larkimm
Davey's legs wrote:
Okay, first of all, I'm not what you'd call a "pro runner". I run to stay in shape because once I get under way, I know that I'll finish my 5k for they day, and drop 1.5-2.0 pounds by the end. I don't know jack about running, except that I put one foot in front of the other.
That being said, a lot of these posts of like 18 minute 5k's for guys that are 50 or whatever are either A) COMPLETELY FULL OF SH*T, or B) PRO-LEVEL RUNNERS who've been doing this all of their lives and are in the top 5% of aptitude. My VERY BEST time at 43 years old was 25:36. And it was 75 degrees, relatively flat with just minor grades, and I worked up to it by running 2-3 5k's per week for the preceding 4 months or so.
So.. don't let the ego-cases or braggarts discourage you. I'm 44 years old, and I don't ANYBODY that can hang with me at my current 27-28 times. And I work at it. and I hate running. But I never regret it when I've finished my INCREDIBLY SLOW TIME by this forum's standards...
I did no exercise at all until I was 39 years old, never ran, never played team sports. I weighed about 80kg and at 173cm tall had a BMI which was definitely in the "overweight" category.
I ran 1:35 for a half 1 year in to starting running off about 18mpw. I ran 1:29 a couple of years later with similar levels of "training" and could sneak under 20 for 5k off the same mileage.
I then upped my mileage to 30+mpw and have got down to 18:14. Weight is now 72kg so I'm still no skinny rake.
I'm sorry that your body seems to limit you to a 25:xx PB - but take it from me, you don't need to be "pro level" or full of sh*t to be running sub 19 in your 40s. But you do need to put the miles in AND probably have an aerobic system (a.k.a. choosing the right parents) which helps you out.