Age VS Determination

Getting old sucks. I've been practicing at least 3 to 6 times a week to get my speed and endurance back up on the drums, but my joints ain't having it. It has become something I've accepted as a part of my existence since NOT working on achieving my goals usually sparks depression.

My bodybuilding habits also came to a halt. From November to February, I lifted 5 to 6 days a week. I increased the weight according to my muscular abilities, but again, my joints weren't having it. I winced at every elbow or knee movement and thought, "I'm lifting to get stronger, not to look great and be in pain."

Current Routine

I have been developing my speed and endurance through comfortable drum exercises: no tension in the shoulders or triceps. Current exercise is as follows:

• 5 Min Stretch for wrist/forearm/tri/shoulder & shake
• 140 BPM
  • 16th note Alt. Singles - 5 mins (2.5 min break)
• 150 BPM
  • 4/8/12/16/Alt Singles - 2 mins each, totaling 10 mins (5 min break)
• 160 BPM
  • Alt Singles - 5 mins (2.5 min break)
• 190 BPM
  • 1 bar 8th notes/1 bar 16th - 5 mins (2.5 min break)
• 200 BPM
  • 1 bar quarter note triplets/ 1 bar 8th notes - 10 mins (5 min break)
• 190
  • 1 bar quarter note triplets/ 1 bar 8th notes - 5 mins (2.5 min break)
• 145 BPM
  • 16th note Alt Single Strokes - 5 mins (END)

The total time of this workout is about 75 mins. I aim to perform it for 7 consecutive days, but usually achieve 3 to 4 times per week during the past 2 weeks.

This morning, I blasted a little longer on a song set to 225 bpm.

The point of this is to say my body is going to hurt regardless of whether I work out, play drums, or not. So I might as well aim to play the music I love, which requires hard work and dedication, rather than to wither away in self-deprecating thoughts.