Road of Life
By Perry Mack
There are a couple of things that seem to happen as you enter the second fifty years of your life. For a guy, more hair grows on your head – from everywhere but your scalp, and your spouse looks at you more and more often with an expression that says ‘Did I make the right choice?’ Perhaps the second one is just me.
For many of us, we have a couple of things to prepare for; the first is it may be time for a career change because we are bored with our work. Often this is a great time to start preparing for a new career. Many of us no longer have the kids at home, there’s some cash in the bank, and our debt is at a reasonable (we’re not losing sleep) level.
Our hobbies may also be due for a change. There are some sports that have punished our bodies (in the name of good clean fun) to the point where they are no longer safe or fun. My list includes everything requiring two solid knees and two solid shoulders – waking boarding, kite boarding, windsurfing, skiing, snowboarding and a few more. It’s not that I can’t participate in the sport, I just can’t perform at the level I’m used to, and mentally I’m not ready to settle for less.
Part of adapting to the new reality is accepting that our bodies require more preparation and maintenance to perform without pain and injury. I learned this the old fashion way – through pain and injury. I decided to call this new part of my life Perry 2.0 and my motto is ‘Anything is Better than a Life Standing Still’.
I’ve long been a believer that age is a function of attitude. I’ll never forget the 35 year-old in my ski/surf shop who looked me in the eye while we discussed an entry level windsurfer and said, “I’m too old for that.” As I was 38 at the time, and an avid windsurfer - I was flabbergasted. If he has decided he is ‘too old’ (and you are the one who decides) at 35, what kind of life will he lead for the next 50 years?
In the past, ‘too old’ may have been described as a mid-life crises - talk about an over the top dramatization. It’s not a crisis, it’s just time for a change. The days of learning a trade and/or accepting a job with a company for life, are over. Do something to make money for ten years and then change – it’s a process of renewal for your mind and it’s ok to be scared. Before you get to the ten-year mark, or your ‘crises’, start thinking about the next career and begin preparing for it while it’s fun.
So in the spirit of not accepting that I’m too old until it’s been scientifically proven, my wife Cindy and I have joined a running clinic. The goal is too participate in a 10 km run (note I said participate not win) with 13 weeks of training. There are more reasons not to do it, than there are to do. But it’s the quality of the reasons that count, and the main quality reason to do it, is to challenge ourselves. Not to say ‘I can’t’, before we try.
The clinic is designed for everyone including beginning runners – so we actually began by walking more than we ran, with proper pre-warm-up routines and post-run routines. The goal is to succeed and have fun – and a coach is part of that process. Virtually every concept we learned in high school phys ed has been proven to be detrimental. I personally need to learn to ‘do’ more slowly. Day One I walked/ran with the mid-level ‘learn to run’ group, three runs later (Day 8) I upgraded myself to the ‘Run Stronger Group. Day Nine I couldn’t walk as a result of a strained calf muscle and plantar fasciitis.
As I said earlier I tend to learn the old fashion way. I recommend Cindy’s way – progressive and instructive.
Don’t ‘get’ old. If you feel old, accept that it’s time for a change and start something new. In addition to running, I’m going to get my private pilot’s licence, perhaps it will be my next career and/or perhaps it will be my renewal hobby. Choose one for yourself and don’t be afraid to fail, the only way to fail, is not to try.
Now, where’s that ad for the motorcycle?