Masters... what are you doing now?

MasterRunnerGuy wrote:

Still training, just decided to do some time trials that I approach the same as a race. It's not as good but there are trade offs.

I get to decided the course, the time of day, and the distance etc.

I have ZERO interest in a virtual race. Honestly that seems like one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of.

Ditto.

I’m living in a state with reasonable COVID policies and raking in masters $ at various distances. Also going to work in an actual office and eating at restaurants.

I've been able to fit in more mileage than ever and simultaneously heal some overracing injuries from last year. Ran a Golden Segment in the weekend and have also explored some new (trail) routes. Will time trial a half marathon in October.

Also just have been recapturing a love for running (healing the injuries have held with this).

Just putting in my runs and trying not to get injured. No races to pull me off track, so it's kind of nice to stay steady and 'race' against my past self running log entries. Looking at another bout of forest fire smoke in a couple of days, so that should give me an excuse to take at least one rest day. Lost 2 weeks earlier this month. Still not where I was before the break.

fisky wrote:

So... how are you coping? What's keeping you motivated?

I was lucky enough to jump into three all-comers track meets this summer. Unfortunately, I found out about them late so I was seriously undertrained.

What keeps me motivated now is the hope that USATF Masters champs in Sacto will happen next year.

Also, thanks to Covid, local tracks are empty due to not having football this fall. Thanks Coronavirus. :).

I searched the USATF website (off topic... I hate the new design) and masters have apparently ceased to exist. I could find nothing about upcoming events. You'd think they'd at least have a page saying Masters Track and Field Outdoor Championships... TBD. But nothing about next year.

Struggling. Trying to get back in shape. Working at home helps. Having the young kids doing school from home does not. Feeling tired and don't feel myself getting better.

Thinking about trying other sports to get my motivation back. Something like tennis, something completely different from running. Back in my younger, pre-kids days, I played soccer one night a week (goalie, but still moving around). I think it helps to do something different to keep your body fresh. I feel like running is the only thing my body can do now

fisky wrote:

No races, except virtual and virtual races hold zero appeal to me so my training has really suffered.

My weekly training groups aren't meeting. My indoor track isn't open. Our [Cityname] Fit Games have been canceled so I can't even compete in fitness. Competition is a much bigger deal for me than I had realized.

So... how are you coping? What's keeping you motivated?

I've been training as though races were happening and then time trialing and trying to beat myself... but keeping it 5k and less on the TT. I can't motivate myself to do any simulated racing longer than that and maintain a genuine full race effort. I'm not paying for a virtual race (I can virtually race anytime I want for free by pretending I'm racing... I don't get that at all).

Where are you that there are no races. I'm in NYC and racing has returned on a smaller scale. NYRR is too chicken to do anything obviously, but I ran a 5k PR (lifetime, not Masters best) last weekend.

I know most marathons are gone, but Harrisburg and some others are happening. Are there really no races in other parts of the country?

Turned 60 in May. Finding the motivation to exercise is getting harder. Walking is becoming preferable over running. A recurring sore knee is contributing to my gloomy mood. I hope to keep running, but it is becoming more challenging. The brutal heat around here (Boston area) over the summer was an additional obstacle.

Activity log for the last 2 months makes me look like a hobby jogger transitioning to neighborhood walker.

2020-08-02 Running 5K 28:58

2020-08-07 Running 5K 28:55

2020-08-11 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-08-13 Running 5K 28:34

2020-08-15 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-08-16 Running 5K 28:57

2020-08-18 Running 5K 27:55

2020-08-21 Walking 4.8 miles

2020-08-22 Walking 3 miles

2020-08-24 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-08-26 Running 5K 29:02

2020-08-28 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-08-30 Running 5K 28:37

2020-09-02 Running 5K 27:44

2020-09-05 Running 5K 27:28

2020-09-08 Running 5K 28:31

2020-09-11 Running 5K 29:08

2020-09-12 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-09-14 Running 5K 29:16

2020-09-17 Walking 3 miles

2020-09-20 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-09-22 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-09-24 Walking 2.66 miles

2020-09-26 Running 5K 29:10

I measured a 5K course with a wheel, marked each half mile, and run either the course or half mile or mile repeats once a week. It's not racing but helps me set goals and keeps me somewhat motivated.

I biked the C&O Canal over three days at the end of June. Ran a little 10k this weekend to check my fitness and celebrate my 49th birthday. I'm hoping to find a half marathon in November or December. My training has been decent and my motivation levels have always been high but it's getting harder to run a pace that was pretty easy five years ago.

fisky wrote:

I searched the USATF website (off topic... I hate the new design) and masters have apparently ceased to exist. I could find nothing about upcoming events. You'd think they'd at least have a page saying Masters Track and Field Outdoor Championships... TBD. But nothing about next year.

USATF masters is taking a low-key approach. They are not announcing much one way or another until 60 days before an event. From what I have heard, everything is canceled up to December. Club XC in San Francisco still up in the air. However, that is highly unlikely at this point, and I know those in the know. They are not saying anything, but probably not going to happen. Spring at the earliest.

However, there are some state and region championship events going on.

I'm 47. I got real frustrated when races started getting canceled, too. So, I started a daily running streak (at least 1 mile every day) during Covid lockdown, 194 days and running, it's still ongoing. It's allowed me to run 19:47 in the 5K last month and 40:33 this past Saturday, which is the best I've run in years. Now I'm looking at trying to run 1:30 in a Half next month, and (hopefully) qualify for Boston this winter, God willing

PS- If your town/state is still locked down and canceling races, you need to go ballistic with e-mails, phone calls and protests to get that fixed. There's no reason for that at all anymore. Races have resumed around the world while requiring masks up to the start line and immediately after, with no problems.

I've always trained alone, so nothing new there. Having a fast time in a solo run is almost as rewarding as a good race time. Did a solo marathon in the spring when Boston got scrapped, the solitude and self-discipline are their own rewards, but I really do miss the crowds for the big races.

58 years old and have struggled with a knee problem the last couple of years. Went ahead with surgery since there were no races. Turned out to be a good move. Have been building back up pain free for the first time in quite awhile. Have never raced a lot anyway but still looking forward to something in the spring. Motivation has never been an issue and I doubt it ever will become one.

It isn't all doom and gloom! If you're in the Nashville area, there are in-person road races happening this fall. I don't know what distance you're looking for but a quick check on RunGuides lists 9 in-person races before Thanksgiving. I just ran a 5k in Michigan and am doing a 10k in Illinois this weekend. You just need to look for opportunities.

FWIW I had a hamstring injury right before Covid and got physical therapy (massage) for it and gave it a rest and ran a marathon (by myself) a couple months later. Good luck!

I had high hopes for this thread - thinking it was about The Masters golf tournament. Can Tiger go back-to-back at Augusta and top his 2019 performance - perhaps the greatest moment in sports history? We shall see...............