Athlete can apply to those that are not on a team or in a competitive environment. For example, folk who hike and backpack at all levels. Also, how about the senior who is an athlete. I am an 81 yo woman with a passion for hiking and backpacking. I most often make trips solo simply because it is hard to find companions. The year previous to my hip fracture I hiked the John Muir Trail and was the oldest female going solo between Mexico and Canada. 1 1/2 years ago I fractured my hip and had a partial replacement. I recovered well and was hiking in the mountains again, working my way up in elevation and weight carried when I slipped on ice and sprained my hip, 3 muscle groups and one or maybe two tendons were damaged. It's been almost 5 months, finally, I am pain-free but am not yet able to hike up an incline or for more than 3 miles on the flats. At my age, it is hard to stay optimistic that I will hike again. Eventually, age will win out, I fear. Still, I never say "can't"; I prefer "not yet" before my fracture, I believed I had at least 8 active years left to me, maybe more. I am biologically younger than my chronological age. I have a good PT and I work diligently at recovery. My sport has defined much of my life and is a huge part of who I am. I miss it. I miss who I was. I work, as well, to keep the dark thoughts from taking over. My primary care Doc told me that yes, I had missed this season but there will be another season. I like that thought, yet, I am heartily sick and tired of my season being one of recovery without a definite endpoint. While recovering from the hip replacement I had a set back and could not get myself out of my bathtub. EMTs had to get me out. I appreciated how the PT normalized my fear and depression while at the same time encouraged me to know that setbacks are not permanent. That day saw no exercises as the whole session focused on my mental state. Very helpful. With the more recent injury my PT tells me I'm tough, I'm not too old, I will be as good as ever back on the mountains hiking with a backpack.
