Good Ed Whitlock story in NYT today

Yes - Ed, is a freak in terms of being able to run so fast at his age, and despite mild arthritis, is able to keep going. His height and weight (5.7/112) no doubt reduce the pounding on his joints.

What does Ed. think about when he runs for 3 hours, or does he just go into a kind of "zone" where little thinking is necessary?

I ran 2:37 in the Maryland Marathon, as a Freshman at Mansfield State (1980) and I did not much like doing the 2 hour runs on Sundays in preparation for the marathon....I certainly would have found it impossible to run 3 hours daily as Ed. has often done!

Congratulations, Ed., on avoiding car use with reference to Kyoto.....very sensible.

How long more does Ed. think he will run, and what time ambitions over different distances does he have?

I suspect Ed. does no stretching, and would consider it a waste of time.

Does Ed. think that other seniors in the 60 plus age group are not giving themselves the chance to run fast, because society tends to put them in the "old and useless" category?

When the roads are too snowy and icy, does Ed. have any other forms of training which he uses (exercise bike/swimming).

Does Ed. know and communicate with Keith Spacie, an Englishman aged around 66 who runs around 39 minutes for 10km.....?

In reply to previous posts.

I'm not in a zone when I do my training runs, no runners highs or things like that. My mind just wanders around, a lot of it on non running items.

I suppose I will keep running as long as I can in a reasonable fashion.

I have no particular time ambitions at the moment, I'm getting high in the age group. I will develop short term goals just before most races.

I'm not big on stretching as the poster said, I feel the time is better spent running.

As far as society and 60 year olds, I'm sure most 60 year olds can do more than think they are capable of. Its a matter of application, use it or lose it.

Snow and ice are generally just a nuisance and not enough to prevent running, except for maybe 1 or 2 days a year. Also in summer thunderstorms sometimes interrupt. Since I don't have any consecutive day streak going, missing a day is no big deal. I don't have any alternative exercise.

I don't know of Keith Spacie.

As a comment on the other thread, I ran my normal 3 hours the day before yesterday's 1500m, maybe the benefits of tapering are overblown? Seriously though, if I had done some speed training and done a bit of tapering I'm sure that would improve my 1500m but my current emphasis is on the marathon.

.

Hi Ed,

How do you run the tempo and fartlek sessions, and do you use those and shorter races as your speed work for the marathon?

Has there been any influence by Van Aaken and what do you think of his program?

Thanks for your inspiration and replies.

wow, this thread is almost as long as Ed's age!!!

Ed,

You are awesome and inspiring.

Question for you: How often are you injured (if ever), and what do you do to prevent injury?

(I am 22, have been running 9 years (HS & college), and i have yet to run for more than 4 months straight without getting injured (and having to take a 3 week layoff.)

Any advice you have is welcome.

Ed,

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

What is the longest break you have had from running since turning 60?

What method do you use to come back?

How do you avoid additional injuries as you up your distance and speed as you come back?

Orville

Ed, I've seen you at many races around Ontario, and you never cease to amaze me.

All the best in your future races!

Ed,

I think you are correct in your remarks about 60 year old's performances. It appears to me that there were more distance running quality performances in the late 30 year old age group some years ago. Now those runners are 40 years old and are running some amazing times and enjoying good competition among themselves. There is a larger quantity of quality performances in the 40 year old ranks than there has been. That can be seen on this message board. I see that slowly moving into the 50, then 60 and then 70 year old age groups. Runners like yourself and the 40 years olds of today are leading it there.

Ed,

With our luck having you appear, maybe there will be an Elvis sighting on here!

Post number.....73!!!

Good job on the 1500, Ed!

I know of Van Aaken and I have read some of his ideas, but I can't recall the details now, so not that much influence.

I think you could describe my training as rather casual, non structured and non scientic in comparison to what most coaches and coaching plans would advocate. The tempo runs typically consist of a 15 minute warm up run, 30 minutes at a brisk pace which leaves me fairly exhausted at the finish, then a 15 minute warm down run. The fartlek sessions are similar except that instead of the steady run I do one lap fast then half a lap slow. I typically do these sessions the 2 days before a race. Not for marathons though generally they are easy sessions.

I reply ot other posters. Since I have been a master I have had 3 injuries that have stopped me running for about 1 year each. They were different injuries and all basically cured themselves. One needs patience. When I have started running again I would start with 5 minutes easy jog and increase half a minute a day as long as the injury seemed OK. Later I would increase by 1 minute per day. In my training I try to minimize pounding by keeping the speed down, my stride short and try to minimize and up and down motion.

Is the surface Ed runs on tarmac, asphalt or dirt?

Ed

I think you are marvellous and you're achievements do give hope to many many runners

I would love to be as fast as you. I can only try can't I?

Mr. Whitlock,

Do you think your success and training as a middle distance runner has helped your running form? Some commented that you look so smooth in your marathon efforts and I always marvelled at guys like Coe and Cramm who looked so tireless even though they were burning down the homestretch at 3min44sec mile pace.

By the way, what kind of times did you run as a Masters in the 1500 and 5000m?

Replying to posts

The cemetery roads were broken tarmac until last Summer when they were re-paved with asphalt.

I don't know how much my past middle distance training is helping now. I suspect not very much. I think having the natural ability and form to run middle distance is probably a help. In racing I don't consciencely change my running style for different distances but I know I am more on my heels as the distance increases. I did not do any serious 5000m when I was a young master, 800m 1:59.9 age46, 4:02.5 age 44.

Notable master records.

Ed Whitlock(73) Marathon 2:52.49*

Eamonn Coghlan(41) Mile 3:58.15

Derek Turnbull(65) Mile 4:56.4 (only sub 5 mile by 65+ yr)

Scotty Carter(75) Mile 5:57.2 (only sub 6 mile by 75+ yr)*

Harold Chapson(80) Mile 6:43.3 (only sub 7 mile by 80+ yr)

Herb Kirk(95) 5000meters 50:23.53

Antonio Villanueva(50) 5000meters 14:55.60

Leslie Amey(100) 1500meters 16:46.41

*Judging by his 1500 performance this past week Whitlock could get Scotty Carter's mile record for a 75 year old man in a few years. Right now Whitlock is about 20 seconds faster than Carter's PR. The question is can Whitlock avoid losing 20+ seconds in the next two years. I believe Whitlock and Coghlan are the top master performers followed Derek Turnbull. The 65 year old Trunbull was as fast as a typical high school varsity miler. Trunbull must be close to 80 today.

Ed,

Thank you for your responses here! Just to repeat everyone else, you are a big time inspiration!!