Mopac wrote:
Curious about why you are trying to lose weight? At 62 why not try to build a strong muscular sort of physique?
Mopac,
I am not 62, only 61 & 10 months. ;-)
My wife and I have had this discussion about losing weight versus building muscle.
In the big picture, I agree with you. Building muscle is important for us older people. Running fast is not.
However, I have not given up yet on trying to run a few more races. And for racing at any distance beyond the sprints, you need to be strong and light.
Clearly I can't train enough to run fast, even for my age. However, I can still set a goal to participate in some short races, such as 5K's, and try not to embarrass myself too much.
I have even considered trying for a participation award offered by USATF, called the "Phidippides Award," which someone my age can get by completing 12 5K's in one calendar year.
The fast guys and gals might scorn such an award, but for someone like me, who has trouble staying healthy enough to complete a 3-mile race at any speed, it could be something to motivate me to train diligently and carefully on a daily basis, by doing my stretching, lifting, easy running, watching my diet, etc.
(I think I have managed to complete a total of maybe five 5K's over the last decade, none of them faster than 24:xx if I recall correctly.)
Whatever works, you know? We all have to set goals that are realistic given our different situations. Realistically my goals are much more modest than other people who post here.