For you older runners who have been there and done that, what would you have done differently with your running if you could do it all over again?
For you older runners who have been there and done that, what would you have done differently with your running if you could do it all over again?
Run more.
Run more, raced less and focused on one event.
mixed it up a little, try some field events
Chased less tail, gotten more sleep, done more strength training, and insisted my coach get me in higher profile meets. I could have broken 14.
I would have taken the time to have more fun with my running. I enjoyed it, but I was too focused on results to truly have fun.
I tried to be a sprinter all through high school and if I could go back and do it all again, I'd start as a distance runner from the beginning. I was an okay 400 runner, but not good enough to make it on the teams of any of the colleges that I was looking at. I can't say for sure that I would have been a good enough distance runner to make the team, but I would have had a better shot at it.
I think I would have managed my time better in college to get the most out of my running. There is plenty of time in college to get good grades, run, and enjoy college life. I would have used my time more wisely, watched less TV to have more time to lift weights, get to bed earlier, and do my morning runs. Lengthen my long runs on Sundays as well.
Most college students don't realize how much time they waste every day.
I always loved running and I now know how lucky I was.
in my prime, pr years; sacrificed more to running and racing to see how good I actually could have become instead of being in a big rush to join the 'adult working world'- what the hell was I thinking? (I ran 1 year past college, with a track club-should have gone longer-the working world will always be there). There are no re-dos. Use it or lose it, via father time.
chicago.. wrote:
Most college students don't realize how much time they waste every day.
Sure they do... unfortunately they realize it after they graduate.
Learn from chicago, or be like so many of former collegians who were goodin college, but were too busy futtzin' around to be great.
I am doing it now at 40. I run more often and I run by feel. I take in better nutrition and at the right times. I get more consistent sleep. I am more conscious of form(overstriding etc.) I do more strides especially on easy days. I mix up the surfaces more and the ascents and descents when I run. The more I run and more fit I get that less nervous I get come race day(Sometimes I feel I just ran on talent in my youth although I did get in some desent miles when I wasn't injured) I make sure to get some training runs in at the same time of day I race so my body adapts. My stride rate has increased consciously. I run in place. I do my pushups and I stay limber.
continued running after school. at least a minimal 30ish a week. it is hard to get back into it after years off. just turned 40 and realized that i can't run 2 miles at the pace i used to run 20!
Listened to my coach and turned full time athlete
Get up to 140mpw
Take running more seriously
Not listen to my friends and be more disciplined to train harder
Realise my potential and WIN!
Gotten orthotics sooner.
Run more consistently.
Run for my college team (I ran, but not on the team and I regret it still- 25 years later.
Taken it up earlier in life, to the exclusion of other sports.
NOT run races beyond 8-10KM.
Run a lot more mile races.
Put more emphasis on longer aerobic runs, fewer LT and track workouts.
Read Lydiard's book, not Cooper's, first.
BEEN MORE PATIENT.
I would have stayed with the game plan I had going into the race.
This is so very sad! I never ran to my complete potential in college, but i definetly wouldnt change anything. If I would have focused more on my running, I likely wouldnt have married my wife (maybe not even met her) or have the career I have now. Running provided me with so many great memories (less the races / workouts and more the friendships developed), but it was only a small part of my life.
In HS, I would say more miles, less racing, and learn the concept of an "easy day". Also I would have tried to take the long view of the season, and not worried about every meet so much.
Had I done that I would have been better and gone to a good running school and maybe received a better scholarship. Which dove tails into my next answer....
In college, again, more miles and instead of going to the school I went to, I would have walked on at a really good program and sucked up the cost some how, even if that meant lots of student loans.
NOT gotten married...or had kids...until at least 30