Just like fine wines have vintage years, 1963 was a very strong year for runners. All those guys are turning 50 this year. The ones still fit and running will rewrite the books. I expect Steve Boyd from Canada to get close to 15 if he runs one this fall.
Great run Mr. Blackmore!
wow that's sick. if he goes under 15 it's even more badass.
love it.
Is it a requirement to be drug tested if you set a masters record?
No Drug test for Masters runners man! It is assumed that they are wise enough not to do that sort of thing.
Nice run, 50+ year old legs tire easily!
Pete Magill is awesome! And he will definitely be the first over 50 to go sub 15 minutes!
The only thing I've seen him take is beer. Just one of the lucky ones with the right combination of talent and work ethic.
This is old news ....about 1 year old.
The record was actually broken 3 or 4 times within a couple months in March-May 2012. Heffernan's record was actually broken by Ken Ernst in 15:34 then a few weeks later Blackmore went 15:16, then if my memory serves me right, Pete Magil went about 15:13, but then Pete came back a few weeks later and lowered it again to 15:06.
http://mastersathletics.net/fileadmin/html/Rankings/Rankings_2012/20125000meter.html
Mike,
Congrats...awesome run. I'm 52 so I know how hard it is to stay healthy and have the motivation push yourself that hard.
Im I the only one who didn't really read the title and thought it said that some guy slaughtered 50 Americans?
running is better wrote:
i think it's easiest if you just never stop running, but i'm not that old so don't quote me.
he says on youtube that he took 16 years off with no racing and little running
Mike Blackmore?!! Isn't he that *kid* from Prosser WA? ; )
running is better wrote:
i think it's easiest if you just never stop running, but i'm not that old so don't quote me.
I think it's the opposite. Those who have taken a long break have fresher legs. I'm 52, took 25 years off from running.
I have never participated in a LR thread due to some of the negative nature. However, since this thread is about me I thought I may as well say something. I did a podcast interview with Jay Johnson this past weekend. Since it has been posted, a large number of people mistakenly thought I ran 15:16 the week before. In fact, the race took place a year ago. About 6 weeks later, an achilles issue shut down my training for 5 months. I am hopefully ready to go again this weekend.
Lots of questions out there about me. I ran at Oregon from 1980-85. 3:41.76 and 13:45 while in school. Got 6th at US Champs in 1987 at 5k, Silver Medal at World University Games later that summer. After fighting plantar fasciitis too many years, I retired in 1992. This whole return to running came in part due to getting involved in high school coaching in 2007. So yes, I took 16 years away from racing and all those aches and pains disappeared.
No, I don't use drugs. Yes, Masters athletes can and do get tested. Yes, some of them fail their tests. I'm extremely grateful to have not lost my leg speed over the years, and I think that has helped my abilities to train with efficiency, keeping excess volume off my legs. For the most part, I'm smarter than I used to be, listen to most of the warning signs and continue to make training decision that allow me to race well. I still believe I can run faster than I have during the past 5 years, but the stopwatch (or the timing system) will have the final say...
Mike Blackmore wrote:
I have never participated in a LR thread due to some of the negative nature. However, since this thread is about me I thought I may as well say something. I did a podcast interview with Jay Johnson this past weekend. Since it has been posted, a large number of people mistakenly thought I ran 15:16 the week before. In fact, the race took place a year ago. About 6 weeks later, an achilles issue shut down my training for 5 months. I am hopefully ready to go again this weekend.
Lots of questions out there about me. I ran at Oregon from 1980-85. 3:41.76 and 13:45 while in school. Got 6th at US Champs in 1987 at 5k, Silver Medal at World University Games later that summer. After fighting plantar fasciitis too many years, I retired in 1992. This whole return to running came in part due to getting involved in high school coaching in 2007. So yes, I took 16 years away from racing and all those aches and pains disappeared.
No, I don't use drugs. Yes, Masters athletes can and do get tested. Yes, some of them fail their tests. I'm extremely grateful to have not lost my leg speed over the years, and I think that has helped my abilities to train with efficiency, keeping excess volume off my legs. For the most part, I'm smarter than I used to be, listen to most of the warning signs and continue to make training decision that allow me to race well. I still believe I can run faster than I have during the past 5 years, but the stopwatch (or the timing system) will have the final say...
Thanks for the clarification, and for giving hope to the rest of us 50+ types.
Another secret to Mike's success is he doesn't weigh a pound over his college racing days.
In 2010 at age 48 Mike won an unusual 800 (2:02) and 5000 (15:25) double at the USA Masters outdoor championships. This was after his 16 year retirement from running. Damn.
congratulations, very impressive!
mike, i strongly believe that consistent training is more important than everything else.
16 years and no races is a long time. some kind of serious training in this period?
would you be so kind to give us some details about your training?
Thanks for posting Mike. What did you do during your 16 years away from racing? Were you running at all? Did you bike or swim to keep your aerobics up? Did you do weights or sprints to maintain leg strength and speed? I'm 49 and haven't been able to train/race much for the last 7 years because of constant injuries, mainly hamstring and achilles. I coach high school too but can really only do easy/long runs with the kids. I would love to at least be able to do tempo runs with the again and sure would love to know what worked for you.
Thanks for the great post, Mike. Keep running!
Spend enough time here and you'll learn that what you're really grateful for is maintaining your leg speed velocity...
[quote]Mike Blackmore wrote:
I'm extremely grateful to have not lost my leg speed over the years, and I think that has helped my abilities to train with efficiency, keeping excess volume off my legs. [quote]
"old guy", I'm not going to hang out here, so you and anyone else who wishes to ask more can reach me via email. blackmoremassage@gmail.com Just don't fill my box with spam :)
Remember when legit runners and coaches used to get on the boards and talk as openly as Mike just did on this thread? Those were good times and the very best of Letsrun. Stay healthy Mike and hopefully you'll be running even faster soon!