Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2017 6:51:23 GMT -8
When my younger brother turned 50 a few years ago, I got him and me a Mountain Hardwear hat and had it embroidered: That's Quenya (from Tolkien): "Á lemya telcontië illumë", which is (more or less) "Always Keep Striding". I sure hope I'm still striding like you when I'm 68, hikerjer ! - Nick
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Post by trinity on Mar 25, 2017 7:18:32 GMT -8
This has turned into an incredibly positive and life-affirming thread. I love it.
It occurs to me that, in many ways, we backpackers are a curious breed. We tend to value independence and self-sufficiency; yet we love the wilderness, which constantly teaches us humility. We aspire to be tough, mentally and physically; yet we have a heightened awareness of just how fragile we truly are. We love to challenge and test ourselves; yet we choose to measure ourselves against nature, which cannot be bested. We are very competent and capable; yet we embrace failure as a necessary part of life, and a great teacher. We have a great love of life; yet we have a heightened awareness of, even appreciation for, death. I see many of these traits and values displayed in how we approach the issue of aging, which makes this, in my opinion, a very interesting and rich discussion.
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Post by autumnmist on Mar 25, 2017 14:08:34 GMT -8
trinity , insightful and beautifully phrased analogy. I'm copying it to add to my "inspirations" file, as I'm copying many of the observations on this thread. They'll be excellent reminders of how to keep a positive attitude. On that subject, has anyone ever read the light hearted books of Bradley Trevor Grieve? They're illustrated with amusing and very, very appropriate photos of animals. His Blue Day Book is clever, humorous and definitely cheery, especially for those glum days when someone needs something more than chocolate or food/drink of choice when things aren't going right. (I'm not on his payroll and don't get anything for this plug - just wanted to share a clever book someone gave me after my sister died.) astore.amazon.com/btst-20/images/0740704818 and www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_IVkABRtM8 (I think the first polar bear might have taken a fall of its own, or maybe it's just practicing some polar bear yoga.)
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Post by cuzimthedad on Mar 29, 2017 5:00:21 GMT -8
This thread is an inspiration to me. At the tender age of 61 I will be making my first multi night backpacking trip in years. I've been doing a lot of day hikes and am inspired by some of the more agile 70+ers I meet on the trail who are runners. I have adopted/adapted Captain Jason Nesmith's motto: "Never give up. Never surrender" to my aging process, and as so many have already noted, am willing to make the necessary changes to remain active and not, hopefully, hurt myself in the process. Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts and insights here and thank you Jer for your share!
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 30, 2017 7:19:36 GMT -8
The last few years, I have tried to keep the mileage down to 6-8 per day, This made me smile. Years ago, we adapted to lower mileages for hiking with our children. After a few years, we got up to the 6-8 range. Now the boys can do anything, but we find we are quite happy to do 6-8, with an occasional 9 or 10 thrown in when necessary. That changes the way we look at any long-distance hiking we might want to do. It won't be a thru-hike of any of the long trails, but longer time-periods wandering the mountains at will.
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Post by hikerjer on Mar 30, 2017 8:33:17 GMT -8
longer time-periods wandering the mountains at will. There's a lot to be said for that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2017 10:02:12 GMT -8
Dang it...spoke to soon.....came off my horse Saturday.....surprisingly, no real harm, but did pull a right hamstring....my flexibility is limited right now as a result.. I can't bend over and touch my toes!
Otherwise....I guess I bounced pretty good for an old guy!
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on Mar 31, 2017 8:02:15 GMT -8
Another advantage of aging: memory.
I can hike the same trail I have been hiking for decades, and it seems like a brand new trail.
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on Mar 31, 2017 9:04:33 GMT -8
I am much more careful to avoid injury now. I am more aware of possible bad scenarios than when I was young and feeling bullet-proof.
Rumi
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 2, 2017 6:40:02 GMT -8
I'll be 50 in July. Where did five decades go?
I am relatively young but high mileage. College hockey and rugby followed by a decade of weight training has given way to cycling, swimming, and gentler workouts. Quit red meat and alcohol (mostly) 5 years ago and feel pretty good. But joint wear and aches are noticeable and injuries take long to heal. I just try to keep moving and pushing my body within reason.
Also try to share my lessons learned with the younger ones. Had a long conversation with a 25 year old former lineman from Notre Dame. Poor kid blew two disks playing football and now has a legacy that will affect him significantly in the years to come. I feel lucky when I think about what some young athletes face after their career ends in injury.
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herm
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I love the Sierra Nevada, the California coast, and the Mojave Desert
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Post by herm on Apr 2, 2017 7:38:34 GMT -8
I appreciate the thoughts in this thread. My 51st birthday just passed last month, and I know my body doesn't like the hard ground as much, nor does it recover like it used to. I have never been overly ambitious when it comes to mileage or conquering high peaks, instead being content to enjoy the sights and sounds around me. My approach is to be conservative, with my goal to make it out intact and without injury. I want to be like so many whose paths I have crossed in the wilderness - still enjoying the wonders of nature well into the 70's, 80's or beyond.
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Post by autumnmist on Apr 2, 2017 8:18:04 GMT -8
longer time-periods wandering the mountains at will My sentiments exactly, in literally every aspect of life except emergencies. It's time to slow down and smell the flowers. I feel lucky when I think about what some young athletes face after their career ends in injury. This issue of sports injuries, especially football concussions, opens up a whole new level of injury, often catastrophic injuries. It's one of the reasons I'm so adamantly opposed to football. It's raised literally to a level of worship, attracts healthy young men whose bodies and sometimes brains are often compromised b/c of injury. I recall reading in the last few years that concussions are addressed more seriously now, but I also read over the same last few years of their linkage to dementia. That's enough for any parent and potential football player to consider a safer sport.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 2, 2017 11:49:34 GMT -8
I have seen enough about CTE to conclude that my son will not play football. It's off the table. That sport damages the brain.
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on Apr 2, 2017 14:24:38 GMT -8
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null
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Post by null on Apr 3, 2017 8:20:15 GMT -8
We tend to value independence and self-sufficiency Yes, that's why I don't think day-hiking will do it for me as I age.
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