A lot of hiking before school starts. I am fortunate to have a large city park adjacent to my neighborhood here in Birmingham. Ruffner Mountain. It's called a mountain, but it's really only about four hundred feet of elevation. A thousand acres of an old iron ore mining complex that was shut down about 1950 having started in the 1800's. There's a LOT of old trails that are unmapped and I'm spending my mornings mapping them. I find a lot of large artifacts too.
Wonderful, Julia! Unsurprisingly. With age our bodies lose steam. Losing our vigor for living seems more optional. Losing your vigor for life is not on your dance card, however.
Gary, I honestly believe we can rebuild that steam if we work at it. I might not run as fast, or climb as hard, but I can still have energy and enthusiasm. That is so much a matter of attitude! Thanks
You're indomitable, Julia — but really, past a certain age, we all need that can't-keep-me-down attitude lest the rust set in. I'm not the adventure traveller you are — but I go damn hard in my workouts. I'm convinced exercise is the key to aging without petrifying.
As a life long exerciser myself, you are an inspiration. Moderation and making adjustments, when needed, is the key. Not to mention, setting aside the ego from time to time.
Excellent advice! I'm pushing myself to gut it out in PT and hit the gym on a regular basis. I have a history of two heart transplants and two strokes, and twice I've had to go to a rehabilitation facility to regain my ability to walk. I'm dedicated to keeping myself as strong as possible now in hopes that I never end up immobilized in a hospital bed ever again.
In early April I was hospitalized for 11 days with empyema and had to have emergency surgery. I was in very bad shape. But also good shape—and my doctors told me that if I hadn’t been I probably wouldn’t have made it. When I was released from hospital I couldn’t walk up a hill without being out of breath. Such a strange experience for a former marathoner. But now I am back to running my 4-6 miles a day😀
Congrats on your progress. And what a super attitude. Enjoy.
Thank you Bill! Hope you're out chasing rainbows!
A lot of hiking before school starts. I am fortunate to have a large city park adjacent to my neighborhood here in Birmingham. Ruffner Mountain. It's called a mountain, but it's really only about four hundred feet of elevation. A thousand acres of an old iron ore mining complex that was shut down about 1950 having started in the 1800's. There's a LOT of old trails that are unmapped and I'm spending my mornings mapping them. I find a lot of large artifacts too.
I hope you're doing well today.
Wonderful, Julia! Unsurprisingly. With age our bodies lose steam. Losing our vigor for living seems more optional. Losing your vigor for life is not on your dance card, however.
Gary, I honestly believe we can rebuild that steam if we work at it. I might not run as fast, or climb as hard, but I can still have energy and enthusiasm. That is so much a matter of attitude! Thanks
Yes, we are never too old, UNLESS we keep our butt in a chair or lay in bed
My Mama Peggy who shared our home for twenty years before her "life graduation" (her words!) in 2022 at 96, had a motto:
"To stay above the grass, get your butt up!"
You're indomitable, Julia — but really, past a certain age, we all need that can't-keep-me-down attitude lest the rust set in. I'm not the adventure traveller you are — but I go damn hard in my workouts. I'm convinced exercise is the key to aging without petrifying.
Rust is a perfect word! I watched parts of me get rusty as I had to wait to heal so I understand this intimately.
As a life long exerciser myself, you are an inspiration. Moderation and making adjustments, when needed, is the key. Not to mention, setting aside the ego from time to time.
My ego, if managed, can be useful. It can also be an asshole. The challenge is knowing which one is showing up…Thanks so much!
True, so very true.
Such an important reminder - no matter your age - just do it - hope you have an epic bike trip!
Coming in September, meanwhile leg days! Thank you!
It’ll be perfect weather then - and yes here’s to weight training !
Excellent advice! I'm pushing myself to gut it out in PT and hit the gym on a regular basis. I have a history of two heart transplants and two strokes, and twice I've had to go to a rehabilitation facility to regain my ability to walk. I'm dedicated to keeping myself as strong as possible now in hopes that I never end up immobilized in a hospital bed ever again.
In early April I was hospitalized for 11 days with empyema and had to have emergency surgery. I was in very bad shape. But also good shape—and my doctors told me that if I hadn’t been I probably wouldn’t have made it. When I was released from hospital I couldn’t walk up a hill without being out of breath. Such a strange experience for a former marathoner. But now I am back to running my 4-6 miles a day😀
I love this and thank you Joan.