Sammy's innocent
Seven years off and want to start running again 5/5/2012 7:51PM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
It's been 7 years after injuries made me quit but I really miss the feeling of being out o0n a trail running. My question is where to start?

Would anyone share how you came back after an extended break?
lazarus
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/5/2012 8:08PM - in reply to Sammy's innocent Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
My advice...take some more time off! My layoff was 29 years!...added about 1lb yr from 16-45...Started running again but could only run 1 day out of three to avoid injury..After 4.5 yrs I finally did my marathon debut in NY at 2:57...then two yrs later, last fall 2:53 at Chicago at age 51...
Sammy's innocent
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/5/2012 8:15PM - in reply to lazarus Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Thanks for the reply Lazarus, you are just who I needed to hear from.

I am 42 years-old, 210 pounds on 5'11. How did you start back? Run/Walk or straight running in short duration? Please share the details? I need to hear it.

Thanks!
Koimeter
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/5/2012 8:32PM - in reply to Sammy's innocent Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

Sammy's innocent wrote:

Thanks for the reply Lazarus, you are just who I needed to hear from.

I am 42 years-old, 210 pounds on 5'11. How did you start back? Run/Walk


Look for the coaches page.
kpack
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/6/2012 8:58PM - in reply to Sammy's innocent Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
build a base and concentrate on some weight loss. I got hurt several times when I started up again at a similar age to you. So, I made fast progress, but took risks that resulted in several setbacks. I wasn't as big. gotta think that some injuries are unavoidable. oh yeah, get some good shoes.
the clarifier
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/7/2012 12:51AM - in reply to lazarus Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
[quote]lazarus wrote:

My advice...take some more time off! My layoff was 29 years!

This is correct. Seven years is nothing.

Good idea to take a year of real easy running. Run places where you enjoy running. Don't even think about racing.


Drop some weight and, if you remain healthy, decide whether or not you want to increase the intensity and set some goals (racing or otherwise).
religious persian
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/7/2012 8:08AM - in reply to Sammy's innocent Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I did the same thing. I simply walked for 1-2 hours a day for a couple months before running. It takes a while for the legs to get used to moving again.
Racehorse
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/7/2012 8:32AM - in reply to kpack Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

kpack wrote:

build a base and concentrate on some weight loss. I got hurt several times when I started up again at a similar age to you. So, I made fast progress, but took risks that resulted in several setbacks. I wasn't as big. gotta think that some injuries are unavoidable. oh yeah, get some good shoes.


This, plus do not get too anxious to get back to where you were. You may never get back there. Concentrate on solid improvement for the first six months. Then, you can go for top condition.
Sammy's innocent
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/7/2012 11:10AM - in reply to Racehorse Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Thanks for those replies. Encouraging to hear.

I went out yesterday and again this morning on a local dirt trail and did run/walk of 2 minutes run/3 minutes walk times 6 for a total of 30 minutes. Felt awesome just to be out there and helped me remember how great "running" is. I wore a pair of Nike Free 3.0 that I had been using to lift in. I had always worn a "big" shoe (2160ish, adrenaline, structure triax)years back and felt they may have had some effect on my quitting with injuries. I am going to try less support this time as I figure that I have nothing to lose by giving it a try. I know more support wasn't working before.
has been who never was
RE: Seven years off and want to start running again 5/7/2012 12:33PM - in reply to Sammy's innocent Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Took 20 years off after getting burnt out on it all in college. Ran sporadically during the 20 - occasional 2-3 miler here and there, but nothing competitive. Was 40 when I decided to give it another go.

Because I felt I was already fit from other sports - surfing, basketball, etc., I jumped right back into hard runs. Bad idea. One yanked hammie later and I realized what most of us masters do:

- build up very, very slowly. Take 6 months or so just to get your legs back under you. For a long time there I did not run 2 days in a row. Up the training slowly and prudently - nothing more than 5% or so a week.
- cross train - bike, spin, pool
- listen to your body - don't run back to back hard days. If you're sore or feel that tinge that may be an injury coming, take the day off.
- Ice and stretch when you can

After the dumb hamstring injury, I did my best to follow my own advice and have jumped back into the road racing scene and will be lacing up the spikes a in a few weeks for the 1st time since 92. I'm loving every minute of it. Good luck.