Adrenalin, old age, broken bits etc etc

[Noggin]

I 'should' be as fit as I can be (and probably as I've ever been) by the end of the winter, but next summer I will most definitely try and take things carefully - this winter too. Only because I have had injuries for soooooo long that I want to have a summer I can enjoy for a change!

I have had to change how I ski and ride, simply because of pain, so I do sort of get what you are dealing with. What's so annoying for me is that at the age of 47 I finally found a sport I could do and get fit at, and thought I'd only have to wait a year or so to be able to fully enjoy ski touring and all the off piste that that brings available. Almost 6 years later I'm being told that that is never going to be a possibility - and that makes me stupidly sad

However, the plan for summer 2024 is to learn to Parapente and to have a go at racing the Monster!! Totally no sense!

But, I will have to accept that actually I'll never be able to do as much as I want to without the risk of losing the use of my arm. So, I do have to try hard to have care. Which is boring and annoying. But after a 5.5 year recovery that is still in progress, I have to accept a bit of boring!!!


I would suggest looking more at the diagnosis if you haven't already, it is possible that there are things that can help -

Where to start on this one? One I'm pondering a lot at moment as you can imagine given the summer I've had and the outcomes. I'll have to come back to it when I've got more time.

Have you looked at knee support braces? When I messed up my knee (another lost summer/year ) I wore one for quite a while. A proper support one will take some of the weight off the leg, combine that with specific exercises might help prolong your career as an extreme mtber.

The knee is arthritis diagnosed 4 years ago which started the ebike journey, I’ve built up the muscles round it and it’s 100% better and not really noticeable in normal day to day. If I use it more that’s when the pain and days off arrive. I’ll go back and see the doc and say it’s no good for the steeper side of mtb’ing and see what they say….I really don’t want any surgery yet so a mindset change is prob best

I'd suggest finding a physio/doc that specialises in knees and ask about the support. I was told a long time ago that supports should only be worn for a limited time and for specific reasons - like Taipan says, they can cause weakness.

For instance this winter, I will use a support for skiing when the lifts are open - the most likely time I could have a fall. But I won't use one for walking up the mountain on skis to ski down on an empty piste - much less likely to fall. I won't wear one more than that because I need the muscles to get stronger, but for the occasional time I ski when the lifts are open, I want a bit of help!!

And, I know it sounds hippydippy, but have a look at diet (you may already have been that route - there's an awesome book about it and I'll try find the info if you want?) - I was told I had arthritis in my feet, knees and hips about 15-20 years ago (depending on which joint!). I don't have arthritis, yet (all the medical people are telling me it's guaranteed in both shoulder and knee)! But they told me to stop doing all the things that hurt, dancing and biking, which wasn't an option back then!! Still isn't really!!

[tricol]

Just like @Greenman I only turned 40 last month.

From when I could walk I was kicking a ball then riding bikes. Played football pretty much every day for about 20 years, rode my MTB a lot although I had a gap between when I was young and getting back into it in my 20's. I then started running when I met my girlfriend about 7 years ago and got a couple of marathons under my belt. Then, I slipped a disc L5/S1, with a bulge in the one above. I had a years recovery, and then it went again. I lost about 2 1/2 years of riding and running. Just when I thought the back was getting there and wasn't giving me much bother, earlier this year I went and got a scan on my left knee. Worst fear confirmed, arthritis. It has really contributed to my depression. There was bruising on my knee and femur and was told to stop running and playing football. I was a lot more upset than I thought I would be. At this time I'm very anxious about getting older from a physical point of view. I want to get fitter and stronger, but I have some painful hurdles in my way.

I want there to be another 20 years of riding bikes and keeping fit, but it seems like that is becoming harder to achieve. I hate getting old, in many ways.

[MingtheMerciless]

53, Still reasonably fit and brisk on the MTB but after a few silly injuries (that now take ages to go away) over the last few years and a lack of motivation I’m no longer able to keep up with the young guns without dying a sad lonely death at the back of the queue so have gone Electric for group or long rides.

Definitely need to do some upper body work and stretching as my job is very sedentary.

[Noggin]

As I said above, could be regarded as hippydippy, but it worked for me and has worked for a few friends (that were willing to try it!!)

I found that sticking strictly to the diet for a year then meant that I could (and have continued to) introduce foods that previously caused me pain. Could be worth a try??

[Taff]

In my 20s I crashed a mx bike and landed up with metalwork in my knee, in my 30s I started greenlaning and landed up on a mx day organised by visirdown (iirc), after that day it took nearly 3 weeks to walk pain free. A couple of months later I did another mx day and had the same pain.... So I sold the KTM.

A few years later I had a small operation on the knee which helped loads but it's cycling that keeps the strength up, and just like you, if I over do it I'll know about it for a little while.

The trick for me is to do as much as I can and not go too mad

[Horse]

As I said above, could be regarded as hippydippy, but it worked for me and has worked for a few friends (that were willing to try it!!)

I found that sticking strictly to the diet for a year then meant that I could (and have continued to) introduce foods that previously caused me pain. Could be worth a try??

What's the general gist? Processed Vs raw foods, dairy / fat / sugar?

[Noggin]

As I said above, could be regarded as hippydippy, but it worked for me and has worked for a few friends (that were willing to try it!!)

I found that sticking strictly to the diet for a year then meant that I could (and have continued to) introduce foods that previously caused me pain. Could be worth a try??

What's the general gist? Processed Vs raw foods, dairy / fat / sugar?

I'm struggling to remember (read it a LONG time ago and 'lent' the book to someone!). But essentially it's something to do with acidity??

I mainly cut out animal fats for that first year and also had a mix of honey and apple cider vinegar most mornings (a mate made it a long hot drink, I had to do it as a shot!! LOL). In the first 6 months if I did have something like ham and cheese on pizza, about 36 hours later my hips would start to hurt. After a year I didn't have that problem and could eat what I wanted

Now I pretty much eat what I want and concentrate more on eating to not gain weight rather than think about the arthritis diet!

But for me it totally worked and for a handful of friends that were willing to go hippy dippy

Margaret Hills, and the Margaret Hills Clinic
At the age of 21, while training to be a nurse, Margaret Hills developed rheumatoid arthritis literally overnight, resulting in months of complete bed rest to aid her recovery. Years later, after completing her training, she developed osteoarthritis, leading to another attack of rheumatoid arthritis, leaving her crippled and in severe pain. Realising that the medical profession could do nothing for her, as the only available treatment was aspirin, she began to look into natural treatments.
Margaret researched many different natural approaches to healing, including traditional remedies such as Epsom Salts baths and Cider Vinegar. She combined these detoxification remedies with a particular combination of nutritional supplements to develop her own treatment. After a year of following this regimen, she rid herself of all signs of arthritis, and continued to lead a pain-free life.

[Yambo]

I have a sedimentary job,

Mmmm, I doubt that.

[Mr Moofo]

I'm worried that the day I stop exercising it will be the day I turn old. Hence I am resisting the Eeb and continue to pound up hills in on the South Downs Way as a cathartic process. I know I cannot get my heart rate up to anything like where it used to be - but that is because I am 63.
Arthritic knee plus so many joints that I have damaged cycling, motorcycling, sailing, windsurfing etc. I used to be able to dust myself off , say ouch and then get on with it. These days falling over hurts - not only that, it takes longer to get back up. Cuts and grazes don't heal in days - but months ( I still have bramble scars on my forearms from July!). And as for anything skeletal - it becomes years ( I partially separated my AC joint 18 months ago and still don't have full arm movement back).

That said - the more I move my knee the better it is, arthritis in my hands causes spasms occasionally. It can be interesting on the bike.

The problem is that mentally I still think I am late 20s , still enjoy the adrenaline rush and want to push myself harder. But the fear of damaging myself and putting my life on hold to be stitched together/ recuperate/ mend etc is always in the back of my mind.

But the thing that truly pisses me off is that I get cold really easily. So much so, that I am beginning to think I have become a girl. After a lifetime of sweating like a racehorse - (so much so that I used to avoid hotter climates / holidays etc) now my feet go numb on a pushbike under 8 degrees, it is hard to get legs warmed up, esp after the cake and coffee stop. And to top that all , I have developed Reynaulds - so my fingers go white (esp when pressured) - and getting the blood flowing again can take an hour or so.

Growing old is a bitch - but it is better than not growing old!
AFAIK I don't smell of piss - yet

[Couchy]

I'm worried that the day I stop exercising it will be the day I turn old. Hence I am resisting the Eeb and continue to pound up hills in on the South Downs Way as a cathartic process. I know I cannot get my heart rate up to anything like where it used to be - but that is because I am 63.
Arthritic knee plus so many joints that I have damaged cycling, motorcycling, sailing, windsurfing etc. I used to be able to dust myself off , say ouch and then get on with it. These days falling over hurts - not only that, it takes longer to get back up. Cuts and grazes don't heal in days - but months ( I still have bramble scars on my forearms from July!). And as for anything skeletal - it becomes years ( I partially separated my AC joint 18 months ago and still don't have full arm movement back).

That said - the more I move my knee the better it is, arthritis in my hands causes spasms occasionally. It can be interesting on the bike.

The problem is that mentally I still think I am late 20s , still enjoy the adrenaline rush and want to push myself harder. But the fear of damaging myself and putting my life on hold to be stitched together/ recuperate/ mend etc is always in the back of my mind.

But the thing that truly pisses me off is that I get cold really easily. So much so, that I am beginning to think I have become a girl. After a lifetime of sweating like a racehorse - (so much so that I used to avoid hotter climates / holidays etc) now my feet go numb on a pushbike under 8 degrees, it is hard to get legs warmed up, esp after the cake and coffee stop. And to top that all , I have developed Reynaulds - so my fingers go white (esp when pressured) - and getting the blood flowing again can take an hour or so.

Growing old is a bitch - but it is better than not growing old!
AFAIK I don't smell of piss - yet

Since getting my eeb my cardio fitness is the best it’s ever been because I can’t do the grinding out hills instead I do the spinning like mad with less load and HR stays as high as it did without the eeb. I can’t build the strength though as I can’t lean on it as much but it is so much better than four years ago.
Reading all the above has helped loads, plus a day of being sulky is enough I’ve still got loads of mtb riding just being careful

[Noggin]

Reading all the above has helped loads, plus a day of being sulky is enough I’ve still got loads of mtb riding just being careful

Sometimes we all need a day of being sulky. Getting older sux bit style especially when it impacts on things we like to do. Sulk away - but not too long!!

[Trinity765]

I'm 53 next week and I am over the hill. Have you heard the saying "you don't stop dancing because you get old, you get old because you stop dancing"? I believe there is a lot of truth in that. My Nan lived to 106 and was active until her 90s and I intend to follow in her footsteps. She had a good diet, lots of fresh fruit and veg and she didn't smoke or drink - just the occasional cider.

In my 20s I saw a keep fit guru on the telly who was in her 80s. She looked great and had the physical grace of someone in their prime. I remember her saying "It's going to hurt - of course it's going to hurt, but you have to keep moving". That has stuck with me all those years and now that it sometimes hurts, I don't let that stop me as I've been waiting for it and here it is

[Noggin]

I'm 53 next week and I am over the hill. Have you heard the saying "you don't stop dancing because you get old, you get old because you stop dancing"? I believe there is a lot of truth in that. My Nan lived to 106 and was active until her 90s and I intend to follow in her footsteps. She had a good diet, lots of fresh fruit and veg and she didn't smoke or drink - just the occasional cider.

In my 20s I saw a keep fit guru on the telly who was in her 80s. She looked great and had the physical grace of someone in their prime. I remember her saying "It's going to hurt - of course it's going to hurt, but you have to keep moving". That has stuck with me all those years and now that it sometimes hurts, I don't let that stop me as I've been waiting for it and here it is

I use the one -

You don't stop living because you get old - you get old because you stop living.

We're the same age it seems, within a couple of weeks or so, and I think the same way. I am blessed with great genetics, so I don't look my age, but I also don't act it

[Trinity765]

I'm 53 next week and I am over the hill. Have you heard the saying "you don't stop dancing because you get old, you get old because you stop dancing"? I believe there is a lot of truth in that. My Nan lived to 106 and was active until her 90s and I intend to follow in her footsteps. She had a good diet, lots of fresh fruit and veg and she didn't smoke or drink - just the occasional cider.

In my 20s I saw a keep fit guru on the telly who was in her 80s. She looked great and had the physical grace of someone in their prime. I remember her saying "It's going to hurt - of course it's going to hurt, but you have to keep moving". That has stuck with me all those years and now that it sometimes hurts, I don't let that stop me as I've been waiting for it and here it is

I use the one -

You don't stop living because you get old - you get old because you stop living. We're the same age it seems, within a couple of weeks or so, and I think the same way. I am blessed with great genetics, so I don't look my age, but I also don't act it

I have a twin brother and I greet him with "Hi, how's your joints doing? Eyesite? Reading glasses?".

[Noggin]

I have a twin brother and I greet him with "Hi, how's your joints doing? Eyesite? Reading glasses?".

I'm the eldest of three. No one ever believes me when I tell them (when they see photos). My brother is ok with it, but I don't think my sister is very happy

[Greenman]

Dodgy left knee, dodgy left hip, dodgy right shoulder (rotator cuff)

Most of my ailments have come along because of sport, cricket mainly

Bowling-related injuries, by any chance?

raving

Eh? Dancing too hard...?

Yeah mainly bowling, i was a fast bowler so that put a lot of pressure on most of my joints, used to play at a fairly decent level in West of England Prem 1 (WEPL1) until i had a bad full saving 1 fucking run on the boundery and destroyed my back! I also used to have a stressful action where i would not follow through properly after i delivered the ball, that was rectified when i had training from an ex West Indies International player, annoyingly i forget his name but he was a legend at nets, really good coach.

Raving - yeah dancing around. I'm pretty mental, always been hyperactive! i like to dance and have a good time no matter the pain and deal with it after but that is getting a lot harder to do now. It's not the hangovers, it's the pain i have to go through for weeks after. Trying to be something more than my job by being into my music/DJ thing doesn't help my cause!

I don't really like taking painkillers, but i think i will be looking for better drugs than weed and alcohol soon...

[Cousin Jack]

As an elder statesman of 76 I felt I was over the hill until I read about you lot. Now I feel a lot better.

I am old, and decrepit. Heart problems, kidney problems, and early signs of cataracts in both eyes. Having said that I refuse to let it bother me, I can walk, swim, and do most ordinary activities better than most people my age. I can still ride a motorbike (I could ride a pushbike but I'm lazy) and I still enjoy touring on one, so I plan to carry on doing so for a while yet. I have a feeling it may be the cataracts that get to me first, but they can be treated, and I have a pot of gold saved up to get them fixed when necessary. Other than that I have a dodgy knee (injured playing rugby years ago), 2 dodgy shoulders (I m/c injury, 1 just poor design) and a lot of niggling aches and pains. I shall survive, and carry on riding motorcycles.

[Greenman]

getting old is shit

The alternative ain't much better.


I'm now 53 but I try to do some form of exercise every day as I think the moment you stop is the moment the decline sets in. I think a lot of it is a state of mind anyway. I have friends younger than me and they're boring old farts who only listen to music from their youth and moan about their kids.

Greenie. Get the jab. I had my elbow done a few weeks back and I have no pain now. Had one in my spine a few years back too. That was something to worry about, but the elbow was nothing.

I'm going to wait until i can't take it anymore as always with me then go and drink more alcohol...

I might get it booked in, seems to be getting worse in the colder weather.

I still do a fair bit of moving about, normally do over 10k steps a day at work, try and run up the stairs etc, just a bit achy for a 42yo.

In the wise words of Hunter S Thompson "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely preserved"...

[Horse]

I have a sedimentary job,

Mmmm, I doubt that.

I know what I mean. If I'm not careful with food intake, I'll be laying down layers

[Scotsrich]

I’m 67 and definitely unfit now.

I’ll be perfectly happy honest and put my hand up that it’s all my fault. Since I retired a couple of years ago I’ve just done nothing to keep fit. I’m not happy slouching on the couch all day but it’s becoming a habit.

Unfortunately my OH has got arthritis and it’s hard to get motivation by yourself.