Exploring Sports in My Middle Age: A Personal Journey
As I navigate through my middle age, my relationship with sports has evolved significantly. Reflecting on my younger days, basketball was one of the sports I enjoyed, filled with joy and energy. However, as I approach my fifties, my appreciation and engagement with sports have shifted.
My Middle Age and Sports
Currently, my physical condition has made active sports less appealing. In the past, I played various sports such as pick-up football, road hockey, and endurance activities like long-distance cycling and swimming. These sports were a source of enjoyment and social engagement. However, my delicate joints make contact sports challenging, and my age has introduced new limitations.
Less Active, More Reflective
Given my current physical condition, I do not participate in many sports regularly. My history with cheering for local sports teams is not related to personal interest but more of an obligation or social pressure. I find it challenging to understand the passionate support for such teams, as the players often do not share the same geographical or national connections that fans might expect. My parents' connection to the Boston Bruins was the only significant attachment to a sports team, but that was more cultural than personal.
Endurance Sports and Leisure Activities
Endurance sports remain my passion, and I continue to enjoy them even during my less active years. Long-distance skating, mountain biking, and swimming are activities that offer me both physical and mental benefits. Cycling, in particular, becomes a form of meditation, connecting me to the natural world around me. Other endurance activities like canoeing, cross-country skiing, and even table tennis provide me with the necessary physical activity while minimizing joint strain.
Fantasies and future goals
While I might not be actively involved in sports as much as I was in my youth, I hold onto dreams of returning to some non-competitive sports. Trail walking and gracefully riding my electric bicycle on decent weather days are enjoyable ways to stay connected with nature and maintain a level of physical activity. Picking up tennis again is a dream, though unlikely given my current strength levels, but this is something I’d love to try again in the future.
Conclusion
As I look back on my sports journey, I realize that the type of sports has shifted from competitive to more leisure-focused activities. My current preferences lean towards endurance and less physically demanding sports, which align with my bodily needs in middle age. Although watching sports remains a mystery to me in terms of its appeal, engaging in sports that suit my body and interests continues to bring me joy and fulfillment.