How much can this old body take?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205637)
Walnut Creek, California
October 6, 2018 3:50pm CST
I'm glad to have no music gigs this weekend. Last weekend, my middle-aged rock buddies and I played two gigs, back to back, at the Clayton Club, a cowboy bar in Clayton CA. Both gigs went on until 1 AM, and on the second night, we had to spend another hour loading and unloading gear.
One thing I noticed: We were less tired after this two-nighter than we were at the previous one (a couple of months ago) at the same place. And we were less tired after the second two-nighter than we were after the first. Does this mean that playing music late into the evening is just like everything else: the more you do it the easier it becomes?
The words "use it or lose it" are also going through my mind. Have you had any similar experiences? Can you think of things that tired you out until you started doing them over and over?
25 people like this
18 responses
@Tampa_girl7 (48908)
• United States
7 Oct 18
@TheHorse yes, it is easier, but I've upped it all this 56 year old can 
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Oct 18
@Tampa_girl7 You're a spring chicken.
3 people like this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
6 Oct 18
PT during basic training came to mind as soon as I read the question at the end of your post. The first few weeks, the exercises and running just about got the best of me. By the end of basic, they were just a good wake up stretch.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95082)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Oct 18
@TheHorse Thats what I tell myself every year when it is time to haul hay lol
4 people like this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Oct 18
@wolfgirl569 How is your hay hauled? I used to build stacks with 50 lb 2-stringers. Now, I see roundies everywhere and weep quietly. I feel obsolete.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79678)
• United States
7 Oct 18
I think the more you do something the easier it becomes.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74528)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Oct 18
When we do the same things over and over again, our body will eventually adjust to those changes. But, we also have to remember, as we get older health issues start to set in. That's why rock stars that go through frequent bouts of sleep deprivation, don't live to be very old.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Oct 18
@kobesbuddy The older I get, the more I want to do what *I* want to do. For me, that means playing a lot of music. And trying out new things. One of these days, you're going to hear a YouTube with me on PIANO.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74528)
• East Tawas, Michigan
7 Oct 18
@TheHorse Hey, you're not aging! You're just having fun:) The Horse Rocks! :)
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
7 Oct 18
I’ve started walking for exercise again. Last week I barely made my “totally arbitrary goal” (don’t know where I’ve heard that before 
) of a mile. Now, it’s getting much easier to walk.
) of a mile. Now, it’s getting much easier to walk.2 people like this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
8 Oct 18
@TheHorse -- probably. Right now, a major goal would be to walk without pain patches on my back and side....
@xander6464 (40871)
• Wapello, Iowa
6 Oct 18
It sounds to me as if you've found a sort of age regression. Maybe it is the "Use it or lose it" thing but if I were you, I'd play the setlist from that last gig once a week or so, just to see what happens.
Nothing like this has ever happened to me but now I'm going to be looking out for it. Maybe it has happened and I've just never noticed.
2 people like this
@xander6464 (40871)
• Wapello, Iowa
6 Oct 18
@TheHorse That sounds like a good combination and it apparently works because you're getting more energetic.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Oct 18
@xander6464 Our 70-year-old drummer said the same thing. Each gig leads to greater endurance. I'm going to visit the pool now. I'm trying to lose five to ten pounds and get my baseball-playing girlish figure back. The better overall shape I'm in, the better I can withstand late gigs.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205637)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Oct 18
@xander6464 By the way, where is Wapello? I used to work in Grinnell and played in softball tourneys in Grinnell, Newton, and Des Moines. Iowa is one of my favorite states because of the kindness of the people there.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (129391)
• Israel
7 Oct 18
@TheHorse
I do not sleep well so probably not. I get up a lot to go to the bathroom and when I first go to sleep takes me a long time to fall asleep. I really do not know when all that started. I am glad you will be able to get your sleep back.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158958)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Oct 18
Nope. I don't over do it anymore. Nearly 70 now.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
7 Oct 18
Yes, I always think these houses are gonna kill me when I have a redo, but after the first week, its a breeze.
1 person likes this
