Folks,
I presume there a few like myself who's only sport they played was Gaelic football or Hurling.
Well I no longer play and to try and keep fit but more to try and keep the beer belly off my retirement sport is running.

There is a good running scene in Cork so the races keep the competitive juices flowing even though not having a hope in hell of winning!
But have to admit nothing can replace the atmosphere of playing competive football but the legs had got too slow to keep up with all these young lads!!
A good run is better than a bad stand as they say!

so wondering what do other retirees do since you gave up the big or small ball?

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 02/09/2015 11:19:42    1780485

Live their lives vicariously through their own young lads who now play instead. And secretly love it when they overhear someone comment 'jayz he's good alright but he's not a patch on d'aul lad'

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 02/09/2015 11:27:03    1780494

Handball, Racketball and a bit of Squash. Handball especially keeps a certain amount of fitness and helps with co-ordination etc.

moylagh (Meath) - Posts: 484 - 02/09/2015 11:28:13    1780495

A great topic.

Well I was as fat as butchered pig meat for a while so had to go on a diet to shed > 2.5 stone.

To keep it off, took to running, try to do that 2-3 times per week. Also try to do weights & sit ups to stave off man boobs and prevent a gut appearing.

Here's a curious one for you: darts. I am about to install a dart board in my shed and I see it as a way of keeping fit. You may laugh, but if you throw 300 darts a night that is 100 times 7 feet walked :-) It can only help. Plus the concentration and mathematics needed will keep the brain active.

I do miss playing all right.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 02/09/2015 11:29:12    1780496

Cycling is the one to get into. Im not advocating being a full kit w***** or anything, but it keeps you fit, keeps the weight off and is much easier on the joints. The running craze that is underway at present is going to result in a lot of guys with knee problems down the line. Particularly if you are a footballer/hurler, your joints have probably taken a bit of wear as it is.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 02/09/2015 11:41:29    1780506

The running craze that is underway at present is going to result in a lot of guys with knee problems down the line. Particularly if you are a footballer/hurler, your joints have probably taken a bit of wear as it is.

I think you are right master. As I do be clocking my next target landmark to get to without dying, I feel the pressure on the knees, back, hips. Might have to look into the cycling. I know it sounds silly but I can't bear the thoughts of wearing one of those cycling helmets that makes people look like a flamingo pedaling like a hero. On country roads though I'd be unlikely to meet the coppers, but of course safety is the main issue. If I wore a hurling helmet while cycling I'd look like a gom.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 02/09/2015 11:46:01    1780509

I'm a young buck so am still playing, but I always thought it was a weakness within GAA that they haven't really succeeded in developing casual/ small-sided games for people who just wanted to keep their fitness up. I know that the All-Ireland Masters series was going for a while, but I seem to recall that it wasn't officially sanctioned, and fell afoul of the insurance types.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 02/09/2015 11:46:15    1780511

Yea,good post.As a taxi driver for last 11 years,i work long hours just sitting down on my backside.Im a big man anyway,but really do need some excercise to keep me ticking over.I join gym every odd year but after couple of months i lose interest.Now when i use gym i pay by the month instead of yearly.No need for gym in summer months.Might join in November when the weather is bad.I try do 3 or 4 light runs per week.Alternate between 2,3 and 5 miles.And i would walk some of this distance also.Easier said than done after a minimum 12 hour shift,but really has to be done.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 02/09/2015 11:48:25    1780513

Lads if your looking to keep the belly off after finishing playing the best way is "Spinning" there is no better work out for an hour than a spin class you'll lose loads of weight in no time.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 02/09/2015 11:56:39    1780523

Yea,good post.As a taxi driver for last 11 years,i work long hours just sitting down on my backside.Im a big man anyway,but really do need some excercise to keep me ticking over

Are you the bloke with the taxi that is a shrine to Dublin hurling?

I got a lift from a lad in 2009 from Dawson Street to the Train Station - his car was bedecked with the blue & he was telling me he had been all over the place for NHL games etc.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 02/09/2015 11:59:05    1780527

Stay involved in the game. Become a coach at your local club. If you want take the referees course. Don't be a manager on the ditch.

MaigheoAbu (Mayo) - Posts: 343 - 02/09/2015 12:01:01    1780528

Ha,no slayer,i have a bit more class than that.I love Dublin as born and bred here,and will more than likely spend all my days here,but like a lot of Dubs,i have country roots,so have a soft spot for a couple of counties,and like to think im fair to all.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 02/09/2015 12:07:48    1780536

Coach is not for me...not at the moment anyway, too far from from my home club and not involved in the club where i live.
Possibly if I ever have kids though!!

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 02/09/2015 12:09:18    1780539

Yes master,good call,i have couple of pals that swear by the cycling.Im thinking of investing in a bike meself as your right,the running is very tough on the joints.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 02/09/2015 12:09:56    1780540

Master

Mountain bike or racer?

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 02/09/2015 12:12:19    1780544

I AM currently on the Dublin u15 hurling team and play minor for my club , sorry I follow my son who plays on the Dublin hurling academy team , and my older son is a minor .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 02/09/2015 12:41:02    1780564

Good thread!

I'm definitely in my last year playing now as we have our first waen on the way in December.
I enjoy running but as Master pointed out, it can't be good for the old joints in the long term.

I find swimming to be a great workout as well. I also try to get a few push ups, sit ups, lunges and squats in before bed. Keeps the Heineken belly in check!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9116 - 02/09/2015 12:43:38    1780569

Another reason to do it is if you have a tattoo anywhere on the chest/back/belly it can become distorted and look like paper after having fish & chips on it.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 02/09/2015 13:25:08    1780601

Being from Ulster, I have taken to walking with a huge chip on each shoulder.

Doesn't do much for the weight but the feeling of permanent self-righteousness more than makes up for the lack of a six pack.

Not that I would ever claim to be a trendsetter but, by the looks of things on HS this week, quite a few Dubs seem to following in my wake.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 02/09/2015 13:36:19    1780605

Damothedub
County: Dublin
Posts: 2743

1780564 I AM currently on the Dublin u15 hurling team and play minor for my club , sorry I follow my son who plays on the Dublin hurling academy team , and my older son is a minor .

I had flashbacks to my own U12 hurling days there Damo. To this day I'd swear some of them Killimor lads we played against had beards.

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 02/09/2015 13:37:07    1780608