Trials of Miles: A Mid-Life Crisis & Quest For Sub 3:00

You might as well go all in and take steroids.

The above makes me think you have no chance. Drop all the "1@6:35" -type crap and just go establish a base of just running. For a year, or more.

It's cute you think any of that was planned :)

Most of my running is just whatever I feel like that day or whatever my students have planned (I teach Basic Leader Course in the Army). For example, this morning we did 10 x 30s sprints with a 60s walk in between. Afterwards I went on a 5mi run appreciating the fall foliage. Gotta live your best life!

The 1 mi pushes were just me testing my students and also served to test an effort level for me. Felt good hard, like a short tempo effort.

I need a good rhythm of longer day, shorter day, longer day, shorter day, longer day, shorter day, long run, with an off day once a week.

I've been looking up some logs of guys running sub 3:00 and I think 50-60mi a week avg may be all I need given the right long runs and workouts. Just need some consistent weeks of running and upping the miles and the weight will come off.

Alan

At almost 45 I bet I could get prescribed TRT!

Alan

I thought you were Alan Webb…. Bc of your signature and 2004 and some of your earlier posts sound pretty good…

Bumping to the top

Are you willing to work with the coaching of JK and rojo? They could make you great again!

If it's something you are passionate about then go for it, but otherwise I wouldn't bother. That is slow compared to 2:30s and the marathon is overrated anyway. I don't see what you have to gain from this other than injury.

Only if Rojo trains as well!

Hey we should make this an Letsrun.com sponsored training group. Can I get a free shirt? Thanks!

Alan

Hey Alan - Good luck to you. I think I said it in the previous thread, but base building is the right plan. Just spend the next 4-6 months starting your cut and getting to 40-50 miles a week healthy. Once you start your training block, if you can get to the point you peak around 70 and can get your BMI under 24 or so, I think you will get 3:00:00, maybe pretty easily in the era of super shoes. And take care of your feet, of course 😎

Ha! Even at my lightest competitive weight I was right at 23 BMI, maybe a tick under.

I really don't see me dropping under 27 BMI without some serious muscle wasting, but I could be wrong. I am not at all concerned with my weight. It will settle at whatever it settles at. I already move fast over distance for someone who is "heavy" for running standards.

I should be somewhere between 30-40mi this week, depends on a long run and if I take a day off this weekend. Getting into the 50s and staying there is going to be the next level, as that is around 7mi a day plus a long run.

Feet. I do need better running shoes. They are just tight in the morning and sometimes during the first mile or so of a run. Just the usual middle-age stiffness from youthful transgressions, ie: pounding da crete for years.

Alan

My take - sub 3 is well within your reach, if you are serious about it. You have been posting for years now about lifting and I doubt the extra weight you put on is fat. 20 lbs of muscle is not a big deal. Would it be easier without it? sure. But, its not as much of a limiter as people would think. You don't need to be <140 lbs to break 3 hours.

WTF?

Yea...it occurred to me recently that I have now been an ex-competitive runner almost as long as I was a competitive runner. I trained from age 14 to 30, then gave it up to be a hobby jogger and hobby lifter :)

Aaaaaaany way....my link failed. It was a response to the "oh you can't do this unless you are as light as a pixie!"

Alan

typical gen x bufoonery right here but good luck

I tend to agree with you that you shouldn't be fixated on your weight. Once you get to 40-50mpw, I suspect your body will adjust to a more ideal weight. I think you have a good chance if you are methodical and able to stay healthy. You're going to have to put in the time, though.

No way, that’s impossible, the “respect and decorum on LR”, that is.

Why the marathon? Wouldn't something like breaking 5 in mile align better with the type of fitness beneficial to someone in their mid-40s? The marathon will just grind you down. At your age maintaining muscle mass, a bit of explosiveness and speed endurance is more beneficial than pounding out a bunch of slow miles. Get on the track. Work on your form, turnover and things that will benefit your health more than beating yourself down training for a marathon.

I like to pound!

Alan