Discussion: Extreme Athleticism Is the New Midlife Crisis

interesting read...

article

Would explain why I've had so many impact injuries since turning 40, trying to do more with my life before I'm too old to get the results. Interestingly the biggest age class you'll find in any MTB race in my home state is the 40-49 category, which backs up the article.

Largest age class at Oceania was M70. What does that say?

Three things:
1) All the good M35s/M40s are still running elites
2) M70 is probably short enough that very few split off into the AS class
3) Orienteering isn't "extreme" enough

Ha ha! I like the quote:

...For her dissertation, Christensen conducted a field study of 100 milers as they went through the race. “There’s really something transcendental about that experience,” she says. “People need to go to the edge. Somehow that’s good for us, to be reminded of our mortal limits....

Actually, at the Oceania Middle (which was the one I looked at) M70 wasn't the largest class, although it was close - M21E led with 42, with M16, W16, M55, M60 and M70 all in the 38-40 range.

I looked at the long. Thing is M21 covers a 14 year age span (though you also get the aforementioned M35/M40 blow ins) whereas M70 is typically five years. The 16s are only two years though!

The author wrote that it only took one trail run to hook him or convert him from road to trail. I immediately thought nature must be at the root of this.

In the article 'Extreme Athleticism' is a euphemism for ultra-marathon type events, including iron man, rogaining (if taken at tRicky's level), etc. Even the longest orienteering events wouldn't count.

If you ask me, athleticism is a misnomer for these types of event, they should be called Extreme Endurance. Something like the Decathlon is more appropriate for 'extreme athleticism'.

I tend to agree, simmo. I’m taking a break from these types of events (my main thing for a few years now) to focus on expanding my overall athleticism, not just my ability to endure. Of course I’m hoping this will help my ultra racing as well, but am mostly just looking for some everyday speed, strength, and agility—all of which are fading as I age without focused training.