Some People Don't Know When to Retire

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Lindsey Vonn suffered a fractured left leg that will require multiple surgeries. Skiing can be a dangerous sport. Jill Kinmont was before my time. But I know her story. She was a very pretty girl in her youth. She had a promising life ahead of her. But she suffered a skiing accident at age 19 that left her a quadriplegic. People need to learn to say "Goodbye". I know a State Representative I have known for over 50 years. He announced his retirement about 2 or3 weeks ago, giving one of the reasons that his wife needed him. He is in his mid 80s. His wife ended up dying last week. Bob Iger came out of retirement to save Disney. He is retiring now again. It did not work out. Tom Wolfe, the novelist, wrote you can't go back home again. He said you can't return to your past. I think that applies to staying in place for too long as well. Your body changes including your mind. You can't do what you used to do as well. People need to step aside to let the next generation step up. I can no longer do golf. But I can do pickleball.
 

Uscg1984

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It's especially sad because it seems like the headline after the women's downhill was "VONN CRASHED," which wasn't particularly surprising, rather than "BREEZY WINS GOLD," which was surprising.
 
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Yeah, it was being painted as courageous and heroic of her to come back after she tore her ACL, but it was really foolish and selfish. She took a spot from someone else only to totally wipe out a millisecond after starting the race due to her injury.
People need to look at Warren Buffett's investment performance over the last 20 years and compare it to his previous years. As you get older, neither your mind nor the rest of your body are as good. People need to learn. You can't do what you used to do as well.
 

18IsTheMan

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Yeah, it was being painted as courageous and heroic of her to come back after she tore her ACL, but it was really foolish and selfish. She took a spot from someone else only to totally wipe out a millisecond after starting the race due to her injury.
Well, I partially take back my comment. I read she wiped out right out away but just saw a highlight and she went for a while before biting it.
 

catchandrelease

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Lindsey Vonn suffered a fractured left leg that will require multiple surgeries. Skiing can be a dangerous sport. Jill Kinmont was before my time. But I know her story. She was a very pretty girl in her youth. She had a promising life ahead of her. But she suffered a skiing accident at age 19 that left her a quadriplegic. People need to learn to say "Goodbye". I know a State Representative I have known for over 50 years. He announced his retirement about 2 or3 weeks ago, giving one of the reasons that his wife needed him. He is in his mid 80s. His wife ended up dying last week. Bob Iger came out of retirement to save Disney. He is retiring now again. It did not work out. Tom Wolfe, the novelist, wrote you can't go back home again. He said you can't return to your past. I think that applies to staying in place for too long as well. Your body changes including your mind. You can't do what you used to do as well. People need to step aside to let the next generation step up. I can no longer do golf. But I can do pickleball.
Some people do not understand an athlete's desire to compete.
 

KingWard

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Yeah, it was being painted as courageous and heroic of her to come back after she tore her ACL, but it was really foolish and selfish. She took a spot from someone else only to totally wipe out a millisecond after starting the race due to her injury.
It was desperate is what it was, even pathetic. It was a typical case of an athlete seeing the window closing and trying desperately to eek out one more conclusive triumph. The problem is, the consequences of failure are much more severe in some sports than others. She chose an especially dangerous one. That was a catastrophic incident at the Olympics.
 
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ctgarric

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I don't understand the 'she took a spot' from someone else narrative people keep throwing out.

Lindsey had to qualify, which means she beat someone for the spot. Shouldn't the position on the team go to person who qualifies the highest regardless of their age or how many times they've already been there?
 
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Viennacock

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Yeah, it was being painted as courageous and heroic of her to come back after she tore her ACL, but it was really foolish and selfish. She took a spot from someone else only to totally wipe out a millisecond after starting the race due to her injury.
She earned the spot. I have plenty of older folks at my company that are holding on for a few more years at the expense of younger, more talented folks. They earned the right to decide when it's time. Selfish? Maybe, but it happens with athletes and non-athletes all the time. She just happened to be under the worlds spotlight.

I do agree that she shouldn't have raced, but she earned the right to make that decision.
 

Swifty

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Well, I partially take back my comment. I read she wiped out right out away but just saw a highlight and she went for a while before biting it.
Yep and her ACL actually injury didn't play a part. She took that corner just a little too tight and caught her right arm on the gate flag which turned her sideways.
 
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Viennacock

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Yep and her ACL actually injury didn't play a part. She took that corner just a little too tight and caught her right arm on the gate flag which turned her sideways.
Yes, but the previous accident likely played a huge part in the 2nd accident.
 

kidrobinski

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Nothing wrong with that as long as they are aware of their limitations. Ignorance is not a good thing.
Valid point. Up until I was 60 I was still traveling around playing tennis tournaments, convinced it was beneficial to keep moving the way I always had despite a couple of warning signs, and ultimately my foot broke in three places on the opening point of a match. I’ve been averse to any sport except golf and running since, 12 years now.

You mentioned pickleball. It hasn’t really appealed to me but I’m considering trying it out. How is it on the body in your view?
 

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Valid point. Up until I was 60 I was still traveling around playing tennis tournaments, convinced it was beneficial to keep moving the way I always had despite a couple of warning signs, and ultimately my foot broke in three places on the opening point of a match. I’ve been averse to any sport except golf and running since, 12 years now.

You mentioned pickleball. It hasn’t really appealed to me but I’m considering trying it out. How is it on the body in your view?
It's easy on my body. I am probably about the same age as you. I am so glad and thankful that my son and daughter-in-law introduced me to it. Jack Nicklaus took it up after finding tennis to be too hard on his body.
 
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KingWard

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Pathetic? That seems a bit judgemental. Walk / ski a mile in another's shoes.....
I do not recant in this instance. She was literally a wounded duck. She had no business out there. The door closing before her, to coin another metaphor, inclined her to imprudence, Teddy Roosevelt's bravado notwithstanding.

As to the effect of her more recent injury, having had ligament issues myself, anything that hampers the ability to prepare becomes a potential impediment to performance in a short time frame. This woman is 42 years old and engaged in a strenuous, risky athletic endeavor. The deck was stacked, to coin yet another truistic metaphor.
 
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Viennacock

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Valid point. Up until I was 60 I was still traveling around playing tennis tournaments, convinced it was beneficial to keep moving the way I always had despite a couple of warning signs, and ultimately my foot broke in three places on the opening point of a match. I’ve been averse to any sport except golf and running since, 12 years now.

You mentioned pickleball. It hasn’t really appealed to me but I’m considering trying it out. How is it on the body in your view?
I play tennis / tournaments. I also play P.B. I need to retire from tennis. I can barely walk the morning after playing. I played last night and am struggling today.
 
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I play tennis / tournaments. I also play P.B. I need to retire from tennis. I can barely walk the morning after playing. I played last night and am struggling today.
Jack Nicklaus gave up tennis due to shoulder problems. Now, he puts in pickleball courts around golf courses he designs.
 

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Jack is a good man. P.B. can also be rough on the shoulder also. P.B. courts are everywhere. Fun sport.
I can see it putting some stress on the shoulder. I guess it being a lighter ball and you don't have to hit it as far and as hard is easier on the shoulder than tennis. P.B. is fun. Jack was always my favorite golfer.
 

Dutch Cock

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People need to look at Warren Buffett's investment performance over the last 20 years and compare it to his previous years. As you get older, neither your mind nor the rest of your body are as good. People need to learn. You can't do what you used to do as well.
Funny you said that, I tore my rotator cuff playing golf in early 25 and didn't get to play more than 5 rounds all year. Been playing for 50+ years and just recently had that repair surgery. After sitting out most all of last year I have realized that it is time to put golf in the past. Your words ring a bell.
 
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Lurker123

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Funny you said that, I tore my rotator cuff playing golf in early 25 and didn't get to play more than 5 rounds all year. Been playing for 50+ years and just recently had that repair surgery. After sitting out most all of last year I have realized that it is time to put golf in the past. Your words ring a bell.

Amen.

I enjoyed a "vigorous" youth, but am paying the price now.

Worth it, but I have to look at that as a past time.
 

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Funny you said that, I tore my rotator cuff playing golf in early 25 and didn't get to play more than 5 rounds all year. Been playing for 50+ years and just recently had that repair surgery. After sitting out most all of last year I have realized that it is time to put golf in the past. Your words ring a bell.
My back and both my arms are in pain. Not constant pain. But it comes and goes. I spoke to my son's father-in-law this past weekend. He is about 6 or 7 years younger than me. He told me he plays golf 3 times per week. I told him to enjoy it while he can. I very much enjoyed playing golf in the past. But you have to use every muscle from your neck down. It eventually took a toll on me. Even though I loved playing. I love being pain-free more.
 

Dutch Cock

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My back and both my arms are in pain. Not constant pain. But it comes and goes. I spoke to my son's father-in-law this past weekend. He is about 6 or 7 years younger than me. He told me he plays golf 3 times per week. I told him to enjoy it while he can. I very much enjoyed playing golf in the past. But you have to use every muscle from your neck down. It eventually took a toll on me. Even though I loved playing. I love being pain-free more.
I played three times a week, back and wrists really started to bother me the last several years, sometimes you just have to say enough is enough and accept what you're feeling.
 
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will110

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Yeah, it was being painted as courageous and heroic of her to come back after she tore her ACL, but it was really foolish and selfish. She took a spot from someone else only to totally wipe out a millisecond after starting the race due to her injury.
Not really...she was competing at the top of the sport. In her last practice run she was one of the fastest skiers. If she had showed up and been terrible in the practice runs, then it would be foolish and selfish.
 
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ctgarric

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Lindsey Vonn suffered a fractured left leg that will require multiple surgeries. Skiing can be a dangerous sport. Jill Kinmont was before my time. But I know her story. She was a very pretty girl in her youth. She had a promising life ahead of her. But she suffered a skiing accident at age 19 that left her a quadriplegic. People need to learn to say "Goodbye". I know a State Representative I have known for over 50 years. He announced his retirement about 2 or3 weeks ago, giving one of the reasons that his wife needed him. He is in his mid 80s. His wife ended up dying last week. Bob Iger came out of retirement to save Disney. He is retiring now again. It did not work out. Tom Wolfe, the novelist, wrote you can't go back home again. He said you can't return to your past. I think that applies to staying in place for too long as well. Your body changes including your mind. You can't do what you used to do as well. People need to step aside to let the next generation step up. I can no longer do golf. But I can do pickleball.
1770748800817.gif
 

KingWard

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Funny you said that, I tore my rotator cuff playing golf in early 25 and didn't get to play more than 5 rounds all year. Been playing for 50+ years and just recently had that repair surgery. After sitting out most all of last year I have realized that it is time to put golf in the past. Your words ring a bell.
I must say I hate to see anyone feel compelled to give up activities that have spiced their lives. I've lost significant physical capability. I'm kicking the can down the road as long as possible. Almost all of my friends play.
 
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kidrobinski

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I must say I hate to see anyone feel compelled to give up actities that have spiced their lives. I've lost significant physical capability. I'm kicking the can down the road as long as long as possible. Almost all my friends play.
Golf is the one activity that hasn’t deserted me yet; i got one of those stretch bands to support the back and and started playing from the senior tees. The younguns be hatin it.
 

catchandrelease

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Nothing wrong with that as long as they are aware of their limitations. Ignorance is not a good thing.
Ignorance does not even come into play. But heart and a strong desire to be a winner does. Like I said. This is something that you do not understand and never will because you will never have the heart of a winner. Not being mean. But just telling it like it is.
 

gamecock stock

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Ignorance does not even come into play. But heart and a strong desire to be a winner does. Like I said. This is something that you do not understand and never will because you will never have the heart of a winner. Not being mean. But just telling it like it is.
Yes ignorance does come into play when you are not considering your limitations. You obviously took what I said personally, which was not directed at you nor at anyone else on this site. "Winner"? At 4:00 pm this afternoon when the market closed, I had 7,020,713 hearts of a winner. And I'm nowhere near finished. That did not happen by just snapping my fingers nor by luck. Not bragging. Just telling it like it is.
 
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Fried Chicken

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I am in the camp that she earned her spot. It wasn’t given to her. I thought it might be best to give it to someone else but if she really thought she could go, and she did during training, then it was her decision to make. It’s worth noting that her teammates came out in support of her decision. It could’ve been a legendary moment like Kerri Strugg (however you spell her name) or Tiger winning the US Open with one good leg. And it was the last race of her career.

Also, she says the ACL had nothing to do with it. And even if it did, I’d expect to hear that. But video does show exactly what’s she says happened, her arm & pole got caught and it spun her around. I don’t know if she could’ve corrected it or not, but at that speed it seems like it was going to be ugly regardless.

Could you imagine how brave and heroic it would’ve been had she won? We know she didn’t in hindsight, but she obviously thought she could.
 
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catchandrelease

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Yes ignorance does come into play when you are not considering your limitations. You obviously took what I said personally, which was not directed at you nor at anyone else on this site. "Winner"? At 4:00 pm this afternoon when the market closed, I had 7,020,713 hearts of a winner. And I'm nowhere near finished. That did not happen by just snapping my fingers nor by luck. Not bragging. Just telling it like it is.
Money does not make you a winner. If you think it does, then you are a loser. Athletes train hard to become successful unlike you. They give up so much to get where they are. Hour's training, Time without family. Getting up at crazy hours to do things you would not do. All this to chase their dream. And yet you call a female athlete who wanted to compete one more time in the Olympics after all the training she has put herself through ignorant and a loser. It is evident who the real loser is and it is you.
 
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