Coasting down the other side

It's official in more ways than one.

I'm old.

The news arrived a couple of weeks ago in the mail. Addressed to me was an envelope from the American Associated of Retired Persons. I must have made some big fuss when my wife's application arrived a few years ago, because she gave me a hard time about my official welcome into codgerville.

The second part of the awakening came Wednesday, when it was made official that I have been on this Earth for 50 years.

And here I am trying to take care of myself as I begin my journey over the hill. I've now officially lost 50 pounds, and am easily in the best shape since high school.

I took up competitive cycling this year, and the training for those races has been just the carrot dangling ahead I needed to allow me to build the muscle I've been missing for a few decades.

And now to complete the trifecta, we get the news that the Republican vice presidential candidate is a full eight years younger than yours truly.

Nothing to do now but sit on the porch and complain about the government full time, eh?

Not quite. I think I still have a little life left in me. For starters, many of the cyclists I compete with week in and week out are older than me. Even though they have decades more experience in racing, I'm holding my own. I can easily see myself out there 10 years from now, fighting to get to the front of the pack.

Also, other than a few aches and pains that a half century will implant within you, I feel great. My diet is much healthier than it has been in quite awhile, and by pounding out many miles on the bike, I can have a few guilt-free goodies, now that my metabolism won't allow for them to remain on my hips for long.

As for the AARP card, I am still trying to put a positive spin on that "reward."

Whether I find it or not, I guess the "over the hill" part is over. Hand firmly gripping the handlebars, I'm coasting down the other side.

Hopefully, it's a long descent.

Jerry Hitchcock is the gray-haired copy editor for The Press. He can be reached at 664-817, Ext. 2017, or via email at jhitchcock@cdapress.com.