Anyone still improving in their 50s

Since you started running late the potential of improving for yourself might be higher than for somebody who did their PRs earlier in life.

You always can move up in distance. And than there are age group PRs to go for and better age graded results.

https://runbundle.com/tools/age-grading-calculator

?? wrote:

54 yo male , I’ve noticed that over past 2 years I’ve plateaued despite consistent mileage after 4 years of steady improvement in race times and training paces. This is after taking up running earnestly about 7 years ago. I suspect aging is catching up to me and dreams of PRs will remain just dreams. It’s hard to let those go but trying to be philosophical about things.

Check out this guy and persevere:

?? wrote:

Anyone still improving in their 30s?

It's getting harder, but yes. Here's what my 5K progression looked like:

At 52, after 15 years off and then two years of light training: 24:00.

At 53, with more regular training increased mileage, and occasional workouts: 21:45.

At 54, with more miles and workouts, and 10 pounds less weight: sub 20.

At 55: Haven't raced, but I have a hunch I'll be a little faster when racing returns.

52.

I've improved my discernment in fine ales and wines.

My cooking has gone way out there.

Fishing--that's also getting good. Tight lines, mofos.

Still run daily. No watch.

I'm improving.

7 years is about the average # of years before plateauing. Some can stretch it out to 10, but that's more likely if they started out in their late 30s/early 40s. I was still able to squeeze out a few prs at 55 (after 11 years) but had to get 'creative' and really max out my training. The slowing down process really kicks in (gets more exponential and less linear) for most, in their late 50s, all other things being equal.

If you adhere to an intense "Pure Hate" running regime you can transcend age boundaries.

No relations to the Fake Hingle McCringleberry

57 and still improving, I think. Gradually increasing my mileage has been essential. I started from a low base (injury-prone), so I had room to add miles, but as I'm now over 40 mpw, I may be getting close to the point when I won't be able to add enough more miles to hold off the effects of aging. I hope that when I realize that has happened, I'll still have a short window to at least maintain my fitness and find the best possible opportunities (course, weather, competition) to beat a PR one last time.

JamesD2 wrote:

57 and still improving, I think. Gradually increasing my mileage has been essential. I started from a low base (injury-prone), so I had room to add miles, but as I'm now over 40 mpw, I may be getting close to the point when I won't be able to add enough more miles to hold off the effects of aging. I hope that when I realize that has happened, I'll still have a short window to at least maintain my fitness and find the best possible opportunities (course, weather, competition) to beat a PR one last time.

You've been improving for over 40 years??? Do tell how.

I think aging and diminished physical performance is a myth. I think most people can go up and up and up until the end.

When I was 50 I had a serious bicycle accident and couldn't run for 3 months. When I got back to running the first time I timed myself on my regular route I thought my watch broke because my time was significantly better than anytime in my life!

I went home and tested my watch. the watch was right on. What happened was that the 3 month "layoff" allowed my body to recover and build stronger. I haven't done this since but maybe I should. Very hard to do!

?? wrote:

54 yo male , I’ve noticed that over past 2 years I’ve plateaued despite consistent mileage after 4 years of steady improvement in race times and training paces. This is after taking up running earnestly about 7 years ago. I suspect aging is catching up to me and dreams of PRs will remain just dreams. It’s hard to let those go but trying to be philosophical about things.

I think 5 years of improvement is pretty solid for somebody starting in their late 40's. I began the exact same age as you (47) and I'd be happy if I can continue improving getting close to 55.

I've often read that ten years is the time it takes to get very close to maximum potential in running. So taking into account the aging process for older runners, then improving for much more than 5 years would be a solid feat.

I do wonder how much motivation I'll have to keep running when I stop improving. I guess the age grading calculator thing is the way to go. Also, it helps if you your 'plateau' arrives when you've reached a decent standard. I don't think I'll mind trying to maintain sub 20 minute 5K fitness into my sixties, even if my times are gradually declining, but it would be harder to be motivated about simply staying sub 25 minutes or such like.

kmaclam wrote:

JamesD2 wrote:

57 and still improving, I think. Gradually increasing my mileage has been essential. I started from a low base (injury-prone), so I had room to add miles, but as I'm now over 40 mpw, I may be getting close to the point when I won't be able to add enough more miles to hold off the effects of aging. I hope that when I realize that has happened, I'll still have a short window to at least maintain my fitness and find the best possible opportunities (course, weather, competition) to beat a PR one last time.

You've been improving for over 40 years??? Do tell how.

Huh??

Gene Dykes.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2394342/runner-gene-dykes

Ackley wrote:

Gene Dykes.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2394342/runner-gene-dykes

Guy is amazing.

"I think aging and diminished physical performance is a myth. I think most people can go up and up and up until the end."

Please explain why every world record in any sport is held by someone in their 20s or 30s.

Life-long runner, long-time poster here. I didn't improve but from age 46-61 more less stayed at the same level (or similar range). My mile time did slow considerably (15-20 sec) but 8K and up to half marathon were as good or better at 60-61 than 46-47.

Topping 60-70 mpw, 2 workouts a week plus long run. Differences in lifestyle and diet made a difference.

LetsDoc wrote:

"I think aging and diminished physical performance is a myth. I think most people can go up and up and up until the end."

Please explain why every world record in any sport is held by someone in their 20s or 30s.

Delusional is the only explanation.

Anyone still running in their 50s who thinks they can improve on their younger self PRs either never came close to their potential when they were younger or never ran until recently.

Of course, if we're talking about 30 minute 5k guys, then yes, improvement is still possible. But no one who was running 14:xx or 15:xx 5ks in HS is going to be improving on that in their 50s. .....Or still running period, probably!

Yes, but we have WAVA age-grading to incentivize staying in the arena. When I break 20-minutes for 5 km now (age 56), WAVA says I'm better than when I was 29 and ran 17:34. I'll take what I can get, amigos. The other weird thing is that I place much higher in races than I did in the 1980s and 90s. More runners today but the kids are slow.

My limiting issue at 60 in marathon training is recovering from hard workouts when I'm running 65 mile weeks. We run a LOT of hills on our weekend long runs that average 1,800 ft or so of elevation gain and it really beats me up.

I can still stay under 3:30 in my marathons but my tune-up half marathon times during training have fallen off noticeably. My half marathon times actually improve between marathons when running lighter mileage.

tthxhx wrote:

I think aging and diminished physical performance is a myth. I think most people can go up and up and up until the end.

!

That's why there are so many 50 and 60 year old Olympians.