FOCUS ON LITTLE As
LOOKING at some of these amazing Masters athletes got me thinking that maybe some of our young athletes and children need to come and watch some of these amazing older athletes.
Made up of all ages and shapes – the one constant among competitors is a love of activity and staying fit.
More than 16,000 participants have come from over 40 countries to play in 42 sports at the Pan Pacific masters Games on the Gold Coast.
The Games started in 1998 and have been held every two years since.
Numbers have grown each time the Games have been held, showing how important sport is in our ageing population.
The mantra of the Games is “Play it, Live it, Love it!’’
I am well aware with increased age you tend to use your brain a little more and use what we call “common sense.” It is a silver lining that comes with age.
I also think that Masters are mentally tougher in some cases and understand when to push and when to ease up.
To be able to listen to the body and adjust training programs comes through the wisdom of experience.
I know I often say to my athletes that I don’t expect them to do something that I have not already done. If they really want to improve, their needs to be some pain but not TOO much.
Doing more is not necessarily better. Doing it smarter is the key.
This is where “role models’’ are so important – guiding an aspiring young person can help them navigate through some difficult situations that might arise in their careers and life.