FOR A long time I have thought that my parents who are both over the age of 45 are completely crazy.
Mum and Dad, if you are reading this, trust me keep reading, it gets better.
In the last two years my Dad has completed two ironman triathlons.
That is four kilometres of swimming, 180km of cycling and 42km of running.
In the same time period my mum has completed two marathons including the New York Marathon and is often known to just forget to stop running and return a few hours later.
Besides the obvious nutcases that my parents appear to be,it turns out they are not alone.
Gone are the days where sport is reserved for the elite and the young and you only need to look around Armidale to see that.
Late last month New England sent three women’s teams to the NSW masters state championships.
The New England over-35 team along with the over- 40 and our over-50 team came away from the championships as premiers.
From those championships Megan Davies was selected in the over-40 NSW team.
Carolyn Beresford, Cyndy Slade and Annabelle Cherry were also selected for the over-45 NSW side while Kaylene Osborne, Anne Martin and Angie Dean will line up as part of the over-50 team.
You also only need to look at the bowling clubs in Armidale and surrounding districts along with the numerous success stories from the greens to realise the older people seem to be getting the more active they seem to be.
The stories of success do not necessarily encompass all those who, dare I say are nearing middle age, and why they are returning to sporting fields and competitions.
But what is it?
Why are we seeing more and more people of the older generation tackle some amazing sporting feats that perhaps they didn’t do in their youth?.
So as Mum and Dad head out this weekend to run for hours or ride for hours, if you of the same age, what crazy sporting endeavours are you pursuing this weekend?
Let me know on twitter @siobhanann or at the above email.
