Aging is irreversible. It is a given and it is something that I take on my stride. It has been difficult to watch people age, to see them go through difficulties doing what they used to easily. Whether this is physical, cognitive or perceptive, it is always challenging to watch. You see sportsmen on TV slow down, go through their curve where they peak and then decline. The body cannot do what it has done when it was 15, at the same pace, efficiency or flexibility when it is 45. No amount of training, nutrition or chemicals can help stem this tide or reverse it in a sustainable way.

I have had the blessing of “feeling” young, either because I have always had the least maturity, had caring parents, spouse, roommates, colleagues who “took care of me” and I like they taking care of me. I have never let age be a factor, I am not that old, but have felt like I can match wits with folks who are a couple of decades younger. First it was younger cousins, then nephews or nieces, mostly after marriage, then younger colleagues and finally kids. Running with them, riding the same fun rides, watching those movies, playing board games, you name it. One thing I have always had going for me is energy, the other is passion and the third is a keen learning mindset. These have kept me feeling young, even when the body does not cooperate sometimes.

But, the first time I felt the “age limit” catching up is at Six Flags Vallejo, where I just could not ride the same roller coasters that I would handily ride out multiple times over. It had been a while since my last visit to Six Flags, so I thought it was a one time aberration. Then it happened again at Great America. Similar situation, high speed rides, sudden drops, twists, especially those that turn you upside down. Now I am taking notice. But still, may just be a couple of bad days, nothing when you take the length of time since those first rides at Entertainment City in Kuwait several decades ago and some 7 or 8 countries of riding thrill rides and coasters.

The third time was perhaps the most deflating. This was at Universal Studios Hollywood, where dizziness caught up with me even in what I would have considered “mild” rides like Harry Potter or Transformers and even Simpsons! I was accompanying my younger child for a day of fun riding but could not keep up! It got so bad that I needed to take a full hour of break from the coasters, taking a nap or just watching shows from a stationary pose. But of course, this is not what a fun day in LA looks like for an 8yr old kid. So, we went back again into the rides and it was hard. The brain, the eyes, the ears and the head were just not in sync. I was worried of passing out and leaving my kid alone if something serious happened. Luckily I survived with the help of a couple of sickness bags, make shift french fries packs or soda cups if I needed it.

That’s it. I gave in to the bodily limitations of my age and decided, I am more or less done with roller coasters and theme parks. I don’t enjoy those any more, my body is unable to handle it. It is not hydration, food, or other compensatable factors. It just turns out, that my eyes, ears and brain cannot get into sync at that rapid pace and change. It might be due to a significant change in visual or depth perception caused by my PRK eye surgery to correct vision. Most of my roller coaster career was prior to that surgery. Coincidentally of course, my age did not decrement by any means ;) So, this is one of the few things I am having to accept as a result of age.

There will be more, but this first experience teaches me a valuable lesson. Never take anything for granted, enjoy it while it lasts, and embrace it when you don’t have it. There is so much more to life, so detach from one or a few things, explore other things that you mind, body or life is able to support.

Coasters may not be it, but what about that calm boat or kayak ride? Let’s explore.

Aging is irreversible. It is a given and it is something that I take on my stride. It has been difficult to watch people age, to see them go through difficulties doing what they used to easily. Whether this is physical, cognitive or perceptive, it is always challenging to watch. You see sportsmen on TV slow down, go through their curve where they peak and then decline. The body cannot do what it has done when it was 15, at the same pace, efficiency or flexibility when it is 45. No amount of training, nutrition or chemicals can help stem this tide or reverse it in a sustainable way.

I have had the blessing of “feeling” young, either because I have always had the least maturity, had caring parents, spouse, roommates, colleagues who “took care of me” and I like they taking care of me. I have never let age be a factor, I am not that old, but have felt like I can match wits with folks who are a couple of decades younger. First it was younger cousins, then nephews or nieces, mostly after marriage, then younger colleagues and finally kids. Running with them, riding the same fun rides, watching those movies, playing board games, you name it. One thing I have always had going for me is energy, the other is passion and the third is a keen learning mindset. These have kept me feeling young, even when the body does not cooperate sometimes.

But, the first time I felt the “age limit” catching up is at Six Flags Vallejo, where I just could not ride the same roller coasters that I would handily ride out multiple times over. It had been a while since my last visit to Six Flags, so I thought it was a one time aberration. Then it happened again at Great America. Similar situation, high speed rides, sudden drops, twists, especially those that turn you upside down. Now I am taking notice. But still, may just be a couple of bad days, nothing when you take the length of time since those first rides at Entertainment City in Kuwait several decades ago and some 7 or 8 countries of riding thrill rides and coasters.

The third time was perhaps the most deflating. This was at Universal Studios Hollywood, where dizziness caught up with me even in what I would have considered “mild” rides like Harry Potter or Transformers and even Simpsons! I was accompanying my younger child for a day of fun riding but could not keep up! It got so bad that I needed to take a full hour of break from the coasters, taking a nap or just watching shows from a stationary pose. But of course, this is not what a fun day in LA looks like for an 8yr old kid. So, we went back again into the rides and it was hard. The brain, the eyes, the ears and the head were just not in sync. I was worried of passing out and leaving my kid alone if something serious happened. Luckily I survived with the help of a couple of sickness bags, make shift french fries packs or soda cups if I needed it.

That’s it. I gave in to the bodily limitations of my age and decided, I am more or less done with roller coasters and theme parks. I don’t enjoy those any more, my body is unable to handle it. It is not hydration, food, or other compensatable factors. It just turns out, that my eyes, ears and brain cannot get into sync at that rapid pace and change. It might be due to a significant change in visual or depth perception caused by my PRK eye surgery to correct vision. Most of my roller coaster career was prior to that surgery. Coincidentally of course, my age did not decrement by any means ;) So, this is one of the few things I am having to accept as a result of age.

There will be more, but this first experience teaches me a valuable lesson. Never take anything for granted, enjoy it while it lasts, and embrace it when you don’t have it. There is so much more to life, so detach from one or a few things, explore other things that you mind, body or life is able to support.

Coasters may not be it, but what about that calm boat or kayak ride? Let’s explore.