Middle-aged and Competing at the end of the Month

[toryander]

I'm turning 45 this month and have decided to compete in a local Olympic Style TKD competition at the end of the month. I wasn't going to compete, but my sabanim found out that there will be one or two more "old" heavyweights like myself there so I thought I would join in. Being middle-aged I'm not horribly interested in competeing (I'm more interested in self defense), but it does gives me something to train extra hard for and allows me more time with my 16 year old who is helping train me. I did compete in a national competition in Oly style in Las Vegas last year (my first competition as a black belt). I thought I would do it once at the black belt level and be done with it. But here I am doing it again. I worry that by competing at 45 I will look like the middle aged man with the comb-over driving the corvette around looking for young babes. Are there any other middle aged sparring competitors out there (whatever MA style) or am I the middle-aged guy with the comb-over? (Actually I have a flat top, but that's probably not much better.)

[asdf]

You are not middle-aged... yet. :up:

I don't see what you are worried about. I see nothing wrong for someone your age competing in a TKD tournament - remember, it's an amateur competition, not a prize fight - you are there to have fun testing your skills, not stress out. I don't think anyone (well, any competitor) has time to cruise chicks, especially when there is someone screaming and yelling and trying to kick them in the head!

I don't think anyone will think you are the "old guy at the nightclub."

[Gordon Nore]

...I worry that by competing at 45 I will look like the middle aged man with the comb-over driving the corvette around looking for young babes. Are there any other middle aged sparring competitors out there (whatever MA style) or am I the middle-aged guy with the comb-over? (Actually I have a flat top, but that's probably not much better.)

Don't worry, have fun. I competed once at the 2000 Ontario Provincial Open Karate Championships -- men, green to brown, ages 35 to 41. I was 39 and a green belt, making me one of the older, and less-experienced, competitors. Much of the day -- watching the other events, including my son's -- was very disappointing. Cheating, bad sportsmanship, and parents who needed to be spanked.

However, I had a great deal of fun competing in my age group. The other guys, like me, were long past having a point to prove and were clearly there to have a good time. I hope you have a similar experience.


...but it does gives me something to train extra hard for and allows me more time with my 16 year old who is helping train me.
Same here. My son trains in a different art, but has experience in my system. We try to work out together weekly, take ukemi for eachother. It's a great time.

As for "comb-overs," I keep my hair close-cropped to remove any suspicion that I am hiding my progressive hairline. :laugh:

Good luck.

[jjaje]

Rocky's making a comeback, and he's pretty middle aged.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0biU_lZE0Xc&search=rocky%20balboa%20trailer

Good luck and just have fun.

[Gordon Nore]

Rocky's making a comeback, and he's pretty middle aged.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0biU_lZE0Xc&search=rocky%20balboa%20trailer

Good luck and just have fun.

Say it ain't so. Adrienne!

[AndrewSimonsen]

Adrian is dead in this movie.

[Jeff Burger]

I'm not horribly interested in competing (I'm more interested in self defense), but it does gives me something to train extra hard for

Sounds like your on the right track then.
I have to have goals or I get lazy.

[toryander]

Rocky's making a comeback, and he's pretty middle aged.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0biU_lZE0Xc&search=rocky%20balboa%20trailer

Good luck and just have fun.
I just watched the trailer. I am psyched!! I'm gettiing me a side of beef, I'm going to do some of those push ups with the ball, and I may even do a pull-up. I am so going to kick butt at this tournament! :)

Actually, I appreciate the good will. My first black belt tournament last year in Vegas was all about fear control for me. I didn't need to win, I just needed to show no fear before or during the match to succeed. Oh, I did train hard. It was my 19 year old son who trained me then. It was great. I did succeed. I showed now fear (even though I was terrified) and I actually did take the gold, too. I don't feel the same anxiousness this time. I am taking it seriously, but my experience in Vegas taught me that I can survive this. This time I am going to concentrate on technique, strategy, and . . . having fun as some of you have suggested. I told my son, who takes great TKD action photographs by the way (http://www.pbase.com/toryander/ctc_tournament_2006), that if he can get just one photo of me where I actually look cool and dangerous instead of the usual lumbering bear I will take him out to pizza afterward. This will really be a challenge for him.

[Jeff Burger]

My first black belt tournament last year in Vegas was all about fear control for me.

A couple good ways to deal with fear.


#1 TRAIN If you work hard you will have faith in yourself.
(not sure where I got this)
Fear knocked at the door, faith answered and no one was there.

#2 Dont entertain negative thoughts. This is where all that positive affirmation stuff helps. Negative thoughts wont just go away you have to leave no room for them.

There is a good book called The Mental Athelete. Some good stuff in there on programming yourself to relax.


If winning is REALLY that important...cheat.
LOL

[AZJOE]

I am 57 years old and still train and occassionaly compete in TKD. Like you, I started with my son when I was 45. I understand your reluctance to feel like the old guy in the Corvette ( wish I had one ). I have been able to get to 2nd Dan so far.

The things that help me get through all of that are:

1) I train for myself. The goals that I set are ones that work for me, keep me fit and focused.

2) Although I like to win, I feel like I have accomplished something if I improve consistantly.

3) Who cares what others think.

Actually, I have had people come up to me after testing or after competition and say how great they think it is that I am out there. I agree with them.

Keep training and never, ever give up.:bandit:

[toryander]

There is a good book called The Mental Athelete. Some good stuff in there on programming yourself to relax.

If winning is REALLY that important...cheat.
LOL


I'm working on the old sand to the eyes trick, but I'm just having trouble figuring out on where to keep the sand I bring since there is none on the mat. I will check into that book.

[Jeff Burger]

Hmmm good idea.
I was thinking something more along the lines of going in drag and fighting a girl.
I just saved money on a wig and make up.

:laugh: :laugh:

[toryander]

Same here. My son trains in a different art, but has experience in my system. We try to work out together weekly, take ukemi for eachother. It's a great time.

It's great how families can fit into the martial arts. For last year's tournament that worried me so much, my 19 year old trained me. He took it very seriously and pushed me so hard he often almost had me barfing on the mat. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but feeling his encouragement and support was terrific.

My 16 year old is quite different. He is training me only because I have roped him into it (No training me, no ice cream for you). We get out there and first I have to stop him from spinning the paddles into the air and catching them. Then, when I rest he is doing handstands and cartwheels. When I get his attention again and am kicking he does well handling the paddles but has no words of encouragement. When I am tired and stop he's fine with that (he's not into gagging).

Actually he is quite talented in TKD himself and a great kid, but not the natural trainer his brother is. I suppose I would have to fire him if I was training for something other than a little local tournament. But it is fun working with family for something like this.

[toryander]

Hmmm good idea.
I was thinking something more along the lines of going in drag and fighting a girl.
I just saved money on a wig and make up.

:laugh: :laugh:

I like it, but my first son's first opponent when he was a white belt was a girl and she beat him. I don't know if I want to take the chance.:D

[Eliz]

I am 57 years old and still train and occassionaly compete in TKD. Like you, I started with my son when I was 45. I understand your reluctance to feel like the old guy in the Corvette ( wish I had one ). I have been able to get to 2nd Dan so far.

The things that help me get through all of that are:

1) I train for myself. The goals that I set are ones that work for me, keep me fit and focused.

2) Although I like to win, I feel like I have accomplished something if I improve consistantly.

3) Who cares what others think.

Actually, I have had people come up to me after testing or after competition and say how great they think it is that I am out there. I agree with them.

Keep training and never, ever give up.:bandit:

Great post!! :)

Tory, I am just a young gun *crowd breaks into laughter*

Seriously, if you have the right attitude you will have a blast. That is really what is important. This is time training with your son in an activity that you already love. Most people are competitive my nature. How much better can it be?

Good luck and let us know how it goes. :)

[Southwell]

I think its great that your competing. Next week my son and I are competing at the LTKKA World Kenpo Championships in Baltimore it should be a blast. As for you being middle aged, heck I'm 43 and plan on competing for many years.

[toryander]

Well, tomorrow is the tournament and today is the day I have my ususal conversation with myself:


Me: I'm sparring in a tournament tomorrow. What was I thinking when I signed up?

Self: Are you young?

Me: No, I'm the 45 year old father of eight

Self: Are you an athlete?

Me: I've always been active, but never a serious athlete

Self: Maybe you are particularly skilled in Oly style TKD sparring?

Me: Even in my age group I'm mediocre at best.

Self: But you have lots of real life fighting experience, right?

Me: I'm a non violent computer jocky who has never been in a real fight in his life.

Self: Then I have to ask you, What WERE you thinking when you signed up for this tournament? :)

Just having the ol' pre-fight jitters. I've had one other tournament match as a blackbelt that went well last year, but the not knowing who you are going to face is the worst part of a match like this. I understand there will be only one other fellow in my age and weight bracket (old and heavy), but I don't know him. I hope he's old enough not to have a wicked spin heel or something. My main goal is to win, but my close secondary goals are to remain in a vertical position and come out with the dignity I went in with win or lose. I told my son that if gets one good picture of me during the match where I look dangerous I'll buy him a pizza afterwards. He'll be hard pressed to earn that pizza.:D

[Mandeigh Wells]

I was thinking something more along the lines of going in drag and fighting a girl. unless its fightgirl eh....anihilation time:eek:

[toryander]

Well, the one problem that middle-aged competitors have in Oly Style TKD happened to me. I found out the night before that my two opponents were young--25 and 19. They were my opponents due to size. I have the misfortune of being 225 pounds so I get to pound it out with the big boys, except that they are young enough to be my sons. Being the oldest I got the bye. My opponent ended up being a fellow with the following specs: 6'3", 275 pounds (and he isn't fat), 25 years old. That made him two inches taller, 50 pounds heavier and 20 years younger. No surprise that he beat me pretty soundly, but still I feel good with some of the progress I made in this match. He didn't get my head and he knocked his first, younger opponent out with a spin hook.

Anyway, do you other TKD competitors find the same problem with being forced to compete with younger fellows? Maybe you don't see it as a problem? I talked with one of the school owners there. She is 41 and she competes regularly. She always competes down for two reasons: there aren't enough her age at the tournaments and second, those her age are just too easy for her (I've seen her fight know she isn't exaggerrating). I wish I had that problem.

[Jeff Burger]

At 225lbs you should be boxing and or grappling.
Different vehicles for different task.

[toryander]

At 225lbs you should be boxing and or grappling.
Different vehicles for different task.

Yes, I've often thought about that. I'm definitely a mountain bike in a road race, a jeep in the Indy 500, a (you fill it in). So what am I doing there? It's the only school within 60 miles of my home. But it's a good school and I've had alot of personal growth and good physical conditioning there. I do feel more at home when we are doing the self-defense curriculum (but I have more fun with the Oly style sparring).:)

How is your training going (for you upcoming match)? Do you guys do the 5 five minute rounds?

[Jeff Burger]

It's the only school within 60 miles of my home.


Thats the best reason in the world.


Congrats BTW just stepping up to compete is more than alot of people will do.

[Eliz]

Fighting down should be an option. Not a requirement.

I fight down a lot [in open tourny's] and yes, I definately feel my age.

Check out your local AAU. Local [AAU] tourny's can be small, but state level and national level tournys are huge. You will find a lot of competitors your age.

Glad you had fun. Look forward to hearing of more news in the future. :)

[karatekitty]

Well, tomorrow is the tournament and today is the day I have my ususal conversation with myself:


Me: I'm sparring in a tournament tomorrow. What was I thinking when I signed up?

Self: Are you young?

Me: No, I'm the 45 year old father of eight

Self: Are you an athlete?

Me: I've always been active, but never a serious athlete

Self: Maybe you are particularly skilled in Oly style TKD sparring?

Me: Even in my age group I'm mediocre at best.

Self: But you have lots of real life fighting experience, right?

Me: I'm a non violent computer jocky who has never been in a real fight in his life.

Self: Then I have to ask you, What WERE you thinking when you signed up for this tournament? :)




I saw the age and how many kids, father of 8 .. You have already been seasoned for what your doing. Just being a father of 8 is a challenge and a fearful experience.

[toryander]

I saw the age and how many kids, father of 8 .. You have already been seasoned for what your doing. Just being a father of 8 is a challenge and a fearful experience.

I don't know, that 275 pound young fellow throwing the axe kick scared me alot more than any of my kids ever have :) . The kids are loads of fun.

One thing I really enjoyed about this seniors tournament was being able to mingle and speak with other adult competitors. They had their wives or husbands and children there to cheer them on while they competed. It was a nice to see the adults active with kids cheering rather than seeing the adults sitting on the sidelines eating pizza while watching their kids compete.

[toryander]

Fighting down should be an option. Not a requirement.

I fight down a lot [in open tourny's] and yes, I definately feel my age.

Check out your local AAU. Local [AAU] tourny's can be small, but state level and national level tournys are huge. You will find a lot of competitors your age.

Glad you had fun. Look forward to hearing of more news in the future. :)
So, Elizabeth, why do you choose to fight down? Is it for a more fulfilling challenge? Or maybe there just aren't enough competitors in your division? Perhaps you like to teach those younger, who feel superior, what a little experience can do. I heard Jeff Berger say you have a nasty right hook. :wink2:

[Eliz]

So, Elizabeth, why do you choose to fight down? Is it for a more fulfilling challenge? Or maybe there just aren't enough competitors in your division? Perhaps you like to teach those younger, who feel superior, what a little experience can do. I heard Jeff Berger say you have a nasty right hook. :wink2:

:laugh: In the OPEN divisions there are rarely competitors in my age group. Don't know why. My choices are fight down with the 25 year olds or don't compete. Heck, I am there - may as well compete. I think the only thing they learn from me is why it is better to be 25 years old, as opposed to 43. :rolleyes:

I understoond your post to mean you were REQUIRED to fight down 2 age groups. My point was most places will offer an automatic 1st place or the OPTION to fight down. You are not just automatically merged into younger age groups without your consent.

[karatekitty]

[QUOTE=toryander]I don't know, that 275 pound young fellow throwing the axe kick scared me alot more than any of my kids ever have :) . The kids are loads of fun.
QUOTE]
I can see where that might be a little more of a scare. I honestly feel my kids keep me in shape for what I am training in. My daughter has decided not to follow in my foot steps and be a "boxer instead" I sparred with her. LOL ..my jaw was bruised for a week, she is south paw and I didn't get out of the way LOL.

[TEA]

I don't think the age thing is as big of a difference, albeit it is a bit of an issue, compared to the size difference. As for myself, I had to quit competition because a CT scan after a KO at a tournament revealed a fluid filled cist on the surface of my brain. While the doctors think its most likely congenital (apparently its not that uncommon), it does pose a health risk related to head trauma, i.e. getting banged in the head at the right angle could cause the cist to rupture and cause significant brain damage and even death. :eek: I continued to compete for a few years afterwards, thinking I just had added motivation to not get hit in the head, but after a while competitions started to not be as much fun having to worry about being turned into a vegetable everytime I stepped in the ring. Since subsequent CT scans showed no change, my wife eventually talked me into giving up on competitions.

[ben]

Is it unusual to have people competing in TKD, karate, judo and other unarmed arts into their 40s and beyond? What are the limitations/difficulties?

I ask because in kendo there is no real limitation to competing at any age other than one's own ego. In fact there is a strong expectation that you will do so. Kendo perhaps is a little kinder on the body than some MA.

Well done to the OP for facing up to a real ego-challenge. Not everyone has that kind of heart my friend!

b

[Jeff Burger]

Kendo is a great workout and you do get banged up, but its not the same as getting punched, kicked and grappling with someone.

My fencing coach was in his 60 but would smoke all of us fencing. He did Draka and Sambo (Russian kickboxing and grappling) in his youth but couldnt spar with us.