Sub 4 over 40?

I beat my college PR after 40, but it was only 4:34. I did many of the things you suggest, but was self-coached working part-time. I got really good at self-PT and trained very consistently with a club team, ran up to 100 miles a week and raced a wide variety of distances over the year. It was fun for sure. Sub-4:00 is a different beast but go for it.

20yearslater wrote:

I ran 401 mile/ 342 1500 20 years ago. Is it possible to go sub 4 now starting basically from scratch. Can it be done?

If you think so, What do I need to do and how long would it take? Quit my job? Nutrition? 2/day? Hire a coach? Maximize legal performance enhancers? Regular doctors visits/physical therapy? Train with someone faster?

If you think it can't be done, why not? Muscle mass decrease at 40 years old? Vo2 max? Testosterone? Time to train? Motivation? Psychology?

I ran slightly slower than you (3.44) 17 years ago and think would struggle to run a 6 min mile now. Work & kids really influence ability to train / recover, but biomechanically I'm shot and running doesn't 'feel' anything like it used to. A lot will depend on lifestyle and what you've been doing for the last 20 years, but assuming you were training hard when you set your pb's id say its extremely unlikely you will be able to get anywhere near 4 minutes now. Good luck and have fun though!

Do you mean sub 4 mile?

Yes sub 4 mile. But maybe sub 4 1500 is more realistic. Either way, theoretically, what is the specific limitation?

Bored wrote:

Yes sub 4 mile. But maybe sub 4 1500 is more realistic. Either way, theoretically, what is the specific limitation?

There is no specifik limitation more than it was 20 years ago you ran 4.01/ 3.42 :) You have to start from scratch again. But not entirely from scratch because the human body has a long "memory" inbuilt.

Bored wrote:

Yes sub 4 mile. But maybe sub 4 1500 is more realistic. Either way, theoretically, what is the specific limitation?

Very very difficult. You have to be an international superstar. A guy who would make the Olympics in their 20s. The limitation is talent.

Have you got a wife and kids. If so I'd say no...

20yearslater wrote:

I ran 401 mile/ 342 1500 20 years ago. Is it possible to go sub 4 now starting basically from scratch. Can it be done?

If you think so, What do I need to do and how long would it take? Quit my job? Nutrition? 2/day? Hire a coach? Maximize legal performance enhancers? Regular doctors visits/physical therapy? Train with someone faster?

If you think it can't be done, why not? Muscle mass decrease at 40 years old? Vo2 max? Testosterone? Time to train? Motivation? Psychology?

Eamonn Coghlan and Bernie Lagat did it, because they performed well in their late-30s. Nice dream, but you have no shot.

As to the limiting factors, see the linked article on aerobic capacity changes as we age:

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/aerobic-capacity-changes-age-15902.html

Anthony Whiteman...

Name all the 'many more' 40+ runners who have gone sub 4

20yearslater wrote:

I ran 401 mile/ 342 1500 20 years ago. Is it possible to go sub 4 now starting basically from scratch. Can it be done?

No, it can't be done. You are past your physical peak at 40. Even if you had run 3:50 20 years ago I don't think it's possible.

Assuming sans PEDs, the logical bet is to bet against you. Did John Walker run sub-4 for mile past age 40? I believe all sub-4 men past age 40 were sub-3:50 men while younger. I know Coghlan never broke 3:50 for mile outdoors. Good luck with your training.

No training for 15 years- you'll be lucky for sub 5

No

20yearslater wrote:

I ran 401 mile/ 342 1500 20 years ago. Is it possible to go sub 4 now starting basically from scratch. Can it be done?

If you think so, What do I need to do and how long would it take? Quit my job? Nutrition? 2/day? Hire a coach? Maximize legal performance enhancers? Regular doctors visits/physical therapy? Train with someone faster?

If you think it can't be done, why not? Muscle mass decrease at 40 years old? Vo2 max? Testosterone? Time to train? Motivation? Psychology?

I did not read all the responses, but only one man has done it in history. Anthony Whiteman - and he was a 1:45 / 3:32 man at age 29 and 26 respectively. He was not playing around when he did it.

If you were a 4:01 miler at your physical peak, then you will likely be a 4:15 miler at age 40 (everything else being equal). If everything else is NOT equal, you might be able to be a 4:30 miler.

Sorry, but Father Time remains undefeated.

No.

20yearslater wrote:

If you think it can't be done, why not? Muscle mass decrease at 40 years old? Vo2 max? Testosterone? Time to train? Motivation? Psychology?

Because you sought validation on an anonymous website before risking any effort whatsoever.

Nope. Not even a 4 min 1500m.

A guy from Ireland did it many years ago. Let's see if I can spell his name correctly: Eaimon Coglan? Eamon Coglan? Something like that.