AIBU to want adventure and excitement in my 50s?

[Allgoingtopot]

I really want to push myself to achieve a physical challenge. My partner has just climbed a mountain for charity and it has been a life changing experience. I might need to spend some months getting fit first but I need ideas for the challenge. I am not ready to sit at home and watch other people living their lives!
Let your minds run wild - I need inspiration!

@Allgoingtopot

Has anyone learned a new language in middle age? I wonder how possible it is. I would love to speak Italian.

My mum's been learning Italian since she retired. Don't know if she's any good but she loves her Italian chat sessions with friends.

MIL walked the Comino de Santiago in her 60s and loved it.

Don't hike the Appalachian trail. It's really not exciting unless you like being eaten alive by bugs, getting dehydrated, and trees.

Caving. At least go down Gaping Gill when the winch is in action. Waterfall higher than Niagara cascading into huge cavern

I’ve always fancied walking the Camino de Santiago, it sounds like an amazing experience. Or hike to up to Machu Picchu.

I'm doing just that right now. I had begun pre-pandemic. It's kept me sane over the past 18mos.

@SunscreenCentral

I'm doing just that right now. I had begun pre-pandemic. It's kept me sane over the past 18mos.

Sorry that was an answer to the language learning.

@toconclude that was the plan, I’m not the fittest so we are going to take our time, and the dog, and see as much as we can see en route. It is quite tricky planning it with dog though.

I took up canoeing and kayaking in my late 40's - mainly do WW and love it. Canoeing especially has an older demographic and there are some great supportive FB groups. If you're interested in something like this see what clubs are around.

i am definitely leaning towards paddleboarding/kayaking/canoeing.
I love learning something new!

I'm learning Spanish with my daughter using Oak National Academy! We started it during homeschool as her school Spanish club was cancelled, and we've just carried on. Apparently, learning a new language later in life (I'm 47) can reduce your risk of dementia as it keeps the brain active. I'm loving it, looking forward to going to Spain (to walk the Camino?) and ordering dos cerveza y patatas fritas pour favor

Has anyone been on a wild swimming holiday?

Whatever you decide to do, please make sure it is ecologically sound, ie. not jetting halfway round the world to do a charity hike, etc.

Whereabouts in the U.K. are you?

I'm in North Yorkshire.

If you like horse riding have you considered having a go at endurance or TREC?

Ideal location for canoeing and kayaking!

British Canoeing have lots of information on getting started: www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/

Alfresco Adventures do canoe hire and instruction in N Yorks and the Lakes: www.alfrescoadventures.co.uk/product/canoe-hire/

If you fancy a trip over to the Lakes then Derwent Marina do canoe hire: derwentwatermarina.co.uk/

How do you feel about camping? A longer term goal could be going canoe camping in Algonquin Park in Canada for a few days:
www.algonquinpark.on.ca/index.php
www.algonquinportage.com/

I got through lockdown by watching Chris Prouse’s videos of canoeing in Algonquin and dreaming of when I could go back:

The Camino is long walk the last 100km from Sarria if you don't have time for it all, be sure to collect the stamps and get your certificate - or look up the Caminito del rey - amazing in a different way. Or what about walking from one end to the other of one of the Canary Islands - or the dry stone route in Mallorca? Snowdon is a lovely mountain to climb, stay in the campsite by the youth hostel in Llanberis and you can get up and walk straight up from there. We've climbed the highest in England/Wales/Scotland and N Ireland and it's my favourite.

Brilliant post OP. I quite agree.
In my fifties I've enjoyed climbing the three peaks (not all in one weekend!) If you haven't done them, Snowdon, ScaFell Pike and Ben Nevis are great for a sense of achievement.

Building up stamina to swim a mile also felt good.
Completing C25K, then 8k runs, then 12k then a half marathon.

How about a sequence of running events that lead to a marathon?
Or train to do a mini triathlon and build up to a longer one from there. I'd love to do that - put off by the cycling a bit but still think it would be so cool to complete one.

A fun mini challenge if you are in Paris is to walk to the top of the Eiffel tower via the steps. Much more fun than the lifts, and you earn your croque monsieur afterwards!

@Tal45

The Camino is long walk the last 100km from Sarria if you don't have time for it all, be sure to collect the stamps and get your certificate - or look up the Caminito del rey - amazing in a different way. Or what about walking from one end to the other of one of the Canary Islands - or the dry stone route in Mallorca? Snowdon is a lovely mountain to climb, stay in the campsite by the youth hostel in Llanberis and you can get up and walk straight up from there. We've climbed the highest in England/Wales/Scotland and N Ireland and it's my favourite.

The Camino and Caminito del Rey are way up on my list of walks.

I did the great north swim. A few years ago. It was last weekend so you would have a year to train and you can chose your distance

Would you like to try doing some archaeology?

I turned 50 this year and I'm planning walking 50 wainwrights.
Wild camping
Paddle boarding
Mountain biking
Via Ferrara at honister
I'm loving simple things like a BBQ on the beach or a sunset hike.

The thing with paddle boarding, kayaking or similar, is that you can do it virtually anywhere where there's water. In the last month I've been paddle boarding at the coast, a huge lake, and a very small lake.
It can be as sociable as you want it to be, not uncommon for strangers to post on Facebook paddle group if anyone's going out for the sunrise or whatever.
I like that although DH is taller and stronger than me, we are both equal on the water, no brute strength necessary.

@raspberrytart

I turned 50 this year and I'm planning walking 50 wainwrights. Wild camping Paddle boarding Mountain biking Via Ferrara at honister I'm loving simple things like a BBQ on the beach or a sunset hike.

Inspired by doing my “Personal Development Plan” at work a few years ago I now draw up a list of personal things I want to do each year, similar to the list above. I’ve included things like:

Bonfire on the beach.
Swim in Ulleswater
Bake a cake
Visit X location from Y film
Go to a gig

I suppose it is a bit like a “bucket list”, but more low-key with most things easily achievable.

I’m 54 and have recently taken up open water swimming, done a triathlon, learned how to paddle board, and am planning to run many of the long distance footpaths/trails in my area. Next challenge is the Weald Way from Gravesend to Eastbourne.

When we can travel again I’m heading back to NZ where I grew up and am going to do some long tramps (hikes) and some of the south island cycle ways. Can’t wait!