The Remembrances of Buddhism tells us that 1) we all grow old, 2) we all get sick, and 3) we all die. Cheery thoughts, but I’ve always found that these are good things to contemplate, even if, strictly speaking, only #3 is inevitable.
But it’s #1 I want to talk about today because I’ve had a few experiences lately that reminded me that how fast we get old is at least partly a choice, even if it’s going to happen at some point.
The spark for all this was finishing the Tour du Mont Blanc, which I seriously was not sure about before I actually did it. I am very impressed that my 56 year old body could do what the organizers like to say is the World’s Toughest One-day Bike Race (I’ve already seen tougher on the interwebs, but it might be close). It’s very encouraging.
And then a couple of weeks ago I hosted a couple from the US for a few days around Mont Ventoux. The guy, Jim, is a 68 year old ex-Marine and in fantastic shape. We had some good talks on our rides, with one of them being about age and training. He taught me the expression ‘don’t let the old man in’, which is pretty self explanatory and also, it turns out, a Clint Eastwood-inspired country song.
Not letting the old man in is, you will have guessed, about being consistent with your age-prevention activities, whatever they may be. As we get older, the old man (or woman) gets closer to the door and the longer you leave it open the easier he’ll find a way in.
I see this with weight loss and weight gain, with the former getting harder and the latter becoming far easier, not to mention landing in different areas of the body from before. The old man is always waiting for you to get lazy, so diligence is essential.
A friend of mine the other day told me about how she and her husband were forced to run for their TGV a few weeks back, making it by seconds in the end. That was the good news – the bad news was that the run nearly killed her, she said, and she was shocked at how much it took out of her. She has since started to exercise in the park a few times a week to keep the old lady out.
There’s a lot more to say about the old man, but I’ve got many more years of blogging to do so…which, incidentally, is also a way to keep the old git out – intellectual activities like reading or writing must be as important as physical ones.
I know that some of you have the old man closer to the door than I do, so you might be having a little chuckle at this ‘youngster’ talking about aging, so I’d love to hear what you all do to keep the codger out.
The Vicious Cycle 
Great blog post today! Think I’ll go swim some laps…xx
On a day like today a pool sounds nice!
Maybe I’d better start blogging again?
At least you’re still riding. The battle is half won!
Especially as I’m getting nearer than you with keeping the auld man out!!
I believe having quality golden years has much to do with how you “train” for them. Imagine yourself at Age 80 and ask yourself what would you like to do. Walk a couple of miles for pleasure? You’d better be doing a LOT more than that when you’re 40. Lift your carryon luggage into the overhead bin? Best be bench pressing much more weight than that. Don’t want to fall and break a hip? What stability training are you doing now and how strong is your muscle/skeleton system should you screw up and hit the deck anyway? Think of your Golden Years as an athletic event that you have several years to train for. Good luck!
I like your way of thinking, Steve. If I’m still in France at 80 I’d like to think I could climb Ventoux very slowly, so I better get to it!
The best tip is to marry someone very interesting and kind. That keeps you young. Cycling helps too. Luck plays a big part. Eat good food. Sing.
Does whistling count? I’m not much of a singer.
Just whistle badly then? 😚
Whistling should do it though it might lead to you getting prematurely killed by a passing music lover.