I've decided to just train how I want. I don't follow a system, coaches, or training cycles.

I did exactly what you did 20 years ago at exactly the same age. I ended up breaking all of my college track prs in the process (best time a 3128 10k). Some people are just better geared for less structure.

Nothing wrong with listening to your body and training by feel. Keep it up

doing the same, but after not running seriously for ~7 years.

most of the reason i stayed inactive for 7 years because i was a believer in "building a slow slow slow base for 3 months" / "NEVER GO FAST" but the only way for me to get out and running was to not bore myself to death doing it.

i push every run that i'm not sore, and i was doing track work on like week 3 of training - because that's fun to me.

psychologically it's really working for me. i am running 5/7 days a week and as long as the weather's good, i have not had any pre-run dread. i guarantee if i started doing my runs at 9-10 minute pace i'd have quit by now.

as for performance it's obviously too early to tell, but making obvious progress and haven't gotten hurt at all.

Jan 11 5K Race: 23:05 (Off of 2 mile treadmill runs at the gym 2x a week)

Mar 2 10K Hard Workout: 44:54 - split 22:05 5k midway

Looking to break 20 for an early May 5K, i think it's doable. (FWIW My PR back in 2010 was 16:30s on an XC course)

Forget It wrote:

I'm 36 and have been running for over two decades. I used to follow "training programs" balanced with long runs, easy runs, interval workouts, tempo runs, etc. Recently, I've somewhat tired of this and have found myself mostly just running intervals and tempo runs. I don't really bother with other mileage. At first I worried but started to just accept it. I feel like just doing what I want to do keeps me more enthusiastic about running at this point and will keep me in it long term. Also, racing-wise I plan on just running middle distance and shorter distance races, eschewing "moving up" because, again, I just want to do what I want to do. Has anyone else ever just given up on "training" and just came to do what you feel like doing each day? How much success did you have, both performance-wise and psychologically?

Welcome to Unlimited Running Freedom! Of 48 years of running, most of it has been freestylin', and I am happy and healthy as I can be.

Yep, that sounds pretty much like my training "concept".

Doing it for 35 years now.

Never really won much but it has been fun.

I do think this is a great approach. Let your body tell you when to go long or fast. Also, life’s schedule often gets in the way of trying to complete specific runs on specific days. So this approach takes the pressure off and lets you enjoy it more. The only caveat is I would not follow a really hard run by another really hard. I would just jog the next day no matter what’s. That’s just me because when I string too many hard days in a row I get injured.

56 year old fart and agree with you. Running happy and healthy and decent times. 50-65mpw and listening to my body...because injuries suck.

Good luck! ??❤️??

You'll be a happier runner.

You are an idiot. Everyone on LRC knows it. Keep posting old lardo.

Sounds like me. I did Daniels program and tanked my goal race. I do better with no structure and fartleks, tempos when I feel like it.

you again wrote:

You are an idiot. Everyone on LRC knows it. Keep posting old lardo.

(Vegan fissured rectum trumpets yet another blast of methane past it's multiple hemmorhoids)

One-of-us...one-of-us!

Forget It wrote:

I'm 36 and have been running for over two decades. I used to follow "training programs" balanced with long runs, easy runs, interval workouts, tempo runs, etc. Recently, I've somewhat tired of this and have found myself mostly just running intervals and tempo runs. I don't really bother with other mileage. At first I worried but started to just accept it. I feel like just doing what I want to do keeps me more enthusiastic about running at this point and will keep me in it long term. Also, racing-wise I plan on just running middle distance and shorter distance races, eschewing "moving up" because, again, I just want to do what I want to do. Has anyone else ever just given up on "training" and just came to do what you feel like doing each day? How much success did you have, both performance-wise and psychologically?

It`s of course your free decision to never reach your optimum potential.. ))) Running is of course not only results and doing the right stuff.....it should be fun also! But can you reach both fun and the very best results in same program? Of course…….! :)

Forget It wrote:

I'm 36 and have been running for over two decades. I used to follow "training programs" balanced with long runs, easy runs, interval workouts, tempo runs, etc. Recently, I've somewhat tired of this and have found myself mostly just running intervals and tempo runs. I don't really bother with other mileage. At first I worried but started to just accept it. I feel like just doing what I want to do keeps me more enthusiastic about running at this point and will keep me in it long term. Also, racing-wise I plan on just running middle distance and shorter distance races, eschewing "moving up" because, again, I just want to do what I want to do. Has anyone else ever just given up on "training" and just came to do what you feel like doing each day? How much success did you have, both performance-wise and psychologically?

That always made more sense to me. A coach doesn't know what you're feeling. I never really believed in listening to coaches either.

Just do what you want to and when you want to. You're always going to be your own best coach. Good advice.

I do this. Slow cruise when that feels good. Walk when that feels good. Fly when that feels good. Any kind or run or workout that feels good at the time. I measure success by how good I feel.

Forget It wrote:

I'm 36 and have been running for over two decades. I used to follow "training programs" balanced with long runs, easy runs, interval workouts, tempo runs, etc. Recently, I've somewhat tired of this and have found myself mostly just running intervals and tempo runs. I don't really bother with other mileage. At first I worried but started to just accept it. I feel like just doing what I want to do keeps me more enthusiastic about running at this point and will keep me in it long term. Also, racing-wise I plan on just running middle distance and shorter distance races, eschewing "moving up" because, again, I just want to do what I want to do. Has anyone else ever just given up on "training" and just came to do what you feel like doing each day? How much success did you have, both performance-wise and psychologically?

I'm currently 'crash training' for a half marathon in may. I essentially just step out of the door and run solely based on feel. I could run three miles that day, I could run seven. I generally always try and stretch it out for a longer run on the weekends though.

YMMV wrote:

you again wrote:

You are an idiot. Everyone on LRC knows it. Keep posting old lardo.

(Vegan fissured rectum trumpets yet another blast of methane past it's multiple hemmorhoids)

Lol what an idiot. I eat lots of meat and I agree with the poster you replied to.

A reply so stupid that it could only come from your decrepit brain, lardo. xD

That's why pro elites have a personal coach: to free them from having to follow a system, coaches or training cycles.

Having said that, I'm grateful to have PBs after somebody told me to slow down in training, or to simply slide in the ends of my shoestring knot under the laces to secure them from undoing. Couldn't have figured those things (plus dozens of other tips and tricks) myself.

Forget It wrote:

I'm 36 and have been running for over two decades. I used to follow "training programs" balanced with long runs, easy runs, interval workouts, tempo runs, etc. Recently, I've somewhat tired of this and have found myself mostly just running intervals and tempo runs. I don't really bother with other mileage. At first I worried but started to just accept it. I feel like just doing what I want to do keeps me more enthusiastic about running at this point and will keep me in it long term. Also, racing-wise I plan on just running middle distance and shorter distance races, eschewing "moving up" because, again, I just want to do what I want to do. Has anyone else ever just given up on "training" and just came to do what you feel like doing each day? How much success did you have, both performance-wise and psychologically?

I'm old and slow and don't have the energy to follow a prescribed plan any more.

I just run when, if, and how i want to. Every day (running or non-running) totally by feel. Best way to stay healthy.