50+ Masters Training and Racing Open Forum

When I first came here, I ran all around the good track figuring there must be a way in, but they are very thorough about locking it up. I did train with a young guy a few years back when I wasn't injured and he insisted on going over the fence and training on there, rather than the old track. The older track wasn't so bad until they cut that chunk out of it, because it had bubbled up a bit. I've considered getting a couple of rubber bath mats and putting down on it.

I also thought that if I got to a point where I could train really seriously again, I'd approach the powers that be and see if a contribution to the track or x-country team would go anywhere.

When I lived on Long Island in New York, there were any number tracks at schools, and they were open all the time. Even in Mississippi, I could get on the track of the only High School in town, even during school hours, and when the team was on it.

I'm off to a racehorse sale in Kentucky next week, but if the week after that goes Ok, I'm might see if I could manage an LT session with you. Back in June I did 6 miles - basically Fred Meyer to the track and back - with 3 miles (or at least 4800m) on that track at 6:50 per mile, all as a continuous run. The year before last I did 19:00 flat for 4800m, so I've lost a fair bit.

Cavorty, Sounds like a winner so Freddies to old track 21 minute 5k on the track then back to Freddies .

Charlie wrote:

Cavorty, Sounds like a winner so Freddies to old track 21 minute 5k on the track then back to Freddies .

I'm three miles North of town, so can't run from here without hitting hills, which I don't always want to do.

Can combine that session, with shopping, so time efficient.

Looking back, I did that session mid-June, and it's right on 6 miles - whole thing was just over 45 min. Was fairly happy, but had done the same session with the 3 miles on the tack in 19:20 two years ago.

Not long after, I was off from September/October until January, and was off again for the same time last year. This year, at least I'm recovering from injury at that time, so maybe it'll be the first time in four years that I'm actually running through fall.

This year, I was starting to get into decent shape, but ignored what I would have vaguely called 'a sore ankle' and on June 30, went out and ran 8 miles at 7:22 average, and had to walk downstairs backwards the next day.

So turned out the by know 'very sore ankle' posterior tibial tendonitis. At least with some laser treatment, it's continued to heal.

I've been able to keep going a bit with 3 or 4 miles runs, which at least kept the dreaded weight (or most of it) at bay. I did do 4 miles (including first mile warm up in 7:18) at 7:02 pace last week (7:18, 7:17, 6:55; 6:46) so in truth I might not be too far off where I was when I did the Fred Meyer + track session. Maybe life in Zone 2 works! Actually I think it worked to maintain when I was limited in distance + intensity, but your neither really developing a great aerobic base, or touching on anything near race-pace, so I don't think its a long-term method!

I had mentioned the other day that in the 5K handicap race I ran on Monday, that the race director had two different announced handicaps for my age group. A greater handicap was on the race website and the entry form, but 1:00 less at the check in table where you picked up your bib numbers. I politely brought it to her attention, but I did not push the point. And I just it go. Doing well in place is nice, but at 62 I am basically racing against my younger self and age graded times.

Out of the blue the race director wrote me last night - I was very surprised. She apologized for the error and said it spelled the difference in place 1-4. Then she comped me an entry to the 2020 race. (wow) What a class act.

I guess it pays not to be a jerk and argue, when clearly someone is working hard to organize a race. (To those of you who have ever be a race director -even at a small race- you know what a juggling act it can be.)

I may try and get one more 5k in on Saturday the 12th before transitioning to cross country and maybe a couple of 10ks. I would really like to dip under 20:00 again - I have been close, but close only counts in hand grenades. The race is only three miles away and the course covers part of my 'milk run' that I train on at least twice a week. Familiarity with the course always lessens by stress level.

Hope everyone is enjoying slightly cooler weather this week. What a relief!

socalcush wrote:

long tempo (usually around 8 miles at a bit slower than half marathon pace) in the middle of my longer runs) may be higher platform/heel drop--i used to like the lunar tempo (7.4oz, 8mm drop), but haven't settled on anything since they've discontinued this and i just used up my last pair.

Just found a pair of these from a third-party Amz dealer for $85. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

KCgeezer wrote:

socalcush wrote:

long tempo (usually around 8 miles at a bit slower than half marathon pace) in the middle of my longer runs) may be higher platform/heel drop--i used to like the lunar tempo (7.4oz, 8mm drop), but haven't settled on anything since they've discontinued this and i just used up my last pair.

Just found a pair of these from a third-party Amz dealer for $85. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

The LunarTempo 2 (I never tried the original LunarTempo) is the only Nike shoe I've ever tried that works for me. In fact it's now my favorite shoe. I bought my first pair a year ago, when they were already discontinued, at a store in Washington, DC where I was visiting for a conference. I finally found a second pair via Amazon and spent more money than I normally spend on shoes ($89 or $99) to get them. If any of you know where I can find the LunarTempo 2 in a women's 9/men's 7.5, please let me know!

Cavorty

A 19:20/4800 meters is too fast for my base phase.

My Current fitness guesstimates:

5k is 6:26 1:36/400

10k is 6:42 1:40/400

Fastest I would venture in base for 5000 is 1:41/400 more or less a CV workout

19:20 for 4800 is 6:26 1:36.6/400

1:36 vs 1:41 or about 5 seconds per 400 FASTER than I want to do at this point in my buildup.

How about you give me a 60 second head start;)

I'm 50-50 on San Diego this fall but see that US Nationals will be there in January. I'll probably do that. Plan toTo do Club XC in December and Toronto WCs next summer.

As far as comparisons as we age go, amongst all the travel and back and forth moves I've run the same/similar courses here in Colorado in the 80s, 1998-2001, and the past few years. So here are some comparisons of my slow down.

Colorado Run - Fortitude 10K

1988 (30) - 33:30

1999 (41) - 35:20

2019 (61) - 37:30

Bolder Boulder

1985 (27) - 34:05

1999 - (41) - 35:23

2019 - (61) - 38:10

So a slow down of about 2 minutes each 20 years. Age grading would've predicted a little faster in my early 40s (busy with career and young family then, and running moderate miles), and a lot slower this year (like 41s for 10K), so at least for now beating the age curve.

KPdx wrote:

2020 is gonna be great - just like all Olympic Years. Unfortunately for me re Toronto, I turn 60 during this meet therefore likely having to register in the 55-59 class.

Anyone up for some flat xc on San Diego grass. and hip-hip-hooray only 5k? Oct 12, 2019 USATF XC Nats. Will be grat to see y'all there.

KP

KP - I was thinking of doing the 5k xc as it's on the west coast - but then they moved it from September to October - on the one weekend when I'll be on the EAST coast. And even sadder, it is now only a couple days past my 60th birthday. Oh well.

I don’t know if this is the correct place to post, but I don’t think it merits starting a new thread.

I am an over 50 male runner. I am signed up for a fall marathon which is in 51 days. I ran XC and track in high school. I jogged off and on in my 20s. I did a marathon in the 1990s. I have not run one since. I have done 3 half marathons, 2 in the 1990s and one in 2013. I did numerous 5-15ks in the 1980s and 1990s, my last one I think in 1997 or so. I can give some rough times for these eras if that would be helpful, but they are embarrassing to what most of you can achieve in your 60s and late 50s.

Anyways, I was around 40 pounds overweight last October. So, I started walking, got a Fitbit, and joined a gym. I lost about 8 pounds from walking, lifting weights, riding stationary bicycles, and an occasional swim. For example, I started out doing a few laps in the pool and got up to a mile by Christmas. Then I maintained my weight and dropped off some of my exercise until March. Once good weather arrived, I started working out more and tried to do some limited jogging.

A friend of mine ran a half marathon and lost 15 pounds while training. So, I thought “I should run another marathon”, and he said he would do it. Unfortunately, he backed out soon after I signed up. I had at least 7 months to get in shape, and I could do a few 10ks and a half marathon on the way. Well, the second day I started running I had a calf strain. I couldn’t walk for about 36 hours and took it easy for 2-3 weeks. I did some moderate outdoor cycling building from 6-10 miles. So, I started Hal Higdon’s walk/run 30/30 program to take it slow. I was doing well until I tried to sprint with my nieces and nephews and strained my other calf about 6 weeks later This one was not too bad, and I was jogging again about 10 days.

So, I basically wasted the spring. I was still able to lose another 5 pounds even with all mistakes. I was on vacation for a few weeks which created issues for getting in much running, but I was able to walk and cycle enough to lose a few more pounds.

Long story short, over the summer I tried to do Hal Higdon’s half marathon for beginners. I was able to do the last half fairly religiously with walking breaks. I have now moved onto his 8 week program for Seniors. I am walking a half mile, then jogging 2 miles. I do all the mileage recommended and just do extra walking. So, if the day calls for 8 miles, I do a half mile, jog 2, repeat 3 more times. I end up jogging the 8 miles and walking 2.5 miles. I plan on adding a half mile each week to my units, until the marathon, and hope to just walk 90-120 seconds around the water stations. I did 2 Yasso half miles 2 weeks ago and averaged 4min 33 seconds. I did a Galloway magic mile last week and did it in 8 minutes 22 seconds. I did three Yasso’s this week with a goal of 4’20”. My first one was 3’57”, 2nd-4’25”, and 3rd-4’19.”

For my weekend long runs this is what I have done:

4 weeks ago-I was unable to run so just walked 12.86 miles in 3:44:20, avg. HR-123

3 weeks ago-9 miles 1:55:00, AHR-136

2 weeks ago- 10.43 miles 2:21:05, AHR-143

Last week-11.87 miles 2:26:37, AHR-140

My biggest problem has been figuring out my recovery pace, tempo, etc. I understand the concepts, putting it into practice is difficult. I avoided hills and anything like speed work until the last 3 weeks. I know yasso’s and Galloway miles are not really speed work, but I am so far behind, I doubt I can do real speed work. I am also very concerned with an injury. I have felt really good the last 2 months which is weird for me running this much mileage, when I had problems when I was younger. Also, I have lost almost 30 pounds since last year. I have lost almost 7 pounds in the last week, is that even possible? Am I cannibalizing my muscle? Do I need to up my protein intake? How much walking can you do while training?

This is what I did this week:

Monday rest day-I lifted, swam a quarter mile, walked 4 miles

Tuesday-3 Yasso’s, 1.25 mile warm up 10’20” pace, 1.25 miles warm down 11’26” pace

Wednesday- Cross train, lifted 20 miles cycling 12 mph, 1/3rd of a mile swimming, walked 9 miles

Thursday-I was supposed to do an easy 8 miles, only did 6.3 miles with one mile walked 11’56” pace, 1st mile was 10’39, 2nd 10’18”, 3rd walked half, 4th mile 10’52”, 5th mile walked half, 6th mile 11’03.” I called it quits when I felt just dead at a 12’03 pace. I walked another half mile, then did a slow 0.75 mile 14 minute pace recovery jog, and figured out my legs had died. My heart rate was fine.

For my last marathon, I didn’t train as hard as I have for this one, but I had a much higher fitness level. I could do 7-8 minute miles relatively easily. Now, it is not easy to run one under 8’30.”

I don’t know if I come across as a troll or a fool, but am I fooling myself in thinking I can do the marathon in under 5 hours? The forums I have been on are all very positive, but they are not made up of serious runners. I need some hard truth. Thanks in advance.

Haven't posted in quite a while but have been lurking.I am Truly inspired by the level of Masters talent on these boards.There are too many accomplishments by too many amazing Master Runners to recognize individually so congratulations to all the masters achieving age group domination this summer.Today I joined a new age group 55-59 so thought I would drop in to say hi.It's been 22 months since I started my running journey and I continue to make progress. Todays 16 mile run has brought me to 2024 miles YTD.My goal race is a local marathon Oct 6 and I am hoping to run 3:10-3:15.Ran a Half-Marathon 2 weeks ago in 1:32:35 so I am starting to believe that my marathon goal is within reach.I was happy to see SoCal Pete join the boards and talk about his training, because his book "Build Your Running Body" was the 1st running book I ever bought and feel it has put me on the right track to succeed at running over 50. Looking forward to having a good healthy September and hearing about everybody's running and racing.Best regards to all!

You seem to be improving. “Do what works, just do more of it.” That adage seems appropriate, all within reason of course. Your focus on avoiding injury is sound. Injury really takes it’s toll at any age, but above 50 it is a “career” killer. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Igy

nice going! sounds like you're making good headway toward your goals. keep up the great work.

you did ask directly if people think you can finish a marathon in under 5 hours about 7 weeks from now. I predict not [but will be really happy for you if i'm wrong]. It's even more speculative than usual given that, unless I missed it, you didn't report recent race times, but I'm thinking your long runs of 9 to 12 miles are too short too close to race day for you to get to the line ready to run a marathon at a steady pace.

you can probably finish it if you start the walk breaks early and keep the pace judicious.

best of luck, and I hope you'll keep posting on the thread,

Dave

Coyote Montane wrote:

As far as comparisons as we age go, amongst all the travel and back and forth moves I've run the same/similar courses here in Colorado in the 80s, 1998-2001, and the past few years. So here are some comparisons of my slow down.

Colorado Run - Fortitude 10K

1988 (30) - 33:30

1999 (41) - 35:20

2019 (61) - 37:30

Bolder Boulder

1985 (27) - 34:05

1999 - (41) - 35:23

2019 - (61) - 38:10

So a slow down of about 2 minutes each 20 years. Age grading would've predicted a little faster in my early 40s (busy with career and young family then, and running moderate miles), and a lot slower this year (like 41s for 10K), so at least for now beating the age curve.

Continuing the aging/degradation discussion: I’ve had huge ups and downs. 3 plus minutes between 79 and 96. But an improvement from 96 to 09.

The next phase is when I retire at 65. I can now predict I will increase my training, improve my times, then spend the next 5 years recovering from my stupidity….assuming I’m still alive, of course.

Plugging in the age grading tables make it clear: I have sucked every year since age 20, some years I sucked less, other years I sucked more. Is it any wonder I hate age grading tables?

1979 (20): 5K 15:42, 10K 32:12

1984 (25): 5K 17:03

1996 (37): 5K 19:17

2009 (50): 5K: 18:47

2019 (60): 5K 22:46

Rtype wrote:

Continuing the aging/degradation discussion: I’ve had huge ups and downs. 3 plus minutes between 79 and 96. But an improvement from 96 to 09.

The next phase is when I retire at 65. I can now predict I will increase my training, improve my times, then spend the next 5 years recovering from my stupidity….assuming I’m still alive, of course.

Plugging in the age grading tables make it clear: I have sucked every year since age 20, some years I sucked less, other years I sucked more. Is it any wonder I hate age grading tables?

1979 (20): 5K 15:42, 10K 32:12

1984 (25): 5K 17:03

1996 (37): 5K 19:17

2009 (50): 5K: 18:47

2019 (60): 5K 22:46

Curious: What happened between ages 20 & 25? Usually, runners peak out in their mid to late-20s for most distances (unless of course someone is like Lagat and doesn't peak out until their mid-30s. Lol).

I appreciate the encouragement from both of you. I was hesitant to write too much. I have been lurking ever since that LA “cheater” committed suicide. The other sections of this forum are too cynical for my taste. I am just not that into running. I don’t really consider myself a runner at this point, more like a struggling jogger.

I will bore you with some times if it helps analyze my potential. When I was in early elementary school, there was an ABC movie of the week about marathon runners. I was fascinated. Then I saw the Michael Douglas flick “Running” on HBO around 1980. However, “Breaking Away” is my favorite sports themed film.

I ran to school and ran hard, because I was always late. I played baseball, football, soccer, basketball, tennis, gymnastics. I really got the running bug when I lived in California and had access to a primo collegiate track. They had a timer and I was able to run a 6 minute something mile when I was 12 or 13. I ran a 600 yard “dash” in 1’43”, when I was 13. I played football my Freshman year in HS, soccer Sophomore. I played basketball in the winter.

In the spring of my sophomore year during my second year of baseball, my dad signed up for a 5k and asked me to come run it with me the day of the race. I did a 19 something and won my age group. My dad was impressed and said I should ditch baseball (he knew I was frustrated with it). So, I ran XC my junior year. When the season started I was doing high 18 minutes, got down to low 18 minutes in the middle of the season. I never got down to 17 minutes. Ran a few sub 6 minute miles in meets, ran a 5’20” in a push session of practice with the team, crawled for 600 meters after and then the slowest jog ever for another 3 miles. I started regressing towards the end of the season. I think mostly due to having to work 16-20 hours after practice to help the family financially. I think I had a cold the last 2 weeks of the season, due to being so run down.

Ran track in the spring, it was pretty good. Went back to football my senior year. Football was probably my best sport. I didn’t play it for two years, because the coaching staff was a #MeToo/Epstein dumpster fire. They were finally cleaned out by my senior year, so I felt comfortable playing again. Senior year in track I made all conference. I came in 2nd in the 100 yard dash, and won the long jump in our finals. I ran the 100, 200, 400, 400 and mile relay, and long jump. I never knew what 4 events I would do until coach figured out where we needed the points.

Got recruited and played football in college. It was really frustrating. It was just racket of numbers, and how many were willing to pay the price and jump through the hoops. I was 4th on the depth chart in the spring season and when we had the annual scrimmage, I didn’t even bother to wear my contacts, because the #1 player was going to play the whole game. Of course, he pulled his hamstring before the game, and I ended up playing the entire game. Inevitably, it was a scoreless game and they score a touchdown on my receiver in the last 90 seconds or so. For some reason, the coaching staff was impressed with my play anyways, and I was moved up on the depth chart. They were impressed with my play (I have no idea why), but mostly my weight training from January to May. I could barely bench press 45 pounds when we started and was benching 215 by then. I got to 250 over that summer. I worked out very diligently over the summer, but when they contacted me in July I told them I was quitting. I didn’t see how I could go to the next level without doing steroids or doing serious damage to my body. All the players that had been drafted or were expected to be in the next season, were either genetic freaks or doing steroids, if not both.

So I biked through college, because I didn’t have a car. Would go on 3-5 mile runs when I drank too much. Ran a half marathon out of the blue in the early 1990s, just signed up and ran it without training. I don’t remember the time, but I at least jogged the whole thing. Started sliding into being out of shape. Met a girl after college that was really into running, and she dragged me on her runs. I was faster for a few miles, but she killed me after 3-4 miles. We ran a couple of 10ks, one was a really hilly one, and I think I did it in 1hr 6 minutes. This old hillbilly lady called me fat on my way up a really tough hill. I wanted to argue with her, but she was right.

My girlfriend broke up with me soon after. 2 or 3 years later, she told me she did a marathon in 4hr 11 minutes. This was around the same time Oprah did a sub 4 hour marathon. I was getting close to 30, so I figured if they could do it how hard could it be. I actually started training relatively hard. I ran the same half marathon, but I was a bandit. They had same day registration the last time I had run it, but had gotten rid of it that year. I was around the 2 hour mark when I tried to enter the stadium for the finish. So, I estimate my time would have been around 2:01 or 2:02 if I had been able to finish. Ran a 15k roughly 2 months later in 1hr 15 minutes. Went back to the hilly 10k and did 48-49m 10k. Gave the finger to the house where the old hillbilly lived, I swear I saw some curtains move.

Then I moved and did the packing and moving myself. Pulled something in my back. Was in really bad shape for 6 weeks. I gave up on training for the marathon. My dad called me out of the blue and asked about doing a 10k with him that we had signed out when I mapped out my marathon training. I had totally forgotten about it, but came down and ran it with him. I did it in 53-54 minutes with no training for 10 weeks. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I thought I could still do the marathon. I started running 3-4 miles during my lunch hour 3-5 times a week. If I wasn’t doing that I cross trained by rollerblading for 40 minutes. Did a couple of double workouts after work a few times. Did 5,7,8,9,10,11,12 for my long runs on the weekends before the marathon. I thought I was ready. Apparently, I was not.

I had no idea what kind of shape I was for the race and got at the very back of the field at the start. I had no idea what I was doing. I was aiming for an 1:57-1:59 half marathon time and hold on for the last half and hope to finish around 4 hours. Didn’t happen. I have never worn a watch until now. I hate jewelry and watches. I felt really good the first half of the marathon, amazingly good. I kept asking people what the time was, and I thought they were mistaken. I got to the halfway point and it said 1:57. I thought “woo, hoo!” Maybe a little too fast, but I broke 2 hours for a half marathon. Then I realized, that I didn’t cross the starting line until over 12 minutes had passed. “Oh, F#@*!” I went out way too fast. I had done a 1:45 half.

There were a ton of people in the crowds the mile before and after the halfway mark. I knew I was done around the 13.5 mile mark, but there were too many people to allow me to stop. So, I struggled for another mile until the were not so many fans and started walking. I wasn’t quitting, but my marathon was done psychologically. I walked until the 16 mile water station and started up again. Went another 1.5 miles, then walked another mile. Did another mile jogging, started walking for about quarter mile. A friend showed up out of the blue and started encouraging me to jog again. He shamed andpushed me by stating, “if you aren’t going to jog, I will.” So, I jogged with him for a half mile. He ran out of gas, and I finished the race jogging home. I ran up the last hill and sprinted by 4-5 people at the finish line trying to finish under 5 hours. I didn’t make it, I finished just under 5:01.

..Or did I? I totally forgot about the 12 minutes at the starting line. I was so mentally done, I had checked out the last 6 miles. I didn’t realize that I actually had finished in 4:49:50 until I got the results mailed to me. I had not accomplished my primary goal, but I had run a decent half marathon as my secondary goal, and my tertiary goal of finishing in under 5 hours had been achieved. Considering the limited training I had done, I rationalized it was not a complete bust. I may not have run or even jogged a marathon, but I did finish it.

I did nothing with it. I was just whole body exhausted after the ordeal. I biked a fair amount for the next decade. Then I thought about trying for that 4 hour mark again in 2013. We were moving again, and I don’t know if that triggered something in me or what. Again, I signed up for my nemesis half marathon 3-4 months out. I planned on training outdoors some, but the winter was one of the worst of the century for the area. I don’t do ice and snow jogging. I ended up doing all my training on a treadmill, big mistake. I did 2:11 time. I couldn’t walk for about 10 days, because my body was not prepared for the pounding of the hard road and cold dirt.

I have done no other races in the last 2 decades. I would like to do 1-2 park runs on the weekend before my marathon. How should I incorporate that into my long runs? Can I subtract the miles or just do the long run 30-45 seconds slower? I appreciate any advice.

Sorry if that is way too much information, but if helps anyone with giving me advice then it was worth it.

My pacing is just befuddling me, especially with the walking. With the walking it seems about right time wise, but too fast for the actual jogging. I think I can handle 10-10”30 minute miles for the marathon, but I really don’t know. On the long runs I usually do my last 2 miles faster than any of the previous ones. One was under 10 minutes last weekend and combined they were 20:08.

I also don’t know how walking impacts the training. I have jogged 20+ miles this week, cycled 44 miles, but I have already walked 40+ miles as well. Can you overdo walking?

Did 23.2 miles on the bike today. 12.3 mph, talked to a fellow geriatric for 15 minutes after he passed me. I did 2 fartlek’s when older bikers passed me to catch up with them and check out their physiques, mostly calves and thighs. This guy was in his late 60s and had run a 4:06 marathon a few decades back. His daughter did a local triathlon 4 months pregnant and finished 4th. I like to sing and have fun when I bike, to make sure it is not too taxing. Too many miserable people on the trails going for a time, and they look like they are doing time as in serving a prison sentence. I tried to keep my heart rate down today, because it was too high on my las bike ride. I averaged 137 for the whole ride with a max of 164. I kept my high at 145 for the second half and averaged around 133 for that section. My thighs are dead. I will update on Sunday with my long run info.

Everyone have a great weekend if possible and be safe out there.

Twice as bright and half as long or is this a false dichotomy ?

Maybe my best age grading will be 10 or 20 years from now because I took a long term approach in my 60s!

Maybe if I am lucky enough to live that long I will be saying the SOS;)

I suppose since I have run most weeks since about 1965 this means I am capable of decent racing when I focus. Interesting to do the accounting.

1970 19 14:04 3 mile

1974 23 13:51 3 mile

1977-2001 a couple races here and there on the fly; getting fat need to get in shape>

2002 52 19:22 5k (rest of the marks 5k)

2006 55 18:02 (top M55 track)

2011 60 21:13

2016 65 25:07

2017 67 22:31 (before diagnosis)

2018 67 30:39 (7 weeks post chemo; hardest race and slowest)

2018 68 29:04 (10 days post radiation)

2019 68 26:08 (7 months post treatment)

Igy

Curious Curt wrote:

Curious: What happened between ages 20 & 25? Usually, runners peak out in their mid to late-20s for most distances (unless of course someone is like Lagat and doesn't peak out until their mid-30s. Lol).

I got a bad case of PF just before I was 21 and quit running. So I took about 3 years off, gaining weight and getting out of shape. I got married at 25 and immediately slacked off running. I really never got back into my college shape. It was injuries and probably motivation.