50+ Weekly Training Thread

Have just started running again after 3 years.

Severe I.T.B.S and work commitments have snookered me.Turn 57 in January.

Two weeks back.

The first week consisted of 5 days of run 3 power poles/walk one for a total of 4k per session.

At the end of the second week I managed a 5k in about 30

mins and WOW no rest.

At approx 30 pounds above regular running weight I am very conscious of the potential Health risks of pushing to soon.

One thing that has me wondering.

My resting Heart rate has dropped from 77bpm to 57 bpm.

proggresively in 2 weeks.

Is this Normal?

Marathons:Sydney:4:06 @ 48

L.A. 3:42 @ 49

Gold Coast:3:22 @ 49 P.R

Boston 3:50 @50

Several others in the 3:30/4 hr range.

Never been able to run enough mileage due to having one dodgy leg.

[quote]BHRR1 wrote:

Topic of the Week: Marathons

What was your first marathon and time? And your best marathon and time? And what was the progression? How long to do your best? Also what's your best over 50 marathon?

First marathon was during college when Bob busby and some guys were going to run the Topeka marathon afte XC season. Longest run was 13 miles but was in good XC shape so why not? Oh yean, and 4 of us stayed up all night in the dorm room just for grins 2 days before the race. 4 loop course round a lake with some hills. Came through 2 laps at around 3:00 pace and talking all the way. Around 18 miles, a place my legs had NEVER be to before they started to get tired. At the end of 3 laps the car looked oh so inviting but it was only 1 more 6 1/2 mile loop. Started the I'll walk to that tree and then run again. Walked 3 of last 6 miles to finish in 3:25:27. Being in 5 mile XC shape and marathon shape or 2 different things

Next marathon after training for the distance was 1979 Dallas Whiterock marathon. Cut over 1 hour off my PR, ran 2:21:21 to qualify for 1980 Buffalo Oly Trials.

Took 6 years to take the last 5 minutes off my PR, 2:16:09 at 1985 Twin Cites Marathon.

Good last 2 weeks of running scaring that 50 mile/week barrier but feel ready to represent at the Club XC nationals in 2 weeks.

Ran A Turkey trot(AZ) and finished 1st in 50-55 AG And 28th OA out of over 1000. Ran 38:33. First 10K in over 15 years on 20 mpw. My calves were done at 3 miles but managed to change my stride and do pretty well hangin on to one of my high school runners I coach. Need to figure out getting more strength in my calves. Got in all my pull-ups, push-ups, dips, and core stuff for the week..

Ran my first Marathon in 1976 at 17. I did not make the Michigan State meet so ran the Grand Valley Marathon instead. Ran 3:03.

In 1983 at 24 ran 2:22:33 at Boston with Joan Benoit 10 seconds back. kicked liked crazy when I heard the crowd cheering for her. Ran a couple more thons in the 2:25 range and retired from them in the mid 80s.

The progression was college running then post collegiate running. Going from 30-60mpw in high school to 80-100mpw by 1983.

I have NO desire to run another one ever. I do not think they are good for the body especially older runners who I believe should be working on anaerobic running and more muscles. Gotta release that testosterone or we get skinny fat. Earl Fee has it right at 80 years old. Check out "Younger Legs For Older Runners.com"

Monty

Hey Charlie not sure you remember me but ran against Mark Curp in College and ran with Vernon Darling at NWMSU in the late 70s early 80s. Vernons son runs for NWMSU at present. Met you a couple times way back when. Have a great race a Club Nat.

Monty (Dave Montgomery)

All runs on grass at 130 - 138 HR

M No run , daughter's school district award ceremony for literary work

Tu 52.5 min, gotta get to the park earlier, as sprinklers kicked in about 930 PM

W 35 min felt slow, strong winds. lateral aspect of right knee bothersome

H 52.5 min hot and windy, same knee problem

F Day off

Sa 35 min run seemed to take forever.

Su 87.5 min Run went like reading a good book, what a difference a day makes. Right lateral knee symptoms went in pool and ice massage later.

First attempt was San Francisco in 1979 DNF, last and only marathon was 2:26:34.

To the poster regarding the day off before a race, though I have not raced in a long while and did not intend to for some time. I do find a day off or two seems to reenergize my legs.

Hi Orville,

This is a fun thread indeed.

Thanks for all your stories about marathons in the old days,

Boston especially. Funny that only now I am hearing these.

I had heard only vague tales about you ("sub 2:30") when I was running with the Palos Verdes Breakfast Club, so you were always kind of a mysterious legendary figure to me. Plus you had those cool round shades, which added to the intimidation.

First marathon for me, roughly 5:30 at age 12.

Next was 2:45, twice in my 16th year

(along with a 2:55 and other 26+ mile training runs. I'm telling you, the PV breakfast guys were serious).Then no marathons until age 39, 2:40.

First Boston 2:35, then 2:33 at age 40 (pr). Since then, mid- high 2:30's on a good day, mid 2:40's on a bad day, and one ignominious 3:09.

First 50+ marathon will be at this next Boston.

Last year I won the 49+ division, except for some reason

the BAA doesn't recognize it.

This next year, (my luck) the bar will be quite a bit higher.

This week, 90 miles, including a 16:20 turkey 5k.

Mark

Nice times there, folks!

I'm more a 5k to HM guy. Injuries, job, and lack of interest kept me away from the mileage for a full marathon at various points in my life.

Travel and holidays kept my mileage down this week: 25 miles on 2 runs--a hard 10 and a relaxed 15.

Age 16 - 1973 Seaside Marathon 4:02

Age 43 - 2000 Honolulu Marathon 4:02

Age 44 - 2001 Honolulu Marathon 3:25

Age 45 - 2002 Boston Marathon 3:15

Age 45 - 2002 Honolulu Marathon 3:05

Age 46 - 2003 Twin Cities 2:59.52 :-) PR

Age 46 - 2003 Honolulu Marathon 3:07

Just a great series for me. Now back to track and general fitness at 52. Maybe another marathon down the road..

About 66 this week.

Monday was super slow and short as we (my daughters and I) flew back from Denver - I even had a pretty scary mile run at 4:30 AM looking for our rental car parked in a remote lot.

2 workouts: 800 LT, 1200, 400, 1000, 300, 800, 200 at 5k pace for the long stuff and as fast as I could run for the short, half recovery on Wed.

10 x 150m with my daughter on Saturday (she's faster for these)

11 miles on Thanksgiving and about 15 today.

First marathon was at age 22 - a 2:56 in the pouring rain. My boyfriend had me do a 2 mile warmup! ;-)

I've completed a bunch more (9, I think) with a best of 2:52:35 (which was more than a minute slower than the OT standard for '84). That one was sandwiched in between two others, so I ran 3 marathons in a 7 week period (2:58, 2:52, 2:53). But I was frustrated not to qualify (and with a 1:19:01 half certainly had the speed to go faster) and stopped running them.

I did try two CIMs, both with disastrous results at around age 39/40 and haven't been back. I even chickened out after training for one in 2002 and just did the half (1:24:18 at 43) in Victoria! No more for me, although I would be slightly tempted to do a trail one. I don't mind the training, but prefer training on the softer surfaces and hate the "all or nothing" aspect of the event.

Less than 2 weeks before xc nationals. My foot still isn't totally healed and I normally wonder if I should go - but I haven't missed one since 2002 and this year I'm on a 50s team.

btw, Hi Rich!

Muddy Girl, I used to do a 30-60 minute run to warm up for a marathon. I found that I could not go out at race pace without being well warmed up.

Mark, It is good to hear from you again. Our PV group always liked to have you young guys with us on those 20 to 28 mile runs on the weekends. You, Mark S and some of the sons of the guys in the group often joined us. We could always sense you young guys listening to our conversations. I will call John this week and let him know how you have done since leaving us.

Keep as fit as you can because it is is continuous downhill journey. Keep on Enjoying your running!

Got a bit over 107 slow ones last week, The highlight , for me, was the 18 miler Sunday over a fairly hilly route.

October 2003- 1st marathon-Marine Corps Marathon-4:19:22

November 2008-Best marathon-Atlanta-3:09:36

51yoa at first marathon and 56 at best one.

Actually met muddygirl (briefly) and imarunr 1999 at CIM, which was my return to marathons after 16 yr hiatus. Ran, what, 18 or 19 miles with imarunr and a group of four or five other runners with similar goals before fading a bit to finish in 2:44, which was my 40+ PR.

I do have mixed feelings about marathons--they are exciting and give a great goal, but the cost can be high. For every one I've finished (just seven) I've had one that was left to the training grounds/injured list, and now one DNF that ended with an injury that is showing no signs of fading away. I actually prefer 15K to half marathon as well as the track.

When I was younger (20's-30's) I loved running marathons. I would use my other races as buildups to the big race. I have run about 22 of them.

My 1st was after I graduated college. I was a soccer player and hadn't run track since high school. With pretty minimal training (compared to later years) I ran a 2:53 at the E. Murray Todd Marathon somewhere around Monmouth NJ. I found out after the race I qualified for Boston, then ran Boston a month later with pretty much the same result.

I gradually became more excited about running and racing and put more time and effort into it after I moved out west.

Other noteable marathons (for me):

Paul Bunyan 7/80 2:48 (first under 2:50)

Seattle 11/80 2:46 (1st out west with real training, cold,freezing rain)

Cour D'Alene 5/82 2:31 (getting closer)

Grandma's 6/83 2:28:55 (PR)

Rawhide (CO) 10/83 2:30:5x (ran with AK 51, at altitude)

Steamboat Springs(CO) 5/84 2:39 (1st time I won a marathon)

Portland 9/84 2:32:02 (very disappointed, did not run another for a few years)

Vancouver 10/96 2:49(Masters PR on 50mpw)

Portland 10/02 2:59:45 (last marathon, getting too close to 3 hours, getting too hard)

I have run some trail 50K's and 50 miles since then, they are fun and low pressure for me.

Thanks everybody for the stories.

1500 master, nice progression!

Hi Chuck. You had a good day there. I just happen to have the results sitting in my office desk: 2:30:59 for 9th, a good run at altitude for sure. I don't think I ever saw you--what I do remember is that it was kind of cold before the start and I was wondering what the heck was I doing out there in at a coal plant the middle of nowhere, expecting to run 26.2 miles in 2:30 or so. The field went out fast and most of them didn't come back.

You also ran 32:14 in Denver a week or two before at Governor's Cup. My wife is pictured with CSU women at the awards standing next to Gov. Lamm.

Monday: planned off

Tuesday evening: 7.6 miles -- 8 x half mile intervals at 3K race pace with 2:30 easy jog recoveries.

Wednesday: planned off

Thursday: skipped because of sore right-side piriformis muscle -- should not have run aggresive workout Tuesday after tweaking piriformis on Sunday afternoon.

Friday: planned off

Saturday morning: shut down after 2 easy miles to baby piriformis though there was improvement since Tuesday.

Sunday: Skipped again to be on the safe side.

total: 9.6 miles

My first and only marathon was the Marathon to Marathon in northwest Iowa in June 2009, three days after I turned 50. Time, 3:45:00

Next planned marathon is next May in Eau Claire, Wisconsin -- hopefully I'll run it quicker than the last one.

It would be cool if I could look back in 3 or 4 years and have something near the master's progression 1500master has had.

We made page 1 because of Orville's musings.

Hey Roger.

We had some fun "back in the day". I remwmber hanging out a bit with you after the marathon. I remember I was dying the last couple of miles, and the last bit of the race was on a gradual uphill. I saw my 2:29 slipping away...

I believe the Governors Cup was the week before. If only I knew then what I know now...

At this moment, I can't run 1 mile at that marathon pace.

You have been kicking some butt!

What happened to your knee? Can you ski?

Chuck

JoeGarland wrote:

We made page 1 because of Orville's musings.

You're right Joe. I usually don't read the front page. And yes much of it I'm sure is due to Orvilles' contributions. Not only does he add to the fun but we get a look into the past as well. But also the contributions of all the posters. You all make this a great weekly thread. Let's keep it going. I'm just wondering what the topic should be for next week. These last 2 weeks are tough acts to follow.