[JJHACK]

I've been wondering when this happens to typical or average guys. I work quite hard at staying fit, but I suppose it's impossible to continue at the same performace level forever.

At about 48 years old I had some fine print vision issues. Now I must have reading glasses to tie fishing line, or do any rather intricate work. Mentally I believe I can do whatever I want just as I could when I was 30 years old. It drives me to push harder then I can physically though. I never seem to notice this when hiking, climbing, diving, running, etc. but the next day or later in the evenings I feel it more.

I noticed that I raced through my airtanks way faster then normal this year diving in Florida. I even accused them of not giving me full tanks (jokingly ofcourse) I guess I'm using more air and breathing harder now then I have in the past?

I also don't seem to be able to maintain the same average speeds on my Mtn Bike that I did just 3-4 years ago. So it goes as we age. All my joints are good, except my frequently dislocated right elbow. That has been screwed up since I was a teenager though. No hair loss, or dental issues. So I'm not really complaining, just an observation.

Anyhow, I guess it's time to consider the inevitable aging process, no matter how much you try to stay as fit as possible you cannot beat age and genetics. It's been worth every second to care for myself the best I can. I sure run into a whole lot of guys 10-20 years younger that look awefully sad from a health and fitness perspective.

Of all the things I wish I could fix it would be my close range vision. It's the one constant nagging reminder of getting old and it's a pain to have those glasses with me all the time now. Then of course one has to consider that at 50 years old, what have I got left? How many good packing, hiking, brutal hunts remain?

 

[Skorzeny]

Aah misery loves company JJhack.
My first annoyance with the aging process was with the eyes too. I had always had 20/20 vision and at first almost imperceptibly I had to hold things farther from my face to keep them in sharp focus. After a while one's arms are not long enough and so the glasses routines begin. I was 52 when I finally broke down and got an exam and then bifocals. I Only need glasses for reading close up and working on circuit boards. Now I have to conciously position my head on the rifle stock to make sure I am looking thru the right spot on the lens.
I used to fly model airplanes a lot and free flight was my passion. You can spend hours and hours running after free flight models especially if you like to compete in the contests. I did. The competing and preparation unknowingly kept me in pretty good shape.
I have never in my life worked at being in shape until 1996. Then I had to do something about my health. Now I force myself to get the heart health 30 minutes of some sort of exercise daily.
One of the fringe benefits (not) of a day out ridge running after venison is some leg cramping that evening. Found that a jug of Gatorade before bed time help fight it. Damn the salt.
You will lose muscle mass, and although you work at keeping it from happening, it happens anyway. Good luck on staying in hunting trim. There are a quite a few hunters out there in their 80s that can walk some of the younger pups into the dirt.

ps: don't worry about the number of chances left. Just enjoy the next one and then the next one and so on. Save the counting for the bean counters.

 

[TRAUT]

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger there JJ. I'd say that around age 45-47 I really started slowing down in the field. I can still "hack" it, but I have to go at my own pace. Being about 200 lbs over weight w/ emphasyma didn't bug me too much until the last 40 lbs ago.

 

[netboy]

Jim, You've met my father. He is 67years old and up until about 3-4 years ago, I felt like he hadn't lost much of a step in the woods. The past few years, he has been slower and slower. He still does real well and can hike all day long,just not quite as fast. The good news is that as he has slowed down, it has prompted me to get in better shape and try to make up for his loss of stamina. I truly hope that he has another 10 years of elk camp, but it may be ony a few. The key for him has been just to know his new limitations. I know I willtry to make the most of every humt we share together.

 

[The_Rook]

I would say at 23. No really busted ankle three years ago. Now fitted firmly with twelve screws two plates and 1 rod. I slowed way down as well as put on about 35 lbs. But I still can break brush. Just not a a blazing pace anymore.

 

[stillwater]

!

Boy ya think with all the practice we had we'd be better at it easier huh----not! I never had eyes (near sighted) and now I can't see close and on top I've had flat feet from birth and when the foundation goes everything up from there goes especially the last couple years and it's hard when you like to do upland and jump shoot birds. Oh well like said above enjoy the next one and hopefully last long enough to hunt with my youngest boy.

 

[Soady]

I too noticed the eyes going first, I now have glasses which makes looking through the scope more challenging. I have adjusted other things like slowing down just a little which makes me notice more detail around me. I take a few more breaks between hikes, cover about the same ground that I always have and I still stay out until last light. So far the legs are still going strong however the back can't pack the same amount. Every year I am looking for that spider web titanium gear, that only needs to have water added to "POOF" into something useful.

 

[gear addict]

Health issues are what get ya. Don't lay down, and give up. Your not dead yet.... I'm living in the past. I think I'm still tough, but I have to admit I am slowing down. I don't mind hunting, and fishing half days, and even staying home 3 or 4 days a week. I'm fishing too much this year. My dogs need to go hunting, and I need the exercise.
I thing most of us that are driven can over do it when you hit that age were your bones start to deteriorate. If your training, or whatever...and you start to hurt. SLOW down man! You might hurt yourself, and end up having to heal up. Then you might miss something.
A extra 25...heck make it 30 lbs is part of my problem. That screws up the knees. I have'nt done the high hunt since 2005. I'm not selling my packs yet tho, and I still have my gym membership....plus...I'm stubborn. I think that is the key.
Your on the right track. You don't have any control over your eyes, but with what you are doing you will be hunting a long time. I have friends that are in their 60's, and still train. They are animals! They keep us young guys on our toes.....
Oh...a young girlfriend will help too!