I was a consistent 1:50 type 800m guy in college. I am now 27 years old and have not run a step, literally, in about five years. Do you think it would be possible to regain the level of fitness I had in college, and if so, how long would it take?
I was a consistent 1:50 type 800m guy in college. I am now 27 years old and have not run a step, literally, in about five years. Do you think it would be possible to regain the level of fitness I had in college, and if so, how long would it take?
NO!
What's next Mike? You'll eat his children?
Out of Shape wrote:
I was a consistent 1:50 type 800m guy in college. I am now 27 years old and have not run a step, literally, in about five years. Do you think it would be possible to regain the level of fitness I had in college, and if so, how long would it take?
what are you, a recluse?
Definitely not too late... I'm 24 and had a 4 year layoff without training at all up until about 6 weeks ago- already lost 8kg's and ran a 15.08 5k. Gonna run 800's and 1500's at the end of the year....It's tough for the first few weeks, but stick with it... you'll notice the improvements more quickly than you think.
nbjdk;l.nbd wrote:
Definitely not too late... I'm 24 and had a 4 year layoff without training at all up until about 6 weeks ago- already lost 8kg's and ran a 15.08 5k. Gonna run 800's and 1500's at the end of the year....It's tough for the first few weeks, but stick with it... you'll notice the improvements more quickly than you think.
How is that possible? What are your prs?
iloverunning wrote:
nbjdk;l.nbd wrote:Definitely not too late... I'm 24 and had a 4 year layoff without training at all up until about 6 weeks ago- already lost 8kg's and ran a 15.08 5k.
How is that possible? What are your prs?
I suppose it's entirely possible if you were a 14-flat type.
Didn't someone once say that a fat Jeff Nelson still ran 5 minute mile pace for his training runs?
And it does come back faster than you think it will.
I don't think that a lean Jeff Nelson ran 5 minute pace for his training runs.
Jack Daniel's (I'm reading his 2nd edition running formula right now) says it's easier to regain fitness than it is the first time. Also, your body is most likely completely physically mature now, so that'll help. He also says that however much progess you made takes as long to fade away as it did to make it, so if you ran consistenly for more than 5 years then a 5 year layoff won't completely erase all your aerobic fitness.
No problem. I didn't do much in the way of running from 1978 to 1988 and I was back to my marathon Pr within 2 years, exceeding it by 5 minutes by '91. Of course they say pregnacey does make you tougher, don't know if thats an option for you. Now I'm working off another 10 year relative layoff (easy jogs and another kid), but I'm not expecting quite as much being 20 years older than you!
Go for it!
It depends on what you've done inbetween.
When I first started running I was a teenage girl and very fit from other sports. Within a few months I was winning races and doing well, running good times and the best in the area.
I started back after a 5 year break, I was told usually it takes around 1-2 years to get back to where you were previously.
When I first started back I ran a time trial to ascertain standard, practically killing myself over it and couldn't break 110 seconds for 400m... over 50 seconds slower than my previous best. My times for 800m were similar (I was about 1 minute 30 seconds slower than my 800m best).
My case may be different because I was seriously ill for some of the intervening time period.
I'm now within 15 seconds of my 400m best and 30 seconds of my 800m best. It does come back, and you knock off a lot of time each time you race.
Thanks for the responses guys. A little more about me is I have really good natural foot speed. In highschool I was around 47 seconds for 400m and won the mile state title in 4:16 off no more than 15 miles a week. I was also on the 4x400m relay in college. I was your typical burnout in college due primarily to the huge jump in mileage (went from 15 to 70 miles a week). But I feel like I'm ready to give it another shot now. Thanks again guys!!!
My B.S. meter is off the scale regarding your stated times as they relate to your training. I don't care how talented you are - 4:16 off 15 miles a week, 47 in the 400 = B.S.You are either understating your training, or overstating your times, or both.
Out of Shape wrote:
Thanks for the responses guys. A little more about me is I have really good natural foot speed. In highschool I was around 47 seconds for 400m and won the mile state title in 4:16 off no more than 15 miles a week. I was also on the 4x400m relay in college. I was your typical burnout in college due primarily to the huge jump in mileage (went from 15 to 70 miles a week). But I feel like I'm ready to give it another shot now. Thanks again guys!!!
One of GB's best at the moment ran 1.48 and 3.47 off nowt more than two track sessions and one steady run a week.
Some people are just talented bastards.
You are right, it would be faster.
Time to fess up, man. What college did you go to? What year and which H.S. did you run the 4:16??
I believe him, I'm female and ran comparably as well in HS off of 15 miles/week as well.
[quote]Don'tBelieve wrote:
My B.S. meter is off the scale regarding your stated times as they relate to your training. I don't care how talented you are - 4:16 off 15 miles a week, 47 in the 400 = B.S.
You are either understating your training, or overstating your times, or both.
[quote]Out of Shape wrote:
I was not nearly as fast as you but for what it is worth here is my experience:
I took about 12 years almost completely off between ages 20 and a little over 30. Ran modestly for about 5 years and then got back into serious training in my late 30's. I'm in my early (ok, mid) 40's now.
I have never gotten back to the speed I had at the 800 to mile distances but I am close to where I was then at 5k and from somewhere around 10k on up I am much stronger.
So I think it is possible to get competitive although my experience suggests that it is likely to be at longer distances.
FWIW
Those times are entirely possible. Some people have loads of talent that others of us can only dream of having.
In reply to the original poster, with the talent you have, i see no reason you couldn't get back to 1:50 shape. 27 isn't that old. Just remember to do the little things like stretching/weights, as the body heals slower and becomes more fragile with age, even at 27.
Best of luck with the comeback!
This ain't rock n roll. Distance runnin does forget.
Give it up. Try race walking.