Whether we like or not, we are all aging-everyday. For the longest time I fought it with everything I had. Now, I am trying to embrace it and take note of the lessons I have learned.
5 Lessons Aging Has Taught Me About Fitness and Running
There are so many lessons I’ve learned over the past few decades of running and embracing the fitness lifestyle. I am sure I will continue to learn a lot more. These are my top 5.(so far)
Importance of Sleep and Recovery
When we have young children and/or we are balancing more on a daily basis, something usually has to give. That is often sleep. As I have gotten older, I’ve come to realize just how important quality sleep and recovery are to my athletic performance and fitness gains.
Importance of stretching
I know that not everyone agrees that stretching is beneficial but I know that for me it most certainly is. Doing a proper warm up and loads of stretching after workouts has become essential for me. I feel better on a daily basis and tend to get less over use injuries. Additionally, I find stretching very relaxing to do at the end of the day.
Nutrition
We all have different nutritional needs and they change throughout our stages of life and training. Figuring out how nutrition impacts your fitness performance is no easy task but it is crucial for performance gains. For me, that meant learning to up my protein and cut down on some of my carbs.
Strength Training is the key!
There has been so much research on the importance of strength training especially women. Many older adults credit their strength training to allowing them to have more independence and mobility later in life. I could write so much just on this topic!
More is not always better
Learning how to balance fitness gains and recovery is not always so easy. I’ve learned the hard way that more is not always better. Running more miles does not always lead to better performance and in fact, sometimes just the opposite.
No pain no gain is stupid
With age comes wisdom. I have made the mistake many times of running through pain only to exacerbate an injury. Learning how to take one or two days off so you don’t have to take 3 weeks off often comes with age and experience.
What are some fitness lessons you have learned over the years?
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All great points.
I’ve been focusing on the last two. I think that’s why I don’t get running injuries.
I don’t train for PRs or do speed drills. I just want to run and finish my races.
I also don’t run excessive mileage… Usually I run 3 miles during the week day and just focus on long runs and do the minimum.
Yes I could be faster but at what cost?
I want to run forever. LOL
the way you are going I am sure you will!
when I first become involved in running and Fitness classes I did it for the comradory. As I age, I realize it is essential to my health!
It sure is for both!
Yes to ALL OF THIS. I’m so glad I finally embraced strength training- it’s absolutely crucial as we age. I’ve gotten a little better about stretching, and nutrition… sleep is the one I’m still working on, and I know, it’s so important. It’s the missing link in my training program right now, and I need to start taking it just as seriously as all the other parts. Thanks for the reminder!
It is hard to do it all! Little changes make a big difference. I am so glad to see you embracing strength training too
These all are valuable! That said, I’m very much a work-in-progress when it comes to sleep…
It takes some real effort and practice
all of the above, but I keep bangng my head on the door of going vegan….whole foods, plant based…cutting out sugar, dairy, meat and junk food…..adding more water….the hardest part, I’m a milk and cereal addict!…all my life…oh, and convincing may fam to do the same…
I am a big fan of milk and whey protein so not going to talk you into being a vegan. Cutting down on sugar is always a good idea!
I agree with all of your points, Deb. I also think that warm-up/cool down and stretching is super important. I have not been really injured in my 9+ years of running and while it may partially have been luck, I credit warm up/cool down and stretching for that.
I agree the warm up and cool down have been game changers for me
We are thinking very much along the same lines! All of this is so important and will continue to be.
Absolutely!
Spot on to all of these! Something I’ve not been good at doing over the years is stretching. The last two weeks I’ve been more conscious of it – and my goodness, what a difference it makes.
OH it really does!!