When are your / my prime years for running?

Training Advice/Discussion Masters

10 years ago 10/09/2013 11:30am EDT

I'm about to turn 30 soon and am really freaking out. I've recently experienced the "switch"... Those of you who are familiar with the switch know what I mean. Anyway, I'm starting to wonder how much time is left on my running clock.

In general when are the prime years for running these distances:

10k

Half-thon

Full-thon

How then will those prime years be affected by my specific running background: I started training around 15 for HS XC and Track. I stopped training, starting drinking and just ran here and there during college. I starting training again at 22 or so and have been doing so fairly consistently (barring injuries) for the past 9 years.

Will my prime years last longer than others, because I didn't shred my legs in college? Or does that not matter? Can I expect to PR in the 10k for the next 5 years?

Please don't bring up "outliers" like Mo Farah, Bekele, or Geb.

10 years ago 10/09/2013 11:44am EDT

re: OverTheHillAndBackAgain

Ran all my PRs when 28-30, but this depends on a million factors. I started getting more injury prone and less serious about running in my 30s.

10 years ago 10/09/2013 2:40pm EDT

re: OverTheHillAndBackAgain

OverTheHillAndBackAgain wrote:
Please don't bring up "outliers" like Mo Farah, Bekele, or Geb.

Are they really outliers? It seems all great runners keep at it into their late 30's, or they retire on top (El G) or due to lack of interest. You FEEL different but that doesn't mean you run slower.

10 years ago 10/09/2013 3:00pm EDT

re: OverTheHillAndBackAgain

You've still got some opportunities to do great things.

1) Weights are much more important now. Do not neglect them

2) RECOVER on recover days. Don't be an idiot

3) You've got years and years of mileage base. Do not neglect your speed work. Doing all tempo runs/aerobic runs/long runs is not the answer

4) Eat/drink the right stuff to recover better. You can't eat cheese sticks and guzzle Pepsi and expect to recover like you used to

10 years ago 10/09/2013 4:09pm EDT

re: Hardloper

Hardloper wrote:
Are they really outliers? It seems all great runners keep at it into their late 30's, or they retire on top (El G) or due to lack of interest. You FEEL different but that doesn't mean you run slower.

yes by definition of their accomplishments they are outliers.

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