DGS49
Diamond Member
I am 70 years old. I was a distance runner for 35 years. I played tennis for 55 years. I have bowled, ridden bikes, hiked, lifted weights, stretched, played at Tai Chi and other things...all in a constant attempt to be as healthy as I could be, as long as I could. Now,
So I still do what would probably be considered "a lot of stuff" for a guy my age. I work out at the gym, do intervals on my stationary bike, golf, bowl, BUT running all those years really did a lot of damage to my knees (and hips). I really would not recommend distance running as a sole way of "staying in shape" over the long term. There is a good chance it will leave you a semi -invalid by the time you're 60 - which is not "old."
- My shoulders require 15 minutes of stretching and light activity before I can seriously exercise with my upper body.
- Both hamstrings are essentially destroyed (while playing tennis ), and have shown no signs of recovery in over a year. Tennis is no longer an option, despite my skill and desire, which remain.
- My RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER (the one with which I would make That Gesture, were I inclined to do so) has strained ligaments which forced me to a lighter bowling ball and a "no-lift" bowling style,
- My right knee was damaged when stepping down off a curb on vacation last year (following a couple other minor injuries on the same joint). There is cartilage floating around in the joint that locks the knee when I fully straighten my leg - so I don't do that. My Ortho guy cannot see the cartilage and refuses to operate (again) on that knee for that reason.
So I still do what would probably be considered "a lot of stuff" for a guy my age. I work out at the gym, do intervals on my stationary bike, golf, bowl, BUT running all those years really did a lot of damage to my knees (and hips). I really would not recommend distance running as a sole way of "staying in shape" over the long term. There is a good chance it will leave you a semi -invalid by the time you're 60 - which is not "old."