My running began at age 12 in 1972, with the Palos Verdes marathon, for which I was totally unprepared, and was already walking at 4 miles. This proved to me that anyone can migrate through a marathon if they are determined enough. A few years later I got better and ran with Orville's group. Hey Orville, how's it going? Give my best to John R and the other "old" guys. Can you believe the kid is qualified to write in this thread?
My training this week: 100 miles (on the high end- it's usually 70-90)
twice a day, lots of 6-8 milers starting 8-9 min pace gradually down to 6:30-7 min, nothing beyond 13, one day of 10x90 sec hard, jog back, on dirt in xc spikes. Getting ready for Lexington.
The 50+ group in New England is incredibly strong, and will get even tougher in the next year or three, but it's good to be competitive at least for a while, after getting flogged by 40 year-olds the past few years.
Hence the motivation to train hard.
The longer I run the less I am certain of, but one thing seems clear.
A few weeks ago, one poster here said he (or she) felt better when running twice a day, with more mileage. I completely agree. When I feel achy and tired and old, the groove is found on the side of more running, not less. Consistency is the main thing, not hard/easy. And speed is toxic, to be taken in tiny doses.