I was reading a great article from AARP Magazine, Super Athletes, page 52, and three things jumped out at me.

 

First - when I went to post the link on Facebook , I was quick to point out that it was a BORROWED copy of AARP Magazine because I'm still in my forties.   I realized (or rather have known) that I need to begin to accept the number, but not settle for the limitations (usually the limitation is set by perception, society's or my own).   

 

The article is entitled Super Athletes, but what it really talks about is master athletes, what many competitors over 35 are called.   These master athletes are showing the world that competitive sports isn't just for the under 30 crowd.  They are also proving to researchers that they aren't freaks of nature.  It used to be thought that losing muscle mass was just a part of getting older, so science wondered if these master athletes had something the rest of us don't.  Nope, they don't.  Well, unless you count getting off the couch and training for an activity you love, something they have that we don't.  Now admittedly, these master athletes are in training; they are putting in the time to prepare for a race or event.  This may not be something you are willing to commit to, but you could if you wanted.   

 

So the second thing that jumped out at me was -- what a wonderful time to really live up to our potential.  In my lifetime, women were finally allowed to officially compete in the Boston Marathon and, currently, the United States Tennis Association sponsors at least 15 national championships for competitors over 80.  It's good to be alive and living today.  Most anything is possible and there's probably a group trying to help you achieve it. 

 

So the last take away for me was that instead of crying over the wasted years in which I spent most of my 20s and 30s overweight and the self-imposed limitations that came along with that, I could grab hold of today and embrace the possibilities of what I can achieve.   

 

Now the next question is:  What am I willing to do?  Because I am not willing to train for another triathalon (at least not this month).  Do I want to dust off my idea of walking a marathon or half-marathon?  Knowing that my hips are bothering me as I'm walking for just 10 minutes, I'm thinking that may not be a good place to start, either.  But maybe, just maybe, making my hip exercises and not my excuses a PRIORITY, might be a start.  I have also gone back to wearing my walking shoes most of the time instead of the cute but un-supportive sandals and my hips are already feeling better. 

 

Yes, I can!