Saturday, November 23, 2013

Almost in my prime

Twin primes
Next week I will turn 71, which is a prime number. Al is 73, another prime number, for a couple more months, so you are looking at two people who are in their prime, so to speak. You gotta have something to look forward to when you get up there in years. This picture was taken last Thursday, when we did a really challenging hike, well over eleven miles long with almost 3,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. I managed, but I sure did collapse when I got home and wrote my last post.

The next morning, yesterday, I woke up and groaned as I climbed out of bed. Everything hurt: my knee, which is still bothering me, my right Achilles tendon, and pretty much every muscle in my legs. They are still pretty sore, but I got up, had breakfast, got dressed for the cold weather and made my way to my exercise class. I know it sounds counterproductive, but by the time I finished my hour-long aerobic class, showered, and walked back to the bus, I was feeling pretty darn good. The exercise worked out my muscles and the hot shower was just what the doctor ordered.

Yes, I know that I'm getting older. I feel it every day, but this morning when I went out to walk with the Fairhaven group of ladies, I decided to wear my knee brace. It was a good move, because now, after five miles at a brisk 4-mile-an-hour pace, it doesn't hurt at all. In a few minutes I'll head out the door to see a movie with my friend Judy. And I've got a spring in my step.

Oh, and by the way, how long can YOU hold your breath? I read this article about a guy who died while trying to set a freediving record. This is where you dive underwater and come back up without using any kind of breathing apparatus, other than your own lungs. I was astounded to learn that the record for holding your breath is now up to 22 minutes!! And if you read the article, you'll learn that professional freedivers can get better with age (and practice).

No, I don't think I'll be taking up freediving after I stop skydiving. I can read your mind, you know.
:-)
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29 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlNovember 23, 2013 at 12:17 PM

    thanks for opting out of that last challenge. :) 22 min! jeez! i'd be afraid of brain damage by then!

    and glad you are feeling less achy today! you go with your almost-prime self!

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  2. RianNovember 23, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    DJan, I do think you push yourself, but that may be a good thing. After all, who knows your own body better than you.

    As for the 22 mins without breathing... I don't know, that sounds a bit MUCH.

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  3. Elephant's ChildNovember 23, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    Twenty two minutes without breathing sounds like insanity to me.
    Take care of your important self - and have a great weekend.

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  4. A Brit in TennesseeNovember 23, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    You are indeed in your prime, and can run rings around us whippersnappers :)
    I have always been in awe of your stamina and gusto of life, I would not have achieved those mountain climbs even in my early twenties.
    Take care of that knee, I have been going in circles with mine for over a year now, and yes, it led to Achilles tendon reconstruction, because it was out of whack.
    Twenty two minutes....simply amazing.
    Enjoy your weekend DJan !
    ~Jo

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  5. Brian MillerNovember 23, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    22 minutes? how is that even possible? geez....wow...and happy early birthday! and i rough knees already from an injury as a teen so i feel you there...and i feel the weather change...ha

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  6. JackieNovember 23, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    I found myself becoming breathless and nervous as I read the part about holding one's breath for 22 minutes. It almost made me break out in a sweat just thinking about it. I cannot imagine not being able to get my breath....(just one of a few things that really frighten me.)
    You look marvelous, Jan. Simply marvelous. You are a picture of health, and I wish you an early happy birthday.
    Love,
    Jackie

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  7. HilaryNovember 23, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    I could probably manage 22 seconds of breath holding..

    No you probably won't take up freediving but you'll do something equally or more interesting. We can read YOUR mind also. ;)

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  8. troutbirderNovember 23, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    Good post. And it reminds me how much this year was a bummer for lots of reasons why I didn't get my usual hiking in. And my body has suffered for the lack. Next year will be MUCH better on all counts. And new puppy will help....

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  9. GigiNovember 23, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    My question is WHY would anyone want to hold their breath for 22 minutes?! That's crazy!

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  10. RedNovember 23, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Age is largely in your head. You see some of your friends who are total basket cases. Others, like you, can put most 50 year olds to shame.

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  11. AnonymousNovember 23, 2013 at 6:05 PM

    Gee, I could never keep up with you, and I am 67. Lol.

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  12. Rob-bearNovember 23, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    The fact that you are well is significant, despite some less-than-perfect aspects. Hurray for you — getting up and being active.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  13. Linda ReederNovember 23, 2013 at 8:07 PM

    Yes, I too find that the best way to overcome aches and pains is to get moving. But I don't think I could keep up with you!

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  14. Far Side of FiftyNovember 23, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    Freediving..sounds terrible to me. Glad you are not doing it!
    You rock! Eleven miles, I would have hitch hiked a ride:)

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  15. KayNovember 23, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Good grief! I just saw at TV show about freediving. I wonder if it was 60 minutes. It was amazing how they did it. But the fellow died? That's sad.

    You are definitely in your prime, DJan. You are more in your prime that many people half your age. Yae!

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  16. SquirrelQueenNovember 23, 2013 at 10:49 PM

    I saw a quote a little earlier on another blog and thought of you. "In the end it's not the years in your life that matter, it's the life in your years." I believe it was attributable to Abraham Lincoln.

    I think I'll pass on free diving too.

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  17. LilliStJohnNovember 24, 2013 at 4:12 AM

    Twenty-two minutes of holding your breath. That is simply amazing. I do not think I will be trying that anytime soon either. So, you are a Prime - how great is that. My niece told me the other day that the new 70 is actually 60, also Younger Prime :)Glad to hear you wore your knee brace - seeing as that 4 mi per hr worked out very well. Have a wonderful day.

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  18. Kelly @Try New ThingsNovember 24, 2013 at 5:24 AM

    It is strange that you feel better after you exercise. I can certainly identify with that too. Body and mind feel better afterwards...so why do I have so much trouble getting there?

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  19. TomNovember 24, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    You're only as old as you feel ... I mean, as old as you THINK you are!

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  20. CiCiNovember 24, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    You look great! Most of us would give into the sorry soreness and not get up and out to the exercise class. You rock!

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  21. RitaNovember 24, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    Love that!! In your prime, indeed.
    I wouldn't care to do the breath-holding thing at all. Almost drown in a lake when I was around ten, so I'd pass. ;)

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  22. Midlife RoadtripperNovember 24, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    I'm impressed. I also understand the exercise routine when your body aches. I'm rehabbing my knee. I'll get up in the morning and it may feel pretty good. I know I have to go to the Y to exercise it and afterwards it won't feel so good anymore. Supposedly that's progress. Perhaps I need to discover the knee brace as I can ride a bike, swim laps and aqua job, but walking is what hurts the most.

    Enjoyed visiting you. I like the "prime" analogy.

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  23. Grandmother MaryNovember 24, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    Prime is good! And good for you for doing all you do to keep in prime condition despite the occasional aches and pains. I'm in training for my half marathon in February and ran 8 miles last week. Good for us!

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  24. JuneNovember 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    You awe me.
    I will never be the athlete that you are, but I sure do look forward to being able to be moving around at will in the daylight air . . . it's one of the things that causes me to want so much to retire.

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  25. Sally WesselyNovember 24, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    You certainly are in your prime. Not only do you look amazing, but you also perform better than most half your age.

    Those aches and pains in the morning serve to remind us that we have to keep moving. I think moving is the key to staying young. You are certainly the model for that.

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  26. Arkansas PattiNovember 24, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    You had me worried for a minute that you might take up free diving.
    All I can say is that you take pain much better than I. I do tend to work through pain also but don't have near your drive.
    Ah to be 71 again.

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  27. Linda MyersNovember 24, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    What? You were sore this morning?

    No kidding.

    I admire my friend DJan, in her prime.

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  28. Sharon WagnerNovember 25, 2013 at 5:35 AM

    You are definitely in your prime. Other than some aches and pains that are to be expected. Since you exercise like an Olympic athlete!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  29. amandaNovember 29, 2013 at 12:33 AM

    I love the picture of the two of you in your prime!

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