Things That Make You Feel Old

Had a "now you're old" moment this past week.

We went on vacation last week to the beach and the waves were perfect! So, of course, last Monday, I get up at 7:00 am, grab my board and head to the water. It's 8:00 am, I am in three to four foot, peeling waves, 75 degree water, it was perfect! I was out there for four hours, just riding and riding. And then Old Man Time showed up and kicked me. All over. I was shot!! Body was weak, I was dehydrated (which was helped by vacation alcohol consumption), super tired and just worn out. I’m 52 years old, haven’t surfed/bodyboarded in two years yet I charged it like I was 25 years old. It took days for me to feel halfway right again. I go to the gym every day! I work out! I do cardio! Yet, I was using muscles I forgot about. I could recover from that, no problem…….in my 20’s to 40’s. Now?

It was right then that reality came crashing in on me and I felt…….OLD. Surfing/bodyboarding is something I love to do but I just couldn’t keep up.

It’s a very humbling, scary feeling when old shows up……..

I look at it differently, you did more than keep up....Kudos for you just getting out there and 4 hours of paddling and actively surfing is really, really good for anyone over 40.....

I just turned 60 and still jump on my skateboard and hit the public skatepark in Wilmington from time to time....I can still ride the bowls and kickturns, fakies, etc.....but no more lip slides, aerials....and after about only an hour of riding I'm pretty beat....but, hey, getting out there is what counts....