DaveLeeNC

I have gone through (IIRC) three cycles of being fit and not being fit. I was mostly a runner and 'being fit' would be defined as being able to run a sub 3 hour marathon. One of those cycles was cycling so that is a bit harder to define, but similar. 'Not fit' would be a good 30 (or more) pounds heavier than fit (as an example).

I am now on my fourth cycle and at age 65 (knees being the same age) this is strictly a cycling thing (weight is well under control, BTW). I got to a reasonable level of fitness with a combination of diet and an exercise bike (spinner type). More recently I have gotten back on my Bianchi and have actually set goals, have a general training plan, targeting a fall century, etc. And now for the drug thing.

My fitness ups and downs started in my late 30's and the last 'cycle' was in my late 50's. I hit 65 this year and things are now different (surprise/surprise). I am pretty familiar with my body's response to ramping up my workload. At age 65 I am finding that workload increases are much harder to handle than 'when I was young'. From what I know of steroids one of the big things that they did was to allow you to recover from heavier workloads than otherwise. Back when I was working I just didn't have the time to put in work that required 'more than normal' recovery. Now that I am old and retired I have the time but seemingly can't recover.

Life can be so unfair - but this beats working :-)

dave

ragtoplvr

Discuss with your doctor. A very limited use of steroids to heal is perfectly safe for most folks. I have a prescription for about 30 steroids a year, I never use them all. When I almost fell and gimped my knee, they had me feeling good in a day.
Took 2 pills for enough healing to ride easy and then ramp up.

Rod

sirupate

I'm not a big believer in cycles of large amounts of testosterone, but most of us post-50 can benefit from some additional testosterone and other "tweaking" to get better levels. It can make a big difference in how you live your senior years. Active versus fading fast.

DaveLeeNC

Thanks for the doctor follow-up suggestions. I will do that in my next physical later this year. And it will be my first (I assume) Medicare paid event so many of the readers here will be helping to pay for it - thank you very much

dave

JohnDThompson 

Be careful with that. The steroids can mask injury and encourage you to greater damage.

berner

I have the same problem in that I'm unable to but in put in large amounts of mileage due to slow recovery. At present, at 75 y.o., I ride 3500 miles a year with the longest rides being 60 to 70 miles. 10 Wheels rides 12,000 miles per year, at around 72 y.o. but he is from Texas but I still don't see how he does it.

fastcarbon

I assume you are talking about cortico steroids such as Prenisone and not Anabolics such as lifters and football players use? I use prednisone for bouts of Bronchitis and find once the doses drop to less than 10mg per day that I recover faster in heart rate and legs. If you take it for extended periods you can tear ligaments on extreme exertion. I used about 5mg several times a week (under medical supervision) and was able to get my fitness/ recovery to the point I could ride two days of hard 50 -60 mi back to back. I am no longer using them except if sick but at 71 ride 175 -225 mi. per week.

OldsCOOL

I'm glad to hear of your getting that bike out and working on your health. Recovery is important but with diligence even our 65+ guys here can tell you that progress happens.

I hope you arent thinking of dosing up on juice (anabolics). I have weightlifting friends that have died way before their time due to cancer. Dangerous stuff.

DaveLeeNC

FWIW (in case others are confused here), my only pharmaceutical plan is to have a chat with my doctor this fall.

dave

ps. My experience with Glucosamine Chondroitan was interesting. For purposes of running, squatting down behind a putt, etc. I found the stuff useless (my doc warned me that this might or might not be the case). However my pedaling was causing a noticeable, but moderate level of discomfort. GC (after only a couple months) knocked this discomfort down to absolutely nothing. I would never have tried it again except that we give it to our dog, so I just happened to have some.

Hermespan

From personal experience I cannot recommend testosterone injections (e.g. long lasting 'Nebido'). While sexually and psychologically they can be VERY effective those pluses came with several minuses that I found unacceptable. My physician prescribed a pharmaceutical solution, they had side effects so I gave up - the allopathic method of drugs that need drugs to counteract the drugs - I bailed. No way was I going to take a pill to counteract the side-effects of a pill that was prescribed to do the same for the downsides if an injection. I'll just have less sex, less energy and be befuddled and depressed. If you don't want those symptoms of getting old sure try T injections. THEY WORK.

Dolanarc1

I'm 58 now, I have always had an enormous interest in how to make my body function as optimum as possible without drugs,

In the past I used Glucosamine/Condritin. I felt that there was some benefit to aching joints. But in the past 24 months and a new Dr. of Naturalopathy I have been taking 2-3 gm per day of abscorbit and also turmeric with pretty good results.
I seem to recover quite good from most cycling events and training, I'm still playing hockey once per week. Hockey slows me down for approx. 48hr. But playing with 28yr olds doesn't help the body lol.
For me it's always good nutrition, a multivit per day and rest. As I'm sure you will all attest we don't sleep like we used to

OldsCOOL

Good advice! I maintain that if we want to stay fit AND encouraged, stay the heck away from young athletes.

Carbonfiberboy 

Well yeah, recovery is slower when you get older. Solution: more base work. Ride lots. If you can't ride lots, ride lots at a slower pace. Just build it up gradually, the 10% a week rule, and make it many shorter rides. When you're at around 150 miles/week for a couple months you should notice a difference. I have to have a good bit of whey protein to assist recovery: I eat mostly plants and dairy. I use about 100g/day.

jppe

Welcome to 50+!. Continue to experiment with what works best for you. You'll get there. I'm not sure doctors can truly advise you on what your after unless you go to a sports related physician. Most will be too cautious to offer the advice I think you're looking for.

I've ridden a lot down your way and it is a terrific area to ride. I thought the Sandhills would be relatively flat being pretty much east but I guess that is why they have hills in the name?? There is a good cycling club in the area in case you're not plugged in. Nice century ride on Labor Day that I've done a number of times. It is a good one to do and ride wheels and attempt to finish in less than 5 hours.

Good to see National get picked up by Pinehurst---hopefully a win-win. I was supposed to be down next week for the Men's Open but cycling in Colorado takes precedence. What's your favorite course? I've played a lot of them including all the resort courses.

DaveLeeNC

It will be interesting to see how National (now to be known as Pinehurst No. 9) folds into the course selection. I've never played it (but obviously will shortly).

You asked about my favorite courses. They are (in no particular order) No. 2, No. 4 and No. 8. Maybe it is because I am a engineering/software guy and they are 2**n :-) .

Although I have just 'returned to the road' riding in this area is not bad at all. But I 'learned biking' in the far east bay in California. Now that is some fine road cycling country.

dave

jppe

Agree with 2,4 & 8 from both the quality of the courses and the symmetry!! Hope to see you on the road or maybe we can get in 18 as well.

ColnagoC40

Come ride with the Sandhills Cycling club and we can share some training tips.

61 here, been off the bike for many years, got back recently (overweight) with the main objective being health. Back into racing and keeping up with most of the younger riders.

Yes recovery is a bit slower, perhaps a day or two longer, and hard road races works the old body. One has to just pick your battles a bit more carefully, sleep enough and focus on nutrition. No meds, no supplements, just a very healthy diet does the job for me. As health was my first objective, being competitive is just a small bonus and the temptation of steroid treatment is not an option for me, too scared I may damage long term healthy living in the coming years. Also, racing USAC it means I am clean and have nothing to worry about.

In cycling, even 30 years ago, I always approached extreme high intensity workouts, or "A" races with care and only certain periods of the year. As one gets older, that becomes even more important.

Good advice in one post to increase and maintain easy base miles, but has to be well balanced as that can slow you down for most short category crit or road races.

PS. Maintaining a nutritional healthy diet in the good o'l USA is a challenge in itself.

DaveLeeNC

Colnago, thanks for the suggestion/offer regarding Sandhills Cycling. At some point I will probably take you up on that.

dave

jppe

SCC still doing the labor day ride? Have you met D Brooks by chance...I think he rides a tandem with his wife on occasion. Might be a few years older than you.

ColnagoC40

Yes, I know D. We are doing the Tour de Moore Classic on Labor day, details and a flyer will be posted on the SCC web site closer to August. Come join our Wednesday ride, 5;45 PM at the bike shop. We keep the pace social, relaxed and manage the group to stay together on Wednesdays, for around 30 miles. Some of us have a cold one after the ride a few stores down from the bike shop.

Sundays the group leaves at 9:00AM, normally splits into two with a spirited group 60 miles + for the stronger riders.