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Embracing Old Age


Several months ago, a friend posted the info below on FB.  As I approach the end of another decade, I decided that this would be as good a time as any to discuss the “old” age issue.

An extensive study in the U.S.A found that the most productive age in human life is between 60-70 years of age. The 2nd most productive stage of the human being is from 70 to 80 years of age..
The average age of NOBEL PRIZE winners is 62 years old. The average age of the presidents of prominent companies in the world is 63 years. The average age of the pastors of the 100 largest churches in the U.S.A. is 71. The average age of the Popes is 76 years.
This tells us in a way that it has been determined, that the best years of your life are between 60 and 80 years.
A study published in NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE found that at age 60, you reach the TOP of your potential and this continues into your 80s.
Therefore, if you are between 60 -70 or 70-80 you are in the BEST and 2nd level of your life. (SOURCE: N.Engl.J .Med. 70,389 (2018))

This info, of course, confirmed what I’ve believed.

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER! (And like fine wine, we get better with age! lol)

So you younger runners, do not worry that you will need to rest more, run less, go to bed earlier, sit in your rocker in the evening and drink herbal tea (unless you want to do these things…)

If you stay healthy, you do not have to slow down.

As an a runner who started running at age 55, I was afraid that I was too old to run a half marathon (and definitely too old to ever run a full marathon).

However, of the 56 half marathons that I’ve completed, only 6 were run before the age of 60! I ran the NYC Marathon at age 66.

That being said, most likely your PR days will be over, your finish times will slow down but that’s why they give out age group awards.  You should NEVER compare yourself to younger runners and especially not to your younger self.

So embrace the fact that you are still able to do something that brings you joy.

This is 68! Bring on 69!!

Happy Running! So how old do you consider “old?’  Has it changed since you started running?  Do you plan to keep running even into your 70s, 80s, 90s? Please share.

 

 

 

 

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m linking up also with this link-up:

36 thoughts on “Embracing Old Age”

  1. You are a great role model to me, Darlene. I love how you embrace running and racing. I want to be like that when I’m 69!
    I am 54 and I know that I will slow down.
    However, it all depends on perspective:
    – You can measure PBs for every decade instead of a lifetime. At 70, your PBs are “deleted” and you start anew.
    – You can measure yourself in your age group. I will never beat a young, strong male runner who runs a marathon in 2:15h, but I can measure myself against the ladies my age.

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  3. I absolutely LOVE this post, Darlene! And I agree 100%. All you have to do is go to a race and look around- often there are runners in their 60s and 70s running faster than I am. But let’s not stop there! I want to be winning my age group when I’m 90.

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  4. I love this! My mom is in her 60s but very active. She surprises me with her gusto and keeps on going. Yes she’s a bit slower these days and can’t lift quite as heavy but there’s truly no stopping her! Her determination motivates me on days where I don’t want to move!

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  6. So well-spoken!! I have a co-worker, she’s a couple years younger than me (so basically the same age, LOL), and she boycotts all birthday talk the week of her birthday. She takes the day off (so she won’t have to hear any co-workers tell her Happy Birthday), and she doesn’t share her birthday on social media. That’s her choice, but wow…I believe in celebrating each trip around the sun! She’s also a runner, so it’s not like she’s in bad health, though she’s had two stress fractures (same foot) in the past 15 months or so. I admire how active you are, and your cheerful spirit 😉 Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  8. This whole post made me smile!!! Thank you for sharing this with us. I always cringe when I hear people that are in their 30s say they are old. I am approaching 50 this year and I feel like I am old. I am not. Age is a number. I do feel great and will continue to stay active and take care of myself.

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  9. I agree with you-age is just a number. But after over 30 years of pounding, I do find that I need to pull back a little bit on what I’m doing. I think it makes a big difference that you started running in your 50s! Glad to see you out there and still doing your thing.

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  10. I love this so much! It can be really hard not to compare yourself to your younger self in so many ways (not just running). I plan to follow right in your footsteps and run right through my 60’s too. Thanks for sharing

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  13. Age has never bothered me, at least not so far. I do enjoy herbal tea, though (and have for a long time) and I also believe that you need more rest between hard efforts as you get older. Sitting in a rocking chair can be nice, too, LOL!

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    • Obviously I am not either. The point of the post was to inspire those under 60. To show them that the best years are yet to come and that it is possible to be even more active as they age. I hope to be racing in my 70s, 80s and maybe 90s lol just maybe slower.

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  14. Yup, I’m a firm believer that age is just a number. Feeling old or “elderly” is a state of mind, My parents are 71 and they act at least 20 years younger. They have never let their age define them or how they “should” act and I so appreciate that.

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