Wow. This is the first time I've read some of these posts and think they are some of the best on let's run. Enjoy reading what others my age are doing and what they are working around.
Currently, 6'0 150lbs before workout and 145 after workout. Age 61. Divorced. Retired and time to train. No health insurance so I keep that in mind while training and it is a motivator to keep training.
History: Lydiard disciple who trained over 100 miles a week and achieved a first marathon of 2:48 after three years of training and ended up getting down to 2:32:30. Was a no talent runner in high school. Raced bicycles competitively but not well through college. Could swim but not well as I would snake through the water.
Transformation: In my 50's, tried to keep with the running; yet, was sore after each run. Felt like chronic fibromyalgia. Cycling some felt better. Swimming felt like a massage compared to a run. Highly stressed with wife, 5 children and a financial executive job. Later divorced and separated from all of that.
Now: Hard days are biking for an hour, running for a half hour, swimming for 40 minutes, and later resistance stretching for half hour. Easy day is an hour swim followed by ten minutes of rowing and then an hour of lifting with free weights and machines.
My work arounds:
Limiting training to close to two hours. Past two hours the body can start burning muscle protein for fuel which can also produce more uric acid which is bad for kidneys, gout, etc.
Rest when I need it. A nap and sleep heals.
Dr. Days NEW START: nutrition, exercise, water, sun, temperance, air, rest, trust in God.
Supplements: Sunflower oil capsules for urinary tract and prostrate (now sleeping six plus hours). Lemon slices in my water while training and hot lemon water upon waking (and later coffee) to help rinse system, eliminate uric acid and gout like symptoms (thank you Dr Perry Julien) give me Vitamin C and not far off of Gatorade without the sugar. Magnesium for joints and connective tissue. Vitamin B12 per my athletic doctor to help stave off pernicious anemia. Banana and Greek yogurt to help digestion. Serotonin. Thyroid medicine (since age 40).
Current speed and goals: maintain >20mph for an hour on the bike, under 8 minute miles for 3mi/5k, and haven't yet broken a 2 minute avg for swims over 200 yards though I am knocking on the door.
Would like the simplicity of running like I used to run; yet, it takes too long to warm up and find it easier to warm up on the bike and then run. Swimming is a huge break and still feels fresh.
Thank you to everyone who has posted as it gives us ideas to consider.