Comebacks suck

Mid40runner wrote:

On the comeback trail after a hip flexor strain. Lost about 5 months, then just been plain lazy on top of that. Need to lose 20lbs. To get back into racing shape. Starting to wonder if it's even worth it being in my mid 40s....

Been running 7 yrs. What kinda time frame am I looking at?

Guess it's not a bad year to go back to the drawing board.

Mid 40ies?

Forget it, you are done.

You lost all your willpower but I guarantee that you can gain another 20lbs soon.

I'm still younger then u ?

You are but that doesn't help you one bit.

I think the majority of the world would rather be in their mid 40s then 50s. Wake up!

Mid40runner wrote:

I think the majority of the world would rather be in their mid 40s then 50s. Wake up!

The majority of the world can't choose their age. It is what it is. But you can choose to have willpower. And I have.

We all get in slumps.

I'm glad I don't let myself get fat and out of shape in the first place, so I have no need for comebacks.

Wow your bad ass

I wouldn't know wrote:

I'm glad I don't let myself get fat and out of shape in the first place, so I have no need for comebacks.

+1

Mid40runner wrote:

On the comeback trail after a hip flexor strain. Lost about 5 months, then just been plain lazy on top of that. Need to lose 20lbs. To get back into racing shape. Starting to wonder if it's even worth it being in my mid 40s....

Been running 7 yrs. What kinda time frame am I looking at?

Guess it's not a bad year to go back to the drawing board.

You can do it. Realistically, if it were me, I'd plan on 1 year to return to fitness, then 1 year to train seriously. I'm basing this on previous comebacks from injury, and what went well vs what didn't work for me.

I'm in my mid-40's also. Currently coming back from hundreds/thousands/uncountable malignant tumors filling my lungs, liver, and abdominal cavity. Two years of hardcore treatment followed by three years to ... uh, regenerate every cell in my body, probably. Now I am just getting to where I'm able to do 4 x 1/2 mi at 9 min pace. It will be a long road for me.

Just sharing that so that you can hopefully feel a little less overwhelmed by your situation. It's frustrating right now, but if you are patient and if you can execute a decent recovery plan then you can really do well coming out of this setback.

I'd suggest spending 1 year doing this:

- work with a PT

- plenty of easy/slow runs (at or slower than normal easy run pace, and shorter distance)

- bike

- pool (both swimming and flotation-belt running workouts)

- gym for strength. Focus on moderate weight, slow movement through full range of motion, and building to very high reps

That should get your 20 lbs worked off, give your body enough time to heal that injury (remember, you are mid-40's, not mid-20's. You can still develop good strength and fitness, but the body needs more time to heal than 20 or 30 years ago), and set you up to begin training seriously again.

Then, 6 months of base work. One long run and one moderate tempo session or cruise intervals per week.

Finally, 6 months of full-on training. You should be ready to train pretty hard at this point, if you want. Hard aerobic sessions plus relevant speedwork, depending on whatever you're training for.

If you can look ahead to a killer summer 2022, get started now. You can do it.

No, comebacks are awesome. Throw out your old PRs and start over from scratch. Make newbie gains all over again. Work your way back to being in the mix with the HS and college kids at local races. It can be a lot of fun, actually.

Its up to you whether its worth it. I'm only in my 30s, but I know if I'm not training with the goal of racing, I won't do enough running to not get fat. You might as well train for something instead of either a) just exercise b) carry around paunch for half your life.

I like this.... Those days seem very far away haha

It depends on how much you like to eat and booze. If you like to eat and booze then just jog a few miles so you don't get obese. If eating and boozing is not that important then get back at it and get those age group awards buddy.

I took 5 months off this winter w multiple stress fractures ... been back running since first of April. If I run a 4:55 TT mile on the 4th.. would be the highest Vdot for me (37 started running at 33). Just lifted all winter and gained 25 lbs ... so just grind back into it. Who knows what might happen? dont just let go of the rope

Any time frame you get will be arbitrary at best and harmful at worst. Don't try to hold yourself to a specific timeline while you're getting back to running, because if you do, you might end up getting hurt and the whole thing will be counterproductive. Just start building up your mileage slowly and back off a bit when you need to.

Getting back into running will be easier if you cross train too. It's kind of complicated with everything going on right now, but if you have weights you should definitely lift because it helps with running and prevents injury. Biking is also really helpful if you can do that. Also, make sure you foam roll and stretch after you run.

Good luck!

Mid50srunner wrote:

Mid40runner wrote:

On the comeback trail after a hip flexor strain. Lost about 5 months, then just been plain lazy on top of that. Need to lose 20lbs. To get back into racing shape. Starting to wonder if it's even worth it being in my mid 40s....

Been running 7 yrs. What kinda time frame am I looking at?

Guess it's not a bad year to go back to the drawing board.

Mid 40ies?

Forget it, you are done.

You lost all your willpower but I guarantee that you can gain another 20lbs soon.

I love how this post immediatly devolved into petty arguing and insulting over whether being 40 or 50 is better. Basically letsrun in a nutshell.

I highly reccomend a different approach to "coming back". I currently live in a world where 14s, 15s and even 16s are out of reach for me but it wasn't always this way.

For me, going out on runs right away is depressing. I can traverse world records to the hundredths place on a whim and not a single run goes by that I don't think about them. If I am getting my ass kicked on an early three mile run on a paved road in the heat of summer and from ten minute pace experiencing teeth flares due to oxygen debt, this is simply not fun. I'll be discouraged.

I recommend a month of the following:

* Continuous Swimming aim for 20 the 30 then 40

* walking with weight (rucking) over hilly terrain for 3 to 6 miles. Can't run this far if you don't have the endurance to walk this far. Work on form, lift your arms up hills, walk on your toes, let chest muscles pull while you stand up straight. This is good stuff.

I tend to drop a lot of weight quickly building a system around these activities and incorporating daily endurance-like lifting stations focusing on reps. Ten exercises, three rounds basically.

Think about running goals while in the water and then one day you'll come out of your routine with a shorter path to consistent running. Less painful, most of the couch to aerobic fitness part out of the way. Not feeling the dog days of being fat (sorry). Changing things up can keep you subconciously interested too.

Consistency is the take away here and your happiness matters to maintain that consistency.

Mid40runner wrote:

I think the majority of the world would rather be in their mid 40s then 50s. Wake up!

Kinda a funny to hear the banter of two "Middle-Aged" people cackle over a "Comeback". First off, Mr. "Mid-Forties", you're no better off than MOST "Mid-Fifty" year-olds (sad but true), and if you are it's not by much (7:00min mile compared to a 7:30min mile)?..... Who cares!! And, please define what you're "Coming Back" from. In order to make a "Comeback", you've needed to have been somewhere. Not bashing you but am curious (Masters competition? Personal achievement?) I agree with you that Mr. Mid-Fifties is talking some smack and is past the point of no return to being fit again (self admittingly gaining 20 LBS). Your statement of "The majority of the world would rather be in their mid 40's then 50's" is just stupid. Have you ever heard of the saying "Been there, done that"? A little bit wiser and smarter and not thinking "I'm only in my 40's and not old". NEWSFLASH.....No one thinks you're young, especially in the world of running. Every race you run is and will be a "Whisper" contest.

"Go Run One"