Male Vets Over 40 Discussion

Thanks RFJ/LuvsaPB for comments

I think I am over analysising performance/expectations to put into context in April I ran wed/sun 5 mile then 10k ran 27.20 (26.40ish unofficial course over distance and susequently confrimed by organisers)and 34.06. Then again last week ran wed/sun 5k then 10k ran 15.59 and 34.20

On both occasions felt sluggish in 10k but having talked to collegues etc realise that at 46 should be pleased and stop beating myself up

I plan to target a 10k later in year and just race once that week that then should answer the point as I believe I can run low 33's for a 10k as my 5 mile and 5k times suggest!!

55-60 miles per week

2 quality track sessions with about 6.4k of effort, 1 long steady 12-14 miles, 1 rest day and the balance at about 6.45-6.50 mile pace

Don't be jealous us "old farts" need to push the youngsters!!

I used to run as a kid then stopped at 19 started again at 41 progression from 41 goes roughly like this

1st 8 months treadmill running too embarrased to run outside ran a 10k in October in 40.06

then 12-18 months running by myself as I now had the running bug again raced a copule of 5ks in 19 ish mins then down to 17.36 confidence coming back doing about 25-30 miles training no structure

Joined local club just under 3 years ago started doing track work and in 2009 starting racing a little more including track races

2010 did next 10K in september 2nd one since started back ran 34.40 then ran 34.06 in April Target now low 33 by end of year

In 2010 ran various distances from 2.06 for 800m on track to 27.10 for 5 miles and 10k above

This year inproved on roads again and ran 4.39 track mile fastest in uk for a V45 on power of 10

I get a great buzz from running again after way too long out

Sorry if this is a bit boring but if you want more info I'll try and explain better

Rob

No Rob. I find comparing other runners "stories" of how they progressed fascinating.  I hear coaches talking about an individual's "make-up" in relation to how quick they can become after doing specific training plans & levels of weekly mileage.  And because we're all different-have a different "make-up", if you & I did identical training plans, the results in our times & fitness levels would be different too.

Do you only race shorter distances?{up to 10k).  Have you done any halfs & full marathons?  Were you a fast runner up to age 19? Interrogation over!

Only race upto 10k at present may do half marathon next year but doubt i'll venture to marathon

I am very competitive and if I was to commit to a marathon then my mileage would have to increase and then injury, time etc could be a factor as I would want to run around 2.40 and I think it would drive me mad. People I am currently training/racing against are doing that sort of time and I know the commitment they put in.

I was ok as a kid

800m 1.51, 1500m 3.51, 3000m 8.19, 5k 14.45 and half marathon 1.13 when run as a training run may sound good today but back in the early 80's only county standard!!

What times/distances are you doing?

Rob, I'd say you were pretty useful as a teenage runner.  If they had park-runs back in the 80's then I'm sure you'd be winning a few!  My first races entered were the same half marathon in '09 & '10.  Only after I joined my local running club did I very quickly dive into lots of 10ks, more halfs & a few 10 & 20 mile races.

I've got my first mara this weekend in Wolverhampton & hoping to do sub 3hrs.  I've done the mileage in training & 10k & half pb times would indicate I'm knocking on the door.  But, who knows?  I'll  keep running long-distance because I enjoy the training & the race is really just  the icing on the cake.  Would be tempted to try an ultra but I don't like x country much, and there isn't a road-only ultra any where to my knowledge?

If the body doesn't start objecting, I'll look to build weekly mileage to 100p/w later this year. What sort of weekly mileage are your 2.40 colleagues putting in?

Rob, some great times there.... on Sunday at Pewsey half our 1st 3 runners won the male team prize, I was fourth to count..... so keeping the younguns in there place....

FWIW im doing 50-60m weeks in the build to abingdon and just done 267m for the month....

LuvsaPB 80-100 miles per week but are doing tempo runs upto 18 miles at 6 min mile pace the main guy was a 2.12 marathon runner at his peak but he is now 48 and doing chester marathon his first for 15 years

Good luck at Wolverhampton but luck shouldn't come into it as I am sure you've done the training

RFJ well done at Pewsey what time did you run?

robT wrote (see)

LuvsaPB 80-100 miles per week but are doing tempo runs upto 18 miles at 6 min mile pace the main guy was a 2.12 marathon runner at his peak but he is now 48 and doing chester marathon his first for 15 years

Wow.  That's some intensity. Maybe if I progress, one day....  What time is your friend aiming for at Chester mara?

robT wrote (see)

LuvsaPB 80-100 miles per week but are doing tempo runs upto 18 miles at 6 min mile pace the main guy was a 2.12 marathon runner at his peak but he is now 48 and doing chester marathon his first for 15 years

Good luck at Wolverhampton but luck shouldn't come into it as I am sure you've done the training

RFJ well done at Pewsey what time did you run?

robT wrote (see)

LuvsaPB 80-100 miles per week but are doing tempo runs upto 18 miles at 6 min mile pace the main guy was a 2.12 marathon runner at his peak but he is now 48 and doing chester marathon his first for 15 years

Good luck at Wolverhampton but luck shouldn't come into it as I am sure you've done the training

RFJ well done at Pewsey what time did you run?

LuvsaPB and RobT, you are both adding some serious times to this forum!

LuvsaT, sounds like your pan out as a similar runner to myself so far. I got back running in my late 30s but really began training @ 41, getting under 40 for the 10k for the first time in many years. Then I gradually improved off mainly marathon training (35-50 mpw) to 36.51 aged 44 en route to 2:54:54 at VLM. Bit slower this year aged 45 (~1 min in 10k) for no obvious reason but still comfortably under 3hrs in Boston. You should have no problem blowing past that 3hr target if you take it easy early on.

As for how often to race, how long is a piece of string? If It's fun and you are happy with the times, as often as possible. Personally I need some recovery time or the Achilles/ calves let me know about it.

Thanks 57.5. That's very encouraging!  Got Wolverhampton mara tomorrow so we'll see if I'm near 3hr standard.  Will stick religiously to pacing target so as to prevent blowing up before the crucial latter stages. Then it's Oxford half 3 weeks later followed by Abingdon mara 3 weeks after that.

We've all got a different "make up" so it's difficult to predict when you've reached your peak in terms of performance.  Alot will depend on frequency & degree of injuries I suppose, as well as recovery times. I've certainly heard stories of guys achieving 2.30-2.45 who were late forties/fifties & took up running later on in life.

 We've all just got to keep pushing the boundaries!  

Just back from Overton 5, a tough very undulating 5m... wanted close to 31:30, got 31:09, very happy.

Spitfire 20 tomorrow, but not racing it more a trg run

Take care