The Age-Old Question: How old is too old?
My DH and I went to Utah on vacation. While there we had a blast hiking, rafting, 4-wheeling, canyoneering, and rock climbing. Hiking and mountain biking are things we have always done. We are in pretty good shape for 57 and 39 year olds. However, while there we fell in love with the sport of Rock Climbing. While living in Houston doesn't seem to present an abundance of opportunity to rock climb, Austin isn't that far (and my daughter being at university about 30 minutes away from Austin seems fortuitous). Plus, there are 3 rock gyms within 1 hour of me. I was so ready to take up the sport I have already purchased harnesses and gear for us as well as passes to the nearest gym. My husband and I have been debating on how old is too old. He is of the opinion that "we" are too old to start up a new hobby. That rock climbing is too strenuous and we will not continue on this path unless we lived in an environment that fostered the sport (ie: Utah). I am of the opinion that life is too short!
@jseureau: I checked into Stone Moves, but Texas Rock Gym had a deal on Living Social last week, so it won out. We will probably try Stone Moves at some point, though. Neither of them are close to where I live, but this is Houston and we are all used to driving forever to get anywhere.
I live in Houston and I rock climb on the reg! I'm not very good but its fun and pretty cheap. I goto Stonemoves on FM 1960 but I'm 25 so I'm not sure what its like, If you work hard enough you should be able to have fun and get a great work out.
There are days we all feel decrepit, I am sure.
Thanks everyone for helping me persuade my loving, caring husband that I have not gone farther off the deep end than he thought. We go rock climbing at the gym Saturday. Yea
@gmwhit: Since this has served its purpose (my husband finally gave in to the inevitable), you may hijack ^ I mean blend^ this thread to your hearts content.
I do believe you must be prudent & know your own limitations. Agree w/@klozitshoper. And that reminds me; I may be too OLD to game a rigged system. Thank you @lumpthar.
Sorry, for the diversion, OP. Didn't mean to get totally off-topic. Just a little thread-blending.
To old is when you injure yourself doing something you once did with ease
@jsimsace: i feel like i'm 200 years old.
You are only as old as you feel...go for it!
You're not too old until you can't hike your gear in, hold a belay rope, and hang on. Go for it!
Start it up. I climb all the time and some of the best climbers I know are older and can out climb me for days. You don't have to be crazy strong, and the better your technique gets the less you will need strength. It's also just a lot of fun and a great way to stay in shape.
@pyxientx: the age thing wouldn't be an issue, except he's the one who thought the two of you were too old!
@pg318: I agree on the injuries. Having severe arthritis in my hands and elbows is a downfall to leading an active life. But, I have also learned that exercise in all its many forms actually helps to alleviate the presence of injury. Exercise helps with coordination and allows muscle to do its job, support the bones.
You're never too old to try something new, and rock climbing need not be that strenuous, and can be quite exhilarating. However, you can be getting too old to heal from injuries that dangerous sports entail, at 47 I'm becoming more aware, primarily from like aged friends' injuries, that I wouldn't recover from broken bones or significant wounds like I used to. If there are rock walls nearby it'll be easy to establish confidence and skills to safely tackle many routes.
I worked with a doctor in Houston that put us all to shame. 53 and a marathon runner. You're only as old as you allow yourself to be. I'm getting into the best shape of my life (and I'm still outta shape) at 38. You only live once-go for it!
@no1: That is funny considering he at 57 is in better shape than I am at 39.
Still, if the above wasn't true, you may have been on to something. However, we hike approx 20 miles most weeks (give or take a few depending on area choice) and bike about the same. We go to the gym (new members) 6 days a week. While hiking in Arches (Devil's Garden Trail, 7.2 miles, strenuous) last week, I was out of breathe going up a fin, and he was laughing at me for being so. If I would have had the air, I so would have hit him. :)
@joshobra: That's cool. My great grams played basketball with us every Christmas until she broke her hip at 97.
I don't think I will ever be too old to enjoy things, but my husband has a different outlook. He is more for longevity while I am more for fun. Why lead a long boring life when you can lead a short, infamous one.
Exactly what @fenriq said, just live life to your fullest!
And a related story:
So my Grandma is 80 years old now and she just immigrated from the Philippines to the US and we took her to Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time a couple weekends ago.
What did we make her ride? Everything.
The Revenge of the Mummy was a roller coaster. The Jurassic Park ride had a pretty high drop water ride. The tram ride was pretty bumpy at some point. And the Transformers ride is like.. not sure how I can explain it.
But she absolutely loved every single ride and laughed all the way though it.
So no, there is no such thing as being too old for anything.
There was just a story about a one hundred year old guy breaking a record for a 100k (62 miles) bicycle run. 4 hours 17 minutes. Ask him how old is too old.
"We are in pretty good shape for 57 and 39 year olds. " - is he 57 and you 39? i wonder if there's a deeper issue at play here. mabe he's worried that it won't be too long before he isn't able to keep up with you, and rockclimbing mite make it more obvious. he just mite need some reassurance that 57 ain't too old.
Go for it! I don`t think there is an age limit on trying new things.
If it is something that you both enjoy doing, and it engages your body and mind (which helps keep you young and vital), sounds good to me. As you are both fit enough to participate in rock climbing and do not know what the future holds, seize the time to pursue this new interest now.
Surely there will be time to ponder the what-ifs and I-shoulda things when (and if) you are limited in physical capacity much later down the road.
Too old? Bah. You're still kicking. Get climbing!
Remember: "old-age" backwards is just "ega-dlo" so... you know... food for thought.
Life is too short, regrets are often too many.
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