i'm not old at all, only 46. but over the weekend, i was at backpacking trip with bunch of 11-12 yr old boys and some of the adult scout leaders who are much older than me. 

towards the end of the hike, my right knee gave out. that knee does that now and then. too much damage from martial art and learning to skate when i was past 20. but that's not the bad part. 

this morning, i can barely walk. lol

last 3 months or so i haven't had any backpacking or hiking and during that time, my body has completely gone out of shape. in sept i was on 12 mile backpacking trip and i was fine. this weekend was only half of that since everybody need to get back in shape. 

and my 12 yr old isn't even a bit tired... i feel so old...

Ah Pete i totally feel your pain!! I'll be 48 this year and have let my fitness go in the last couple of years and just started working out again but a couple of years ago when I had been running and getting excited about doing a 12 min mile (which meant almost killing myself) my 13yr walking up complaining he had to stay in zone one heart rate and so only did a 9 min mile....I now make old people noises when I sit down and get up sometimes.....
Figs will help keep us young and healthy!! 

Yes, I have had mornings like that. I used to run when I participated in sports. Endless running for the sake of running. Now that I have come to my right mind, I only run for two reasons - to go toward something really good or to get away from something really bad.

Hang in there, Pete. As Groucho Marx once said, "A man's only as old as the woman he feels." (Ladies, same goes for you)

Wait till you get 64!! Keep up the great work with  kids!

You forgot to post the picture, Pete!

lol

I spent an hour saturday and most of yesterday setting up lasagna mulching over an area of my front yard to prep the ground for...wait for it...figs!  Oh, and a few other plants added in as well to keep my place from looking like a complete fig plantation.  In the process I tweaked my back and I too am hobbling around today.

i'll be tearing up my front yard near the walk way for blueberry this yr. i'm  not looking forward to it. 

Hi Bullet,
The body is the master when it comes to choose a tempo.
The secret is to take it slow !
As for kids, you don't know my daughter - you're lucky - she keeps running/jumping the whole day !
What an endurance she has at just 8 yo !
Saturday morning, I went gardening - some 3 hours and I kept yawning the whole afternoon till the evening ...

Hi,

I know where you are coming from.  Spent most of Sat. re-potting orchids then went to the mall.  By Sunday I could hardly walk. 

feeling little better now. this morning was nasty. i'll probably hit the sack early today. maybe use some vitamin I. 

Pete, at 46 you are still young. Life begins at 40 or is it 50 now?. Take it slow young man. Norhayati

tell me about it... misspent teen yrs catching up on me. i don't remember much of my high school yrs.

Pete
I am sure a plate full of dark ripe figs and some green ones of your choice will do you wonders. Take it easy until then with your knees (& back too).

Keep up that quality time. 
Just take it slow and don't forget to stretch first.

The secret is to keep up whatever physical activity you choose and to do it regularly. Most of the folk I backpack with are in their 50's, 60's and 70's. Its one of the things with lighter and lighter equipment you can do right up to the end.  Many of them never hiked or did much outdoors until they retired. You may not be as fast as you once were or go as far but it never lessens the enjoyment. Keep it up.