Anyone else completely injured decades later from running high mileage (100+ mpw) in college?

zzzz wrote:

I ran high mileage on my own in college. Had a close to 5000 mile year that included a lot of 140 mile weeks on 20 mile singles. 30 years later and I'm still doing 80-85 mpw on the trails. They key is to not stop. I think I'm somewhere around 100,000 lifetime miles. I haven't really had a break from running except from 2000-2010, when I'd cross country ski only during the winters.

That's excellent. Although that last sentence kind of put a whole other spin on things. If you were skiing...instead of running for the entire winter...for 10 of the 30 years...that's got to be considered as a factor in your success. Cause without that...you don't see a lot of people still running well following your training regimen. What do you think?

Though it's nice and beneficial in some ways to mix it up, I don't think the skiing (or cycling) made a difference. (I was a cyclist before I became a runner, and also bike commuted for many years along with my running and skiing.) Ed Whitlock was doing 3 hour runs daily in his 70s, or something like that, wasn't he? I'm not tiny like he was, but I have exceptional durability. I'm the guy that started out as a new runner at 9 miles a day through the summer without a rest day at age 16 and didn't have a running injury for my first ~22 years, save a badly sprained ankle.

I've had some injuries in my middle age (PF, Achilles & Haglunds, an impact knee injury), but almost nothing I couldn't run through with some sense. Actually, I'd say that keeping up the running and actually increasing the stress in certain ways is much better than rest for issues like my Achilles when they pop up.

why are you like this wrote:

you sad, sorry, deranged old fogie..

Thank you Mr. Alzheimer.

Didn't run as much as you did but hit 100 in college and even high school where I ran a 2:37. I was more a distance guy anything less than XC was too fast for me but did go as a team to D1 XC Nationals in 78. Several of my team mates can't and haven't been able to run for years. Often foot issues, they tended to be 5000 or below runners.

I also think that any sport recreational or otherwise with stress from impacts big or small (tennis, soccer, basketball, even hard downhill skiing or heavy backpacking) causes tons of micro damage that leads to arthritis and injuries. I never have done any of that stuff!

Now 63, I just finished a 50 mile week ( a lot for me usually in the high 30's) of road and trail at altitude much well down in the 9 minute pace, some below and on hills and thankfully except when I change either intensity, volume, or terrain have only had 3 few week stops in 45 years (stress fracture and PF) both from changing from all snow running to pavement in April. I follow zero programs, do zero cross training beyond Nordic and hiking and still can podium if the stars align in my AG, about 1:35-1:39 halves generally. I love to race and always go all out. Training almost never.

I had a long period of almost 20 years when I ran less, was heavy and stressed out by work and life. I still ran but knew it was not competitive. Some former team mates who run or ran until recently always seemed to run way way to fast in training which was occasional... Disappointed how "slow" they had become they tend to quit. Consistency, moderation and gradual progress forward is key not recapturing past glories in the first few runs out or going once or twice a week super fast.

Very similar mileage to you. In my 30s now but ever since my mid 20s I have had Achilles issues. If I buy new shoes and don't take any shortcuts I can keep them healthy and feeling good though unless I race in spikes or flats over a 5k or longer. If I do that they are shot for a month or two. No issues besides that though, strained my calf once but that was about it.

Have to agree with this - I ran consistently high mileage in college and post-collegiately for a few years. I'm in my mid-30's now, and had that popping you described. I had a really bad haglund's that got progressively worse.

Had the surgery last year (removed about 1/3rd of my tendon and reattached it). Slowly getting back into it, but its a bit touch and go (I don't have the resources of Rupp).

areusure? wrote:

Consider that you likely have poor running biomechanics. I did about 20 yrs of 80 to 100s and regular 140 peaks and everything is just fine. Of course I'm a biomechanist with good form.

Even with the best bio-mechanics in the world running causes wear and tear. Your body has to recover from the stress.

If the wear and tear exceeds your capabilities of recovery you will run into problems.

Because there are genetic freaks who can handle very high mileage, also means most of us cannot.

Knees healther after marathon training in this study of beginners:

http://archive.vn/MR9cR

thisisdumb wrote:

High mileage doesn’t cause injury. Imbalances in the body and improper moving do. You can’t get injured from running high mileage when you’re young and then starting up again. 0/10 for dumb

You gotta be very bright.... high mileage causes wear and tear. See what happens when you turn 40..... I am laughing at all you dumbos who have no clue

Move to boulder bro they’ll fix you up

zzzz wrote:

Knees healthier after marathon training in this study of beginners (archived new york times link):

http://archive.vn/MR9cR

The headline: Marathon Running May Be Good for Your Knees

Distance running rebuilds the health of certain essential components of middle-aged knees.

First two paragraphs:

Could it be that marathon training and racing are actually good for our knees?

A myth-toppling new study of novice, middle-aged runners suggests that the answer is a qualified yes. The study finds that taking up distance running rebuilds the health of certain essential components of middle-aged knees, even if the joints start off somewhat tattered and worn.

Study link:

As you get older you get injured more and the efforts of your youth do have an effect.

I never did huge miles but all the injuries I had as a youngster come back more often as I am older.

You need to train differently as you age.

1) Genetics

2) Intensity not volume

3) Taking long breaks away from running doesn’t help

the High Mileage Story's Injury wrote:

I ran for a high mileage team for 4 years.

We did 90 - 100 mpw during cross country season, and 120+ for sections of summer training.

I'm on the backend of my 30s:

- I can't walk without both achillis making loud popping sounds

- My knees are shot

- My foot gets injured within a few weeks anytime I try to take up running 3-4 miles a day

I'm hoping things don't keep getting worse.

I'm wondering if this is normal? I guess it beats getting CTE from the college football.

You just need to strength train to get your tissues capable of handling load again.

I should add something. I posted earlier about how I'm in my early 40s and I can't run anymore without debilitating lower back problems. I just wanted to mention that I had an MRI on my left knee in my late 30s and the doctor was very surprised that the joint was just as good as an 18-year-old's. So depending on genetics, and your running form, you are not guaranteed to have destroyed joints, but remember that your joints are not your only point of failure. I think I probably have disc degeneration. There are many things that can go wrong after 40.

I think the OP's post is an interesting on-going situation. From what I have learned it come down to genetics. Some people just don't tend to get injured. Some people stretch , a lot! And, some people, like myself, stretched and did high mileage, but after 40, tended to get injured.

I have seen almost every scenario. I have seen people in their 60's who are still running strong and often. And, they are still competitive. And yet, I see others who were great runners, who's body broke down and they can barely run 10 miles a week.

So, what's the answer? Stretching? Taking days off? Listening to your body? I am assuming all of these and more.

No matter who I speak to, a doctor, a trainer, a great elite runner, a coach, it all comes down to one common piece of advice. Common sense.

"The problem with common sense, is that it isn't very common" (Ben Franklin)

treterwte wrote:

the High Mileage Story's Injury wrote:

I ran for a high mileage team for 4 years.

We did 90 - 100 mpw during cross country season, and 120+ for sections of summer training.

I'm on the backend of my 30s:

- I can't walk without both achillis making loud popping sounds

- My knees are shot

- My foot gets injured within a few weeks anytime I try to take up running 3-4 miles a day

I'm hoping things don't keep getting worse.

I'm wondering if this is normal? I guess it beats getting CTE from the college football.

You just need to strength train to get your tissues capable of handling load again.

THIS! The injury post everyone always ignores. People going on about genetics and bad luck, but anyone should be able to run pain free if they just make sure their body can handle the load. If your body is weak and you go out and run, you can expect to pick up an injury!

OP- yes, i'm in similar situation as you. back-end of 30's as well, so we probably raced each other in college. I never got over 100mpw, and I ran 90% of miles on soft surfaces (dirt trails, grass, etc), and high barefoot mileage as well. I was doing what became known as the minimalist fad circa 2005/2006 back in 2000 and enjoyed it thoroughly. I ran daily until 31 or so, now i barely run at all.

I broke a bone in my foot in a steeplechase race in 2003, and it never fully healed. when i was about 30, the top bone of my foot would really hurt with prolonged periods of standing or walking. it's become worse as time goes on, and when I run, its pretty bad, but i'm used to it.

my knuckles in my hands are probably worse than your knees, due to seasonal commercial construction starting at age 17 and going through to today.

getting old isn't just for old people anymore!

I was much like you...without the 10 years of winter breaks. But after 35-40 years of steady training with decent mileage (55-80 mpw) and decent performances...and just a very gradual decline...I had a steep decline. Since I had this fall-off, nothing has worked. At 63, I cannot run 800m at the same pace I could race 7 miles about 6 years earlier. Something definitely changed. It's like I used up something important.

I think you extended your career with those winters of XC skiing...but who knows.

Ed Whitlock started late so he had virtually the same running "life" that I did.