Recently I have wondered if I need to slow down at some point. Perhaps I am getting too old for multiple sports while managing a demanding work life plus a home and family including three teenagers – I’m counting my 11 year old as a teen, since she often acts like one!

Getting back into sports in my 40s and setting challenges for myself to achieve at higher levels has made a massive positive difference to my life, not only in the basic physical fitness but also in new friendships, new experiences and a renewed sense of self-efficacy. But gains/improvements are harder to come by now, injuries take longer to heal and sometimes I just feel tired!

So… as I approach my next decade I wonder if I shouldn’t start accepting that I don’t have the stamina of a 20 year old? Does that mean slowing down or choosing to do less? Or even (god forbid) acting my age? What does that even look like?

There are plenty of role models for amazing physical achievements who are older than I am – ultra-marathoners for example. And many regular folks I see on the fields on a Sunday. And my body seems to be on balance better for all the activity – much better general health trumps the occasional twinge-y injury. And I do know that just dropping everything would be a disaster – I’ve seen that happen many times where people drop off to nothing and it is just awful for their physical and mental health. I do not want that for myself under any circumstances!

I am so interested in others perspectives on managing this challenge. So what do you think?