Over Age 55 Masters Running Their Age for 400m

How old are you and what do you run?

Sub Master wrote:

How old are you and what do you run?

Next year I enter the 45-49 group. So far I've run 60/2:11/5:04 so I have a lot of work to do on the 400 as far as getting to 55 and maintaining for 10 years!

How about you?

Not a chance for this 55 year-old long-time distance runner. I would be hard pressed to get under 80, then I would have to hang on for another 25 years.

A 2:11 is a good time for 44. I am 41 ys old my goal is under 52 sec for 400m in Dec.

MJ400/500m wrote:

A 2:11 is a good time for 44. I am 41 ys old my goal is under 52 sec for 400m in Dec.

Sub 52 for M40 is SMOKIN! If you can be in that neighborhood by December you have an excellent shot at contending in the Indoor Nationals in March. Robert Thomas is the reigning champ with a 49.96 this past year, but you would have taken second by a comfortable margin. Dr. Marcus won't even be in the division in 2008.

M40 400 Meter Dash

===========================================================

Name Age Team Finals H# Points

===========================================================

1 664 Thomas, Robert M40 49.96

2 599 Shute, Dr. Marcus M44 54.88

3 543 Reinhardt, Otto M40 56.44

4 634 Steeves, Scott M42 1:00.16

5 638 Steinbrecher, Earl M42 1:00.64

6 44 Bickham, Scott M40 1:01.23

7 633 Steeves, Eric M41 1:02.98

The sub 52 will be at the end of my workout. Sunday I ran a 39.0 300m no spikes after a easy run.

Guys - I am impressed by your times. You are able to run so fast over short distances. Please post your training.

I am 51 years old, and can no longer run fast (20:00 for 5km) but I ran 14:41 for 3 miles indoors when running at Mansfield State in 1980-81. The drop off in speed has been so great as you get older. But you guys seem to have kept it. My legs just refuse to move fast.

My theory is that the short distance guys do better than us distance runners because the short distance guys are stronger, more muscular and pay more attention to core and muscle work than we do. Consequently, the older guys who run fast do not lose muscle power as much as the distance guys. Any thoughts, comments?

Ghost in Korea

Ghost I will e-mail you about training. I train a 54yr old 400/800m 55.4, 54.2 relay and 2:08.

has there been a female runner to do 400 under her age past 55?

Ghost, the problem is that you are too full of bulls***. This is why your legs don't go fast anymore.

Ghost- I disagree, but I think it all relates to what type of runner you were at your best. Also, most masters concentrate on long distance, and lose even more speed because they don,t work at it. A few years ago I returned to mild training, and 75 sec felt very fast. I now coach and train at 5pace theory and can comfortably run 32, 66, 1:45 in training. What I can't do is enough base to run 30 min for 8k.

You should try this; once a week for 8 weeks run 10x100, focussing on form and relaxed speed. start at 20 and work down to 16-17. You will be amazed that your speed will return, at least to a modest level.

good luck

How old are you and what is you time in the 400/600/800/1500/1600/3200m/5000/10k this year?

imagnine if the guys who ran in sub 49 category in high school and college, actually ran masters, 30 years later, instead of suburban white guys, I wonder what the list would look like....impressive, none-the-less.

I'm 54 and this past year ran 14.8,30.5; 63. 1:42 no800,3:07 1000m and 4:48 1500m I didn't run 5k last year but I usually run 18:40 without killing myself.

I think the original thread is a nice idea. I might be able to run 58 at 58, but probably my best chance would be 60 at 60.

My own experience tells me that 54-55 at 55 is incredible, similar to Ed Whitlock type extrapolations.

Your time are good at your age another canuck. Are you running track in 08?

Thanks for the comments. I hope to race more, but I am injury prone(surprise!)

My main interest is coaching a couple of high quality jr. girls who are in the 57-2:16 range.

Coming from someone who lies and exaggerates constantly on this forum, I will let that comment pass. In addition, your activities in Thailand are highly dubious, and you should not be proud of that.

Ghost in Korea

ghost wrote:

Guys - I am impressed by your times. You are able to run so fast over short distances. Please post your training.

Ghost in Korea

Ghost,

This year was sub-par due to injuries, but I managed 2:16 for 800. Next year is my big year since I enter the 45-49 group as a youngster. I love being 'the kid' every 5 years.

Training-wise I'm following a Lydiard-based plan to get ready for the new age group. From 10/7 to the end of March I'm building base, April is hill phase, May is Intervals and June is speed/coordination.

I'm focusing on being injury-free (4 months so far) so my base started at 18mpw in that first week ending 10/13 and will build by 2 miles each week until I reach 60 for the week ending 3/9/08.

If you have insomnia I keep a training blog at the link below (LR didn't display the link dialog box for some reason).

P.S. I agree with 'another canuck' who said you can still develop speed. Form optimization alone will make a significant difference.

Without intending to get into the debate as to the merits of Lydiard v. Martin/Coe, I really think that for those of us over 40, and particularly over 45/50, you need to maintain some level of speed all year. It can be as little as 8x200 in 35-37, but otherwise I think it is too much of a shock to the system to run 50-60 mi per week and then start running 65 sec 400s in June. Just my opinion of course.