Approaching the water station at mile 10, my right calf cramped up so I walked through it, drinking half cups of water and Gatorade. At mile 15, the problem had compounded to my forearms and now, both calves were tightening up at various intervals.

By the time I was in the last mile of my first marathon, I was half walking, half jogging in an awkward manner to keep my body from completely locking up due to dehydration. As a lifelong athlete it was common for me to consume little or no water for fear of cramping up during the game. Little did I know that a marathon must be approached quite differently. 

The same kind of realization can happen to people racing toward retirement. The more that’s poured into their work and flooded into their investment portfolios, the less time and energy remains for their health, relationships and emotional well-being. Therefore, these areas of life begin to tighten up, to hurt, even causing some to awkwardly lurch towards retirement’s finish line, wondering why efforts that worked in other aspects of their life aren’t having the same results now.      

As a result, some clients can enter retirement “thirsty,” unaware of the need to constantly rehydrate certain aspects of their life. This is understandable because society, the media and even the financial services industry often portray retirement as life’s ultimate fountain, the magic elixir that will quench any thirst. In practice, what happens is clients discover the financial well they’ve been so desperate to fill up is actually draining valuable “fluids” from other areas of their life. 

A concept that is illustrated by the following words of wisdom:

First I was dying to finish high schol and start college.

And then I was dying to finish college and start working.

And then I was dying to marry and have children.

And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work.

And then I was dying to retire

And now, I am dying … and suddently realize I forgot to live.           

- Anonymous

Anecdotes such as this help clarify priorities for clients, which is exactly the type of refreshing drink they need for their next stage of life. In other words, a gentle reminder that retirement is much more than a financial event and can wind up like a barren desert, without enough “water” to sustain key areas of life.

When I started training for my first marathon I had visions of sprinting across the finish line; arms raised in victory, and a running time well under four hours. I wondered if my hard work and training would turn me into a regular marathoner, eventually stepping up my game and qualifying for the Boston marathon. I had enough self-confidence for this first race to actually drive myself to the starting line and home afterwards. No need for my fans giving me a relaxing ride home, I had it all figured out. 

It turns out my first marathon was my last. I finished near the five-hour mark and, if I ever make it to the Boston area, it won’t be to run. Clients can fall into similar mental and physical traps when it comes to retirement. Most imagine themselves retiring in good health, surrounded by family and friends, with opportunities to travel, relax and grow. They want enough money saved, the house paid off, no debt and the ability to maintain a high standard of living.

The harsh reality is that the average new and existing retiree is at least 25 pounds overweight, feels tired for some part of the day, is moderately depressed about something, has low self-esteem in some areas of life, admit they only “kinda have a best friend” and, overall, lead pretty mundane lives.

Furthermore, research suggests 40 percent of baby boomers say it is difficult to kneel or stoop, stand for two hours, walk 1/4 mile, climb 10 steps without resting, sit for two hours, lift and carry 10 lbs., reach over their heads, push or pull a large object or grasp small objects.

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