Aging

[GLC1968]

When we say that what we see in the mirror doesn't match what we feel inside, we are (to some extent) making assumptions about what it feels like to be old. I suspect that some of our assumptions are wrong.

This is a very, very good point. I read 'Water for Elephants' a few months back (and if you haven't read it, you should - phenominal book) and it really, really opened my eyes to aging. The story is told through the eyes of a man in his late 80's or early 90's (I forget his actual age) and it is soooo revealing about how older people get treated and often dismissed. And how much of a struggle it can be to have your brain think you are still capable of so much more than your body can put out. It really illuminated Pam's point - many of our assumptions about what it's like to 'feel' old are likely wrong.

I'd totally forgotten about that until just now. Thanks for the reminder, PamNY!

[PamNY]

Oh yes, "Water for Elephants" is a wonderful book and very pertinent to this discussion.

Michelem, this is an interesting topic -- thanks for starting it. I think your concerns make perfect sense -- there are very real losses associated with aging, and acknowledging those losses is all part of the fun. It's not a sign anything is wrong.

I love reading about the active and lively people in their 70s. NY biker, your story about walking all over DC made me smile. My aunt who came to Manhattan in her eighties was just like that. She waded into the middle of Sixth Ave. and hailed a cab like a native.

My most fun friend in NYC was my parents' age. She would always go to Central Park with me when it snowed, she would go to most any rock concert, and she was never, ever dull. I have friends in their forties who won't do half of what she did.

[Crankin]

Using those standards, my 85 year old dad is more fun than some of my 50-something non-riding friends.
I really think there is a growing "generation gap" within the same generation, once you get into your forties. I look at people at the grocery store, around town, etc. and it's disturbing. Now, some of these people didn't care about their health when they were young, either, but once they age, the whole process just accelerates. My DH is bothered even more by the poor health habits he sees around him, mostly because at 53, he is able to continue to be an in-shape cyclist who rides 2-3k miles a year, with 2 stents, taking 5 medications a day. He just wishes he had started it all in his twenties, because it's all poor genetics.

[Bike Chick]

I really think there is a growing "generation gap" within the same generation, once you get into your forties. I look at people at the grocery store, around town, etc. and it's disturbing. Now, some of these people didn't care about their health when they were young, either, but once they age, the whole process just accelerates.

I agree. I have non-cycling friends and co-workers in their 50's who are really starting to have serious health problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks). They will say to me "I can't believe you ride ___ miles or run ___ miles. That's crazy." Who's the one that's crazy?

[echidna]

I'm 46. I'm going gray. I'm not 100% sure where my eyesight is going (I need to find a KID to read off the serial # of my iPod to get it serviced - eek!) and my hearing is going to the dogs, too (though it that's the only poor genetics thing I get, I'm a lucky woman).
There aren't enough Kegels in the universe - I dribble in the shower. Probably a harbinger of menopause.
I'll never have a waist, but I never did, unlike my curvy sisters and my beautiful daughter. I'll always struggle with weight - although I'm happy to report that a frightening percentage of it is leg muscle.
When I got my tattoo last year, I had to shoehorn it in between cellulite and stretch marks. Probably best that I waited as long as I did; I don't expect either to get much worse at this point.
Despite "it all", I feel 35, and I'm pretty sure I *look* a bit younger than my age; still, when I look in the mirror I wish I saw a younger face.
But I'm generally healthy, active, and fit, and because of that I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world. Oh - and I'm racing RAAM this year, something I could not do when I was younger.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I was going to read this thread, but then I saw it had 39 posts, and I'm getting older by the minute and am about to turn 56... so I decided I didn't want to take the time to read it all!

Back out to the garden for me....I have seedlings to water!

[Zen]

... so I decided I didn't want to take the time to read it all!

I'm finding more and more threads like that

[runningcyclist]

There aren't enough Kegels in the universe

I had to laugh when I read that as I have days when I think it

Very pertinent comments from all of you. I'm 47 and been going gray since my 30s (I maintain my beloved of the time started me off ), but I love and look forward to a complete head of gray/white.

I too have hair growing where it shouldn't, but that's due to PCOS and restaurant lighting really is terrible. Despite all that, I can still run short and long distances - just not at speed and my cycling skills are slowly improving.

As long as I can move I'll keep on running and cycling and if my joints wear out, the wonders of medical science will replace them