50+ Weekly Training Thread

Haha, my first one was a 4.09 off a 1.30 1/2 way split, Melbourne 1979. Ouch, and I had big blisters all over my shoulders from sunburn -it was a nice hot one to boot.

MiKe, I am not sure if I was in that picture. Things from those days are getting foggy. I will have to see if I have that picture. I did contribute to RW before they paid them. I was listed as a contributer for a while. I wrote an article about our Palos Verdes group in the early 70s, I think. I asked fo a free magazine for each member of the group. They finally agreed.

My first marathon was billed as the Canadian and North American Championship in St Hyacinthe, Quebec on Labour Day 1961. The meet director was Gerard Cote a winner of 4 Bostons and a World Snow Shoe Champion. It was 92 degrees and very very humid. Johnnie Kelley ran one of the greatest races I have seen. He won in just under 2:32, I think. I heard that John did not make it to the awards ceremony. I know I didn't. I struggled home second in 3:01 after walking most of the last 6 miles and getting very sick from eating too many oranges. Boy, was I sick after that race! It was a 4 loop course. All I remember of the race is the people coming out of their homes to hose us down during that last lap of hobbling through hell.

Boy this thread is really growing. Only ran 4 days but got in 26.6 miles for me this week. Sleeping through the night is my problem. It's worse if I run faster. Nights after a long run I usually sleep better.

I started running XC my junior year of HS. We were all above average athletes but never the starters in football or basketball (the 2 big sports). We all had competitive personalities and made each other better. I still like to compete but the friendships are really what keeps me going. Going out for a Saturday long run with a group of friends is still my favorite part of running.

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.

It is good to hear from you Mark! You grew into a very good runner. I am glad that you still enjoy running. Every year at Boston time I look for your results. I know that you are one of those 50+ runners who are still doing very well at that advanced age.

John R retired a few months ago at 75 but he still runs twice a day. At 4:30 he goes out with some of the guys. Later in the day he goes out with his wife who is now running too. Most of the guys are really slowing down but 6 are 79 and 8 are older than that. All the best in your future races. I still feel my best both physically (when not badly injured) and mentally when I am running or even just jogging. As Coach Igloi often said "Enjoy".

Oh, THAT wall...driske, our stories are almost identical...my marathon debut was in the November 1972 issue...a blistering 3:36:54 just a couple steps ahead of old Fred Lebow.

So here's an interesting potential question for next week's thread...what/when was your first marathon (time etc) and what did you eventually run (best time)...what was thatt progression like...how long did it take etc.

PS Orville, seems as though there are a bunch of Palos Verdes Marathon vets on this channel, huh?

Mike,

There are two or three of we younger runners from our group lurking here. Mark has not run with us for over 30 years but once a PV runner always a PV runner. He moved east and I lost touch with him until his 40s. Incidentally, Mark ran 2:45:08 for a marathon at age 16 and holds the Seniors Track Club age 16 marathon record . All I know about him after that is that he started running Boston each year and ran 2:33:22 in 2000, 2:36:58 in 2003 and 2:43:25 last year at age 49. He has had an excellent running life. It is fun to hear from and about Mark.

Out of town the past six days: sleep was good, except I took an Ambien one day because I had to be "on" the next day.

Ran a tempo today: 10 miles @ 77:26. Slowed down at the end because my chest hurt--weird.

Started running in 6th grade when our school had a 12 minute running test and I came in 2nd. I joined the "Joggers Club" in 7th and 8th grade, which meant that we ran at least once every day--very fun coach and group of other interested kids. Plus, I began running track; the longest race was 880, but we got to run off campus and longer in "Jogger's Club."

Mike, I think the marathon is a great topic for next Sunday. Marathon: (When/where/time)First/Best/Progression. I was trying to think of a good follow-up to this weeks thread which is probably the best one yet although they've all been pretty good. And this should be a great one too.

Have any of you 50 plus runners found having a scheduled rest day every 7 days helps with recovery, but mostly, with improved race times? I know there a lot of runners who do doubles and still take a rest day every 7th day. I'm still debating this issue (about 70-90 mpw). Any thoughts would be appreciated.