Physical condition pretty crappy
 

Well, maybe not crappy considering most folks my age, but surely much crappier than I should be or would like to be.

When I was 15, I could run a mile in about 5 flat, 2 miles in 11 and 3 miles in 17-18. I wasn't setting any records, but I think that's pretty good.

After I turned 16 and got a license, that probably changed a bit, but I was still in decent shape through college. I remember when I was in my mid 20s dancing at bars for 3-5 hours until they turned the lights on, roller blading for 2 hours at a time, and running 3-4 miles (not as fast as when I was younger).

In high school and college my weight ranged between 165 and 185 (I'm 6'1" plus a bit)

Now, I'm 39. I have sporadically gotten exercise over the last 10-15 years. I weigh about 205 now. I can't run a mile without stopping, but then when I run, I run, no jogging. A couple of months back, I'd gotten up to running a mile with 2 short walking breaks (maybe 40 or 50 steps total). I managed to run that mile in 7:45.

Last Fri, I started rollerblading when I take the dog for a walk. I quickly got most of my stability back and the few odd muscles are doing much better, so I'm pushing harder. Tonight I went 2 miles without stopping (no rolling, always active). I felt like I was going pretty fast for the 1st lap and still decent on the second. I have a GPS app on my phone that logs to InstaMapper - Free Real-Time GPS Tracking With this app, I can log where I go and later determine how far, how fast (peak and avg) and how long the trip took.

For the first mile, I averaged 12mph and it took about 5 minutes. I'm amazed that I used to be able to run that fast and can now barely rollerblade that fast.

It took me 12 minutes to go 2 miles. Pretty sad. Now hopefully I can keep it up and get back into shape. I'd really like to be able to run three 7 minute miles by next summer and feel pretty good at the end of the third mile. That seems so far away right now.

You need to get a road bike, and do the MS-150 with us.

A significant portion of 38 year old men can't run a mile at all, let alone one in 7:45.

I think 3 in a row at 7 each within a year is completely possible for you as long as you avoid injury and train intelligently.

You and I are in the same boat. Your boat is younger and faster - LOL! but same idea. We'll get where we are going. Hang in there!

angela

Hang in there guy your health is your number 1 wealth. Make it a life style choice.

It kills me, I work with a guy that's 5'7" and is pretty stocky with a healthy gut. IIRC, he's about a year younger than I am. He did a half Iron man this past weekend.

Yes, but fried dumplings taste so good!

1/2 Iron man or 1/2 Olympic? I can do a 1/2 Olympic, and you've met me.

A 1/2 Iron man, 1.2 miles swimming, 56 miles biking and 13 miles running. I could do the swimming and the biking, no problem. 13 miles running, would kill me.

Yeah, 1/2 Iron man. When in shape, I'd be able to do the biking and running. It's the swimming that would kill me.

A great motivator for me has been to watch the older individuals at the Tae KwonDo dojang during testing dates. Seeing people in their 40's, 50's, 60's and yes 70's outlast a fair number of the teenagers when going for their black belt was very inspiring. Especially Mary who at 62 broke her brick first try - better than a lot of the other people attempting. I find it soothing to break things I don't then have to fix.

Demi IM is very popular...We call it a 70.3.

Ironman 70.3 Series » IRONMAN.com

Hey Steve,

I rollerblade.. Keep it up! I can't run anymore and I am younger than you. In fact, I haven't been able to run since my late 20's...

Find other people to blade with, it really helps... Once you really get into a grove you can go... I currently blade at a 14MPH avg over 10.25 miles... Make sure the blades fit.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I used to love it when I first got them. What I'm blading with now is a 15 year old pair of Bauers that my stepson used about 3 times. They fit OK size wise, but when I strap in tight, they have some uncomfortable bumps inside across the top of my foot and up the front of my ankle. If I manage to keep this up for a while, I'll splurge for a newer, better set.

Oh man! The technology doesn't compare! You're handicapping yourself...

Is there a way to use a hairdryer to heat the plastic (I am guessing that the shell is) to get rid of the bumps?

Dunno, hadn't thought of that, I'll give it a try.

Bought some new rollerblades yesterday. Wow, night and day difference between the old.

Ahhh, to be 39 again! Hate to clue ya folks, but father time beats everybody.
Here's a post I made on a pool players posting board. Anybody who doesn't think pool playing isn't an endurance sport hasn't been to a big tournament week...

Enjoy life NOW

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BCA western regionals were last week. I rented a room for a few days so my honorary nephew would have a place to rest. He was entered in Men's masters singles, and team play..."Cherry City".

So, the night of the 21st...the practice room. Matt in a practice match with another good player. This lasted until 3:00 AM...I was having a ball, watching two very skilled players go at it. After 4 hours, Matt finished ahead...but only 31 games to 27.

Matt's first men's masters match was scheduled for 9:00.

Back to the Motel. Matt fell blissfully asleep right away. I couldn't sleep. Motel noises. Tossed & turned until around 7:00. Got up. Dressed, packed, threw my stuff in the car. Went to the front desk, told them I was leaving, but to give Matt the room on my dime.

Pointed the Mustang East. Three hours later, I was home...fell into bed.

Bitter lesson learned...diabetic 66 year old guys cannot hang with tournament players barely into their 30's. This is a self admission that isn't coming easy. I now know that I need my medical diet, my rest schedule routine, or I will either be in a hospital room or a morgue.

The moral here? The thread title says it well...those who can keep up, enjoy it now. Those of us who can't? Still get out there & play, enjoy life...but don't enjoy it to the extent of risking the health you do have.

I bought Rollerblades years ago, around 1990. They were a lower level model where the bolts hit the plastic directly. My 1st wife also bought some, but a step up, which had bushings and better bearings and harder wheels. I ended up modifying mine by installing oil impregnated brass bushings on each side, better bearings and harder wheels. Huge difference.

Fast forward to 2001. I bought a set of "modern" rollerblades from a consignment shop. WOW, what a difference 10 years makes. They use ratching straps instead of laces, etc. I had a lot of fun with those in San Diego.

Saw a guy on the bike path today, using rollerblades and cross country ski poles. With my original blades, I was pretty darn fast with cross country ski poles.

It'll change a bit more in the next 4-5 years - you are doing quite well now!