| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| art |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 15:21:23
I'm 54 years old and very active. Since finding out about TMS and especially since joining this forum, a whole new life of athletics has opened up to me. It's been a fabulous summer. If I'm not running I'm biking, if I'm not biking I'm kickbiking (kind of a scooter deal), if I'm not kickbiking I'm Trikke-ing (a three wheeled cambering vehicle that's absolutely a blast to ride). And if I'm not doing any of those things, I'm at the gym lifting weights, or at the golf course...walking of course and carrying my own bag.
Whereas in the past ten years or so I've been held hostage by all sorts of what I had understood to be over use injuries, I now just ignore them all, assuming that the pain du jour is nothing but TMS. So far that's been a resoundingly successful strategy.
Still, it can be a little scary at times. After all, I am 54 years old and most 54 years olds don't work out every day. If they do, they generally get hurt at some point. We're only flesh and blood after all, and soon enough, God willing, I'll be 55...58...60...etc. You get the idea. With each passing year the likelihood of some genuine injury increases. Depressing, but true.
Any other oldsters out there? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts. And of course wouild love to hear what you "youngsters" think as well..
Actually, I've been very lucky up until now. I've been a somewhat serious runner for many years now,and aside from a few acute traumatic injuries, sprained ankles, a broken ankle once, I've never really had an injury that I can't look back on now and assume was TMS. And all that activity has kept me pretty young. I'm usually taken for at least ten years younger than I am, and that's great. Still, I don't want to be reckless. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm looking for that fine line between "going for it," and exercising some reasonable deference to and respect for the realities of being middle-aged.
Many thanks for listening,
A. |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| yowire |
Posted - 08/19/2005 : 17:19:05
cto wrote:
quote:
There was a post there by a Dominick (weightlifter guy)that was so powerful. He talked about the rage and anger aspect and yelling at your brain and being a pathetic victim by choice. Needless to say, I was inspired and fed up to say the least. Within about 15-20 minutes of studying his post, my jaw was 90% better.
Whatever happened to Dominick anyway? I liked his style. Dominick, if your out there, like to hear from you.
Yowire
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| Lmvine |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 16:41:58
Great book for seniors and almost seniors - Younger Next Year, enjoyable read.
Excercise is the foundation piece of their program.
FWIW in 1999 when I had a back flareup the orth dr recommended Sarno's HBP. Took till now to read it. I just found the notes I took at the Dr office. When the patient is ready....
Dan
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| art |
Posted - 08/16/2005 : 16:41:01
Thanks all for your support everyone. Some very inspiring stuff. Just what I needed. That's great Texas, that you're still logging fifty miles a week. I'm nowhere near that anymore. A few years ago I decided to build up my mileage and got up to 12 on my long run of the week, but injuries cropped up at that point. But now that I've got the TMS model, if I get there again I'll just try to run right through them. Scary, but I'll try.
I only hope I'm as fortunate as your old man, Electra. As far as I'm concerned, there's no real sense in living to old age unless you can stay active. I'm sure many would disagree with me, but I'd rather check out if I got to the point where I couldn't, like your father,. mow my own lawn.
I agree that human beings were meant to be active and the modern lifestyle we've all become accustomed to where we drive everywhere and sit behind a desk eight hours a day is terribly unhealthy. I've always loved running. As early on as eight years old, I was already going for runs. I didn't think about why I was doing it, I only knew that it felt good.
And that's a great story mco. Amazing how powerful this stuff is, once we get serious about accepting TMS as the explanation for our injuries and illnesses. |
| Texasrunner |
Posted - 08/16/2005 : 09:07:40
Art- Multi Olympic gold medal winner Al Oerter (discus throw) competed well into his 40s, and once remarked "Everything I had heard about getting old, everything I had read, was wrong," says Oerter. "We humans can get a lot more out of ourselves than is generally believed."
I'm 50 and run the same number of miles I did when I was 25-30; about 50 miles a week. I also lift weights and swim. I don't notice any real difference from when I was younger, except I do believe you need more recovery. But you get smarter. And yes, lots of "overuse" stuff can be ignored. Any physical running injury will clear up in a relatively short time.
I was in Colorado last month, and a friend of mine (also 50) did the Hardrock 100, considered the most difficult 100-miler in the country. Crossing numerous 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks, racing on no sleep and pushing themselves beyond what a normal person could imagine,these guys are tough as nails. My friend was beaten by a 69-year old guy.
I believe that lifelong regular intense physical activity is natural, and that to lead a sedentary life is unnatural. |
| electraglideman |
Posted - 08/16/2005 : 08:55:05
Hello Art,
I'm 54 years of age also. I can't run as fast or as far as I use to. I can't lift as much weight as I use to. The trick is to stay active as possible. I walk or work out almost every day. I like to hunt, fish, and play golf. My greatest pleasure is riding my Harley Davidson motorcycle. It clears my mind of any negative thoughts.
My dad died when he was 87 years of age with pneumonia. The day before he was put in the hospital with pneumonia he push mowed his lawn and he had a big lawn.
Just keep doing what your doing and enjoy life. |
| mco |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 20:29:40
Art- 44 and have been in the gym or running etc. since I was around 14. stopped when I was around 34 because business was getting crazy and around 36 started having the odd aches and pains from my neck, shoulder, whole back, legs, hands, you name it over about a 4 year period I developed about every ache, pain and soreness that I had ever heard of. It all pretty much peaked at 40 with the birth of my son. Within the first year of his birth I was pretty much laid up. (A wreck) I didnt mention I had never really been to a doctor until I was 36, with back problems etc and over that 4 years I saw them ALL! Had all the tests. Docs told me no more weights, arthritic hip, shoulders, bone spurs in the neck. I was done in my late 30's. I tried running again, but my knees and achilles tendons were sore all the time. Pain, tops of shoulders to the touch, pain all the way down the spine to the touch, pain down the sides and back of my legs to the touch, numbness down the backs of my arms, I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the point.
My wife and I were invited to a neighbors for dinner one night and I declined, because I felt so miserable (I might add that I could always work out and run and lift etc. but it hurt and stayed that way all the time but was never debilitating, plus docs said I shoudnt) Anyway there was a guy there that had a brother that had probs for years and had discovered Sarno and was pretty much good to go. I didnt buy it after, almost 5 years of accupunture, chiros, reiki, physical therapy etc. But was desperate. Ordered the books and tapes right away, read and reread for about 3 months and it all made perfect sense to me, but couldnt really grasp it for some reason. Fast forward 4 years and still fighting different ailments I happened to Google tms and found this forum. I have been reading it every day as part of my healing process. The first day I logged on my jaw was so tight and sore it hurt to talk. There was a post there by a Dominick (weightlifter guy)that was so powerful. He talked about the rage and anger aspect and yelling at your brain and being a pathetic victim by choice. Needless to say, I was inspired and fed up to say the least. Within about 15-20 minutes of studying his post, my jaw was 90% better , I dont need to go into the rest and know that I have a lot of work to do, but the last 3 months of reading these posts has been a Godsend for me. It has clicked for me. I have a lot of work to do but I am on my way. I am lifting in the gym 4 says a week, 90% pain free at night and when idle which is mostly when I have had probs.
I am sorry to go on so long like this, but to address what you were talking about. I still have that feeling like I've been doing this a long time, there must be some permanent damage right? So that is my worry as well. I cant dwell on it as there is not really another option for me. I have to keep going as I have now proved to myself that I can. I am by no means finished with my tms and have discovered that I have issues that go a lot farther back than 8 years ago, but that is part of the process and discovery and a good thing for me to know.
Thanks Dominick, Baseball65 is amazing and of course Dave. Dont know any of you guys, but you have made a great impact on my life. Thanks to all of you people that post regularly as I belive as much or more than the books and tapes it is an important part of my tms battle. All the best to you all!! |
| art |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 19:41:41
quote:
when you go to the gym, are there not plenty of really older men there, like over 75 and many of them look absolutely great.
Hey Marge, thanks for the inspirational words. Much appreciated. Actually though, in answer to your question, no, I don't see lot of 75 year old guys at the gym. And the ones I do see, they don't look all that good.  Don't mean to be a wise guy. Just the truth according to Art.
When I first started running in the early 70's, there were no old guys running, or very, very few. The whole running and aeorbics culture was in its very early infancy then. In those days, you'd often attract catcalls, or maybe even a well-aimed beer can. People looked at you as if you had a bit of a screw loose.
Well here it is, many years later, and the truth is I still see very few older runners. They're around of course, but in relative terms very few. I often wonder where they went, all those guys who started when I did and who are middle-aged now...most of them have just faded away it seems.
But you know what? I don't really care. I've always marched to my own drummer anyway. I absolutely know I'll never quit running and working out until I absolutely have to. That will be a sad day for me as running has been such a source of happiness and joy for me over the years..
I'm very grateful for every single mile I've run in my life.
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| Marg |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 18:39:39
Who said 54 put you into the older age bracket. Depends on where you are looking from, My husband is 54 I would hope he has another 30 years left in him before he starts to slow down. I am surprised at you Art. When you go to the gym, are there not plenty of really older men there, like over 75 and many of them look absolutely great. One old guy I was talking to today uses roller-blades as a common form of transport. Be an inspiration to all those youngsters out there and keep gyming til you are at least 85. Don't even think about slowing down. I just have to make sure I practise what I preach. I think having TMS makes us all the more determined to push ourselves. We have a score to settle. Marg |
| marytabby |
Posted - 08/15/2005 : 17:27:47
I'm not an "oldster" but wanted to say congrats to you for all your progress! Keep up the good attitude. |
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