Running after 25 year break

You're not crazy....go for it and get a coach !

Get in some training similar to what you did in high school and college, just scale down the miles and the intensity. Also don't make your running follow the same routine year round. Much like college when you had a lot summer base miles, training for cross country in the fall, and more intense speed for indoor and outdoor track, try to periodize your training in a somewhat similar fashion.

Get fast, build endurance, introduce a hill component to your training too.

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The current age 50-54 800m American record is 1:58.65 by Nolan Shaheed.

Thats a great goal for 50. Have fun chasing it...

I train a 55 year old guy, who ran under 1:29 in the 600 this year.

Coach##

I train a 55 year old guy, who ran under 1:29 in the 600 this year.

Coach##

There is a guy in Orlando who was a decent 4:39 miler in high school. He stopped running afterward and then started back around age 46. He has run low 17s for 5k, sub-36 for 10k and a 1:21 half marathon. He says his legs are rested. Good luck with your goal - it will be difficult, but if you get a good coach, train sensibly and stay away from injuries, a 2:05 is definitely in sight. 2:00 will be hard to break, but set a goal and then devise a plan.

In a similar situation. Ran 16:2x 5K / 1:59 800 in HS and then basically took the next 25 years off. Have only been back at it for the last few months. Would be curious to hear how your runs have progressed over the last year and a half. It seems like it takes a long time to get it back...

Started out weighing 227 lbs. Could not even run on the treadmill. Walked brisk for several weeks before attempting running...usually 1 minute with a 2 minute walk. Took 6 months before I was up to 3 X 10 minutes with a 2 minute walk between. Once I reached that point, results came quicker. Now a typical workout is 30 minutes, with the last 20 going 9.2 for a minute, recovery is 7.3 for 2 minutes. By the end of the 30 minute run I have done 7 one-minute surges at 9.2. HR never exceeds 140 so I know I can do more. My biggest problem is constant leg soreness. The only time I feel good is after running for 7-8 minutes. I am noticing that the greater intensity seems to allow me to run with greater frequency (5-6 times/week vs 3-4 previously). Maybe it has something to do with efficiency of the stride at certain speeds reducing shock. I am still 200 lbs. but much of that is do to the lifting I was doing to get more calorie burn without hurting my legs. Bench Press is up to 275 free-weights. 2 weeks ago I stopped lifting figuring I could drop 15 lbs pretty quick by doing so. I have also incorporated some very intense bicycle rides for 60-75 minutes twice a week. It gets my heartrate jacked without destroying my legs. I was 160 lbs in college and think with continued smart training I can get within 10 lbs of that. This will be the biggest hinderance to achieving anything of significance. Interested if any of you have experienced some of this.

If you are benching 275, @ 200 lbs you must have a ton of upper body strength. I take it you have been doing some serious lifting for a lot of years. I'm thinking 170 is going to be a tough goal - you aren't going to be able to just shed fat and maintain muscle mass. Question is do you really want to give back all that hard-earned upper body strength just to get down to 170 (even if that's possible)?

Not too much serious lifting at all. Just have a tendency to gain muscle mass quickly. As far as the weight....I dropped 27 lbs by basically running 4 days a week/ 20-25 miles per week. I think I can double that in 6 months even if it means two-a-days 3-4 days a week. That is where I should shed pounds. As far as losing the upper body strength....well I have no plans to climb into the octagon or get in any barfights. As long as I can shovel snow I'm good to go!

What are some your best times in college?

Jimbo60 wrote:

Bench Press is up to 275 free-weights.

How much do you squat and how many reps? (Thighs full parallel!)

800/1:52.2

1500/3:45.2

2 Mile (indoors)/8:45

5000/14:08

I only squat when there is a toilet involved....never lifted with my legs.

I run my 1st race in 42 years Sat am - I will PROBABLY be oldest at 68 in 100m- in shape, no injuries- will shock the world as my time will be about twice that of BOLT a few hours later. 200 is very doubtful but may long jump since its after the 100m.wish me luck!

You are still a youngster.

A 50 year old who runs in my area was running sub 4:30 1500m

and sub 2:40 Marathon a couple of years back.

I started running at 47 and won a Masters State half Marathon (50-55)at 53.

You have way more potential than I.

Keep the Injuries at bay and you will surprise yourself.

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