Training - starting seriously at age 28

Has anyone else started training seriously in their very late 20's - if so how far did you manage to progress. I'd like to think it's not too late for me to do something good if I put my mind to it?

Im reasonably fit from playing football still and I've had a sub-19 minute 5k before, and a runner's build so I have a reasonable start.

Tipp-Topp I noticed on another thread that you are 31/32 and have only been doing it for 3 years - how have you progressed in this time?

Andy: All the best mate.

 Go for it and get out of it as much as you can.

Thanks for the replies and the encouragement guys, very helpful. BIRCH - what were those PB's - and how did they compare to the times you were running when you were 31/32?

Hobbling Harrier - interestingly the times you mentioned are roughly what I thought I should be aiming for, so that's very helpful. The sub-19 5k is my only race time and was done from limited training (12 or so miles per week) (I was only 21 though!) so that's why I thought with some proper training I could bring that down quite quickly.

I did start training last summer (was told by a doctor to start running to build up strength after a broken ankle) but gave up after about 12 weeks. This time I'm going to register for a race in July/August to give myself something to go for Even though the time won't be great I guess it will be a good indicator of where I'm starting from.

Hi Andy.

I just turned 32 at the end of January.

Essentially I started back running in January '07 (used to run as a kid, but gave up just before turning 17). I was very overweight when I started, but the initial weight loss was quite quick. I ran my first HM after 6 weeks (1:34), another one 6 weeks later (1:28), and after the second one thought that if I was going to do it I should do it properly and joined a club around the end of April/start of May. Then I started to build up the mileage a bit and ran the New Forest Marathon in Sept (2:55). I finished out the year with a 10k pb of 36:40, HM of 1:23:35 and Mara of 2:55:46.

During my first year of running I realised that I can manage a reasonably high level of mileage (peak week for the year was just over 128, average was 48 - first couple of months were low, hence why the average was lower, the average for the 3 months before my first mara was ~70 I think). I also realised that within my club I am viewed as a bit of an oddity because I do a bit of mileage, so if you can are willing to do a reasonable amount of mileage and can manage it without getting injured you'll automatically have an advantage over a lot of club runners.

During my second year of running I got my 10k time down to 34:17, HM down to 74:17, and mara down to 2:35:48. This was down to consistently higher mileage, and later in the year, more structured training.

This is my third year of running. I have been plagued with problems so far this year unfortunately, though, I hasten to add, not typically linked to running. At the start of the year my main aim was to get down to sub-2:20 shape ahead of the Dublin Marathon in October. Whether that is possible depends on me getting a bit of a break luck-wise as I have been very unlucky so far. The key though to future advancement is consistently high mileage (am quite comfortable knocking out in advance of 110mpw) and good structure. As to how far can you go starting late? I really don't think, within reason, that age has much to do with it.

The sub-3 thread is littered with late starters who have gone further than me (marders and Marigold to name 2) and who I hope to emulate (and eventually pass).

Only advice I would give is train hard, don't put limits on yourself and see where it gets you.

Also, if you want to email me and ask anything else, feel free. I hope some of that helped.

Tipp-Topp - that's brilliant, thanks. Judging by your mileage I guess you must be out there quite early in the mornings? I'm terrible dragging myself out of bed, but I do run quite happily in the mornings once I'm out there!

Hi Andy - to answer your query - my first Mara was 1986 Sheffield in 4:14 ( didn't know what I was doing really) !!  1987 Sheffield 3:01 (after joining club and learning a bit about training). 1988 London 2:59 ...............   eventually PB'd at London 1991 - 2:46:00 . My half mara PB was set in 1990 - 1:15:58 - this was after my highest/hardest traing period Avg 70mpw over 3 months, highest 102 miles in 8 days. (High for me, but lower than many, I know). This was for a mara PB attempt in Rotterdam which went badly wrong, but 3 weeks later the training gave me the half PB, so not wasted. 10K PB was 1994 (at age 39) - 34:58 - after a few low 35's finally broke the sub - 35 mark.  Probably unusual, as the conventional wisdom is that speed goes before endurance. Still going at age 54, although injury has hampered me the last few years - managed 3:15:50 at last year FLM off 8 weeks and 2 week taper.

Can't add much to Tipp-Topp's wise words re training - just do as much as you can - pay attention to key elements - Mara Pace runs, tempo, longer repeats etc. You may surprise yourself. 

As a footnote - if anyone of roughly my years/background can offer any advice regards maintaining performance whilst managing injury niggles, I would be glad to hear ...   I still think I can get back to at least 3:05 ish (or is this wishful thinking) ..........  

Andy

I started running aged 28 and after 6 months of training twice a week ran 1:49 for a HM.  Fast forward 6 years and I've just run 1:24:53 at HM.  If I'd been more consistent in my approach to training I could have got to that point a couple of years ago and I'd like to think that I've still got a few years of improvement left in me.  Like TT I don't think age need be a limiting factor - many of the best runners local to me are in their 40s.  I do recommend joining a club.  It helps enormously with speedwork and also gives you the opportunity to do team events.

I started running aged 29 in 1999

First 10k was 53:18

Last week I knocked 10 secs off my 10k pb set in 2003 with 33:31.

As has been said above, consistent high mileage will get you the rewards.

I started running last year, aged 27, applied for the London Marathon got rejected.

Completed first 10k in 60 minutes dead on.

stopped running for a bit, but 6 weeks ago aged 28 i got started again, now up too 3-4 runs a week about 20 miles a week in distance, and going to apply for next years london marathon.

blimey...i'm reading all these times above and feeling a litttle slow lol

Sat here as a 27 year old..for another 3months, who has run to some degree since 21, but stepped up to 50miles a week only 6 months ago.

got down to

17:45 5k,  37:41 10k,,   1:02:10 10miler and 1:22:53 half.

but looking at all the times above I'ma  flod of mediocrity!

must get some more quality into my sessions!!

Well Stevie G you're certainly quicker than me, so at least you wouldnt be finishing last in the same race as me