far. |
| 2010-10-06 9:06 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Extreme Veteran 386 West Hartford, CT | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? Speaking as a woman who is halfway through 41 years old, I can honestly say that I have never been fitter or stronger in my life (and I've always been pretty active, so I'm not comparing it to a previously-sedentary lifestyle.) Yes, there are a few aches and pains that didn't occur when I was younger, but they are oh-so-minor and nothing that I can't ignore. The pooch has even been shrinking this year!  It seems to me that these women are being more than a bit melodramatic. Honestly, since turning (and passing) 40, I feel like I've finally hit my stride. I'm confident and secure, healthy and strong - I couldn't be happier. |
| 2010-10-06 9:09 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Master 1565 SMIBville | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? Just get a tummy tuck if you're so worried about getting a tummy pooch. |
| 2010-10-06 9:11 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
| Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? KSH - 2010-10-06 6:16 AM I will say that all 3 said that once you hit 40 you get a tummy pooch that will NOT go away no matter what you do. It got me thinking... and worried! I'm getting closer to 40 and I fear it all falling to pieces! But then I look at the 40-45 age group of women at tri's, and they are the fastest age group! So are the men! Absolutely not true. Metabolism slows/changes, but you can retain your fitness and your tummy. I raced CDA at 44 -- went to the coffee shop where they were posting race numbers in the window & said, "I'd like a famous cinnamon roll," and the store clerk took one look at me in my sports bra and DeSoto shorts and said, "And I'd like your stomach." I still fit into college-size clothes and am in the best shape of my life. |
| 2010-10-06 9:13 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Expert 885 | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I turned 40 this year and as a treat am doing my first IM at Florida in a month. As of right now, I have not noticed a difference. In fact, I've been amazed at how well my body is handling the IM training. Sure I get tired, but who doesn't when training for an IM? And I have a little bit of a tummy, but that is from having kids, NOT from turning 40. I'm one of the oldest in my office and they all tell me that I am the fittest among them (and there are some in their late 20s and early 30s). I'm proud of the body I have right now, I'm proud to be 40, and I don't plan on stopping what I am doing. I always say you are only as old as you feel. Well, I certainly don't feel 40. And it's nice in races to pass those younger than me. |
| 2010-10-06 9:22 AM in reply to: #3135568 |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? DerekL - 2010-10-06 9:45 AM rayd - 2010-10-06 8:43 AM I would somewhat disagree with Derek as I did see a big change at 40. I have always been thin and would eat anything I wanted. At 35 I was about 150 pounds...at 40 I was over 200 for the first time. Yes, there were some things that changed my lifestyle that contributed to the weight gain (marraige, 1st child) but my matabolism changed...I could no longer have Mtn Dew and Ding Dongs for breakfast! That jumped out at me too. I put on weight with both those lifestyles changes too; in my 20's! I just turned 50 and am in the best shape of my life. Edited by mrbbrad 2010-10-06 9:23 AM |
| 2010-10-06 9:28 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Veteran 152 | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? 41 and just finished first Tri season. Rather than physical change I think for a lot of people the big deal at turning 40 is that its a bit like reaching the half way mark, which seems a natural assessment time. I assessed and took up triathlon! I am now the lightest weight I've been since university, and am probably fitter than I've ever been. I have every intention of getting faster and fitter over the next 10 years! But what I do notice versus younger athletes is that I have to stretch a lot. I spend almost as much time doing yoga as I do training - otherwise I stiffen up (back/neck/legs), and become a cranky old *@!%. Oh yeah, and your patience gets shorter as you get older (well at least mine does)....Might be a guy thing :-) Edited by Rod1 2010-10-06 9:31 AM |
| 2010-10-06 9:30 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
| 98 | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? At age 46 I beat my personal trainer in a 100 meter sprint. I found high gear that had gone away a long time ago. I wanted to puke and die. I couldn't walk for a couple of days without pain, but I was a winner one time. After 40 you have to give up the bad habits because of the cumulative effect of excess. For me 42 was the age where I found that fitness went away. I do whatever I want now. I have found that alcohol and pop are not my friends. I need to train twice a week to maintain. |
| 2010-10-06 9:36 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Expert 4641 Middle River, Maryland Silver member | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I'm 41 and in the same shape, if not better, than when I competed in beach volleyball tournaments in my early 20s. Yes, metabolism takes a hit, I sure can't party like I used to (probably my body's self-defense mechanism), and might take a little longer to recover from a new activity. Age is only a number. |
| 2010-10-06 9:42 AM in reply to: #3135436 |
Extreme Veteran 1329 Wausau WI | Subject: RE: 40+ers... how bad is it... really... if you are athletic? I have been running since high school. I was fast in my 20's, slowed down in my 30's, and have gotten faster in my 40's (not 20's fast but faster than 30's). 40 - 50 age group is tough in the longer events. So I disagree. |
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