I have remained injury free into my early 60s probably as a result of running only sporadically until about age 50. I can't speak to the physical particulars of the aging process, but I am certainly feeling the mental aspect these days. As I progress through my 60s, more and more I wonder if the time has arrived to stop running. Warming up is a motivational challenge and then I stare at the street for 10 minutes before I run one step. My running gets slower with each passing year despite no pain and no physical impairment.
There were 121 runners my age (63) and older at the local Turkey Trot 5K. Here are the numbers from my age to oldest. I hope to make it to 70, but it won't be easy. 69 to 71 is the drop out stage, at least it is in this small sample.
I was D1 but mostly middle of the pack. No conference titles or even podium finishes. Didn't run again until mid 30s, but took it up again with a vengeance. Nearly got to college times just before 40. Then suffered a minor but nagging injury which slowed me down until late 40s. Managed to run pain-free for several years, knocked out a 3:07 'thon but noticed recovery was taking longer. Moved to ultras in my late 60s. Completed Western States three times and have the belt buckles to prove it. Suffered an Achilles injury in a speed session age 74. Moved to weight lifting. Benched 250 at 79. Married for the fourth time. At 85 got into running yet again. Set my state's record in the 2000m steeplechase for my age group. Dabbled in some trail running and hashing in my early 90s. Kids today just can't drink. Hit 100 and got on the local news for banging out 100m under a minute. Now that I'm 103 I spend my time right here educating you dummies on how the world works.
Because we are breaking down, we are degenerating. There's a reason a 65 year old looks different than a 25 year old.
Aging is not just a number. Aging is very very very real.
Speaking from experience, you are right about the physical changes that occur with aging. However there are mental functions that can improve and chief amongst them is better judgement based on greater life experience. We can learn from our mistakes - and successes - and those of others. Consequently, while the veteran cannot compete with the athlete in their prime, to have lived longer provides knowledge and insights that youth doesn't have and overall a deeper and better informed perspective on life is possible with age. However, this isn't inevitable. The stupid will always remain stupid.
I was D1 but mostly middle of the pack. No conference titles or even podium finishes. Didn't run again until mid 30s, but took it up again with a vengeance. Nearly got to college times just before 40. Then suffered a minor but nagging injury which slowed me down until late 40s. Managed to run pain-free for several years, knocked out a 3:07 'thon but noticed recovery was taking longer. Moved to ultras in my late 60s. Completed Western States three times and have the belt buckles to prove it. Suffered an Achilles injury in a speed session age 74. Moved to weight lifting. Benched 250 at 79. Married for the fourth time. At 85 got into running yet again. Set my state's record in the 2000m steeplechase for my age group. Dabbled in some trail running and hashing in my early 90s. Kids today just can't drink. Hit 100 and got on the local news for banging out 100m under a minute. Now that I'm 103 I spend my time right here educating you dummies on how the world works.
You've just proven that at your age aging is merely a fairytale for which you have no life experience.
I'm about to turn 65. I have never been great, I was locally good for years. Ran about 50-65 mpw for about 40 years.
In my 50's I found that:
1. The same perceived effort was much slower than it was when I was younger.
2. My body just couldn't handle the training load.
3. It takes me much longer to recover from workouts and races.
4. There is some lack in motivation but I can easily overcome it.
5. According to my doctor (based on yearly blood work) I am as healthy as a healthy man 20-25 years younger than I am.
6. Those very unscientific lactate threshold test all come out the same (about 44-46) and that is what is considered "normal" for someone 20-25 years younger than I am.
7. The bottom line is that when I was in my 20's to 40's an easy 6 miles was at about 6:00-6:20 pr mile. Now, 8:30-9:00 (unless I run very early in the morning then it's 9:00-9:30.
8. In my mind and heart I can still run as fast as in my youth. My body says no. = (
A "funny" story about perceived effort. A couple years ago I was in our Turkey Trot, shortly after the start, an old friend came up beside me. We were back, maybe top 150 out of 600.
I said- What's sad is that 30 years ago we'd be leading this race.
He said- What sucks is that the effort felt the same.
It's sad, but it's life.
But I'm guessing a run with your buddy, albeit slower, was more enjoyable than getting the dub in a Turkey Trot.
A "funny" story about perceived effort. A couple years ago I was in our Turkey Trot, shortly after the start, an old friend came up beside me. We were back, maybe top 150 out of 600.
I said- What's sad is that 30 years ago we'd be leading this race.
He said- What sucks is that the effort felt the same.
It's sad, but it's life.
But I'm guessing a run with your buddy, albeit slower, was more enjoyable than getting the dub in a Turkey Trot.
Laughing, being with a friend > wins or times
One insight that comes with age, as corny as it may sound, is to make the best of what you are dealt and to avoid wasting time and energy on things that can't be changed.
With that in mind, an older runner would probably try to appreciate both times in their running career. Both can be great.
And the takeaway is that you may want to look at the whole thing as a progression and different parts of the same story. It doesn't have to be that one is worse than the other. They are just different, Age teaches you to live with that.
But I'm guessing a run with your buddy, albeit slower, was more enjoyable than getting the dub in a Turkey Trot.
Laughing, being with a friend > wins or times
One insight that comes with age, as corny as it may sound, is to make the best of what you are dealt and to avoid wasting time and energy on things that can't be changed.
With that in mind, an older runner would probably try to appreciate both times in their running career. Both can be great.
And the takeaway is that you may want to look at the whole thing as a progression and different parts of the same story. It doesn't have to be that one is worse than the other. They are just different, Age teaches you to live with that.
Definitely. I still love the "act" of running. My 9:00/mile feels like the 6:00/mile did. It's my watch that's different. LOL
Oh and I barely have enough time to get 6 miles in before going to work (that is IF I choose to work that day).
My old running friends and I reminisce about the old days and there actually are younger kids who want to hear it.
Because we are breaking down, we are degenerating. There's a reason a 65 year old looks different than a 25 year old.
Aging is not just a number. Aging is very very very real.
Speaking from experience, you are right about the physical changes that occur with aging. However there are mental functions that can improve and chief amongst them is better judgement based on greater life experience. We can learn from our mistakes - and successes - and those of others. Consequently, while the veteran cannot compete with the athlete in their prime, to have lived longer provides knowledge and insights that youth doesn't have and overall a deeper and better informed perspective on life is possible with age. However, this isn't inevitable. The stupid will always remain stupid.
"Old men don't grow wise. They grow careful." E. Hemmingway
Can you believe this guy is 61?!? Look at that hair, the clean face, the eyes - my goodness he's still a Chad!
And he's a physical specimen doing all of the stunts - including that dangerous MC jump - in "Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning."
It's funny - I'm 62 & look like hell. Three (3) plus decades of hard running & racing has left me with a face that look's like a roadmap. Eye bags, crows feet, droopy neck skin & saggy ear lobes. 😆 And I now have to fight my male pattern baldness with finasteride because I can't afford a hair transplant. It's no wonder people mistakenly estimate my age at 70. 🤣
Go ahead laugh & downvote me all you want because compared to Mr. Cruise - I'm a sad sight for sore eyes! (no wonder I can't get any dates on the dating apps. 🤣).
Speaking from experience, you are right about the physical changes that occur with aging. However there are mental functions that can improve and chief amongst them is better judgement based on greater life experience. We can learn from our mistakes - and successes - and those of others. Consequently, while the veteran cannot compete with the athlete in their prime, to have lived longer provides knowledge and insights that youth doesn't have and overall a deeper and better informed perspective on life is possible with age. However, this isn't inevitable. The stupid will always remain stupid.
"Old men don't grow wise. They grow careful." E. Hemmingway
He's not the best example. Blew his brains out at 61.
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