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There is no doubt that I’m getting older, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on staying on the move.

Far from it, actually.

The tale of my imminent aging began a few years ago when my son and I thought it would be a good idea to take on two of my brothers in a backyard football game on Thanksgiving. My son was in sixth grade and taking on two adult men was probably a little too much. We lost the game that first year and then we lost again the following year.

A couple of years went by and the rematch was agreed upon for this past Easter Sunday. My son had grown taller and stronger, while I thought I was about the same.

However, after taking an early one score lead, I ruined our chances when I thought I was 20 years old again and tried to sprint full speed up the inclined backyard at my parent’s house. Within seconds, a foot injury that had been nagging me over the past month or so, activated at full force and I was struck with a pain I hadn’t felt in decades. I’m proud to say that I didn’t fumble, but I did fall down.

When I got up, my left foot felt like it was about to fall off. I made one pathetic attempt to play all-time quarterback and we all decided I was done.

After hopping off the field on one foot like the Easter Bunny, I took a moment to reflect. As the ice on my foot started to numb the pain, I realized that this wasn’t going to involve a trip to the hospital, but I was headed for ‘retirement.’

In that moment, I gave up on competitive sports, but like I stated earlier, I’m not giving up on movement. I’ve found less competitive, but still effective methods of exercise and the most rewarding one has been swimming.

While I’m no speedster in the water, I’ve found that swimming is a great way to get a great cardio workout without risks of an injury or lingering joint pain. There is also something very therapeutic about being immersed in water as you let your mind wander to wherever you’d like to dwell.

Over the past few months I’ve made swimming a part of my regular routine at the YMCA and I can’t say I regret it. I encourage others to give it a try as well.

Just remember, you may be too old to compete, but you’re never too old to exercise.