Aging Gracefully?

Today is Husband’s 48th birthday. I’ll be turning 44 later this week. The kids somehow lost track of our age and were aghast to find out that we’re *that old*. Sure, we're no spring chickens, but I also don’t think we’re *that old*.

So, in honor of our birthday week, I will share a few thoughts on things that make me feel old vs. things that make me feel young.

Things that Make Me Feel Old

1) Watching my kids grow up. As I watch them grow older, it hits me that I must be growing older too. Son will likely leave the house in a year and a half. Daughter will be following a few years later. Where does the time go?

2) Sports injuries. The truth is, over-forties are more prone to injury and take longer to heal. I’m to be reminded of that every 4-6 months or so it seems.

3) Looking in the mirror. The grey hair. The wrinkles. The pudgy tummy. Definitely a different reflection than I saw 10 years ago. Perhaps this relates somehow to my obsession with cute workout clothes?

Things that Make Me Feel Young

1) Strength work at the gym. I’m able to see strength progress at the gym more quickly than speed progress or flexibility progress. I really don’t feel like a 40-something woman when I’m working out at the gym. Instead, I feel strong and youthful.

2) Long easy runs. Sometimes I feel like I can keep going and going at my slow easy pace. Kinda’ like the energizer bunny, only in slow-motion.

3) Being silly - in my mind, this is simply the opposite of being serious. Joking around, wearing an elmo hat on a run, dancing in the living room, making faces at the kids, “woohoo-ing” at friends at races, things like that. Perhaps these things make me look like a fool, but they make me feel vibrant.