Life begins at 40?

Yes, definitely you can turn it round. I never trained really for any sports and was pretty rubbish at all of them. Weirdly enough in my early 40s I put in a bit of effort ( after getting binned from work !) and achieved a hitherto undreamed of level of mediocre competence. Don't get me wrong, I was still mince, but not as mince as I was before. I did the WHW, 100 rock climbs, 300 mile Road ride, Cuilin Ridge and various other ( completely pointless but fun) In a Day challenges.

Like you I slightly regretted not doing this stuff when I was younger, but set that aside and just enjoyed the here and now. Did it late, but at least did it.

So get on with it. 🙂

Because when you're fifty things really go downhill. I'm currently knackered, unfit and have no realistic prospect of it getting better. I dragged myself out fir a few rides this month and got completely knackered. I think my Mtb Everest ain't never going to happen 🙂

But the main thing to remember is that there's only one thing worse than getting old...

I’m in the worst shape I’ve ever been in. It is possible to turn this around and get fitter than ever? My natural fitness level is probably very average so it does take me a while to build back up.

Absolutely!

It just won't happen overnight. You need to try and make small lifestyle changes which make it easier for you to increase exercise and accept that miracles don't happen over night and you take longer to recover as you get older. If it's any conciliation, most of the super fit cyclists I know are all over 50, some over 60 and they're still banging out 300 Watts for hours on end.

There’s other stuff too, but I wont go into it. My anxiety is really bad at the minute. It’s sunny outside, I should have got up early and done something productive. Anyway, it’s all a bit overwhelming and I have no clue what to do about it as per usual.

Pretty normal. Try not to focus on the overall picture (too overwhelming) and just focus on the next step you're going to take, eg going for a walk, short ride, gym etc. A 100 mile journey consists of many individual steps, so just focus on the next step as that's all that is necessary to move forward....

Yep, probably does 🙂

FWIW I didn't ride a bike from the day I got a moped (at 16) to my 40th birthday when I bought a basic MTB HT. Now, nearly 20 years later I'm fitter than I've ever been, regularly doing the monthly Strava climbing challange (+9,000m already this month) and riding road, gravel, XC and enduro 2-3 times per week.

And from a work perspective, been laid off a couple of times since 40 too (to add into the 4 times before...).

Life, it's not a dress rehearsal, this is it.

I could have written that.

I turned 40 last month. I'm in the worst shape I've ever been in and also carrying niggling old injuries. We had a baby a year ago and it's absolutely wiped me out. I finally caught Covid this year and also glandular fever which is as painful as tonsillitis but doesn't bloody go away. I'm absolutely shattered every day and I walk around like a zombie feeling guilty for not going out and making the most of nice weather and light nights.

Also stuck in a safe but boring job. Spend all day watching other people have fun on YouTube.

I've been obsessed with bikes and riding my whole life but after our last Alps trip I dropped everything and can't get back into it.

Also nursery now takes about 90% of our disposable income so we've got nothing to look forward to in terms of holidays or anything.

Nothing to do but suck it up is there? Only 3 decades to go until retirement.

Happy Monday everyone!

Fitness: absolutely you can turn it around. I became much fitter after reaching 50 than I'd ever been. Now I'm in my 60s I'm finding it a lot harder though.

Anxiety: in my experience it has got worse as I've got older but that could be related to events in my life rather than age alone.

In general, it sounds like that loop where you can't ride to your expectation so you don't ride. It takes a bit of discipline to get out regardless and a bit of acceptance that it'll take a wee while to build it up. In the meantime, go out, ride, walk, whatever and just enjoy it for what it is. The fitness will start to come back. Also, consider going out with other folk. This can be tough when you've anxiety as you feel you'll let them down or hold them back but the commitment means you're less likely to just let it pass by.

@stcolin Hang in there.

Fitness is possible near or after 40, but it really depends on what you want to do and how much time you are prepared to put into it. I did my first triathlon after 40, first half marathons after 40, first skydives after 40, osv, osv, but it took time, effort and a lot of training.

Job-wise, I get what you are saying. Is there any chance of getting some training or experience in your company but outside your direct role? That might fill up some time _and_ make you a more valuable person to your company.

My top tip is to plan to ride early on a Monday morning before work if possible. I find it means I never dread the coming week even if work is going through a dull or difficult patch. Repeat on Wednesday and Friday if possible so you have something to look forward to.

Because when you’re fifty things really go downhill.

Nah.

Of course its possible to turn it round. Its actually quite easy, just start small and regular and then build on it. It will also help with your mental health bucketloads too.

Just think of Geoffrey Boycott and "get right out of the bed"

Crack on and good luck.

'life begins at 40’

This may or may not help the op but.... I find that most people that say this had kids in thier mid/early 20's and now can start to take time and care of themselves, spend quality time with partner etc. rather than look after a child/children 24/7.

But, with GCSE’s only and 20 years experience in this specific job only, I’m pretty much stuck here now.

With finding a new job when your over 30, qualifications are largely irrelevant (unless the job has a  100% requirement, go/architecture etc) experience is everything. Adverts for jobs that say xyz are 'required' are generally just bs, anyone can apply.

Again this will depend on your specific situation, dependants/mortgage etc but definitely find another job, one that you enjoy and are enguaged in.

In typical STW story mode I quit a well paid management job in my mid thirties, went self employed with my own business and haven't looked back. It's been F'n hard at times but now, a few years on, it's got it's rewards.

Thanks for the replies. @sharkattack sorry to hear you are in a similar position to me. I had glandular fever when I was in my 20's, was a rough few weeks.

I'd quite like to get back to racing, although I only started that in my early 30's. I'd also like to do some endurance type events. I have a few random targets in my head that I'd like to do, like 100 mile bike ride, the Fred Whitton or similar, and as above endurance MTB stuff. I am going round in circles with my injury. A few years ago it was my slipped discs, now that is manageable my knee has been giving me issues with no resolution to it. Comes and goes, changes every day.

There is a more deepful thought to all this too, can I still live a great life after 40? Everything I am interested in can be looked at as a young persons game, MTB'ing, running, motorcycling etc.

Interesting point on gaining extra experience, maybe it is something to look at. And could help with a career change.

@stcolin Perhaps you should talk to someone to help find the energy needed to start making the changes you want? As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, you can self refer: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/?mc_cid=5a2183f565&mc_eid=UNIQID

I find that my anxiety stops me doing the things I know will help it, in spite of knowing it will help. Talking to someone might help you find where to start unravelling the knots, and a little progress can feel like quite a lift.

40 is just a number, don't dwell on that, but if it can help give you impetus to take stock and make some changes for the better, go for it. Better to get through a scary leap than stay on the wrong side of the river forever!

I started road racing aged 45. It was hard and it took a long time to get anywhere. COVID has put that on hold, but I think I have the rewards of fitness to fall back on. Previously I was hopeless at all sports - with competition limited to making up the numbers in the village third XI cricket team on a Sunday.

On a daily basis, I make an effort to go outside every day. Never underestimate the therapeutic benefit of a walk (says my dog). Thirty minutes just walking is no bad thing. A bit like making the bed in the morning to accomplish one thing from the off.

Since when are MTB or motorbikes a young person's game?? Loads in our MTB club are over 40 and almost everyone i see on a motorbike at the services seems to be be an overweight middle aged man.

I didn’t start bike racing until I was 42, and went through many bored moments, and left a 30yr job in December to start an exciting new one.

I appreciate things are easy but 40 is just a number, it means nothing in the context of things but depressing yourself gazing out of windows - you need to get up and do something instead of procrastinating, even if that’s a small thing. As a fellow anxiety suffer I know it’s not easy to change or take risks, but just find something small and do it, and use that as a positive springboard. Forget the past, thats done so move forward.

Oddly, I was home alone this weekend with the dog. I went for decent walks from home on Saturday and Sunday morning, and I didn't feel much better when I got back. That happens when my mind is so caught up in all my worries that nothing seems to shift it.

I am taking a little comfort that it seems I can turn the fitness around. I've ran two marathons, both in my 30's, so I know I can put the work in for endurance events.

Everything I am interested in can be looked at as a young persons game

That's what people who don't like to enjoy themselves use to justify not wanting to enjoy themselves. That's like saying that you learned to read as a child, therefore it is childish to read as an adult. I knew a chap who was still mountain biking in his 70s, not even in an eeb. And Granny McGnarly (Pat Horscroft) is mid 70s and still races the Steel City DH.

Sorry to hear you're not in the greatest place, but as many have already said, you should be able to work through this. You may need added support though.

I am presuming you've seen a physio re the knees? And have you tried a TENS machine for pain management? My wife bought one for 35 quid recently, as she suffered sciatica, and it really helped her.

You can definitely improve your fitness at any age. Just have very realistic expectations, and build up gradually. Look at things you can do at home if you can't face going out. Planet X are seeking turbos for 29 quid. Or buy a skipping rope and watch this:

Go easy on yourself.

Since when are MTB or motorbikes a young person’s game??

BMWs GS range is exclusively reserved for over 50s IT professionals who have to sign a waiver saying they will never take it off road, but will spend £1000s fitting it our with custom luggage, bash guards, fog lights and then send it off for a custom paint job where they spray it to look like it's covered it mud.

I found the worst thing about being nearly 40, was all the people telling me I was nearly 40.

other than that, I'm fitter and faster than I was in my 30's. surf more, ride more, even went dirt jumping with my son yesterday.

Yes, if I turned it around, so can you and so can anyone else.

In a galaxy far far away, I was a sport-aholic from my teens in the mid 80s through to uni days in the early 90s. Lost my way in life, went to a very dark place during the late 90s, piling on the pounds and exercise stopped. Life turned around in the mid 00s, but then injured my lower back muscles badly in '08, exercise reduced because of back pain and pounds gradually piled on again to some extent. Then three days after my 40th at end of '13, I ploughed into the rear of a stationary refuge collection lorry while cycle commuting, deciding to turn my jaw into a jigsaw and make a mess of my right hand/wrist. Off work for three months, specialist rehab to get my hand working again, denture for the lost teeth. Massive loss in confidence cycle commuting, my only exercise besides work, piled on the pounds again and hit ~95Kg in '16 around the time a short jog to bus stop left me exhausted and with chest pains. Then I decided I needed to do something about where I was...

Massive reduction in excess snacks got me down to ~83Kg by Jan '17, then started using fatbike besides commutes for regular local interval sessions on road. Got myself my first hydraulic disc brake road bike in May '17 and finally discovered just how close Old Winchester Hill area of South Downs actually was after being in Southampton for ~25 years!!! Dropped to ~73Kg by Aug '17. Got myself a turbo in Xmas '17 to try and keep/improve fitness over winter when I didn't fancy heading to South Downs during the wet/cold winter months.

Fitness was on an upward trend until Covid came along, '21 was a real challenge, the vaccine jabs hit me harder than actual infection and a ~3.5 week flu last Oct really did make me wonder if my days of challenging my own Strava segment times were gone.

But since Nov 2nd '21, I've cycled for at least 30mins everyday besides two days of ~25mins, typically 45-75mins. Initially base z1/2 with one short Zwift D race per week, then gradual introduction of more short races and z4+ workouts. I didn't get my usual spring cold that hits winter gains a bit and I'm now in my strongest 3-20mins power I've had since Xmas '17. Even though I'm ~80Kg now having been ~86Kg in mid Jan and would like to get back to ~75Kg, I'm about >< close to two of my cycling goals of an "FTP estimate" of 300W and being able to hold 4W/Kg for 20mins at the age of 48.5 years old. Outdoors, there are very few times since March when I've targetted a segment and not got at least myt second best time on segments I've done plenty of times in the last five years.

On days when I'm feeling down, I regret not finding the South Downs years ago, because being up in the hills really helps me mentally as well as loving chasing my times up them. But it's better to have found them now than not at all.

40 is really no age at all, I would stop fixating on that for a start. You're pretty young and unless you were planning on becoming an elite athlete most things are just as achievable as any age really.

Yes you can get faster after 40 but it requires a little bit more dedication.

Less alcohol, more sleep, better diet, planned training rides and simply more riding.

When your young your body changes quickly so results of a 3 week training block will show, post 40 not so quickly.

I was ok in my 30s got better through my 40s, lost it all through covid and lock down. Getting back on it with a few commutes.

My cousin lost his son very recently aged 20 and things like that are a very harsh reminder that we are not around forever and sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Its summer, dry and warm. Training should be pleasurable, the endorphins welcome and if your serious there is a book dedicated to plus 50 training by joel friel some of it will apply to you.

Anxiety: in my experience it has got worse as I’ve got older but that could be related to events in my life rather than age alone.

This is certainly my experience, although, if I look back objectively this is something I have suffered with (along with depression) since childhood. I would definitely suggest what @stwhannah said. Even if therapy isn't for you (it isn't for everyone) its good just to be in a place where you can properly acknowledge its an illness and get help. Talk to your GP about how you are feeling. It took me a long time to pluck up the courage and it was single bravest thing I've ever done. I'm glad I did though.

FWIW I had a breakdown about 5 years ago - lots of reasons and events led up to this. I'm still getting through it day by day. That's not to say its all awful. It's just a process, and for me, acknowledging it can't be 'fixed' was a big step. I've been on and off anti-depressants (currently off and OK) since then. Fitness was great pre-breakdown; I was at my lowest weight since teenage years having been really unfit and overweight; felt great (I thought); was active, cycling every day etc. Now its challenge. But plodding on is something that I do. I know getting on the bike makes me feel better, but sometimes its just difficult to get myself out there.

Stay safe, talk to someone.

I turned 40 a few years ago, and while the thought of turning 40 didn't come with any negativty I have had that similar feeling subsequently.

I got on my bike in 2020 and could barely do 3 miles without hurting in places I had forgotten existed. Six months later without doing much other than riding regularly and a bit further each day I did a fairly flat canal path style 30 mile ride. Now I regularly do 20+ miles off road with 2500+ feet of climbing.

It's not much by other folks standards, but it is way more than I would be doing if I hadn't just got on the bike and started doing things. Now I want to push myself more, the only way I have found to do that is set a goal - in my case the Red Rat Rampage ride in September (long version). Having a goal is super helpful for me to focus my day to day life a bit and do some training.

I also think getting out regularly helped me massively in other areas of my life. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a bit of a mess, but bike time really just removes me from the bits of life that are not so good for a while, allows me to unwind. I think that, in part at least, gave me the confidence to get out of the job I had been in for 16 years. Like you I had a fairly niche set of skills that I just didn't see how they could be applied elsewhere. Turns out I was wrong.

Off Road cycling won't solve everything, but it certainly gave me a foundation to see that I could influence my life more than I belived.

Since when are MTB or motorbikes a young person’s game?? Loads in our MTB club are over 40 and almost everyone i see on a motorbike at the services seems to be be an overweight middle aged man.

Went to BSB at Knockhill yesterday and my (adult) son said "near enough all the bikers are either thin like you or seriously fat, and majority are old".

I might get another motorbike after that comment 🙂

Thanks again for all the replies.

I am presuming you’ve seen a physio re the knees?

I did, back at the beginning of 2020. The pain showed up on the MTB during steep climbs when I was really leaning on my legs, but only then. Physio said tendonitis, and over 2 years later same issues. I rested and stretched as instructed and it just never went away. Stopped me from running for a long time, couldn't do too much football (5 a-side these days), and long days on the bike made it hurt a bit. I also have a bakers cyst on the same knee, which is more of a symptom of an underlying issue.

I tried Zwift and I found it hard to keep at it. Started an FTP builder and did start to feel results, then my knee pain came back. Constantly turning the pedals didn't help I think. Last time I looked, estimated FTP was 213W.

It’s not much by other folks standards

best thing you can do is stop caring what other people's standards are. embrace mediocrity and have fun....

I think in a way you can compensate what physically you might have lost by building mental resilience. I find this guy's videos quite useful and funny.

embrace mediocrity

"The secret to happiness in middle age is to lower one's expectations" Jo Brant.

Colin, I'd look at something you can achieve, a new skill or qualification or job change. Experience at your age matters more than qualifications.

I also find Zwift deadly dull. The monthly subscription nags me like a gym membership. I also struggle with starting things - when training is 100km rides, I forget how enjoyable a 10 mile pootle or just a ride into town can be. Perspective change might help.

I lost my business, went bankrupt and nearly lost my home at 40!

So cheer up - it could be worse! 🙂

Just a a number innit. 62, ran 10kms this morning, worked on the extension and I'll be going to the pool when I finish typing this. At 40 I finished respectably in the Winter triathlon world championships.

I also find Zwift deadly dull. The monthly subscription nags me like a gym membership. I also struggle with starting things – when training is 100km rides, I forget how enjoyable a 10 mile pootle or just a ride into town can be. Perspective change might help.

I feel exaclty the same. I might just cancel the membership for now. But the rides perspective is an interesting one. I'd always be nagging myself about my average speed on a road ride, or elevation on an MTB ride thinking I needed to hit a target in order for the ride to worthwhile. Maybe focussing on just riding and not caring about the stats will help. I do remember the days of no Garmins or Strava.

I lost my business, went bankrupt and nearly lost my home at 40!

Okay, that's definitely worse. I hope you have recovered?

I also find Zwift deadly dull. The monthly subscription nags me like a gym membership.

i put my zwift sub fees towards the finance payment on a gravel bike, which I just put flat pedals on primarily so I can just jump on it and ride rather having to find the 'right' shoes and go out for a 'proper' ride.

Have you considered working less, especially @sharkattack?
I went to working four days per week (slightly compressed hours so only lost half a days pay) when our youngest was 1 and my wife went back to work (in my late 30s). Meant time with the bairn and not paying a load of childcare. After child 2 my wife didn't return to work so I moved to a 9 day fortnight (work an average 35 hour week).
Definitely improves stuff. Am extra day every couple of weeks to ride a bike, go for a walk or just catch up on life (washing, dit etc.)
Today is my day off and I've spent the morning planting beans. More garden time later this afternoon.
Seriously worth considering. You have a right to ask at work now, without it being used against you even if they say no. I realise it costs money but not as much as you think and gives you time for whatever.
I can't remember who said that no one dies saying that they wished they'd spent longer in the office but it's almost certainly true!

Well I've been based at home with my job for almost 8 years now. I do wonder if it has been a negative overall. I don't feel less stressed about my job.

I have at least achieved something today and got an appointment about my knee tomorrow afternoon.

Talk to your GP about how you are feeling. It took me a long time to pluck up the courage and it was single bravest thing I’ve ever done. I’m glad I did though

100% this the feeling of finally doing something about it was the most progress i have made. Drugs and counselling worked for me 🙂

Don't comapre yourself and your life to others. How you are feeling is no less valid becasue someone else has it worse.

But what do I know, I'm only 37 and a half

Okay, that’s definitely worse. I hope you have recovered?

Yep - all good now thanks. I'm employed now, but still in the print-trade. Like you I've got sod-all qualifications and it's all I know so still trapped in it! 🙂

It was a relief in all honesty - just waking up in a morning knowing the bailiffs couldn't come knocking anymore. It was a family business and I'd had enough for years but was financially tied-in and no one could just walk away.

54 years young this year!

It's only a number. Since 40 I diversified my interests, pre-Raphaelite art, medieval architecture, woodcarving, and still cycle. I was out round Sheffield yesterday for the Drum'n'Bass ride with all the crusties and groovy types and at 66 wasn't the oldest. I know a guy round here, same age, who's still climbing extremes. Keep busy, do something every day and then you can justify and get more pleasure from your beer, wife, mates. A happy and connected person is healthier and lives longer. Don't misery away your life, you're only a boy!

One thing that took me a long time to learn is how to say 'No'. And I feel a lot better for it.

I don't go to social events just to please other people anymore.
And work-wise I won't take on jobs for fear of upsetting customers. "Need it tomorrow? - well you should have thought of that last week. Sorry, can't help".

I think I got the fittest I've ever been after 40, when I moved up here and had access to proper hills (and time to to ride them).

It's 50 you really need to worry about.

😉

40 is really no age at all, I would stop fixating on that for a start.

I was in same position at the start of COVID, although I'm just over 50 (so even less time to go then you) but a chance visit to the GP about chest pains spotted high blood pressure and possible angina, this followed with a cardiology trip for an MRI which revealed a slight thickening of the outgoing side, (cant remember the name) but this was all linked to being overweight (130kg), crap diet, way too much boozing and very little exercise. Job is ok though can be a bit stressful at times but doesn't help. This all made me seriously anxious as its a wake up call I wasn't expecting

But as others have said you can overcome your concerns and come out the other side better for it.

I found that having easily achievable weekly or daily goals a step in the right direction based on a plan/objective. All the small things add up and DO make a huge difference. A positive mindset is 90% of the battle, the rest just follows. Then when you achieve reward yourself. Positivity makes everything flow. Involve those closest to you, as you will find these will become your biggest supporters

Have a plan!

I'm now 85kg and enjoying my biking more than ever. Not had a drink in over a year! (Never thought I could do that) and blood pressure is more or less back to normal with only 1 meds a day rather than the 4 I started with. Plus the wife cant get enough now!! ( cue! )

Go for it!

At 40 you're still a pup.
I have found that now i'm heading into my mid 50's i don't bounce back from injurys as well and can't do a big ride with a hangover any more.
Apart from that not really feeling any different.
I think as long as you keep going things are fine.
Had an old mate come up to visit last week. 62 and his first time at the Golfie and he absolutely loved it.

"It is possible to turn this around and get fitter than ever?"

I keep noticing that the fittest people i know are still all older than me, and i'm 46.

At my work, the only other properly fit person is 47. Almost none of the people in their 20s and 30s do much besides the gym once a week, the occasional game of football, or charity 5k.

On the other hand, the fittest and fastest in my cycling club are mostly 40+. The fast (XC) mountain bikers I know tend to be older still, mostly in their 50s. The fast end of road sportives are mostly skinny guys 40+.

I think as you get a bit older, you perhaps realise that health and time aren't infinite and you put a little more into training, eating right, living a little better generally.

45 here and can relate. Had Covid twice and it knocked me on my arse and pretty much ruined my fitness. Just starting to see some gains from being back out on the bike and hitting the gym. Caught Covid again last weekend and feeling the fatigue and my lungs are like old crisp packets. Annoying but I’m determined to get back to it ASAP.

You’ll be alright. Forty is still young

Good step forward OP. It's 'only' a doctor's appointment for your knee but first step in sorting that out. Sometimes once one thing is working better others work better too 🙂
Any don't forget it's midsummer! Love a bit of that sunshine.

But, with GCSE’s only and 20 years experience in this specific job only, I’m pretty much stuck here now.

I'm only a few years older than you, but, unfortunately, based on my own experience, being over 40 is a wintery place if you want a career change.

I've got a good science degree and two MSc degrees one of which is from one of the best institutions in the country.

Doors just slam in your face and nobody wants to know.

That's the traditional route of looking for salaried employment, of course. It may be that you could find something on your own to do. That would be the ideal situation for me, but it's not easy to make a living that way.

I don't know what else is going on but I would say be careful not to compare too much to others you never know what's going on.

Example.

Watched my best man finish the race of his dreams atthe weekend.

I'd love to have done it also .

How ever I understand I have other things/stresses going on in my life that he would love to have .....so sport is his coping mechanism.

I'm chuffed to bits for him and yes it reminds me I'm approaching 40 but I'm trying to focus on the positives in my life rather than a. My negatives b. What others are up to

Doing your thing for you is key to motivation and happy life.

Also fwiw ..... Some of the fastest people I know in multiple sports didn't start till 40 or had a massive break between Jnrs and 40 ... or a health scare.....

I’m only a few years older than you, but, unfortunately, based on my own experience, being over 40 is a wintery place if you want a career change.

Iirc your ex o+g /offshore.

My experiance is that especially if operational is that it's an absolutely total disaster to try and move out of the industry unless you already have a foot in the door. Everyone assumes you want the big money that oil and gas was on 20years ago and/or you'll run back to the big money (lolz) soon as an opportunity comes up.

I forced a move into onshore project management and subsequently management to try and help make that move ....the 24/7 grind 7 days a week working across 3 timezones always being on call thing is getting to me a bit.

I hope so!

Have done some great riding in my 30s and even in the last couple of years some big gravel routes that I've been quite proud of, but it's all sort of fallen apart a bit recently, just as I've turned 39... 🙄

But happily with a slowly shifting mindset I know I can get it back, if nothing else I've (finally) learned the fundamentals of training well, it's just maintaining consistency that is the tricky bit!

Am also trying to wean myself off Strava, I think it induces some serious FOMO which just gets depressing as you're sitting about nursing injuries or whatever and watching buddies putting in big fast rides ..

On a minor note, don't abandon the turbo altogether, I find that for squeezing in a quick endorphin hit and getting a quick and valuable workout, nothing beats in. Maybe Zwift doesn't help as it seems awfully faffy and the workouts look a bit overcomplicated, just focus on a 2x15 minute sweetspot workout and also get some good tunes! The right tunes at the right volume have been shown to give an endorphin hit of their very own and help lift mood. Combine it with a good (simple!) workout and you've got some potent medicine!

I do remember the days of no Garmins or Strava.

I still record rides on Garmin (it's a habit) but I binned Strava, because, like you, it was stressing me out. Best thing I did for my riding.

You have answered many of your own questions and have started the process of sorting it out....todays appt. Pick another aspect, I'd say a little pre work exercise will be easiest. Things will start to slot into place but ultimately that will be down to you...once you see that it is you doing the changes you've sussed it. Work wise, sorry no idea really, what do you fancy doing ? What do you need to earn ?

I thought the world was ending when I was staring down the barrel of 40. Just couldn't believe that I could possibly be that old.

I'm 49 next month. Wish I was as young as 40. 😉

Thanks for all the replies. I was out on the motorbike last night enjoying the great weather.

Lots of great points. Firstly regarding seeing a GP/counseling, I've been there many times over the years. Think my first visit to the GP to talk about 'feeling crap' was in my mid 20's. I've had various courses of talking therapies and CBT. I took some things away from CBT but that's it. When I moved here nearly 8 years ago I ended needed to see someone again and the response from my GP has been rubbish and I've just got on with it by myself. Haven't been on meds for maybe 9 years or so.

I also think I'm a different person in some ways to what I was even a few years ago. I'm not so keen on social situations, large groups anymore. I much prefer the quiet life. Maybe COVID is to blame for that. I get overly anxious when there's too many people around.

I'm actively looking at moving house too, I don't like where I live due to anti-social behavior near us and I've suffered a lot with anxiety because of that. I think it could make a big difference if I was living somewhere where I was happy and content. But that's a very expensive fix.

My experiance is that especially if operational is that it’s an absolutely total disaster to try and move out of the industry unless you already have a foot in the door. Everyone assumes you want the big money that oil and gas was on 20years ago and/or you’ll run back to the big money (lolz) soon as an opportunity comes up.

I think the trick to getting out is to do it when the oil price is high and the industry is screaming for people. Ignore any offers of big bucks to stay. Because you're going to have absolutely no chance if you wait for the downturn to try to move on.

Speaking as someone who is working his notice in what should hopefully be my last O&G related job, 14 years after I first said I wanted out of the industry 🙂

I started mountain biking at 50 and haven't looked back. Age is only a limit if you let it be (within reason of course).

I could’ve written this too I’m 40 just before Christmas. Not the worst shap of my life, but only because I properly let myself go in my late teens when I quit kayak racing and training 5 days a week.

I’ve got no motivation to get up and go for a run or ride or do weights I can’t atop myself from eating crap, everything hurts and I look like melted lard.

But I’m sure it’s just another phase, something will give me a kick up the arse sooner or later, always does. I’ve started racing the canoes again this year, time is the only thing stopping me doing more of that, I went for a trail run this morning and started missing my mountain bike so I might try and get out on that tomorrow morning before work.

Work is ok luckily, it’s not the most exciting of careers but just about pays the bills and doesn’t take up too much of my headspace.

If you’re anywhere near Cannock chase and fancy a steady early morning ride let me know.Not letting someone else down is great incentive to get out of bed in the mornings.

As many folk here have said, 40 is nothing, though at the time it seems like a cliff-edge. When I was a lad (I'm 54 now) 40 was the kind of age where you were supposed to have achieved everything and could then freewheel through middle age towards a quiet and comfortable retirement...

Obviously, none of that is true. 🙂

Look at fitness and wellbeing as a long project without instant results. I found that, aged around 50, trying to get fitter was a two-year job. I started by never turning down a bike ride, ever. If someone asked, I had to say 'yes'. And then I would make sure every ride had an extra hill bolted on to the end of it, just for the sake of future me. Lockdown for me was actually pretty good, as the cheese shop, pub and pizza place were all shut and we ended up on an accidentally vegan diet of salads, soups and stir fries for a few months. I lost a load of weight (most of which I re-gained when the cheese shop and pubs re-opened) and suddenly became a hill-climbing (demi-) god. In addition I had two friends who would ask if I was coming out riding. One was super-fit and it would always be a long, hard or long and hard ride. The other was new to riding, so it was more mellow, but he would usually call up on the day I was going to take it easy. Between the two of them, they forced me to become fitter...

I made sure I had big parties at 30, 40 and 50, because I wanted to embrace the age and then ignore it for the next decade. It's mostly worked. Turning 50 brings things into interesting focus, but you have a decade to enjoy before you get there...

In short, I'd say - aim to get fitter, but think longer term. Don't rush it, you'll still get there. Find a couple of like-minded friends, a club or random forum people, who will drag you out for a ride, even when you don't fancy it. Shared riding misery is far more fun. And know that fitness gains in your 40s are entirely possible. Oh, and bikes are ace... 🙂

Jeez, don't be telling me 50 is when I should really be worrying...

And add into this, thinking about moving. Never had a mortgage before....

I could have written that.

Yeah me too, worse still, whilst I'm still getting over the fact I'm now 40, I actually turned 45 last week.

I think the most important lessons I've learned from becoming middle-aged are:

You don't suddenly go from being 39 and 364 days and brilliant to 40 and suddenly a fat, grey misery.

As much as you might enjoy MTBing or everything else, you are NOT a professional athlete who can no longer train hard enough to maintain perfect fitness, there's still lots and lots of gains you can make, for us normal people the tail off when you have to accept you're just going to get slower is into our 60s.

"Life begins at 40" no, it doesn't as others said, for our parents and grandparents who got married and started a family in their early 20s it did, they'd done their shift and finally had the time and money for some 'lifestyle', that said the lifestyles we enjoy now, even with kids and jobs is probably better. It's not automatic, if you think you'll suddenly find peace with yourself and the world because of what the calendar says, you won't.

At some point, if you haven’t already, you must accept you're mortal this isn’t because you’re now 40, but the feelings you’re having are about becoming ‘middle aged’.
This was the biggest shift for me, and it might just be me. Time is finite and there won't always been a tomorrow. You can cry about it or accept it and start living it. Time, unless you're Brian Cox is fixed, seconds, hours, days, weeks, years - they all pass at the same pace, BUT our perception of time is far from fixed.
40-50 years of 'good times' is a lot, lot longer than 40-50 years of waiting for something in the future. I had to stop wasting my life waiting for that next 'thing' the new car, the new house, the new holiday. They're all great, but if you limit yourself to only being happy in those extraordinary, special times you're be miserable the rest of the time, especially when they pass.
Try to fill your life with simple joy now. Get off your arse and do stuff, it doesn't have to be some mega expensive super thing, that's just marketing departments ****ing with you. Walk through the woods. Go, and see a friend, nurse a pint and enjoy the view. Break the routine of Work, Tele, Bed that so many of us fall into.

And add into this, thinking about moving. Never had a mortgage before….

Do this, despite all that I said about trying to live in the moment and all that, get a mortgage. The best time to get a mortgage is when you're 21, the 2nd best time is right now.

The UK housing market is a complete swindle, but nothing will ever change that. Start looking into it today, make a plan, and do it.

It will make a huge difference to your income over the next few decades and a MASSIVE one to your retirement.

I'll likely take a bit of a hit on the monthly, but not much. It's about finding a happier place to live. But lets see, it will likely be a long and stressful process. I'm not really bothered about market crashes and all that, I want my next house to be the one I live in for the next 20 years or more.

You don’t suddenly go from being 39 and 364 days and brilliant to 40 and suddenly a fat, grey misery.

Didn't you learn anything when you turned 10? Or became a teenager? Or turned 16, 20 or 21? Or 30?

It's just numbers. If you were a fat, grey misery at 20, guess what.. 😀 (I think we're saying the same thing.)

I’ll likely take a bit of a hit on the monthly, but not much. It’s about finding a happier place to live. But lets see, it will likely be a long and stressful process. I’m not really bothered about market crashes and all that, I want my next house to be the one I live in for the next 20 years or more.

It all depends, the lettings market is a bitch as well, I got told we have to move twice in a few yearsa because the LL wanted to get more for it. I hated that feeling of powerlessness.

At least with a mortgage, even with a so-so first time buyer rate, at least you get to 'keep' half the payments. Okay, you don't exactly, but even if the market stays flat (which in reality is worst case over even a 2 year period) you've paid off a lot of money that would otherwise belong to a LL, and you're largely fixing your housing expenses now. Rental inflation runs at 2% pretty consistently, except when it's 10%! Yeah rates will rise, but it won't outpace the value or rental costs.

And owning your own place, even if in reality the bank owns most of it when you start is a nice feeling. Some people love to work on their homes, some people don't. Personally I like the feeling of security. No one can tell me I have to leave in 2 months, and as the years pass I have a real wealth that, even tied up in your home offers you a lot of financial security.

I'm by no means chosing to be a misery guts about turning 40. I've had 15+ years of having not much of a positive outlook on my life due to my own self asteem. That's the core of the problem. This whole thing of turning 40 is now another focus for the monkey on my shoulder.

Anyway, I have sorted a ride with someone tonight on the road bike, so that's better than sitting in the house. And I'm off to see a physio on Thursday about my knee.

For the last two years I've been going to the same sport physio who has been working his way through my problems/ niggles and the improvement to my morale (& to my 56 YO flabby body) has been stupendous. (Still flabby though!)

Not as expensive as it sounds - worth a try?

re sport issue. I'm 45 and I often get pangs about how old I am but whatever, just got into fell racing, at the expense of MTB

I rushed into it and got an achilles issue so started muscle training and stretching a bit more - stuff that I ignored in my 20s and 30s. I'm thinking a lot more about my training and quality of exercise.

Anyway, Im absolutely loving fell running now and wish I'd started it earlier. Im not missing the faff of MTBing at all, although will introduce it more for cross training as much as anything else.

I did a big fell race at the weekend and it was full of older men who were fit as butchers dogs. And all handed my arse to me. Its spurred me on to knuckle down with my training and use the off season to have a proper go at the racing season next year.

What Im saying is that Im looking after my body a lot more and fully intend to train and race as hard as possible into my 60s. The fell racing scene is full of old nutters (in a good way) who are unbelievably fit and strong, its inspirational!

I could write a lot of that. 40 in August job that's OK but not the career I wanted or should have had if I'd not been lazy and or doing other stuff. No kids which means I still feel like a ****less 25yo at times.

Finding getting a rhythm back harder. Moved house somewhere lovely which has helped but just with that lost my rhythm and sort of sense of person.

It'll sort its self out.

Where you based @stcolin? My old area I think horwich bolton way?

Not tead the whole thread but at 61 i am a week into a long bike tour. Fit and as light as i have been sice my 20s.

Its all about the head not the body imo

I’m 41 and as fit as I’ve been in my life, I’ve ran PB’s in every distance from 1 mile to marathon since my 40th birthday. So yes, you can turn it round.

And all that running really helps my anxiety and improves my mental state. You can’t stew on thoughts when you’re too busy trying to breath or hold onto someone’s heels. It’ll be hard to start with but I can’t over emphasis the benefits it gives.

Work you have to either take control of or stop giving a toss about. I changed job to a lower paid but less stressful role. I also stopped giving a toss, I’ll work hard but I make sure I switch off.

All of this happened around when I turned 40.

@duncancallum I'm in south Manchester. Think I met you a couple of times on the MNPR's.

Let's hope I can figure it all out.

I'm turning 40 this year. My mum said she was counting the days for several years up until her dreaded 40th, she then realised nothing changed and it was just a number!

Up until this last year I had an absolutely manic job that I didn't sign up to, covid reigned in all my trips and plans, and I didn't ride regularly with my mates.

I've now changed roles (same employer) and don't spend most of my rides either stressing or being pissed off about work) I now look at friends who are still doing proper rides in their 60's which is quite inspiring, and that gives me the nudge to keep active as I want to be in their shoes and still fit at retirement! Also got some WhatsApp groups going as there is always someone giving everyone the nudge to fit an extra ride in.

I'm spending my 40th at Singlespeed UK, then a week bike touring with my wife, then Scotland for my first proper bikepacking trip with one of my brothers. Sounds much better than a party!

I've been getting a few shoulder/wrist/elbow issues recently, hoping the latest is Tennis Elbow and not arthritis. I do carry more stuff around at work now, that or its my preference for rigid bikes.

With your knees, have you tried a sports physio, it could be muscle imbalance, or flat pedals, cleat position/wedges or clever insoles required.

On the subject of my knee, I went on a ride last night and I could feel it. Not enough to make me stop, but I do wonder if I need to change the position of my feet/cleats. I ride flats on my MTBs. So it could be something I need to look at.

I have been to a physio about my knee and he said tendonitis, so rest for a few weeks and keep it moving with gentle exercise and stretches. My phone call yesterday with a GP suggested Meniscus, not tendons. My physio appointment tomorrow will hopefully confirm what it is. I want to get it sorted ASAP.

FWIW I've got chronic tendonitis in my left knee since around 2002, and it hasn't stopped me doing 2 ultras this year and I've got another in a couple of weeks. I'm 50 btw 🙂

(Obviously it depends on how serious the problem is, but if I stopped doing anything due to a niggle in the knee or ankle or whatever I'd never get out of bed...)

Good luck with the knee.

Can you take mine in with you as well and ask them to have a quick shufti? Been getting the odd twinge lately.

On the subject of my knee, I went on a ride last night and I could feel it. Not enough to make me stop, but I do wonder if I need to change the position of my feet/cleats. I ride flats on my MTBs. So it could be something I need to look at.

I went round the houses with knee issues in my early 30s. Ultimately I think it boiled down to ramping up intensity and/or time in the saddle too quickly. I was very guilty of not riding much during the week but then trying to crack out centuries every other weekend.

Maybe focus on dialling back to a minimum level of short easy rides and then re-building from there?

but if I stopped doing anything due to a niggle in the knee or ankle or whatever I’d never get out of bed…

This +1! The knack is knowing if your training is actually making something worse or if it's just a niggle...

FWIW I’ve got chronic tendonitis in my left knee since around 2002, and it hasn’t stopped me doing 2 ultras this year and I’ve got another in a couple of weeks. I’m 50 btw

I wish I could run on mine. I get sharp pain and feel like it's going to give way even with a light jog. That's how it has been this last month or so.

Can you take mine in with you as well and ask them to have a quick shufti? Been getting the odd twinge lately

Pop it in the post mate, I'll get them to take a look.

I wish I could run on mine. I get sharp pain and feel like it’s going to give way even with a light jog. That’s how it has been this last month or so.

Definitely sounds a bit more serious. But my I stand by my somewhat tongue in cheek comment: after 40 something will always ache, and as long as it's not too serious (which it could well be in your case) you'll just have to learn to live with it. If nothing aches, you're probably dead 🙂

I also find Zwift deadly dull. The monthly subscription nags me like a gym membership.

I hated Zwift, even tried it with Smart rollers but that was worse (try starting on a hill!)

I just went back to riding in the rain. I bought a proper winter bike back in 2013 and never looked back. Its hard going out but you feel amazing when back home after a mid-week 50k night ride.

Back in Dec 2019 my wife ignored me and bought a Peloton bike. I love this bike and its transformed my fitness and a strength. Well worth it.

Post 50 I seriously changed my view on my life, changed my diet a bit, and stopped drinking (almost). I have binned being sociable in preference to spending time with my 11 year old boys. I do go out but not very often now.

I have reduced some of the foods that made me feel sh1t, crap bread, normal pasta and rice, spuds etc. Replaced with mostly wholemeal pasta and long grain rice, and good bread. If I eat more pulses, fish etc I feel really good.

I do eat rubbish but on a 80/20 rule - 80% good and 20% what I feel like.

I am now on a mission to clear any cr@p in the house and stuff we dont need or use. This makes me feel a lot better. I like order and it makes me feel nice.

Cycling wise I love my riding but I am on the lookout for some new mates to ride with and most of my ex-rowing mates have given up, dont do much, moved away or are way too fast and grumpy to ride with.

One other thing, Peloton stretching classes have been genius for me. I have always stretched but now I am religious as every workout I do 10 mins. I also do a mini back stretch/routing a physio gave to me a long time ago and do it every morning.

Just need to sort my career out 😉

Definitely worth checking cleat position for knees, I swapped to my first pair of 3-bolt in '19 and got the rotation tweak very wrong for my left knee, had to spend lot of summer spinning very easy gears and gradually introduce z4+ segment chasing and Zwift races/intervals.