I guess you have lived some years and by now should have learnt never say never....lol. 🤣😉
Seriously, as my training feels now running sub 20 will be no problem this year. I even have started in my thoughts to aim for the Swedish age group 65+ record 17:13.....but it's really very good and I'm not sure I will break it this year. 🇸🇪🧙♂️🇸🇪
Let’s get realistic here.
17:13 at 66 is a much higher standard (just shy of 97% age-graded, 13:18 open equivalent) than your 14:20. I think sub-20 is already a difficult goal. Each drop 30s faster is an order of magnitude more difficult. I don’t want to throw cold water on your original goal of 20:00, which might be reasonable, but expecting to ame yourself the second coming of Ed Whitlock is vast overreach, for now anyway.
I guess you have lived some years and by now should have learnt never say never....lol. 🤣😉
Seriously, as my training feels now running sub 20 will be no problem this year. I even have started in my thoughts to aim for the Swedish age group 65+ record 17:13.....but it's really very good and I'm not sure I will break it this year. 🇸🇪🧙♂️🇸🇪
Let’s get realistic here.
17:13 at 66 is a much higher standard (just shy of 97% age-graded, 13:18 open equivalent) than your 14:20. I think sub-20 is already a difficult goal. Each drop 30s faster is an order of magnitude more difficult. I don’t want to throw cold water on your original goal of 20:00, which might be reasonable, but expecting to ame yourself the second coming of Ed Whitlock is vast overreach, for now anyway.
You might be correct there. I agree 17:13 is really very good . But on the other hand I today believe I had run 13:18 in my younger years if I had known then what I know today about proper effective training. 🧙♂️
17:13 at 66 is a much higher standard (just shy of 97% age-graded, 13:18 open equivalent) than your 14:20. I think sub-20 is already a difficult goal. Each drop 30s faster is an order of magnitude more difficult. I don’t want to throw cold water on your original goal of 20:00, which might be reasonable, but expecting to ame yourself the second coming of Ed Whitlock is vast overreach, for now anyway.
You might be correct there. I agree 17:13 is really very good . But on the other hand I today believe I had run 13:18 in my younger years if I had known then what I know today about proper effective training. 🧙♂️
I think you’re better off basing expectations off actual past performances and current condition rather than wishful thinking. You only get to claim the times you actually ran, not what you think you deserved.
I guess you have lived some years and by now should have learnt never say never....lol. 🤣😉
Seriously, as my training feels now running sub 20 will be no problem this year. I even have started in my thoughts to aim for the Swedish age group 65+ record 17:13.....but it's really very good and I'm not sure I will break it this year. 🇸🇪🧙♂️🇸🇪
Let’s get realistic here.
17:13 at 66 is a much higher standard (just shy of 97% age-graded, 13:18 open equivalent) than your 14:20. I think sub-20 is already a difficult goal. Each drop 30s faster is an order of magnitude more difficult. I don’t want to throw cold water on your original goal of 20:00, which might be reasonable, but expecting to ame yourself the second coming of Ed Whitlock is vast overreach, for now anyway.
The main issue comes to weight. Right now J.S. is at 6.2/195 (1.88/88kg) which looks fine on your average man and Jan does look like a million dollars for a 66 year old man - like a former rockstar, with his long blond locks, but there's no way a 66 year old weighing almost 200 pounds or 90 kg is going to run anywhere near close to 20 minutes no matter his stellar past of running 14:20/5000 many decades ago.
The caveat is that Jan is something of a "bon vivant" Epicurean, and loves his food and drink and so dieting or fasting would prove to be a challenge for the genial Swede.
17:13 at 66 is a much higher standard (just shy of 97% age-graded, 13:18 open equivalent) than your 14:20. I think sub-20 is already a difficult goal. Each drop 30s faster is an order of magnitude more difficult. I don’t want to throw cold water on your original goal of 20:00, which might be reasonable, but expecting to ame yourself the second coming of Ed Whitlock is vast overreach, for now anyway.
The main issue comes to weight. Right now J.S. is at 6.2/195 (1.88/88kg) which looks fine on your average man and Jan does look like a million dollars for a 66 year old man - like a former rockstar, with his long blond locks, but there's no way a 66 year old weighing almost 200 pounds or 90 kg is going to run anywhere near close to 20 minutes no matter his stellar past of running 14:20/5000 many decades ago.
The caveat is that Jan is something of a "bon vivant" Epicurean, and loves his food and drink and so dieting or fasting would prove to be a challenge for the genial Swede.
To achieve his goal the Swedish coach would have to weigh no more than 70 to 75 kilograms max (155-166).
His life would be miserable if he had to deprive himself of food and drink to achieve that relatively low weight for mortal humans.
The main issue comes to weight. Right now J.S. is at 6.2/195 (1.88/88kg) which looks fine on your average man and Jan does look like a million dollars for a 66 year old man - like a former rockstar, with his long blond locks, but there's no way a 66 year old weighing almost 200 pounds or 90 kg is going to run anywhere near close to 20 minutes no matter his stellar past of running 14:20/5000 many decades ago.
The caveat is that Jan is something of a "bon vivant" Epicurean, and loves his food and drink and so dieting or fasting would prove to be a challenge for the genial Swede.
To achieve his goal the Swedish coach would have to weigh no more than 70 to 75 kilograms max (155-166).
His life would be miserable if he had to deprive himself of food and drink to achieve that relatively low weight for mortal humans.
You’re saying he needs a body mass index of about 20 to 21 kg/sq m. I don’t think that’s necessarily right. I’ve managed to get within 3% (82% vs 85%) of my young-masters 5k best approaching 61 at 22.2 BMI. Mind you, I’ve kept the same weight +/- 5 lbs for 25 years. Still, JS’s goal is about 84% age graded versus > 90% for his open bast 14:20, which is much less of a stretch than I’ve managed. 170 lbs would get him around the same BMI as me, which arguably should set him up to overshoot his goal, if we rely solely one the single data point of my experience.
The caveat is that Jan is something of a "bon vivant" Epicurean, and loves his food and drink and so dieting or fasting would prove to be a challenge for the genial Swede.
Translation: In addition to his other flaws, Jan also lacks the discipline to achieve the goals he has so openly stated.
To achieve his goal the Swedish coach would have to weigh no more than 70 to 75 kilograms max (155-166).
His life would be miserable if he had to deprive himself of food and drink to achieve that relatively low weight for mortal humans.
You’re saying he needs a body mass index of about 20 to 21 kg/sq m. I don’t think that’s necessarily right. I’ve managed to get within 3% (82% vs 85%) of my young-masters 5k best approaching 61 at 22.2 BMI. Mind you, I’ve kept the same weight +/- 5 lbs for 25 years. Still, JS’s goal is about 84% age graded versus > 90% for his open bast 14:20, which is much less of a stretch than I’ve managed. 170 lbs would get him around the same BMI as me, which arguably should set him up to overshoot his goal, if we rely solely one the single data point of my experience.
The vast majority of elite athletes that I encounter have BMI's around 18.5 at the low end to a maximum of 21 BMI with most around 19 to 20 Max. I have seen triathletes with your kind of BMI at 22 and above being a result of having significant muscle in their body which is rare for pure distance runners.
When JS set his record of 14:20 back in his heyday he only weighed 69 to 70 kilograms, around 153-154 pounds, at 6.2/1.88cm. Pretty skinny, especially for a pure Viking Norseman.
Logically if he wanted to set a record again at the ripe age of 66 he should get down to that former weight again - but my feeling is that would be an uphill challenge.
I don't think JS needs to do anything to be frank as he has nothing to prove and in his hey day he was probably faster (8:20/14:20/29:50/66:00/2:22:00) than 99% of people who come to this forum. Not bad for a 6.2/1.88 giant. Unusual height for an elite distance runner.
The caveat is that Jan is something of a "bon vivant" Epicurean, and loves his food and drink and so dieting or fasting would prove to be a challenge for the genial Swede.
Translation: In addition to his other flaws, Jan also lacks the discipline to achieve the goals he has so openly stated.
Well, we will see what happens . 😉 I have only done one really serious training week yet with same amount of 6 sessions as when in younger years. Now I have all days to train whenever I want and recover proper as a pensioner. If no injury or health problem occurs I will run atleast sub 20 .
You’re saying he needs a body mass index of about 20 to 21 kg/sq m. I don’t think that’s necessarily right. I’ve managed to get within 3% (82% vs 85%) of my young-masters 5k best approaching 61 at 22.2 BMI. Mind you, I’ve kept the same weight +/- 5 lbs for 25 years. Still, JS’s goal is about 84% age graded versus > 90% for his open bast 14:20, which is much less of a stretch than I’ve managed. 170 lbs would get him around the same BMI as me, which arguably should set him up to overshoot his goal, if we rely solely one the single data point of my experience.
The vast majority of elite athletes that I encounter have BMI's around 18.5 at the low end to a maximum of 21 BMI with most around 19 to 20 Max. I have seen triathletes with your kind of BMI at 22 and above being a result of having significant muscle in their body which is rare for pure distance runners.
When JS set his record of 14:20 back in his heyday he only weighed 69 to 70 kilograms, around 153-154 pounds, at 6.2/1.88cm. Pretty skinny, especially for a pure Viking Norseman.
Logically if he wanted to set a record again at the ripe age of 66 he should get down to that former weight again - but my feeling is that would be an uphill challenge.
I don't think JS needs to do anything to be frank as he has nothing to prove and in his hey day he was probably faster (8:20/14:20/29:50/66:00/2:22:00) than 99% of people who come to this forum. Not bad for a 6.2/1.88 giant. Unusual height for an elite distance runner.
You are of course right in what you say Ghost1. 👏 But I think it's almost impossible to come down to 69-70 kilograms again . I guess my younger version had a ' faster' metabolic system back then and I could eat almost everything without gaining weight even if I 'only' ran 6 sessions per week and about 50-60 mpw. The most important now to keep up the good training and do my exact best paces and I will lose some kilograms on the way together with I mostly eat healthy and doing fasting sometimes and only eating two meals per day. Tomorrow the training week will start with maxVO2 interval 20 x 400m again . 🇸🇪🧙♂️🇸🇪
The vast majority of elite athletes that I encounter have BMI's around 18.5 at the low end to a maximum of 21 BMI with most around 19 to 20 Max. I have seen triathletes with your kind of BMI at 22 and above being a result of having significant muscle in their body which is rare for pure distance runners.
When JS set his record of 14:20 back in his heyday he only weighed 69 to 70 kilograms, around 153-154 pounds, at 6.2/1.88cm. Pretty skinny, especially for a pure Viking Norseman.
Logically if he wanted to set a record again at the ripe age of 66 he should get down to that former weight again - but my feeling is that would be an uphill challenge.
I don't think JS needs to do anything to be frank as he has nothing to prove and in his hey day he was probably faster (8:20/14:20/29:50/66:00/2:22:00) than 99% of people who come to this forum. Not bad for a 6.2/1.88 giant. Unusual height for an elite distance runner.
You are of course right in what you say Ghost1. 👏 But I think it's almost impossible to come down to 69-70 kilograms again . I guess my younger version had a ' faster' metabolic system back then and I could eat almost everything without gaining weight even if I 'only' ran 6 sessions per week and about 50-60 mpw. The most important now to keep up the good training and do my exact best paces and I will lose some kilograms on the way together with I mostly eat healthy and doing fasting sometimes and only eating two meals per day. Tomorrow the training week will start with maxVO2 interval 20 x 400m again . 🇸🇪🧙♂️🇸🇪
We wish you luck in your endeavors and kudos to you for adhering to a more strict diet which will see you lose some kilograms hopefully.
I was very impressed with your country man's run in the world championships - Simon Sundström (8:17.01 steeple), 28th (6th European) - congratulations - do you know anything about him and could you post some information about him? - thank you. He is 27 years old so still has a good future assuming he doesn't get injured. Has he adopted any of the Dancan system in his training regime?
Simon Sundström (red shirt) training with David Nilsson Swedish 15km record holder (43:34) and also 28:12/1:01:40/2:10:09.
Go Sverige.... Best Scandinavian country in terms of depth in distance running stronger than Norway with the latter just having a few at the very top but then less depth.
By the way Nilsson's 2:10:09 marathon best is in no way representative of his potential at the distance which I think would be at around 2:07:00 -2:09:00. Nilsson has had some fueling problems in the marathon in the past which I hope he can resolve in the future to maintain his energy levels. He's definitely worth a lot faster than 2:10:00.
I was very impressed with your country man's run in the world championships - Simon Sundström (8:17.01 steeple), 28th (6th European) - congratulations - do you know anything about him and could you post some information about him? - thank you. He is 27 years old so still has a good future assuming he doesn't get injured. Has he adopted any of the Dancan system in his training regime?
What a ridiculous question to ask at the end of this post.
There is no reason to believe Jan has any involvement with this athlete, so why feel the need to try to force some sort of association with or credit to Jan for his performances just because he is Swedish?
I was very impressed with your country man's run in the world championships - Simon Sundström (8:17.01 steeple), 28th (6th European) - congratulations - do you know anything about him and could you post some information about him? - thank you. He is 27 years old so still has a good future assuming he doesn't get injured. Has he adopted any of the Dancan system in his training regime?
What a ridiculous question to ask at the end of this post.
There is no reason to believe Jan has any involvement with this athlete, so why feel the need to try to force some sort of association with or credit to Jan for his performances just because he is Swedish?
Right - thank you for the update and correction.
Is there a Swedish page where we may follow these elite (Swedish) runners and use Google translate if necessary? The only way I can follow these people is on Instagram. Swedish people are normally very reserved (rightly so, actually) and it may not be easy to get information from them on Instagram.
What a ridiculous question to ask at the end of this post.
There is no reason to believe Jan has any involvement with this athlete, so why feel the need to try to force some sort of association with or credit to Jan for his performances just because he is Swedish?
Right - thank you for the update and correction.
Is there a Swedish page where we may follow these elite (Swedish) runners and use Google translate if necessary? The only way I can follow these people is on Instagram. Swedish people are normally very reserved (rightly so, actually) and it may not be easy to get information from them on Instagram.
Thank you.
You mean compared to Americans, this is no different to most nations on this planet.
Swedish nation are really are no different to anyone European country but any individual could be introvert and socially awkward or the opposite extrovert and outgoing or somewhere in the middle.
Any runner who wants to publish on social media do, just keep doing what you are doing and finally then from their world athletics profile if you are really interested but it’s all creatored content
Today another nice 20 x 400m @ 2min ( 5 min per k pace) , rest easy walk back to 120 bpm pulse. Heartrate up to 167 bpm max.🧙♂️
Doing everything alone in your small Swedish hometown (population 24,000) is not easy with the current wintry conditions, although I noticed it never gets too cold there (max -10 centigrade) because the lakes surrounding your town have a warming maritime effect.
We wish you continued success in your coaching and personal training endeavours.