If you decided to give up competitive running, how many miles per week would you run just to stay in shape?

I gave up competitive running last year after 45 years. I'm 61. Racing just stopped being fun. I lost the fire in the belly and the results no longer justified the effort. (Plus my ego couldn't handle going from starting in the 1st corral at Boston to starting way back in the second wave.) I now run 3x a week 25-30 mpw. I put a pull-up bar in the garage and got some dumbbells. It's nice being able to do a few pullups and having biceps for once. The extra 20 lbs. on my frame looks good too. I still love and follow the sport and read letsrun.com daily.

And sure, while I'm running my blazing 8 min. mile pace now, I occasionally fantasize about flying into the Olympic stadium winning the marathon gold.

Seems like the consensus is 30 miles per week. Im 26, run 30-40 miles a week, 5-6 miles a day 6 times a week, weights 3-5 times a week, and managed a 15:42 at my last 5k. Try to do all my runs at a higher intensity (5:40-6:00 pace) to eliminate the "junk mileage" with 1 tempo/repeat workout a week. I think its the perfect amount to stay injury free, and to spring board into a higher level of fitness if you desire.

At 26, you're still indestructible. When I was your age I could jump into a 20 mile training run with little base and knock out 6:00 min. mile pace no problem. Your legs are still young and fresh.

Enjoy it while you can!

To those who know wrote:

After college I did that for a while. 4-5 miles per day and maybe one day 8-10 and one day off. Tried to run a marathon off of that - bad idea.

Awkward. This is my exact idea.

I get down to 15 - 20 per week when I'm not racing. I get grumpy so I always ramp it up and race more after a bit, even though I'm an old f-ck.

I'm sure it varies, but darn it, it's still really fun.

69

Strides baby strides! I would focus on still being able to run fast for short distances and mix is a couple runs during the week.

Around 20 miles per week - 6 miles every other day, with strength training on the days off from running. A longer run maybe once or twice a month (10-12 miles).

Age 44, didn't run in high school or college, ran 70-75 miles per week when marathon training (which I gave up 2 years ago).

I ran/obsessed thru HS and D1 NCAA, maxing at 85mpw in college. Strict on sleeping, eating, drinking, the whole regimented lifestyle. Was it worth it? Who can say for certain.

I ran one post-undergrad year seriously and was in PR shape that whole year.

I then decided to call it a 'career.'

The next dozen years of training were like a paper airplane flight--- slowly wafting downward in both volume and intensity:

First year of decay was running about 5 times a week, no structured workouts, run hard during the run when feeling good. Could still run a mid-15 5k.

The next year I ran 3x a week and lifted weights consistently for the first time ever--gained weight, shredded physique, looked the best in terms of mainstream attractiveness. Women were sexually attracted to me for seemingly the first time ever. Could still run a 16:30 5k. Looked amazing with my shirt off.

The next 10 years: entered grad school, got married, had kids, and hit a low point of running MAYBE once every 1-2 weeks for 30mins by the end. Got 'dad bod'--soft tummy, beginnings of man tits, legs lost their beauty.

Hit "rock bottom" a year ago: grumpy, low energy, barking at wife. Ugly look with shirt off. Decided to get back in shape. Ran 3x/ week for 30 mins and bodyweight exercises: pullups, dips. Then got into cycling with neighbor. Now ride 4x/week. No running. Looking, but more importantly FEELING so much better. Feeling way better at age 37 than age 30.

To you young men: I am more convinced than ever that it is vitally important to stay vital and physically vigorous for physical health, but equally for your mood and mental health. My physical decline was so slow and gentle that I did not notice the mental/energy/mood/focus issues, but the change is profound. My age peers who have let themselves go look horrible and feel horrible. Keep fit for yourself, and also for those around you. I'm pretty upset with myself for "sliding" for a decade, but grab the future with both hands.

Ran competitively the last 20 years -

Years 1-15 avg. 70mpw

16-20 avg. 55mow

The last year I have decided to "not race anymore" I am now running 25-30mpw and all runs are fairly easy. Probably the best thing is "I do not have to get a run in everyday" If I miss a day...I miss a day

6 per day.

Sometime a 10 or 15, to still be

Able to kick friends asses.

"Your Body Is Your Gym" instead of weights.

6 per day.

Sometime a 10 or 15, to still be

Able to kick friends asses.

"Your Body Is Your Gym" instead of weights.

I have never really been competitve, so...

about 25 mpw, that's a 5M run 5 days a week. That's enough to scratch that itch, keep me outside, burn off a few calories, but it's far from "training" and gives me 2 days to do something else, maybe hit the gym or hike.

dirtacious wrote:

Probably 70-80 miles a week, I currently run anywhere from 85-115 depending where I'm at in training. I'd still run at least 60-80 minutes per day, with 16-18 mile long runs. I probably wouldn't double very often if at all anymore.

For me retired would mean I don't have to pay attention to what time I go to bed, I don't have to run hard workouts if I don't want to, I can drink as many beers as I want whenever I want, I don't have to watch my diet, and I can participate in other physical activities or sports without fear of injury that would impact my training. But for mileage, I wouldn't cut out much if any.

Dude this shows how far down the rabbit hole you are. Imagine if you ask a billionaire what the minimum about of cash he needs to survive he'd probably say a few hundred thousand dollars a year to scrape by.

You've lost perspective. At some point you'll be hurt and go to 0,and your entire world will change.