On my 70^th birthday, in September 2019, I decided to participate in 70 different sports before I turned 71. The motivation? Simply to have some fun. Athleticism, after all, does not end at some arbitrary (任意的) age.

Shortly after my 70^th birthday, I took a crack at paddle-boarding. Family members were greatly entertained, watching me first try to get on the board, then stand on the board and finally fall into the water before trying all over again. Lesson learnt: Perseverance pays off. Eventually I stood, I balanced and I paddled. An early success.

Winter sports brought their own challenges. A pick-up game of hockey resulted in the odd collision. The quality of play was hardly inspirational, but it was certainly fun. Then came the attempt to teach myself the basics of figure skating. It left me falling flat on the ice, my elbow and knee aching. I refused to give up. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again, which I called self-discipline.

However, the outbreak of COVID-19 shut down most of my city, which became a setback to my 70-at-70 goal. By then I had tried nearly 35 sports. Individual sports would have to be the order of the day: Running, jumping, walking. For track, I built my own high jump and hurdles. Athletics does not have to be complicated.

There were some health advantages, too, to all the exercise I was getting. Each activity triggered endorphins that brought an immediate high. Over the longer term came the realisation that dreams are important, regardless of how far-fetched or unrealistic they might seem. As youngsters we dream of playing in the big leagues or participating in the Olympics. As we age, our hopes and dreams change, but one should never let them disappear. We need something to look forward to; what’s better than to wake up each morning knowing there is a game to play?

Winter is often a low point for outdoor lovers, as cold weather pushes them indoors. However, winter can be a beautiful time of year for a winter trail（小路）walk. 【小题1】

Generally, winter walking presents dangers. 【小题2】 You will need to wear   appropriate clothing and always you have proper footwear for your winter walking.

Above all, you should dress warmly. The best way to dress for cold weather exercise is to wear more layers（层）. When you warm up from the exercise, you can take off layers so you will never become over-heated.   【小题3】Wear clothes that are waterproof and breathable. In addition always have a good hat and a pair of gloves, one of the most effective ways to pre-serve body heat.

Shoes are a very important aspect of winter walking.   Instead of using regular shoes on a winter walk, consider trying a pair of snowshoes, a fun way to enjoy your trail. 【小题4】With snowshoes, you will still need to wear good waterproof shoes. With a good pair of snowshoes, you will be able to explore much more of your trail and the surrounding area during the winter.

【小题5】Spend some time finding a trail that is open and safe to walk on during the winter. If you can’t find a trail that fits your requirements, you can come up with an alternative plan. Walk around your local neighborhoods to view the holiday lights or go to your local park where you will probably find some sort of walking trail that is accessible during the winter.

Benefits of sport

Whether you simply go for a long walk in the park, ride your bicycle through the countryside or go to the gym, getting your body moving will not only make you feel more energetic, but will also improve your health.

Involving yourself in an activity that makes you breathe a little more heavily will improve the development of your heart and lungs and help them work more effectively and efficiently. Additionally, regular exercise will tone your body by contributing to the development of your muscles, bones and joints and will also help you maintain a healthy body weight. 【小题1】, making you better prepared to fight off infection.

【小题2】. Swimming, for example, is an excellent physical activity as nearly all muscles are used when you swim. As a result, it provides a good full—body workout, improving coordination (协调), balance and muscle strength. Of course, swimming is also a great way to cool down on a hot day.

Sport, as well as being a physical activity, has a mental aspect too. 【小题3】. Sport builds character and develops a number of qualities that are essential for a successful life. Included are three qualities worthy of special consideration.

First and foremost, sport requires self—discipline, without which it will be difficult for you to keep exercising. In order to do better than others in sport, you will have to set goals, make plans and stick to thoughts and actions, even without immediate rewards. 【小题4】. Everyone has their ups and downs, and therefore, a big part of life means having to deal with success and failure. Engaging in competitive sport will help you understand that the most important thing is not to win, but to learn and improve yourself. Finally, sport will help you understand how important teamwork is. It will show you that you often need to depend on others for your success and, similarly, that you can also make a contribution to the success of others.

The world of sport is a fairground of exciting chances where you can discover who you really are. 【小题5】！