SYLVAIN DISTIN insists the buzz of playing for Everton means retirement is unthinkable.

The 35-year-old veteran became the first foreign outfield player to make 400 Premier League appearances last weekend, and is showing no signs of slowing down after signing a year long contract extension in January.

Super-fit Distin, who has made 28 appearances already this season, continues to put in the extra hard work to stay in peak Premier League condition, and admits the fear of hanging up his boots drives him on.

He said: “ I know how lucky I am to have this job. I know my lifestyle and my families’ life is down to the game. That feeling when you score or win games is big. There are plenty of amazing feelings from playing football that whatever I do when I retire I won’t get.

“I don’t particularly like training hard or running until I feel sick. But I do it because keeping fit is the only way for me to play games, and that’s what I love.

“I’ve inherited good genes from my dad, but after that it’s hard work. I realised at a certain age that you either rest a lot or work harder so working hard suited me. Every year I try to improve things like my diet etc.

“I love my food but if I can change little things and improve by 5% or stay at the same level it’s good because physically at my age your body stops improving. I won’t jump higher or run faster, but I certainly don’t want to be slower or not jump as high. It will happen but I won’t to put it off.

“There’s no secret. I just work. Beckham is good at free kicks because he stays outside and practices 500 free kicks every day. I’m good physically because every day I stay in the gym and work after training. There’s no magic pill.”

Distin is 36 in December but maintains he is postponing any serious thought about a life after football, as he concentrates on success at Everton - the club he joined in summer 2009.

“It’s difficult to think what I want to do when I retire, because when you play football you start it very young and that’s the only thing you do,” he said.

“I just don’t want to believe I’m going to stop playing.”

The former Portsmouth and Manchester City defender said he would be reluctant to consider dropping down a level to prolong his career, because he loves playing for the Toffees in the Premier League.

He added: “I’ve got three international players competing for my position. It’s not like it’s an easy choice here, but I’ve got good competition which I like.

“I want to enjoy my football but sure if I suddenly found myself out of the team long-term I’d have to think about dropping down. I want to play.

“Everything else is after that. I love playing, I love the atmosphere. If I have to drop down a level then maybe, but that’s not in my thoughts at all because what you get in the PremierLeague you don’t get anywhere else.”