Male Vets Over 40 Discussion - Training

sawney bean

11/12/2010 at 20:39

Would like to discuss male vet training, racing and events with other like minded comrades, what are your goals and aspirations for 2011. What PB's are you after

41 Hound

11/12/2010 at 22:02

Hi Sawney -nice thread idea!

I am a M40 runner. My 2011 goal is a sub 36 10k

What about you?

sawney bean

11/12/2010 at 22:19

well i have had a difficult year, i feel a better runner but for one reasson or another i have not been able to race although i have trained hard.

i really only took the sport up seriously in 2009 and did 35.28 in my 2nd 10k and 17.05 in my first 5k and 2.12 in my 1st 800 metres

did 35.40 for a my first 10k in April 2010, then went array.

ran a 10k and did a average time, 37.16 i think and followed it by doing a 5k three days later and hated it and jogged to the end.

then did my only track race, my 1st ever 1500 metres, but guess what it was blowing a gale and i did 4.39, due to work i could not do any others.

Went to Bulgaria on holiday in August and could not be bothered to run in the heat and crowds so took three weeks off. Guess what i came back hungry to do well again and i have been flying in training.

i then was training hard for a 10 miler in November and was well up for it only to get called away at the last minute.

My racing is curtailed by Mrs Sawney working nights and me slotting in races when she is off as we have kids.

So as the year is drawing to and end i know i am a better runner and WILL get pb's next year even if it kills me.

My Motto is now pick your races, dont race too often but when you have a chance to race take it because tomorrow never comes

Barry B

11/12/2010 at 22:47

Sawney and 41 Hound - Impressive times already from you 2. Especially Sawney 35:28in your 2nd 10k I take it you were pretty fit before you took up running seriously.

My targets for next year:

Sub 3:15 at Gloucester Mara in Jan current PB 3:16:21

Current 10K best is 39:36 so hoping to get 38:xx next year

Bring HM PB to 1:26:xx

sawney bean

11/12/2010 at 22:56

barry my only bug bear is that i have not apparently improved since then lol

knight rider

11/12/2010 at 23:41

Hi Sawney - it's surprising how good the over 40 Vets actually are. You only have to look down race results and check out the age categories to see a lot of 40+ Vets up there and even winning races. I think it is harder to keep a level of fitness and speed up and longer to recover from races and harder sessions when you get older. We have a few late 50's early 60 runners at our Club still knocking out sub 7 minute miles in races. I think it has helped that some of these guys were doing 1.18 half marathon when they were younger - so it is in their genes I guess.

When I turned 40 last year I had my best year running ever setting PB's at 5 miles: 30.36, 7 miles: 45.45 and half marathon 1.25.26. Didn't have as good a year this year, but fingers crossed for next year as I am chasing a sub 3.15 marathon goal.

12/12/2010 at 00:36

instead of being average over all the distances make a decision now and either go for the track or the long distance. i think you will probably be more successful on the track because it is highly unusual to see veterans with such good basic 800m speed and i think you have real potential to be one of the best for your age here. end of the day it is about what excites you. good luck.

postie postie

12/12/2010 at 05:41

My goal for 2011 is to run thriough without injury and to break the 1500 mile barrier a target which has escaped me due to injuries the last couple of years. The only race planned next year is the VLM as I have other things to prioritise first but am aiming to go sub 3 in 2012.

As someone has already siad pick your races carefully as the rune/life ballance just seems to get harder with age.

My stats since turning 40 for those interested

5K 17:56
10K 38ish
HM 1:25:24
FM 3:01ish

sawney bean

12/12/2010 at 11:11

>>>> i think you are right and its what i am thinking, my age graded percentage is better for track 800 and even that crap 1500 i did and i am unconsciously steering myself towards running with one of the best over 40 track runners in the country.

i dont know if other over 40,s feel it but i feel this is my last chance in the next few years to do something with running.

i did have a brief affair with the sport in 95, aged 28 when i did 2.05 for 800 in 10.06 for steeplechase.

Then I never ran for 10 years due to kids and both working ful time. GOD them days were HARD

Kicked-It

12/12/2010 at 13:23

I finished higher up my age gropup when under 40.

Now I'm an M40 vet I regularly get hammered!

Lots and lots of seriously quick over 40 year olds out there!

sawney bean

12/12/2010 at 14:38

kicked i think when you reach forty you work harder at what you want to achieve, when your 20 something you take it for granted

12/12/2010 at 15:04

there is no reason at all for you not to improve considerably in your veteran years. it is your training age that is important. i am quite pleased you have a track past because i think it is precisely the reason why you have got the times so easily in your forties. my plan is to spend the next three to five years trying to get under 2 minutes for the 800m and then i'll take the distance runners down in my late 20's. glad to see it worked out for you. 10 minute steeple is madness!! good luck mate.

sawney bean

12/12/2010 at 15:07

>> how old are you mate?

any training tips for old man middle distance

any do's and dont's

12/12/2010 at 17:08

what worked for me is joining a track club and doing the long races (3000m-10k) early in the season and then sticking with your main races (800m-1500m) for the rest of the season.

41 Hound

12/12/2010 at 18:08

When I first joined our club I was invited to train with the vets track and field squad. I did 2 seasons of 800m training and went from 2.27 to 2.12 - I also did 2 seasons at 1500m improving to 4:31. I have to admit that I really had had enough of it by then as my lack of genuine, easy speed was finding me out and I was getting sick of being out - kicked in races! But I enjoyed the vets league. I found the regional / national vets competitions a drag - poor turnout for midland T & F champs, with only 3 or 4 in each age group and a huge gulf in class to national standard ( my 1500m pb wouldbe be good enough for last by 5 seconds ). Too much hanging around and people posturing for my liking too . But it IS great for making a better runner out of people. The speed enduance and aerobic combination gets us very fit, if done well and progresively.

I have now turned back to my first love of cross country and 10k. I love it and I am starting to race well and improve my times. But I wouldn't be where I am without the experience of training and racing middle distance.

I think anyone who can run a 2.12 800m as a first effort will run a lot quicker with training and should be capable of good things as an M40. Certainly running with national champoionship medal chances. Sawney - your starting effort was my final score! I think you should give it a crack alongside the 1500m. Unless your 400m PB is very good,in which case a 400 / 800 combo is best.

One thing I found was that the more I raced the quicker I got in a 8 week period. I would then hit a peak and plateau. So lots of racing at distances 400 to 3000 in the weeks leading up to your key events should help you peak. Nothing prepares you for racing like preparation races.

57.5 Degrees of Pain

12/12/2010 at 20:06

sawney bean wrote (see)

kicked i think when you reach forty you work harder at what you want to achieve, when your 20 something you take it for granted

So true Sawney.

My key target for this year is to beat my 10k PB set at age 26 when I didn't much enjoy running and training consisted mainly of commuting and touring by bike. Gradual improvement since I got back into running 6 years ago age 38 has seen me peak at 36:51 last season... getting close.

I also had a good buildup and race for VLM (2:54:54) so this year's marathon target is just to stay healthy, enjoy Boston and do a good sub-3 hour time. More important is to beat my rather weaker 5k and half marathon PBs.

I actually enjoy racing as much as possible when feeling good (though in the north here the schedule is a little thin so no danger of overdoing it!) and just taking whatever the day gives you (PB on that flat course in good conditions, strong showing in a hilly race, enjoy the scenery).

sawney bean

12/12/2010 at 20:08

i did 59 secs last year but it was on the same night as a 100 metres and 800 metres and it was in training
never raced a 400
i am 6'4 and might be tall and rangy for a 400 metre runner
but i have been thinking a lot of making a proper bid for the track this year, kids and work allowed

sawney bean

12/12/2010 at 20:14

57.5 where in the North are you, I am in Newcastle

57.5 Degrees of Pain

12/12/2010 at 20:46

Inverness, the occasionally very isolated north in the winter.

And there was me thinking you'd be running from a cave in Ayrshire .

sawney bean

12/12/2010 at 21:16

aye well i am from Mallaig originally
but well done on the Moniker