Shooting While Sore

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I turned 70 on the 16th. Luckily I still move like a younger person but there's hardly a single morning where SOMETHING doesn't hurt. Being a drummer for 60 years has had its benefits but also its detriments. My shoulders, wrists & thumbs cause the most problems. The days I hurt the most, weather permitting, I force myself to get out & shoot. The Zen of concentration, breathing correctly (after my morning cigarettes) & walking my permissions has such a curative effect on me. I can't shoot prone comfortably & mostly sit cross-legged with a tall bipod now but that works great for me. I push myself to move & do this because I'm scared of what will happen if I STOP! I feel blessed that I haven't had chronic back problems or leg problems YET. When things start affecting my ability to place shots for a humane kill it'll be time to stop. Luckily not yet!
 
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Ezana4CE, IMO, you have no reason to apologize. As we age (I'm 72), most of us will have physical or health issues that affect our lifestyle, including our shooting. I believe a distinction should be made between routine muscle soreness, and deep orthopedic pain. Those who have not experienced the latter, give thanks, and I hope you can maintain it. I think anyone who can offer tips on dealing with chronic or other serious limiting conditions can be very helpful to those in such need. 

Ed
 
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I understand all these posts....I am 72, have had a triple bypass, have arthritus, and bad rotator cuffs, waiting on surgery... Yep, in pain of some kind every day!! On good days my practice is serious, but on days where I dont feel just right I just plink at larger targets and fun shoot so I dont create bad habits, or at least fewer bad habits !! I retired from competition many years back due to health issues. I still do some coaching for others and still enjoy shooting, and I do have some fairly good days and on those days I can still shoot some awesome groups due to my awesome shooting TX200 !! At my age you do whatever you can, when you can !! I dont do prone at all as I cant get into that position, I do some offhand as I really used to be good at it, but mistly from my shooting bench as I can get most comfortable there. When out hunting, most shots are leaning against something or offhand. I also find when days have extra pain, I drink more water or tea, the extra fluids do help !! You would be surprised at how many folks get dehydrated without knowing it, myself included !! Getting hydrated can often help with steadiness, cure the wobbles, clearer viision, lessen muscle pain and twitching. Most of us do not get enough fluids each day andvthat can add to our other health issues.....now then, I have found that extra scotch doesnt count !!!! How dissapointing !!
 
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@Airshot Good tip on the water. I definitely pay attention to that and made sure I’d drank enough before shooting today. It’s already warming up out here. We’ve gotten into the the 80s this week. 


@Ranchibi Funny how the mind works. It’s like sometimes we think in terms of what we used to be able to do even though we know our bodies are changing or have changed. I’m not trying to blame the gun. At least not just yet. Lol.


Taking time between shots is sounds advice. Thing for me is when shooting off of the tripod, taking a break entails taking my hands off the rifle and stepping away for a few seconds or minutes. Touching the gun means I have to extend my arms. That’s what was causing a lot of the fatigue and discomfort in my shoulders and arms. They were worn out from the day before. 
 
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Here's my two cents. I'm of an age and have crashed enough motorcycles rolled enough Jeeps been in enough fights and played enough high school football to know about sore.

Do the Red Green thing get your icy hot or your biofreeze tape it to a d@## paint stir stick, rub it on. "So you can reach your own back easy" Have a big mug of whatever you like to drink that's not alcoholic and shoot. I like Earl Grey or spiced chi. Some days are worse than others. I tried shooting out the window after running the snowblower for 5 hours. Those were not the greatest groups I've ever shot.

Any like condition and minded shooters, we need a team "Team Neoprene" We:'re Braced for competition.

Jim




 
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I like M63URAL’s advice on the icy hot, just make sure and thoroughly wash your hands after using that stuff cause in the middle of the night when us guys tend to itch ourselves in our sleep, well, you’ll feel it. Talking from experience of course.



that stuffs potent, man. In high school we used to lace that stuff on guy’s jock straps if they left their gym lockers open and unattended
 
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 Hi Big Ragu Based on you recent back rebuild I know you'll get there. At 72, surviving chemo and radiation therapy ( and internal burns ). When I can't be steady I pick bigger targets and shoot for fun while trying to hit a particular spot on the target or gong or whatever. But relax, latest study says it is more and more difficult to build muscle for human beings as they age especially over 50. I'm now 72 and wondered why I didn't seem to be able to recover muscle quicker. Now I know.
 
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I don’t even want to think of what shape I’ll be in at your age GBGUNNER. I don’t think I’ll be able to shoot at your age as it’s a chore to do so now at 59. I tell folks close to me I’m like a fuel tank, or a rechargeable battery. Once my reserves drop I have to lie down to refuel, in order to make the most of my day. I sometimes reflect back on the things I once did, like climb ladders and high rise stairwells all day long five days a week. I sent a video to a guy today of me sorting pellets, jokingly saying I sure wish I got paid to do that, ha ha.

tell you what though, after reading thru some of the aches and pains other members have posted, I still say mine is at a level 3 compared to most, and if you all are still enjoying your Airguns after what you’ve all been through, I’ll use that as my inspiration. Keep on trucking, fellas!
 
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