If you grew up doing the other traditional run and jump sports reality sets in a whole lot sooner. There are no real age group levels. Maybe there are in the racquet sports. Instead, you just have the different levels of leagues. You are trying to hang in the upper tiers, but are having to move down in your 30's. At 40 you are just trying to stay in the game, period. The game decides whether you still have it or not, not you. You have to give it up and find something else to do. So, (gasp) you turn to endurance sports and get new life. Then the humorous, ironic joke starts. All of those people who got sand kicked in their face by the jocks in high school are doing the kicking in endurance sports. I get passed by everyone now whether it be running, the bike, or in the water. Permanent MOP/BOP. That is life. You have to learn to accept it. It still beats sitting on the sidelines watching instead of participating.