Transitioning from Peak Athlete to Aged Athlete

If you are anything like me one day you woke up and realized…Damn, I’m old.  My body just won’t let me do the things it used to do. 

Looking back I realize there were signs along the way but I did my very best to ignore them.  My top speed gradually became less and less until reaching a point where I could no longer just say to myself, “well, that dude it just REALLY fast.”  The quickness isn’t the same. 

The effort that used to get me immediate separation gets me none now. 

Ouch. 

I should say that I used to play on a professional soccer team in Mexico. And now, I can’t simply play through injuries and pain anymore and expect my body to heal anyways.  Joints are stiffer, lungs are easily taxed, and recovery seems to take FOREVER. Any of this sound familiar? 

Depending on the level of athlete you are and how much of your life has been spent excelling in athletics it can be a major downer to make peace with this transitioning time.  Not to worry though.  You have options.  Despite what you might think there are ways to help your body if you want to continue taxing it with competitive sports.  You may not be able to get back your quickness and your speed, but there are things to do to keep the body in optimal health while reducing the risks of major injuries. 

Here are my go-to’s for keeping my body in optimal, albeit aging, shape:

1. Yoga– Really helps keep the muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons soft, supple and well-lubricated.  Get a good yoga mat (Tina likes these, and I like these) and if you want to look the part check out (lululemon– it’s not just women’s apparel)
2. Diet– Watch what you eat.  Certain foods (like sugar, dairy and gluten to name a few) can create inflammation causing greater discomfort in the joints and muscles.  Also if you are eating foods that lead you to carry excess weight that too will obviously impact how your body responds athletically.
3. Acupuncture– Getting regular acupuncture will help keep the body at its most optimal level.  It helps alleviate any sort of pain condition.  It helps the body to detox.  It aids in sleep and reduces stress- both of which help the body to heal.
4. Massage– Getting regular massage will help keep the body posture right and allow for better functional movement.  Also prevents those knots from accumulating throughout your body.
5. Meditation– Relaxed supple mind means a relaxed supple body.  Reduce stress, anxiety and become aware when problems arise.  All you need is a meditation cushion.  There are many types of meditations out there to experience.  Find a book or a class and let the journey unfold.

There is another option to aid in this transition as well.  Despite it feeling like a gut punch to the ego there is beauty in shifting one’s foundational sense of self.  Finding new ways to express oneself through movement and exercise can bring new joys and new challenges.  There are many ways to move and use the body in exercise that put less stress and pressure on the spine and joints.  You may have to explore some new things before finding what can be a new form of exercise that is right for you.  Have an open mind.  Like it has me, it will serve you greatly.

For me, I have discovered joy in running.   This surprised me because I used to despise running simply to run.  I always wanted a ball to be included and to have a sense of purpose for why I was running.  I felt a deep connection to movement and creativity through sports.  It was one of the few arenas in which I could fully express myself and tap into a reservoir of creative energy that I had a hard time finding in any other way. 

My perspective on running has shifted as I have gotten older though.  I find joy in it now.  When I run without there being another purpose behind it I am more aware of what is happening in my body as I run.  What muscles are being utilized, how my gait changes with different speeds, with different levels of fatigue, and with different types of terrain.  I can still be competitive with myself if I need to be.  I can push the distance, I can push the time, and I can increase the difficulty of terrain if I feel up for a greater challenge.  I can also just run for the joy of running without pushing for a certain outcome.  The more I run the more nuanced my experience becomes.

Sports or physical activities to shift into to get away from risk of injury or problematic joints:

• Running- Equipment is super important.  In this case shoes.  I’m a big fan of Asics shoes for running.  I also like Brooks running shoes.
• Cycling/biking– There are lots of options here, obviously.  REI would be a good place to start
• Hiking- Here in Colorado we have lots of options, but I’m guessing wherever you live there are hiking options as well.  Again equipment is important.  We love Sierra Trading Post for deals, frequently on new items but last year’s model of items. Also, of course REI is a good place to find all your hiking needs. 
• Kayaking is fantastic for upper body and core strength. There are many types of kayaks, and I recommend trying out a few through rentals prior to purchasing. For research or if you’re ready to buy, here is a great source. 
• Swimming is a great full body workout that also keeps the stabilizer muscles in great shape. 
• Yoga, Tai Chi, Martial arts…  these allow you to work your body while also going within and deepening your connection to self. 

So whether you are looking to keep doing the sports you are already doing or are looking to shift into sports that are kinder on your body moving forward there are ways to make this transitioning period one of beauty instead of pain. 

You may need to shift your mindset and your expectations a bit but no matter what you will still be you and do that which brings you joy in movement.  Your body is your friend on this journey.  Treat it as such. 

May your journey be a long, winding path of peace, health and happiness.