Speak for yourself pal. I just turned 60. I never quit and never will. With proper rest, smart training, great nutrition, and a little luck you can go much longer...or at least I can. I've got nothing special in my body, nothing more than anyone else. Desire and will also play a role;)
LOL this reply really, really missed the point.
"60 and still going at it," do you see the video link.
I am 40 years old. I started running at age 11 and joined a running club at age 12. I loved it and still do. Ran solid will post lifetime bests below. I started getting bad knee pain a couple of years back figured it was shoes and kept changing out my shoes. I took 2 weeks off recently and started up on Monday the knee pain had me limping during and post was not able to run faster than 7:40 pace for a 6 miler. Went to the doctor for a checkup radiology noted I have no Cartlidge in my right knee and my left knee is bone on bone. Easily put was notified that I do need a knee replacement. However, the doctor said ortho is probably going to tell me to seize running and switch to cycling as 40 is too young for the operation as I would probably need another one at age 55 or so. Too answer your question after the damage the military did to me I have not had a comfortable pain free run in over 10 years. However, I have run through paid for 10 years simply because I love it.
Several posts about stride power and stride length in this thread. The weird thing is that when I push it I still feel like I'm going fast, as if the subjective experience of pushing feels largely the same. It's only when I see younger runners passing by with ease or glance at the splits that I just have to chuckle.
I ran a half weeks ago and ran a time that would have embarrassed me even a few years ago. The race sent email results and a couple of little video snippets after the event. I made the mistake of looking at the videos of me running and I couldn't believe how short and choppy my strides have become. The only way for me maintain any speed at all is with high turnover, like a tiny dog's legs screaming! Not pretty. Oh well, I'm still running.
My next thing for me I think will be to do more trail running and low key trail events, maybe slow ultras. Plenty of slow, plenty of walk breaks on hills, plenty of other runners who aren't looking to crush splits and whatnot. That might be a world to explore for the slowing codger.
i can add to this. i am now 77. until a month ago i was running every other day and walking on alternate days. i had not missed a day since covid came to the usa. a year so i was able to run 4-8 miles every day (slowly) but those days are gone. 4-5 miles is my max. i currently developed a a bad case of piriformis or another type of hip injury now and am now getting a diagnosis is a problem. if the doctors look at an xray and you say your age if 77 then the diagnosis is instantly arthritis (which started when you were a baby) like the bones are welded together. but unless the pain gets progressively worse I do not buy it. i have never had surgery in my life. i have a some missing cartilage in both knees (maybe 1/4" on the inside of the knee) that was corrected with orthotics. I was an ok marathoner, not great (2:32:12). i started running at 30 years old, no high school or college track whatsoever. that was an advantage when i hit early 60s and ended up ranked 37th in world in 60-64 age group. at the time i could run 26 miles in training every other week at a decent page when trainng for a marathon(3:11 at age 61). i think where i started to fall off the cliff was around 72 or so. training pace slowed and recovery got worse worse. age does catch up with you. i still love to run can see the end coming. only 2 major injuries over ~125000 miles (a rough guess): plantar twice and posterior tibial tendon strain once. the later was really nasty and all my fault. time is a great healer. 4 years ago i was told i might need knee replacement but 2 years later i can run on asphalt pain free every day. so don't give up, let it heal.
Interesting subject. I'm 66 now and have had a much faster slow down after 60. Fastest marathon was 2:33 in my late 20's. I had some injuries but came back and ran in the 2:50 range for a long time. I never ran over 3:00 for the marathon until I was 59 and then it was 3:02. After 60 my best time has been 3:15 and mostly in the 3:20's. Same for 5k times. 14:53 best then a long span in the 17 to 18 range. After 60 more in the 20 to 21 range. Things don't feel much different, just slower.
curious about this lack of power thing - as I am experiencing it right now coming off an injury...some days I think it is the injury, other days I think it is getting older (and not having the full range of motion).
Just looking for tips/thought on how to keep the power in the stride.
It seems like older runners have shorter strides - so it might be a flexibility issue...so I am working on this - but have a long ways to go.
and strength - been watching some videos on how to strengthen those muscles.
Not to be glib but I think the answer is "both". It's age + the years of accumulated injuries. I had a nasty knee injury awhile back and I know I'm probably only 85% in my right knee. That means it's Ok for me to jog around some, but when you really need to RUN I mean RUN like you mean it... the form falls to pieces and the power is just not there.
What I think happens is that you lose a little ROM in your hip with this injury, then a little percentage of ROM in an ankle because of another, maybe some in your knee a few years on, suddenly your lower back isn't as supple.. that all adds up. You are no longer a sleek F1 racer, you are more of a demolition derby junker just trying to keep moving.
As long as you train consistently and avoid injury, you can do well in age group categories. It is still gratifying and fun. It adjusts your ego accordingly. After a mid distance focus for decades, I started in on the half marathon at age 58, and the marathon at age 62, and I never enjoyed running and competing more.
I became a dad at 44. That was the last year I broke 5:00 in the mile, due to lack of sleep and less training (I'd run 4:20, and a 4:01 for 1500 at age 20, training maybe 35mpw.)
Several posts about stride power and stride length in this thread. The weird thing is that when I push it I still feel like I'm going fast, as if the subjective experience of pushing feels largely the same. It's only when I see younger runners passing by with ease or glance at the splits that I just have to chuckle.
I ran a half weeks ago and ran a time that would have embarrassed me even a few years ago. The race sent email results and a couple of little video snippets after the event. I made the mistake of looking at the videos of me running and I couldn't believe how short and choppy my strides have become. The only way for me maintain any speed at all is with high turnover, like a tiny dog's legs screaming! Not pretty. Oh well, I'm still running.
My next thing for me I think will be to do more trail running and low key trail events, maybe slow ultras. Plenty of slow, plenty of walk breaks on hills, plenty of other runners who aren't looking to crush splits and whatnot. That might be a world to explore for the slowing codger.
mid 50s, running since I was 14.
great post.
When I'm going hard, like you, it feels just like I used to feel. Only I'm going 30 seconds per mile slower. The experience is the same so I'm sticking with racing. I still love the feeling that races really matter - makes me feel so alive.
To answer the OP, I was fine until around 52, with just a bit of dropoff. But now in my mid 50s it's really starting to cave. I still feel that if I just found the right workouts I can get some back though, and that's one of the things that keeps me going.
Also, desire is a key, key element. As we slow down we have to really want to run fast or it all just goes even more extremely pear shaped. After going to the well for decades that desire to hurt can be difficult to summon.
57 here. I can't say I've fallen off of any cliff. Sure I get tired faster, can't move my legs as quick, get tight easy, etc, etc but I'll say that the feeling of running hard is no different than when I was 15. I ran 3:54 for 1500, 33 years ago and 5:11 last year and they were kind of the same. They both hurt and I felt pretty satisfied later. I wish I was faster and do work at it, but am more than happy that I simply still enjoy the sport.
You can respond to the guy who implied I was on TRT or HGH, not me.
My life is fine, couldn't be happier with my running or life in general.
You post with the hubris and arrogance typical of old farts who take PEDs, that's why I posted that. You still have a weird chip on your shoulder. This is a thread about when/how older runners felt their decline and you started with something along the lines of "speak for yourself losers". If you have felt no decline and are Adonis on earth how about just letting the rest of us, the non-PED-users, post about our experiences in peace.
Jerk.
I think you totally overreacted and it seems like you've got a chip on your shoulder. The poster merely said their personal experience, it's a forum. You accuse him of taking drugs???? That sounds like a weird, bizarre and jealous response from someone who can't run as fast as he used to. I have zero clue who he is nor do I have zero clue who you are, but...you sound like a jealous jerk. The guy gave his opinion. Grow up.
45 years old here. In the last year I have gone from comfortably running 6 days and 50 mpw, including a tempo, workout, and longish run, to struggling to run 35-40 mpw, with maybe one workout per week. No one thing to point to for the fall off. Tight hamstring, sore knee, general lack of get up and go in my stride. Simply can’t finish workouts I was doing up to last year and the preceding 7-8 years.
Understand that aging is inevitable, but I guess I didn’t think my fitness would fall off this quickly. I’ve put on no extra pounds and continue to lift weights at the same level, telling me I haven’t lost muscle mass. Every now and then I’ll get a good day where I feel it coming back, but mostly I just feel old and broken down.
Curious as to other people’s experience.
When injuries started. They affect your training more than any other thing.
Speak for yourself pal. I just turned 60. I never quit and never will. With proper rest, smart training, great nutrition, and a little luck you can go much longer...or at least I can. I've got nothing special in my body, nothing more than anyone else. Desire and will also play a role;)
Yes, you do. You have been fortunate to have avoided injury. Genetics are a huge part of that.
You post with the hubris and arrogance typical of old farts who take PEDs, that's why I posted that. You still have a weird chip on your shoulder. This is a thread about when/how older runners felt their decline and you started with something along the lines of "speak for yourself losers". If you have felt no decline and are Adonis on earth how about just letting the rest of us, the non-PED-users, post about our experiences in peace.
Jerk.
I think you totally overreacted and it seems like you've got a chip on your shoulder. The poster merely said their personal experience, it's a forum. You accuse him of taking drugs???? That sounds like a weird, bizarre and jealous response from someone who can't run as fast as he used to. I have zero clue who he is nor do I have zero clue who you are, but...you sound like a jealous jerk. The guy gave his opinion. Grow up.
Yes, can we keep the complaining about each other to a minimum, please? This is a thread about complaining about ourselves (or at least what we've become).
Just turned 68. Didn't go off a cliff, but slowed noticeably 3 years ago after several bouts with injuries. I still manage 20 to 25 miles a week but cannot tolerate any sort of speed workouts. Guess I am just a hobby jogger now. I love running so I will just keep trundling along.
Interesting subject. I'm 66 now and have had a much faster slow down after 60. Fastest marathon was 2:33 in my late 20's. I had some injuries but came back and ran in the 2:50 range for a long time. I never ran over 3:00 for the marathon until I was 59 and then it was 3:02. After 60 my best time has been 3:15 and mostly in the 3:20's. Same for 5k times. 14:53 best then a long span in the 17 to 18 range. After 60 more in the 20 to 21 range. Things don't feel much different, just slower.
Very similar to my (67) experience but I didn't run a marathon until my late 40s. Best after 60 (65 actually) was 3:16 and last was 3:19. All completely in line with faster times in my 50s when you look at age grading tables. I have not experienced a "cliff" -- at least not yet -- just a predictable decline. Looks like the same for you. Keep it up brother.
Change your activity expectations from miles per week at ??? pace to time spent at ?? heart rate. COROS and Garmin have watches that track training zones, get one. Forget about miles per week and pace go to time spent at heart rate. If you don't you will continue to be frustrated and posting the blues on MS :-). I'm 76 in October and gave up on the miles per week thing around 71 -72. you can also compare old efforts with current one here:
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