Am I retiring?

[CoachCabo]

Last month I thought I tore a tricep. It turns out it was probably just a significant strain since I never saw signs of hemmorhaging. In well over 30 years in the gym I had never hurt myself, then last year that hamstring tear. I healed up, continued prep and got in shape for a show I never made it to.
These injuries have me considering just going to being a guy who works out and eats well. The idea of being lighter looks good to me but the idea of looking smaller doesn’t.
Add in a liver that gives me elevated LFTs on a continuing basis and I am asking myself “Should I just stop all this bodybuiling and competing nonsense?”
I have soooo conservative with my gear usage and really just prefer actual TRT. No matter what, I know I can’t stop the clock on aging.

My goal was to do the Legion Sportsfest in October at 60 years old and then the Masters Nationals next Spring. But a couple of weeks ago, Derik Farnsworth, who I respect greatly, looked at me and said “You aren’t 20 weeks out. You are 30 weeks out. You are fat.” Lol! I love candor but it reminded me of George Carlin’s line “People love honesty, except when you are being honest with them. Then, you are an asshole.”

So since we are moving North in a few weeks, have a few events we want to attend this Summer, I am cancelling this plan.

I has been a few weeks since I have hammered away at the gym (except that leg session with Derik and the Neubie) but still doing morning cardio. Today for an hour.

I guess I will get back in the gym, start back on TRT and see how the summer goes. Hopefully Montego won’t laugh at me when we train together again this summer.

My friends laugh when I talk about quitting. Who knows, maybe the Washington State Open next year followed by the Masters Nationals a couple weeks after?
Right now, dropping 30lbs seems like a pretty good idea though.

 

[Multislacking]

You have to ask yourself why you're doing it (continuing or quitting). And only you know the answer.

 

[samgraves82]

Goals my change but ur not leaving the gym

Sent from my moto g stylus (2021) using Tapatalk

 

[lefty556]

Would something like BPC-157 or TB-500 help with recovery of the injuries?

 

[zionoir626]

We are all getting there..fast..!!
I just finished my..probably last run..
I reached my goal..
But, left some on the Table..
I know I could have done 10 or even 25% more..I know it..

Your and my situations are very different..but Time, isn't Our Friend..
I will never stop lifting...
My guess is, you never will Either...
There's a time to compete...
And, there's a time Not Too..
At least you have that..
Many,including me..never did..!!

Mad Respect..
Z...

 

[CoachCabo]

Would something like BPC-157 or TB-500 help with recovery of the injuries?

The injuries aren’t the problem. The problem is that I am getting injured, which never even remotely happened before. Just staying in shape is a struggle. Taking it beyond that is maybe just too tall an order from here.

 

[zionoir626]

The injuries aren’t the problem. The problem is that I am getting injured, which never even remotely happened before. Just staying in shape is a struggle. Taking it beyond that is maybe just too tall an order from here.

Being able to see this is Wisdom...What you do with that Wisdom...
Well..that's entirely up to You..!!
Z...

 

[Wiseguy]

My dear friend as you know it takes us longer to recover now after a show. Fortunately I never tore anything because I don’t lift heavy. I am extremely happy at 185 pounds and for sure don’t feel small. This last show I worked the hardest ever and it paid off, but thinking to myself do I want to put my body through that again? Neither one of us is ever going to stop training, but maybe just maybe it’s time to hang it up. I am waiting to do my blood work post event. I typically wait 60’days to clean things up. I’ll see how I recover , but I am thinking a retiring from competition as well.

 

[zionoir626]

Damn both of you hanging up the G-string..lol
Z...

 

[wesley_swolle]

The last show I competed in was six years ago at 56. It was at that point when I said enough is enough. I mean, I still train hard/heavy, but nothing like I did when I was chasing a show. The best part for me, was not having to choke down ungodly amounts of food. Today, if I want to eat 2500 or 1500 calories per day, I will with no regrets.

 

[MindlessWork]

Damn both of you hanging up the G-string..lol
Z...

No more porn dances right?

 

[ruffus]

1 injury and a stain would have been a good year for me sometimes. But i am not the smartest guy around. Knowing when to get out if you feel it is the time seems smart. I waited to quit pushing it had till a few surgeries in with the last 2 being a shoulder replacement and some rods in my spine.

 

[Fletcher]

Last month I thought I tore a tricep. It turns out it was probably just a significant strain since I never saw signs of hemmorhaging. In well over 30 years in the gym I had never hurt myself, then last year that hamstring tear. I healed up, continued prep and got in shape for a show I never made it to.
These injuries have me considering just going to being a guy who works out and eats well. The idea of being lighter looks good to me but the idea of looking smaller doesn’t.
Add in a liver that gives me elevated LFTs on a continuing basis and I am asking myself “Should I just stop all this bodybuiling and competing nonsense?”
I have soooo conservative with my gear usage and really just prefer actual TRT. No matter what, I know I can’t stop the clock on aging.

My goal was to do the Legion Sportsfest in October at 60 years old and then the Masters Nationals next Spring. But a couple of weeks ago, Derik Farnsworth, who I respect greatly, looked at me and said “You aren’t 20 weeks out. You are 30 weeks out. You are fat.” Lol! I love candor but it reminded me of George Carlin’s line “People love honesty, except when you are being honest with them. Then, you are an asshole.”

So since we are moving North in a few weeks, have a few events we want to attend this Summer, I am cancelling this plan.

I has been a few weeks since I have hammered away at the gym (except that leg session with Derik and the Neubie) but still doing morning cardio. Today for an hour.

I guess I will get back in the gym, start back on TRT and see how the summer goes. Hopefully Montego won’t laugh at me when we train together again this summer.

My friends laugh when I talk about quitting. Who knows, maybe the Washington State Open next year followed by the Masters Nationals a couple weeks after?
Right now, dropping 30lbs seems like a pretty good idea though.

Bout time! 😄

Jk Coach. Take care of yourself but dont retire from ASF! We need voices of experience and reason! 💪😎

 

[Milford King]

Whatever you decide to do, do it the coach Cabo way. Honorably, precisely and purposefully.

Long live and prosper!

 

[tommygunz]

It took the better part of a year to heal from my second bicep detachment. While I was out of the gym I went through all the emotions and questions. I came to realize that at 59 it was over for me. I’d been ignoring liver and heart concerns in exchange for chasing the past.

Only you know what’s right for you and when.

 

[NoTime2Lose]

In my Preacher tone of voice...Heal thy Self CoachCabo!

I will be 62 in a few weeks and it's all about TRT and health optimization for me. Good luck with your decision!

 

[zionoir626]

It took the better part of a year to heal from my second bicep detachment. While I was out of the gym I went through all the emotions and questions. I came to realize that at 59 it was over for me. I’d been ignoring liver and heart concerns in exchange for chasing the past.

Only you know what’s right for you and when.

I've never stepped on stage, never really had the desire too..
But..I did compete in MA...Decades ago..
So..I know how it feels to have to walk away from something I love..
Life is about change...and if you don't change with it, you're just kidding yourself..and your body will remind us..it sure has reminded me..many times..

Today...
Another New Member joins with absolutely no idea what or where to start..
Both Coach and TG are two of the most Valuable Vets on this Forum..
Straight forward, no Bullshit, to the point Gentlemen I Greatly Respect...
Not just with AAS...
BUT
Life...

Both have given so much here, and me advice I've used..
Two totally different Men, held this Forum to a higher standard, for years..

All I can say...
When we hit those PM's..won that trophy..Beat unbeatable Odds..
OR
Whatever we accomplish..that can Never be taken from us..
That's Ours Forever...
I'm not even half the Man I once was..
But..once I was a god...
Z...

 

[Dogs_of_War]

Last month I thought I tore a tricep. It turns out it was probably just a significant strain since I never saw signs of hemmorhaging. In well over 30 years in the gym I had never hurt myself, then last year that hamstring tear. I healed up, continued prep and got in shape for a show I never made it to.
These injuries have me considering just going to being a guy who works out and eats well. The idea of being lighter looks good to me but the idea of looking smaller doesn’t.
Add in a liver that gives me elevated LFTs on a continuing basis and I am asking myself “Should I just stop all this bodybuiling and competing nonsense?”
I have soooo conservative with my gear usage and really just prefer actual TRT. No matter what, I know I can’t stop the clock on aging.

My goal was to do the Legion Sportsfest in October at 60 years old and then the Masters Nationals next Spring. But a couple of weeks ago, Derik Farnsworth, who I respect greatly, looked at me and said “You aren’t 20 weeks out. You are 30 weeks out. You are fat.” Lol! I love candor but it reminded me of George Carlin’s line “People love honesty, except when you are being honest with them. Then, you are an asshole.”

So since we are moving North in a few weeks, have a few events we want to attend this Summer, I am cancelling this plan.

I has been a few weeks since I have hammered away at the gym (except that leg session with Derik and the Neubie) but still doing morning cardio. Today for an hour.

I guess I will get back in the gym, start back on TRT and see how the summer goes. Hopefully Montego won’t laugh at me when we train together again this summer.

My friends laugh when I talk about quitting. Who knows, maybe the Washington State Open next year followed by the Masters Nationals a couple weeks after?
Right now, dropping 30lbs seems like a pretty good idea though.

I feel you. I had a show I was supposed to be in this past weekend. I’ve been having blood sugar issues since January. My Endocrinologist appointment is finally this coming Tuesday. In the meantime I eat about every two hours. Problem being I’m eating carbs and spiking my sugar all day, so I can’t diet properly. My next show will be November. Hopefully I get to compete.

 

[Rot-Iron66]

At age 57 (soon) and training since I was 12 (45 years) seems like Im always injured.
Plus I still train heavy (for me) w/ 5-plate pulls and SQ's, 3+ plate benches etc. (At 200 pound bodyweight).

I always preach to folks like me about training smarter, lightening it up, not so heavy, etc.
Problem is I ignore my own advices!

Shoulders and back are a mess now...

 

[CoachCabo]

I already walked away from something I loved. Actually, I was flown away and then rolled out of the hospital. Motorcycle road racing was something I always wanted to do but thought I couldn’t start in my 30s, just too old. But at 46 I got back from deployment with a bank roll, went out and bought a dream bike, a KTM SuperDuke, and because they gave me a free track day, ended up racing after all.
I got really good really fast and found it to be something that gave me the most clarity and Zen moments of my life. I got my AMA pro license and was a couple of months from racing at my home track at Sear’s Point. All that lasted about a year and instead of racing at Sear’s, I crashed on a track day…coming out of the ”hot pit” of all places.

So after a month in the hospital, a half dozen surgeries and six months in a wheelchair, I decided that it wasn’t such a good idea to return to the track. I didn’t care so much about my own health as how helpless I made others feel, seeing me in the hospital with no guarantees I would make it the first week or so. So no more motos for me even though I had been riding since I was 5.

We moved to Mexico to convalesce. With a void in my life that would be impossible to fill, I came back to competitive bodybuilding after nearly 30 years. Rather than move to Cabo and become a “Leaving Las Vegas” drunk like a shitload of people here, I re-found something productive. And much cheaper, believe it or not.

So although I might not compete again, I will stay connected in many ways. I am very passionate about all of it, especially the coaching and helping people part. I got involved in the gym and nutrition in 1986 and it has been one of my steady interests since.


The sad thing to add to my moto story is that in my second year of racing, I started a military racing team of active, reserve and veterans. We had a good sized team of 6 riders and a dozen support personnel. I made a press release and quickly had many people offer sponsorships, free training and track support. Jason Pridmore gave all of us an open ticket to all of his school dates, we got free tire warmers, parts and Mike Canfield offered to tune our suspensions. For those of you into American superbike racing, Mike is the blonde guy with glasses that is always around the Yamaha riders with the #1 and #45 plates. An absolute suspension wizard.
Here is a video of our first outing where I finished 2nd in my first race as an ”expert” at an away track. A promo video shot and edited by our videographer.

 

[zionoir626]

One Thing
I've had to embrace...especially dealing with my issues..
You can't reverse the hands of Time..at OUR age,less time ahead than behind..
Quality of Life....
Do things that bring you Joy..
Laugh,kid around, have some Fun..

Today is another shitty day for Me..Fighting to keep my freedom and independence..
But...I'm here...
Supporting my friends and helping where I can..
And maybe some Dark Humor..!!

We all have to go down this path of Aging Out of things...
Whether it's by choice or Not..
It's happens to Everyone..

Personally....
I've always enjoyed your banner and humorous comments..
One door closes...
Another Opens...
Z...

 

[Wiseguy]

Damn both of you hanging up the G-string..lol
Z...

LOL now that you put it that way I might re consider.

 

[tommygunz]

I'm not even half the Man I once was..
But..once I was a god...
Z...

I tell everyone that I used to look like a Greek god, now I just look like a goddamn Greek.

 

[zwhit]

I already walked away from something I loved. Actually, I was flown away and then rolled out of the hospital. Motorcycle road racing was something I always wanted to do but thought I couldn’t start in my 30s, just too old. But at 46 I got back from deployment with a bank roll, went out and bought a dream bike, a KTM SuperDuke, and because they gave me a free track day, ended up racing after all.
I got really good really fast and found it to be something that gave me the most clarity and Zen moments of my life. I got my AMA pro license and was a couple of months from racing at my home track at Sear’s Point. All that lasted about a year and instead of racing at Sear’s, I crashed on a track day…coming out of the ”hot pit” of all places.

So after a month in the hospital, a half dozen surgeries and six months in a wheelchair, I decided that it wasn’t such a good idea to return to the track. I didn’t care so much about my own health as how helpless I made others feel, seeing me in the hospital with no guarantees I would make it the first week or so. So no more motos for me even though I had been riding since I was 5.

We moved to Mexico to convalesce. With a void in my life that would be impossible to fill, I came back to competitive bodybuilding after nearly 30 years. Rather than move to Cabo and become a “Leaving Las Vegas” drunk like a shitload of people here, I re-found something productive. And much cheaper, believe it or not.

So although I might not compete again, I will stay connected in many ways. I am very passionate about all of it, especially the coaching and helping people part. I got involved in the gym and nutrition in 1986 and it has been one of my steady interests since.


The sad thing to add to my moto story is that in my second year of racing, I started a military racing team of active, reserve and veterans. We had a good sized team of 6 riders and a dozen support personnel. I made a press release and quickly had many people offer sponsorships, free training and track support. Jason Pridmore gave all of us an open ticket to all of his school dates, we got free tire warmers, parts and Mike Canfield offered to tune our suspensions. For those of you into American superbike racing, Mike is the blonde guy with glasses that is always around the Yamaha riders with the #1 and #45 plates. An absolute suspension wizard.
Here is a video of our first outing where I finished 2nd in my first race as an ”expert” at an away track. A promo video shot and edited by our videographer.

That sounds familiar. I've gotten into bikes over the last few years. I got into them as a hobby to shift my attention from so much training and AAS use. Seemed like it might be the healthier option with a family. But I quickly went from a cruiser to an fz07 to an mt09 and have been looking at getting into a super Duke. Sort of like I went from a 500mg cycle to a couple grams in the same time frame. Been on trt only for a while now but itching to get into a fucking litre bike. So neither hobby is healthy at this point.

I need to go back to a cruiser and stay on trt only. Where the hell am I supposed to get my adrenaline and dopamine rush though

 

[zionoir626]

That sounds familiar. I've gotten into bikes over the last few years. I got into them as a hobby to shift my attention from so much training and AAS use. Seemed like it might be the healthier option with a family. But I quickly went from a cruiser to an fz07 to an mt09 and have been looking at getting into a super Duke. Sort of like I went from a 500mg cycle to a couple grams in the same time frame. Been on trt only for a while now but itching to get into a fucking litre bike. So neither hobby is healthy at this point.

I need to go back to a cruiser and stay on trt only. Where the hell am I supposed to get my adrenaline and dopamine rush though

Cochise and Meth..lol
Z...

 

[zionoir626]

Damn auto-correct..
Cocaine you asshole phone..!!!
Z...

 

[CoachCabo]

That sounds familiar. I've gotten into bikes over the last few years. I got into them as a hobby to shift my attention from so much training and AAS use. Seemed like it might be the healthier option with a family. But I quickly went from a cruiser to an fz07 to an mt09 and have been looking at getting into a super Duke. Sort of like I went from a 500mg cycle to a couple grams in the same time frame. Been on trt only for a while now but itching to get into a fucking litre bike. So neither hobby is healthy at this point.

I need to go back to a cruiser and stay on trt only. Where the hell am I supposed to get my adrenaline and dopamine rush though

A 990 SD was dangerous in most rider’s hands. The 1290 would be a violent suicide on the streets for most people. My tuner, a supermoto champ, former car racing instructor and shifter cart champ, told me the brakes on my SD were the best he had ever seen. To most riders that haven’t lived life in the redline or at maximum braking, they are simply dangerous.
I loved that bike. It was too much at first but then quickly became underpowered for me.
That straights portion in the video on the banking at Fontana is the maximum velocity for that bike’s sprocket gearing and tire size: 142.9
What happened was 600s were passing me on the straights but no one was out braking me or coming out of turn like that bike’s strong, torquey twin would.

 

[zwhit]

Cochise and Meth..lol
Z...

Probably live longer doing those then using AAS and riding a litre bike

 

[zionoir626]

Great Breaks in anything proformance is astonishing..
Are they EBC..???
That company started in motor cross..and has very quickly made it's name it in the Automotive Industry..
Absolutely destroying Brembo..!!
And that's saying A Lot...

I was driving like i always do..fast on a whiney mountain road...diving into a 25mph curve at 60mph..
A Over-Wide tractor trailer had both lanes blocked..
Those EBC's saved my Ass...

TBH
A firey car crash sounds like a great exit strategy...
Z...

 

[zwhit]

A 990 SD was dangerous in most rider’s hands. The 1290 would be a violent suicide on the streets for most people. My tuner, a supermoto champ, former car racing instructor and shifter cart champ, told me the brakes on my SD were the best he had ever seen. To most riders that haven’t lived life in the redline or at maximum braking, they are simply dangerous.
I loved that bike. It was too much at first but then quickly became underpowered for me.
That straights portion in the video on the banking at Fontana is the maximum velocity for that bike’s sprocket gearing and tire size: 142.9
What happened was 600s were passing me on the straights but no one was out braking me or coming out of turn like that bike’s strong, torquey twin would.

The mt09 is rowdy enough and too much for the street most of the time. The 07 was honestly perfect for the street/back roads. I'm nowhere near skilled enough for the 1290 really. The sound of that big ass twin though