chrisesposito wrote:
I turn 65 in a few weeks; a somewhat arbitrary marker but not completely so, as my 60s don't feel like my 50s and definitely don't feel like my 40s. This is both a blessing and a curse but certainly turning 65+ beats my never getting that old. A few thoughts you mention, along with a previous post about 'surrender' help illustrate what some of the central aspects of my 60s have been like; maybe this view from a possible future will help as you think about aging.
I'm far from the first 60+ year old to notice the reduction in energy on a day to day basis but it gets intertwined with a few other things. The reduction in energy shows up in other more subtle ways, as it effectively increases the perceived cost of doing some things, which indirectly changes the motivation to do them either at the same level or at all. Where it gets a bit trickier are changes in what you think you want out of life in your life at or near retirement vs your 50s - how much of these are driven by just getting older with it's various declines, and how much are changes in preferences. What endures or should endure as part of your identity or sense of self in your life, and what doesn't? What new things come into your life, and why?
I've likely already done my last century ride years ago; I've certainly run my last marathon, although I recognized neither of these as the last of their kind as I was doing them. However, it's been barely more than a month since the filing of what will probably be my 18th and 19th patents. The end of work is a bit more foreseeable - another year or two at most of full time work will be it. I may choose to teach part-time at that point, I may not. After a long career in tech, I've found full-time teaching to be as fulfilling as I hoped but it too will end at some point. At that point (if not before), we move back to be nearer to family and old friends. While I know people who have worked well into their 70s and enjoyed it, I don't want to be someone whose last healthy years were spent in an office.
I'm not sure I'll ever run again but it's not due to injury or disability. I'm a whole lot slower, it takes a great deal more effort to even be slower, and I simply enjoy it a lot less. As this year would be my 53rd year of running I'm conflicted about giving it up as it has been such a big part of my athletic life. Am I giving up too soon, or has running simply had a good run, so to speak, but it's done. I may give it another try this fall after I'm done with some bike events I'm training for. As you mention, long time endurance athletes get good at being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Maybe the next step is to figure out what things are worth being uncomfortable for and why. As I've dropped off in my running I've discovered that I enjoy swimming more now than I ever used to; it has an almost meditative aspect to it I've not noticed before. I've restarted my attempts to learn to play the piano (it's as hard as I remember) and am looking forward to finally learning to cook. Having our Frenchie take me out for daily walks is good too :-)
I am 6 years behind you, but everything you say I grapple with. I was at a family wedding where I met friends and extended family who I have not seen for 30 years (many last time was when my sister was married, this time, her daughter's wedding). In between a lot of life happened for everyone. Largely, I am one of three people still active. As I had no access to a bike or pool, I was running every day. One day I have 75 min to kill while my EV was charging and as the charger was at a trailhead with a round trip 8 mile run (Mario Cuomo bridge connecting Tarrytown NY to NJ side), I just decided to use the 75 min to do the 8 mile round trip.
Almost every run I ask myself "Why do you even bother running ???....you are so slow and pathetic compared to when you ACTUALLY RAN !!!"
Most of my runs are 20 min jogs to the pool, 15 min transition runs off the bike, 20-30 min jogs after swimming. That's 5 days per week of just shuffling around barely faster than a powerhike.
On weekends often I will do 1 hrs "real runs" both days.
Literally the only reason I keep running is so I have the "option" of this fitness outlet as an easily accessible run such as during the impromptu bridge run (by the way, the experience was awesome, the running a bit better than totally pathetic, but better than sitting on a park bench surfing the internet on my phone, a bit better than 1 hrs walk, but not as fun as a 75 min hard swim or 75 min hard ride.
BUT....I had the option
...and this is why I keep doing all those stupid shuffle runs that are 15-30 min 5 days per week. I get limited joy out of them. They feel like a chore, but its 'use it or lose it" and I am not ready to lose it.
And being in the verge of losing running permanently is a nice window into overall mortality. Eventually you are on the verge of losing your life from little things.
Also on your point of swimming, this weekend I missed masters swimming nationals. I got into swimming big time in 2016 when I could not walk from an accident, and its been a game changer in terms of quality of life.