Age Matters?

[NewFinnLoper]

This was in Runner's World's latest online newsletter:

Age Matters

It was kind of interesting because I just had a discussion about my future marathon times. As I age I automatically feel that my marathon time will just grow as well...Maybe now with the right type of training geared to aging athletes...

One of the things discussed and also reiterated in the article is that older athletes with a good mileage base can get away with an average of 29 miles/week...and even a three day a week schedule - which would totally suit my lifestyle.
All hope is not lost...

[Doonst]

Oh that's a funny topic. I turn 52 next month. On the one hand as a relatively new runner I am still able to hit PB's when I stay healthy. On the flip side, race results websites make it so easy to search the records of people in my age group that are near my speed. Most of them used to be faster, they once ran times that I see as future goals, but they're constantly slowing down.

[La]

I'm on the flip side of 45, have been running for 12 years, and I haven't seen any slowing down of my times yet. I think that's mostly due to the fact that I am still getting fitter. I fully expect that at some point my times will hit a plateau and then start to decline. Thankfully, I haven't hit that point yet.

[Jwolf]

One of the things discussed and also reiterated in the article is that older athletes with a good mileage base can get away with an average of 29 miles/week...and even a three day a week schedule - which would totally suit my lifestyle.

But it's not clear what "good mileage base" means. Some people who take up recreational running later in life have never really averaged more than 29 miles/week.

I thought this was mostly referring to people who have been running for years and used to do 50-60 miles/week or more, and can cut back as they get older. Having started running when I was almost 40, I find that I can't really improve unless I get my mileage up to at least (not average) 30 miles/week and then build from there during hard training cycles. I have still been improving, though, which is likely because I can keep increasing.

One thing they also talked about, and I think one of the main differences between older and younger runners, is recovery time.

[JacSprat]

One of the things discussed and also reiterated in the article is that older athletes with a good mileage base can get away with an average of 29 miles/week...and even a three day a week schedule - which would totally suit my lifestyle.

But it's not clear what "good mileage base" means. Some people who take up recreational running later in life have never really averaged more than 29 miles/week.

I thought this was mostly referring to people who have been running for years and used to do 50-60 miles/week or more, and can cut back as they get older. Having started running when I was almost 40, I find that I can't really improve unless I get my mileage up to at least (not average) 30 miles/week and then build from there during hard training cycles. I have still been improving, though, which is likely because I can keep increasing.

One thing they also talked about, and I think one of the main differences between older and younger runners, is recovery time.

Haven't read the article yet but I think that is very true.
As well as sprint speed.

[runlolarun]

The physiology of this article is understandable. For me, though it is not applicable. I am one of the recreational runners they cite and I only started running at age 48. I am in the enviable position where my goals
are milestone based and all training results in a stronger, more resilient, stress-proof body that can respond to physical challenges far better than it could five years ago.

Tell me three years ago that I would be contemplating, with confidence, running a full Marathon, I would never have believed it. My body at age 51 is far more functional machine than it was 20 years ago. If you start from a base of zero there are no deficits to measure, only gains. Now that my body understands the load that I am placing on it, it is responding well. Older bodies can still rise to the learning curve physiologically given the challenge, at least from my experience.

[seuss]

The physiology of this article is understandable. For me, though it is not applicable. I am one of the recreational runners they cite and I only started running at age 48. I am in the enviable position where my goals
are milestone based and all training results in a stronger, more resilient, stress-proof body that can respond to physical challenges far better than it could five years ago.

Tell me three years ago that I would be contemplating, with confidence, running a full Marathon, I would never have believed it. My body at age 51 is far more functional machine than it was 20 years ago. If you start from a base of zero there are no deficits to measure, only gains. Now that my body understands the load that I am placing on it, it is responding well. Older bodies can still rise to the learning curve physiologically given the challenge, at least from my experience.

great post! as someone who is 48, i want to post this at 51!

[clocker]

The physiology of this article is understandable. For me, though it is not applicable. I am one of the recreational runners they cite and I only started running at age 48. I am in the enviable position where my goals
are milestone based and all training results in a stronger, more resilient, stress-proof body that can respond to physical challenges far better than it could five years ago.

Tell me three years ago that I would be contemplating, with confidence, running a full Marathon, I would never have believed it. My body at age 51 is far more functional machine than it was 20 years ago. If you start from a base of zero there are no deficits to measure, only gains. Now that my body understands the load that I am placing on it, it is responding well. Older bodies can still rise to the learning curve physiologically given the challenge, at least from my experience.

Good thread and link, thanks Lisa.

I turn 50 this year and have a bit of a love affair going on with that more resilient feeling. They are all gains for me, but I'm looking at the biggest possible picture and my expectations are really broad. I like to see my times come down and work harder and smarter all the time to help that along, but that's the game, not the goal. I just want to remain active, keep my recovery from stresses of all sorts to a minimum and smile broadly when I pass much younger runners. Balance is attractive for me.

Thanks for posting.
Ian

[5km]

One of the things discussed and also reiterated in the article is that older athletes with a good mileage base can get away with an average of 29 miles/week...and even a three day a week schedule - which would totally suit my lifestyle.
All hope is not lost...

Age DOES matter. I'll be 63 this month and since my return to running in 2006 after 9 year hiatus I've discovered a few things which are obvious but none the less worth mentioning:

1. I need more recovery time.
2. I get injured more easily than I used to.
3. I'll never run as fast as I did in my 30's, 40's and early 50's and certainly not over the same distances. I came very close to my pre-hiatus 5k time last summer, 6 seconds, but that was an all out effort under good conditions. I can't come close to my old times over 10k and greater distances.
4. I've never been a high mileage runner, unlike some of you guys. I wouldn't have run much more that 29 miles a week during my best years so mileage reduction is not an issue for me.

Adjustments I have made to compensate:

1. I take more recovery time between runs and races.
2. Last summer I started doing some track work outs to improve my speed.
3. I run only about 3 times a week but always at relatively high intensity levels.
3. I only participate in short races, 5K's, for now.
4. I'm still trying to improve on my current running and racing speeds.

Age does count and effects some parameters but it doesn't change my love of running and racing.

[danziggirl]

I didn't start running until I was 47. Ran my first half at 51. Qualifed for Boston in my first try at a marathon at age 54. I think as you get older there are less distractions - no small children to take care of etc. There is more ME time.

[NewFinnLoper]

I didn't start running until I was 47. Ran my first half at 51. Qualifed for Boston in my first try at a marathon at age 54. I think as you get older there are less distractions - no small children to take care of etc. There is more ME time.

That is a biggie...my kids are at an age now (10 & 12) where I can comfortably leave them at home while I head out for a run. I started running when my youngest was under a year old and it was just to try to lose the baby fat...but trying to schedule runs around family life was very difficult. I guess that's why I didn't take it very seriously until they were older.

There are a lot of considerations....for all ages...and we adjust accordingly to our priorities; time, injuries, physical limitations...

...but what I do know, is that as long as I CAN run I WILL run.

[endurox]

Its whatever the body can handle and whatever amount of time you have to devote to running. I have read many articles for masters runners "less is better". I run with a girl who is 51 and she living proof of this, but its what works for her body, her free time. The theory from the 70s was you had to run 80-100miles a week to excel. This works for pro runners who can nap in the middle of the day, do 2 workouts etc. I still believe the heavy mileage is what works if your body can take it. In order to get off a plateau you need to add a new stress (to your running routine), whether it be more miles, more intervals, whatever it may be. Once your body adapts to your training schedule, then you need to crank it up a notch to hit the next level (if thats whats important for you.) Everyone will notice vast improvements in the beginning once you obtain a certain level then the times will not drop as quickly.
For me what is working to get off my plateau is adding more mileage. I see my pace dropping to where it was pre plateau, I see my interval times at a better level. However I have the time to devote to this and as long as I show up at work on time!

To set a PR you must train like you have never trained before.

[Jogger Barbie]

...but what I do know, is that as long as I CAN run I WILL run.

Very interesting article, but for me it also comes down to exactly what you've said above

[MrBond]

The older I get, the faster I was !

[cgraham]

There's an interesting post I read in a masters running blog about this - seems that on average, you can expect to hit your best times after about 7 years of running - 10 years if you're running lower mileage:

http://petemagill.blogspot.com/2009/03/bagels-links-your-morning-read_04.html

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

There's an interesting post I read in a masters running blog about this - seems that on average, you can expect to hit your best times after about 7 years of running - 10 years if you're running lower mileage:

http://petemagill.blogspot.com/2009/03/bagels-links-your-morning-read_04.html

I'm looking forward to proving this to be true .

[RonPerth]

I am still getting fitter. I fully expect that at some point my times will hit a plateau and then start to decline. Thankfully, I haven't hit that point yet.

Well when that happens, you won't really mind too much. You'll probably still be out on the roads running and biking and having a good time. Doing some races with friendly competitors. And other people will covertly point you out as 'that old woman who can do an Ironman'. So who cares if the numbers decline a bit, they're just...........numbers.

Ron

[s rasmussen]

Perhaps we could get Jacqueline (Jogger Barbie) to share some of her speed secrets?
I am definitely in the category of "new older runner" as I am 58 and have 21/2 years running. I am trying to increase my mileage in order to improve my times- I am definitely not cut out for shorter distances and am slow at the mile, but can keep going at a good pace for a half marathon.

I think you lose speed at shorter distances more quickly than endurance as you age. I have run recently with a group of very quick guys in their 50"s and 60's, so it can be done!
Simon.

[Jwolf]

Perhaps we could get Jacqueline (Jogger Barbie) to share some of her speed secrets?.

There are no secrets to speed-- combination of talent and training is all it is. Some people will never be as fast as others, but we all have the ability to train toward our potential.

[Spirit Unleashed]

Age only matters if you think it does. and if you think it does it will more and more.

In any case, you can always push the envelope from where ever you are today.

I am healthier today than ever, but it is a complicated situation, not just running more.

[danziggirl]

Up until I was in my late 40's I had NEVER exercised. I am now 55. I think I would never have had the time for myself earlier in my life. I am now a grandmother of a beautiful 5 month grandson and I will be proud in the future to show him the medals I have received in the last few years.

[Jan]

At 53 I have more engery than most of the people that I spend time with. Some younger and some older. I am not as fast as most but I still get to the finish line. Quality time spent of the roads and the trails is what I value. Another 50 years will be perfect.

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