Getting Old Sucks...

Getting Old Sucks

To say I hate young people because of their youth would make me sound too much like Mark Twain, who stated that “Youth is wasted on the Young,” or maybe just like another grumpy old man.  Exercising, while being surrounded by healthy twenty year olds, fit bodies, bouncing pony tails and muscular bodies, not even old enough to be part of generation X, and me a bona fide baby boomer, is a humbling experience. 

 I have just been through a series of echo sound, stress tests, blood tests and have been given a multitude of drugs for migraine prevention, blood thinners, blood pressure, have been reminded about the importance of diet and exercise, and if I do what I’m told and don’t mess up, could be witness to the Earth going around the sun at least another 20 laps. Motivation!

Therefore, I find myself as an Alumni (class of 75) at the Laurier gym having played squash, during which my wife and I did all we could to hit the ball to  each other in order to avoid needless and pointless running for mere ball retrieval. Having completed a cardio in the squash court we did some weights where in whispered tones shared our views that students are really far too young for their own good and this rap music they play in the gym is good for shit.  

Trying to do some stretches on a thin mat on the hardwood floor beside someone doing one armed push ups and another with her leg wrapped around her neck in a yoga pose is intimidating.  I was trying in a vain attempt to touch my toes which realistically with my long legs has become an increasingly difficult skill set to master. Despite our apparent handicaps no one stared, laughed or told us to leave.  These young people were polite.

We feel more at ease and in our depth while going to the Waterloo Rec Centre where we can walk aimlessly around a track located above the hockey arena.  This is a very popular and therapeutic pass time as many people walk, jog or run as hockey, at various levels, is played out on the ice surface below.  People with canes and walkers, young people on the outside lanes practicing track, all gather in the same time space continuum. 

Cheryl and I can walk a lap in just under four minutes, just like Roger Bannister.  We pump our arms and pass clumps of geriatric men in baggy pants, we round the corner on the outside passing a lady with her walker and enter the straight only to be passed by three young mothers pushing their infants in jogging strollers.  We know our limitations.  We are no match for these formidable moms.  We slow to a more relaxed pace.

At home I work out on our rowing and step machines and do palates, badly.  We walk the neighborhood, while peering through neighbors’ windows like night stalkers in our constant quest to stay fit.  My theory is to just keep moving.

Yes, getting old sucks.

Marty Rempel

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas