Have you played a sport? Well at some age you have to give it up. It’s just a matter of time. Most professional athletes don’t go beyond their late 30s.
I never played any serious sports, but I dabbled in some. Here is what I have given up so far and when. What about you?
—Boxing, age 12. My dad handed me some boxing gloves and wanted to teach me the sport. When my right hook smashed into his face, he decided to quit. I don’t know why I didn’t box again. I enjoyed it SO MUCH!
—Touch football, age 30. I went out for a pass, and a defender, a good friend, knocked me down. That’s illegal even in the NFL, I think. He went on to be a hot-shot Washington attorney. It figures!
—Golf, age 30. As I kept hitting double par (in the 140s), my instructor told me I would never get better unless I played more than three times a year. Well, who would want to do that?
Jogging, 45. It’s tough on the knees. Also boring. I’m told there is a runner’s high after about six miles, but I never got that far.
Roller skating, 45. My friends were appalled when I entered a race in the World of Sports rink with two 15-year-olds. I ended up last, but I was proud of myself.
Swimming, age 50. It’s probably the best sport for older people, but I hate it. I don’t like to put my head under water.
Baseball/softball, age 50. I strained a leg muscle running to first base. I couldn’t hit the ball squarely with my bat anymore, and I couldn’t catch a fly ball. Easy decision.
Tennis, age 60. A friend had a knee replacement just so he could keep playing. Not me! (I tried pickleball but I couldn’t see the ball well due to an eye condition.)
Basketball, age 75. Well, really about 50. But a few years ago, a 9-year-old grandson challenged me and boasted, “I have a feeling I am going to clobber you.” Oh, trash talk, huh? With my height advantage, I clobbered HIM. Boy, that felt good!
Bowling, age 80. I once bowled a 200 game, but my arthritic hands and bad back can’t tolerate this sport anymore.
Soccer, age 82: I hadn’t played in years, but I dribbled the ball a little with a grandson last month. I got tired easily and was afraid I’d fall down.
Silver Sneakers, combination aerobics and weights exercise. I still do that!
Croquet: I still think I can manage to tap the ball through those wickets. The gopher holes on our lawn make it a tough course, though.
Bike riding: I go from 6 to 10 miles on standard and electric bikes. I hope to increase my range this summer. I love this sport. Trouble is: I just can’t afford to fall!
Skiing: My favorite sport off all! I feel safer on snow than on a bike. I can still do five or six runs for an hour before my knees hurt and I get tired. (But it’s a lot of driving, money and trouble for an hour of fun.) Not ready to give this up yet!
Walking: Oh, wait! Here’s one you never need to give up!
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