50+ Masters Training and Racing Open Forum

Racerdb wrote:

Hey did you guys see the Garlic Festival shooter was Tom Legans son??? Crazy...

Totally missed this the first time through, Dave.

One thing I appreciate about the 50+ thread is how, in very small ways, we get to know each other beyond the run, even though almost everyone here writes under a nom de plume. The LeGan and Meza stories are extreme and tragic, but they are reminders that our runs and workouts are both a big part of our lives ... and a very small part in the overall scheme of things.

Here’s more on the shooter and the LeGan family. Tom’s dad was acquitted on rape charges 40 years ago.

Coyote Montane wrote:

I've done that run more or less, but peeled off and went to James Peak (>13,000'). Latter mile and a half was too narrow to run much, so that was more of a hike. The road is great.

Nice. The James Peak variation is fun too and I generally prefer variable road/trail like that - but at this point needed a high quality tempo for the leg turnover.

Coyote Montane wrote:[/breakt an old d3 hack/now older and now a hobby jogger so probably not at your level, but over the past 20 years have usually mixed in some trail racing, average 3-4 a year, from 5or 6Ks a year. And I do hill climbs as well. I've done Pikes Peak, Mt Evans, and some of the Vail series in the past few years. And I run trails several times a week. But I also had a couple of bad falls (one with injuries requiring surgery and 6 mo of rehab) on the trails a few years back and now avoid technical/rocky terrain in favor of more groomed or rolling. To each their own.

Oops missed this - yikes, yeah it can be tricky out there, hopefully you're healed up (relatively) by now. Taken my share of beaters too, but seem to have a sturdy frame that has survived the abuse (k.o.w.).

Did PPM once (90's) - stunned myself with a 10th place finish. Never considered it again as I ran it for my father who was terminal at the time. Did Mt Evans more recently - disaster is too strong a word but it wasn't my favorite day in the mountains. Returning from an out of state business trip the day before when flight delays resulted in a late night arrival - dead on my feet at the start and things went downhill from there (re: actually uphill of course).

Can you even call yourself a mountain runner if you haven't done LV or HR 100??? ? Yes, yes you can!!! Me - I avoided them like the plague for years, decades even. But... was eventually sucked into the vortex of HR - it's own black hole of sorts from which there is almost no return. Fortunately I got outta there alive, barely - only applied/ started / finished once, but still return every year to pace others. There is no clean break from this beast ?.

But my favorite of late, and goal again this year:

40M on a mixture of trails/jeep roads up to 12k (feet) - long enough to make you suffer, short enough you're done in time for dinner. Astounding mountain scenery along the way - it just doesn't get any better.

Happy trails!

Allen53 wrote:

A few notes:

Ended up running a 20:20 in the 5K on Saturday (Male 55-59)- this was not too bad for myself.

Nice race Allen! That is where I hope to be in the next couple monthes, just gotta get the weather to cooperate!

Is anyone here going to Flint in a couple of weeks for the USATF mile race?

I would love to put some faces to some of the names here.

2019 USATF Masters Mile Championships

On Friday evening, August 23, the HAP Crim Festival of Races and its Michigan Mile will host the 2019 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships on the roads of Flint, Michigan

Not Done Just Yet wrote:

Re: amkelley and SFR;

"Perhaps I should just give up on the marathon...."

Noooo! Keep plugging - It will make this November's completion even that more sweet. There are likely not many 55+ folks here that have not suffered through at least several painful ventures.

You have a great base, keep your head up, rest, heal and kick some behind in November!

Thanks to everyone. I'm already feeling better about things and looking forward to November.

After the fact, I read some reviews of the race and found that I wasn't alone in being unhappy about the steep dirt trails and the narrow, crowded, slippery bridge crossings. I really think what did me in was my nerves more than anything else. I expended all my energy trying to avoid falling down or getting trampled. I came out of the race with zero soreness anywhere except my bad heel, which doesn't do well with steep hills. No sore quads from the downhill pounding surprised me, but I guess I just didn't run long enough to get sore.

I took Monday and Tuesday off from running to let my heel calm down, but I expect to get back out there tomorrow.

amkelley wrote:

After the fact, I read some reviews of the race and found that I wasn't alone in being unhappy about the steep dirt trails and the narrow, crowded, slippery bridge crossings.

Sounds kinda fun to me, except for the easy flat pavement sections of course. I guess it's all perspective like that LOL? Regardless, keep on truckin and knock it out in November!

Not Done Just Yet wrote:

Is anyone here going to Flint in a couple of weeks for the USATF mile race?

I would love to put some faces to some of the names here.

2019 USATF Masters Mile Championships

On Friday evening, August 23, the HAP Crim Festival of Races and its Michigan Mile will host the 2019 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships on the roads of Flint, Michigan

I'm entered in the 55-59. Be sure to say hey!

Dave

Racerdb wrote:

Not Done Just Yet wrote:

Is anyone here going to Flint in a couple of weeks for the USATF mile race?

I would love to put some faces to some of the names here.

2019 USATF Masters Mile Championships

On Friday evening, August 23, the HAP Crim Festival of Races and its Michigan Mile will host the 2019 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships on the roads of Flint, Michigan

I'm entered in the 55-59. Be sure to say hey!

Dave

Best of luck there. What sort of time qualifies for the 55-59 age group?

Not Done Just Yet wrote:

Allen53 wrote:

A few notes:

Ended up running a 20:20 in the 5K on Saturday (Male 55-59)- this was not too bad for myself.

Nice race Allen! That is where I hope to be in the next couple monthes, just gotta get the weather to cooperate!

Is anyone here going to Flint in a couple of weeks for the USATF mile race?

I would love to put some faces to some of the names here.

2019 USATF Masters Mile Championships

On Friday evening, August 23, the HAP Crim Festival of Races and its Michigan Mile will host the 2019 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships on the roads of Flint, Michigan

Thank you- are you also running in the Michigan Mile?

For myself I've always needed to simply do more volume I suspect which is the likely answer as to why the last half a mile was so slow.

The basic "program" that I run from is based off a modification of some schedules I've read by Pete Magill. He seems to be quite knowledgeable and also very practical.

Allen53 wrote:

Racerdb wrote:

I'm entered in the 55-59. Be sure to say hey!

Dave

Best of luck there. What sort of time qualifies for the 55-59 age group?

No qualifying. Just pay your entry, show up and run a mile as fast as you can!

Dave

Re: Allen53 "Thank you- are you also running in the Michigan Mile?"

No, just the USATF national men's master race at 6:45. Hoping for some decent weather. I want to do well there. A 5:52 is sort of lofty goal, but may be achievable. Track workouts are going well - Tonight on our circa 1930 packed dirt 440 yard track, I had one of the best workouts in a couple of years. Our local 'club' adopted the track a few years back. Tight turns, cement inner rail and still a few 'rocks', but when you then run anywhere else you feel faster!

(tried to post an article from our online paper with pics - but LR views the link as potential spam - but you can google 'images' for "Frog Island Ypsilanti Track" and some pics give you an idea )

Re Dave: Hope to meet you in Flint You can get my bib number at check in - I am in 60-65 group from Ypsilanti (should be the only one) - If you are planning to be under 6:00, I would happy for some company. I heard from someone who has run it for years that guys go out way too fast and that the last 400 actually has a gently down slope (yeah!). Also planning to do a flat 5k on the 10th as I don't want this summer's hard work to be 'all my eggs in one basket'.

Looks nice, not groomed but scenic.....

Not Done Just Yet wrote:

Re Dave: Hope to meet you in Flint You can get my bib number at check in - I am in 60-65 group from Ypsilanti (should be the only one) - If you are planning to be under 6:00, I would happy for some company. I heard from someone who has run it for years that guys go out way too fast and that the last 400 actually has a gently down slope (yeah!). Also planning to do a flat 5k on the 10th as I don't want this summer's hard work to be 'all my eggs in one basket'.

Yep, I'll look you up. And yes, everyone goes out too fast. But the way I look at is after 400-600 you only have to hang on for another 3-1/2 minutes or so!

My training partner gave me a vote of confidence after last nights workout saying he thinks I can get under 5:10. I was thinking 5:15 would be a really good day. Probably not enough to win the AG but maybe a medal... We'll see.

Dave

In reference to the cannabis discussion:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/11/reuters-america-update-1-canntrust-suspends-sales-of-cannabis-products-during-canada-regulatory-review.html

Just Another D1, I have friends who do or have done the ski part of the Grand Traverse, or the equivalent from way back. Hasn't it been an out and back for that? Maybe I'll do it one way some time. A little too far for running!

Not done and rdb, have fun at Flint. I did the double last year with the mile and Crim the next morning (10.5 because they called us back due to a sever thunderstorm just after the start!). I really wanted to go, but it's a tough double to do the USATF 5K the week before, and I since I decided against Chicago Marathon in Oct, will do Tulsa 15K instead to wrap up the year. A bit less travel and a lot less training stress for a busy late-summer/fall.

Anyway, have fun out there, that's a good event all-around.

Ghost of Igloi wrote:

In reference to the cannabis discussion:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/11/reuters-america-update-1-canntrust-suspends-sales-of-cannabis-products-during-canada-regulatory-review.html

Good to hear that the local licensing boards are doing their job. One of the best things about legal weed is it’s highly regulated and subjected to strict testing and labeling guidelines. Very similar to what the FDA requires for food labeling in the US.

I picked up some bud the other day that tested at 9.2% CBD. Among other things, it is supposed to help with inflammation. Sounds like just what this old bod needs.

amkelley, must add and agree that it was very smart to drop when you did, your endurance is not in question, and that course sounds awful for anyone but a trail lover.

I have been away for weeks d/t summer respiratory illness (from AC blowing on me during the heat?), then throwing my back out during the deep coughs I needed to clear my lungs. Down to walks and sometimes not much of that! Topped it all off with both of us getting food poisoning yesterday. My wife was far worse, losing it both ways all day. I just had awful nausea and weakness. Since I still have some back pain, will probably walk only today, and my 1/2 marathon is only 2.5 months away, so just finishing it will be my goal now, not a time goal.

My wife's Mom passed away last week, just a couple hours after I was able to get to Phoenix and thank her for sharing such a wonderful daughter with me. The last 3 months was almost non-stop bedside assistance from my wife for her Mom, in any and every way. The many effects of Alzheimers is so awful and ugly. And my wife's help was nothing short of incredible and, I feel, angelic. It was almost beyond description how she put everything in her life on the back burner for her. I witnessed true love in action.

Coyote Montane wrote:

Just Another D1, I have friends who do or have done the ski part of the Grand Traverse, or the equivalent from way back. Hasn't it been an out and back for that? Maybe I'll do it one way some time. A little too far for running!

Yes, as far as I can tell they are forced to do it as an out/back (Crested Butte to Star Pass/return) about half the time, due to avalanche conditions. I'd love to do the full point to point ski some year all the way to Aspen, but it's a roll of the dice on how it will play out each year. Option #3 (after the run) is the mountain bike race back to Crested Butte the day after the run.

Mike Lundgren, best wishes to you and your wife on your loss. Take care of yourselves and get healthy.

Igy