Too late to race?

[go get em]

Hi, I am new to the forum. Been riding for 2 years and in all my life I have never been so excited about a sport. I am 39 and I wonder if it is too late too get into racing. I've been out on a knee injury for 12 weeks now and am terribly discouraged because everything I have worked for has gone down the tubes. Has anybody been off their bike from an injury and how did you get through it? And was it hard to come back?

[runnergirl]

I'm not much help with the injury, except to say, make sure you are well healed, do all your PT, etc. etc. before you push your training. It's easy to come back to fast and make things worse.

My coach didn't start riding until she was in her early 40s, she raced masters catagory races all over, and even held a national record for a little while. She attributes her success to very scientific training (along the lines of the cyclists training bible). Even "out of shape" she can outride many of the men around here. So no, it's not to late!

[pkq]

I had knee surgery at 31. I had already been off the bike and most other activities for 3 months trying to let it heal naturally plus we'd just gone through winter. Was in a velcro cast for only 5 days but that was enough for the muscles to atrophy a lot and the tendons and ligaments to stiffen up significantly. Because the joint was stiff as a board, just getting on the bike was impossible after removing the cast. It took weeks just to get full mobility back.

At 36, I had a hysterectomy, bikini cut, during the summer. I had a good base prior to surgery so healing time was about 4 weeks. I took 6 even though my doctor was ready to release me. I was back on the bike the day he released me and back to form a few weeks later.

A lot depends on prior conditioning, injury, and time off bike. People of all ages race. Go get 'em, Hon!

[Kimred]

I don't think it's ever to late in life to do anything! That being said one of the biggest reasons I race is to keep goals for myself and to keep fit. I like seeing my body get stronger and breaking personal goals. I'm not so much into beating the girl next to me, although I don't want to her to kick my but either! I ride with a 62 year old who can keep up with most 30 year olds if not beat them. She also just won the senior olympics and she never started until her early 40's. She's a tough woman and a huge inspiration for us all!

Have Fun and GO FOR IT!!
Kim

[DeniseGoldberg]

Has anybody been off their bike from an injury and how did you get through it? And was it hard to come back?

I went through a long recovery period last year after crashing my bike and landing on my head (or should I say my helmet?). Mine was a brain injury along with a number of broken bones. I was back on my bike in 6 weeks, but my rides were slow, and much shorter than my usual distances. It took me the better part of a year to get fully back to my pre-crash levels of riding, but I believe that was due to my injured brain slowing my body down to recover. I suspect that (depending on the severity of your knee injury) you will be able to get back into riding shape in a much more reasonable length of time.

For true inspiration, you may want to look at emily_in_nc's blog about her accident and recovery.

Good luck, and I'm sending wishes your way for a fast recovery and an even faster return to fitness.

--- Denise

[RoadRaven]

I just turned 40 and decided to begin training for with racing as my goal about 8 months ago

Its a great age to take it up - never too late.