The 8+ mile Aloha Run/Walk is on Presidents Day, February 18th. Art always runs it and I've had different friends and relatives walk with me now for four years. This will be my 5th year unless something goes wrong.
Art's cousin and my childhood friend both ended up with knee problems and could no longer walk such a long distance. My brother, Dennis was going to walk with me, but for the past couple of weeks he's strained a tendon or something in his arch which causes him excruciating pain. I asked another cousin to walk with me because I know he can walk long distances. Wouldn't you know it? He's strained his knees a couple of weeks ago.
I was talking about this to one of my Zumba buddies and she said, "Once you hit 60, things start to happen and I've noticed that it's even starting at younger ages now."
Well, both my brother and cousin hit that magic age of 60 this past year. I consider 60 young. Another cousin just had a stroke. We're all in our 60's. What the heck?
My uncle is in his 90's and he's doing great! What does he do right? He watches what he eats and has never smoked. He works in his garden. He exercises daily and reads several newspapers everyday. He also swears by a glass of red wine 3 times a week or was it 4?
Hmmm... I think I'll tell Dennis to have some red wine. It won't cure his foot problem, but it might dull the pain.
Art's cousin and my childhood friend both ended up with knee problems and could no longer walk such a long distance. My brother, Dennis was going to walk with me, but for the past couple of weeks he's strained a tendon or something in his arch which causes him excruciating pain. I asked another cousin to walk with me because I know he can walk long distances. Wouldn't you know it? He's strained his knees a couple of weeks ago.
I was talking about this to one of my Zumba buddies and she said, "Once you hit 60, things start to happen and I've noticed that it's even starting at younger ages now."
Well, both my brother and cousin hit that magic age of 60 this past year. I consider 60 young. Another cousin just had a stroke. We're all in our 60's. What the heck?
My uncle is in his 90's and he's doing great! What does he do right? He watches what he eats and has never smoked. He works in his garden. He exercises daily and reads several newspapers everyday. He also swears by a glass of red wine 3 times a week or was it 4?
Hmmm... I think I'll tell Dennis to have some red wine. It won't cure his foot problem, but it might dull the pain.
don't tell me that cause I'm in my 70s. But I am slowing down...lol!
ReplyDeleteAs a 67 yr old, I find that I no longer have the stamina I had when I was 22. I used to walk everywhere because I had no car and the buses were too slow. I also used to swim every weekend. Now? I don't have the stamina to go on a 15 day trip anymore. One week is all I can tolerate. And I am the one who traveled around the world solo when I was just 23. Lol.
ReplyDeleteAt least you can make it a week away from home; I am finding that three nights is about all I want to be away. I need the routine of my own home, with my own things, eating the foods I fix, to stay centered.
DeleteIt does seem to be happening to everyone more frequently...or am I more aware of it? Stay healthy, Kay!!
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe that wine cures everything! Just being silly, but I like the idea that it makes us forget our aches and pains.
ReplyDeleteI think your 90 year old uncle holds the key. Exercise, watching what he eats and I keep hearing how red wine is so good for you. My 92 year old father-in-law adds a dose of cod liver oil into his daily regime and has lived a healthy lifestyle after being told to quit smoking or face the consequences by his doctor when he was 50.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the 70s when you really notice it all happening. But let's face it: we are not spring chickens any more! That means we've got to be tough. Knees are the problem for many people. Thank heavens mine still seem to be working, but I could not go very far on the trails without my trekking poles! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe saying is that "fifty is the old age of youth and sixty is the youth of old age". Guess that makes my 70s the middle age of old age. We all hit age plateaus at at different pace. I say just keep moving best you can and pay no attention to numbers.
ReplyDeleteI started noticing the big changes in my 50s. So far, 60 has been good. Sure hope it continues.
DeleteI kind of agree with Arkansas Patti above about not paying attention to numbers and just keeping moving the best we can. Of course, I say that while at the same time being slowed down a bit this week after twisting my knee last weekend in a skiing fall. I hope you find someone to do the walk with you.
ReplyDeleteIn France we call it Life Ages (les ages de la vie) 1st age is childhood 2nd age is adolescence 3rd age is maturity 4th age is old age. Fifty years ago old age was 65, now old age (still in France that is) is considered to be 76 – so by 2040 old age will be 85.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just your body breaking down in old age that concerns me, but mental agility. I know for a fact that I have less brain power than I had 10 years ago. I don't comprehend articles as well as I did, nor am able to communicate as clearly as I used to. I get stumped by little inconveniences and make every problem into bigger ones. I noticed I am not chosing to do what even a few years ago I thought was not a problem.
ReplyDeleteI give it to bloggers who can write a new thought a day!!
L...w
I like to do this blog because it forces me to think of something to say and keeps my brain moving, I think. I have Alzheimers in my family and it is a fear of my brother and me.
DeleteOk....why do I say "your body"....I meant mine!!!
DeleteL...w
I believe your uncle has the gift of good genes! It's scary what can happen as you age.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you. His sister also lived to a very ripe old age.
Deletethat could be, I'm only 56 but this has been my worst year for health, my husband is 62 and he has more aches and pains,
ReplyDeleteDon't read Still Alice. It's well written and insightful, but it'll convince you Alzheimers is knocking at your door! :)
ReplyDeleteI really do feel like Alzheimers is knocking at my door since my father and almost all his siblings got it. One escaped because she died of a heart attack very young. I think only one other out of 9 children did not get Alzheimers. My brother and I talk about it often.
DeleteKay, do you talk to your doctor about dementia? Every so often I bring it up to my dr. She has sent me for testing, twice, and all is well with the brain. Perhaps you can get some reassurance that way. I have had two doctors tell me that my problem is trying to do too many things at once. I am a notorious multi-tasker as you probably are, too. I think it's the teacher in us! Keeping an eye on all those children!
DeleteI've noticed that these last few generation do more things, and so wear out sooner. Nobody ran before a few years ago. We walked, but we did it younger. There weren't any races as fund raisers. Mom sat home or at the golf club with her martini after about forty. Gardening with a manhattan after fifty. lol
ReplyDeleteI think it's fair to say I've fallen apart in my 60's. I can barely do four miles now. I hope you find a walking partner.
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I just talked to my brother and he says his foot is better and he can probably walk with me? I don't know if it's such a good idea, but he says he's going to try. The only time I walk 8 miles is during this walk so I never know if I'll be able to finish. Keeping my fingers crossed.
DeleteAm turning 60 this year and consider it young. and old.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think that there is stuff I just don't care to do anymore, like wrestling a BIG motorcycle.....very happy on my scooter.......I intend to focus on what I enjoy, NOT on looking for evidence of decline. I ain't running no races either
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I have definitely fallen apart in my 60's. I didn't see it coming. I've always been super healthy. My mother is 96 and sometimes I think she is in much better shape than I am. I read recently that the Boomers are not as healthy as the generation before us. That being said, I think we must keep moving and doing the best we can with what we've got.
ReplyDelete60 is so young! But 78, my experience says that's the age to watch out for! The word that is repeated a lot in this posting is "genes." Alas, a lot of this fear of aging comes down to one's genes.
ReplyDeleteblessings....
ReplyDeleteAge age is the age of decline as illnesses don't discriminate and death chooses anyone. I think if you live long enough to experience the declines then its a blessing in most ways as the alternative is.....death then its only one bid descend.
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Gee Kay, I hope your asking people to walk with you doesn't put a jinx on them. You didn't invite Pope Benedict to walk, did you??
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should just ask your uncle to walk with you? ;)