Athletic performance in your 40s?

[Trackhead]

6 months of chemo at age 50 (Hodgkins - now in remission), prior to chemo, felt like I was still 40, could move uphill on skis or feet same speeds/times as mid 30s. I rode my bike, climbed, hiked, and skied as much as possible during chemo.I'm fucked now, feel like I'm 60 (poor balance, numb feet/hands from neuropathy, weak legs). But also don't really care. Just being alive and able to ski with son (can't keep up anymore) and go to work is a bonus. Heck, I could hardly walk after chemo, but somehow was able to ski as long as it was groomers or hardpack.

I don't even want to know what my testosterone level is. I'm sure the chemo fried my balls. My bench press is pretty weak by 30lbs less (just started lifting again). Biking I feel slow, weak in the legs, lost a ton of muscle mass, primarily in my legs. Haven't started climbing again yet, but the neuropathy-numbness in my toes won't be super great for climbing.

Lesson: Don't sweat the aging process, just feel lucky every day you're alive without a life threatening illness. Every time I see people all depressed with an ACL tear I now just wanna say "fuck off"....you have idea how bad it can get.

[Trackhead]

Ever since I turned 40 I started losing all my energy around 3 pm. I needed a nap. Coincidently when I started working out a again. I’m also a type 2, so who knows what the problem is.

But my doctor tested my T and put me on ando gel, I hated it and never really used it. Then a couple yrs later he gave me the shot. 1 ml every 10 days. My T is around 450-500 now. He told me my 180 was the lowest he’s seen and guys are getting it when they test under 400.

I’m not going to lie, if you want some spring in your step, or on skis, you won’t be disappointed. The energy problem returned, but it definetly helped my mood. A lot of people with low T are mis diagnosed with depression. . But I also workout 4-5 days a week, so it’s a combo.

TRT improves insulin sensitivity and will also improve HgbA1c for many type 2 diabetics. It also, obviously, can improve fat free mass, which also improves insulin sensitivity. Most (not all) type 2 diabetics are overweight/obese, which can also upregulate aromatase conversion of androgens to estradiol. Insulin resistance also influences the overall number and function of Leydig cells negatively (cells in testes that produce testosterone), causing lower T production. And finally, hypogonadism or low T levels would normally cause an increase FSH/LH from the pituitary in response, but some studies show minimal increases in LH in diabetic hypogonadal men, suggesting a faulty feedback mechanism.

Lot going on from the endocrine perspective with obesity/DM2.

[bagtagley]

Large foam roller FTW. I've always been fairly tight, and had shoulder and calf issues due to that, but started rolling the shit out of calves / hamstrings / lats / pecs and it's helped a to at 47 w these joint issues.

If you like the foam roller results, you'll love a Roll R8 (great for upper legs) and a massage gun (great for calves and everything else). I rarely touch my foam roller anymore.

[ötzi]

I wish there was a massage gun that made it easy to target your upper back and shoulders. If there is, clue me in, I need one.

[schuss]

6 months of chemo at age 50 (Hodgkins - now in remission), prior to chemo, felt like I was still 40, could move uphill on skis or feet same speeds/times as mid 30s. I rode my bike, climbed, hiked, and skied as much as possible during chemo.I'm fucked now, feel like I'm 60 (poor balance, numb feet/hands from neuropathy, weak legs). But also don't really care. Just being alive and able to ski with son (can't keep up anymore) and go to work is a bonus. Heck, I could hardly walk after chemo, but somehow was able to ski as long as it was groomers or hardpack.

I don't even want to know what my testosterone level is. I'm sure the chemo fried my balls. My bench press is pretty weak by 30lbs less (just started lifting again). Biking I feel slow, weak in the legs, lost a ton of muscle mass, primarily in my legs. Haven't started climbing again yet, but the neuropathy-numbness in my toes won't be super great for climbing.

Lesson: Don't sweat the aging process, just feel lucky every day you're alive without a life threatening illness. Every time I see people all depressed with an ACL tear I now just wanna say "fuck off"....you have idea how bad it can get.

Glad to hear you made it through. Mild compared to your case, but after recovering from a herniated disc, I've had very different outlooks on outdoors time in that any time out is good time compared to being frozen up and in pain for every moment.

[Trackhead]

Glad to hear you made it through. Mild compared to your case, but after recovering from a herniated disc, I've had very different outlooks on outdoors time in that any time out is good time compared to being frozen up and in pain for every moment.

Yeah back pain debilitates the majority of the population at some point in their lives. It sucks, and is certainly depressing!

[ötzi]

We probably need a "Shit that's just Fuckin Depressing" thread.

[zion zig zag]

6 months of chemo at age 50 (Hodgkins - now in remission), prior to chemo, felt like I was still 40, could move uphill on skis or feet same speeds/times as mid 30s. I rode my bike, climbed, hiked, and skied as much as possible during chemo.I'm fucked now, feel like I'm 60 (poor balance, numb feet/hands from neuropathy, weak legs). But also don't really care. Just being alive and able to ski with son (can't keep up anymore) and go to work is a bonus. Heck, I could hardly walk after chemo, but somehow was able to ski as long as it was groomers or hardpack.

I don't even want to know what my testosterone level is. I'm sure the chemo fried my balls. My bench press is pretty weak by 30lbs less (just started lifting again). Biking I feel slow, weak in the legs, lost a ton of muscle mass, primarily in my legs. Haven't started climbing again yet, but the neuropathy-numbness in my toes won't be super great for climbing.

Lesson: Don't sweat the aging process, just feel lucky every day you're alive without a life threatening illness. Every time I see people all depressed with an ACL tear I now just wanna say "fuck off"....you have idea how bad it can get.

Thanks for the perspective. It's easy for me to fall into the aging/changing physical performance depression.

[Buzzworthy]

Thanks for the perspective. It's easy for me to fall into the aging/changing physical performance depression.

Which I kinda find crazy as you are what I’d consider a premiere athlete here.

[old goat]

I thought he literally meant cuts and scrapes. Wounds heal much better and faster when kept moist and covered so a scab doesn't form.

This.^^^^

Thanks for the perspective. It's easy for me to fall into the aging/changing physical performance depression.

The sooner you accept that you are not and never will be the greatest skier on the mountain the more fun you have.

[Trackhead]

The sooner you accept that you are not and never will be the greatest skier on the mountain the more fun you have.

It's liberating in some ways, getting older, and not caring about that competitive shit.

Also, ZZZ, you're breaking trail all day next time we ski. That's all you.

[zion zig zag]

Which I kinda find crazy as you are what I’d consider a premiere athlete here.

Ha, holy ego boost, thanks for that but I get tired just reading the exploits of some of the young bucks in the Wasatch thread.

The sooner you accept that you are not and never will be the greatest skier on the mountain the more fun you have.

It's not that, I've always been a shit skier. But now I'm a shit skier who hurts and has to work way harder to be a shit skier.

Also, ZZZ, you're breaking trail all day next time we ski. That's all you.

I'm in, let's make it happen.

[Buzzworthy]

Ok, fair enough, I’ll add “for your age” next time.
The young bucks here are on a different level. A level I had a hard time comprehending when I was in my 20’s.

[Viva]

We probably need a "Shit that's just Fuckin Depressing" thread.

There's a "Biden Presidency" thread in Poly Ass.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[Duffman]

If you like the foam roller results, you'll love a Roll R8 (great for upper legs) and a massage gun (great for calves and everything else). I rarely touch my foam roller anymore.

Interesting. I've balked at the price of the massage guns, but if they work it's worth it. Are only the Theraguns any good or are any of the knockoffs ok also?

[Buzzworthy]

I’ve got a $40 Amazon knockoff. It’s ok. Nothing like the $300 gun of course but I’m not rich.
I would recommend not being that cheap though.

[Yukonrider]

Interesting. I've balked at the price of the massage guns, but if they work it's worth it. Are only the Theraguns any good or are any of the knockoffs ok also?

My friend got one from Costco they were stoked on. Said its a bit weaker, but only 50 bucks

[Flounder]

I broke down a couple of months ago and got a Theragun when Costco had them at $100 off. Haven’t touch the foam rollers since. Seems to work really well. My wife was really skeptical but changed her tune. I’m in trouble right now cause she came in from working in the garden with a sore back and I had left the gun with barely a charge left.

[El Chupacabra]

I bought this massage gun from Amazon a couple of weeks ago, it was around $27 then. So far it seems fine.

https://www.amazon.com/AERLANG-Massa...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[The AD]

I haven't resorted to using a massage gun yet, but I can say my ibuprofen intake has increased radically in the last decade.

[El Chupacabra]

I'm trying to get rid of tendinitis in my arm from snow clearing, and it flares up easily. Trying not to take too many NSAIDS, but prescription diclofenac seems to work the best. I'm using a generic topical gel too (like Voltaren).

Getting older kinda sucks.

[bagtagley]

Interesting. I've balked at the price of the massage guns, but if they work it's worth it. Are only the Theraguns any good or are any of the knockoffs ok also?

I got this because it was a Wirecutter pick, I think.

https://a.co/d/dyQbP04

At the same time the wife got the cheap Costco unit and it’s basically the same FWIW. I don’t know what paying more money gets you. I wouldn’t want any more power, what I got hurts enough as it is.

[BCMtnHound]

Working with my doc to get a referral to correct trigger finger in my right hand. Left it too long (over a decade) but now it HURTS bad if it’s ‘triggered’ or I give the nodule at the top of my palm a hard bump. Working with rope, yard work, mechanic stuff, using ski poles with too tight a grip all can make my hand unusable for a couple of days. Genetic, with both my folks having had treatment for the same condition.

Couple this with my vision flipping a switch 5yrs ago and now using 1.25 readers in poor/artificial light, and I now consider myself officially old.

[Meadow Skipper]

The sooner you accept that you are not and never will be the greatest skier on the mountain the more fun you have.

On aging: though acceptance is difficult, the rewards are great.

[babybear]

I'm trying to get rid of tendinitis in my arm from snow clearing, and it flares up easily. Trying not to take too many NSAIDS, but prescription diclofenac seems to work the best. I'm using a generic topical gel too (like Voltaren).

Getting older kinda sucks.

I have had tendinitis in the forearms from skinning and it is oddly one of my most painful injuries.