Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 16,024
Sorry, last one from me on this one.
I love the Moyleman. It's my favourite race ever. Honestly...
I love the Moyleman. It's my favourite race ever. Honestly...
Definitely- I started running at 60, and got a half marathon PB last year (aged 67) of 1:41. So I reckon with some consistent training you can still do it!Reading the chart, everyone seems to be doing pretty speedy half marathons (compared to me). I'm 58, heavier than I should be but not fat any more and have never been a runner - started a couple of years ago. I love it, but am wondering how I get a bit faster. At the moment, I can't see how I'd get from just under 2 hours to say 1:45.
Is there hope for me at this age?
I'm a bit younger than you (52 as I type) and this is my half-marathon PB history...Reading the chart, everyone seems to be doing pretty speedy half marathons (compared to me). I'm 58, heavier than I should be but not fat any more and have never been a runner - started a couple of years ago. I love it, but am wondering how I get a bit faster. At the moment, I can't see how I'd get from just under 2 hours to say 1:45.
Is there hope for me at this age?
Thank you for that Bozza. So interesting and not TLDR. Sorry to hear about your heart.I'm a bit younger than you (52 as I type) and this is my half-marathon PB history...
05/04/15 - 2:07:09
03/05/15 - 2:06:08
07/06/15 - 1:55:33
07/07/15 - 1:53:51
08/12/19 - 1:46:31
12/04/20 - 1:41:37
31/10/20 - 1:40:01
16/11/20 - 1:34:48
20/06/21 - 1:30:30
Some notes:
1. I'd suffered with a knee injury for years and it was only in the last few months of 2019 that I was able to run regularly pain-free.
2. From 31st January 2020 I ran every single day, averaging c9 miles/day, until a heart condition on 3rd September last year. My legs were always tired.
3. I never trained to improve my speed, I never followed a plan and I never did any "sessions" such as intervals etc. I just went out for a run each day.
4. I mixed up hilly trails over the Downs and largely flat roads.
5. I didn't enter any races - all of these runs were just me out for a run, crossing numerous roads including the A27 and A24 and dodging pedestrians etc. (This is me demonstrating some ego by suggesting I could have been quicker under race conditions!)
6. That last run in June 2021 was the last time I tried to run fast over the HM which, given my heart issue, is annoying now as I'm sure I had a sub-1:30 in me.
TL;DR: consistent running will see you get quicker. It just will. I remember when I first started running, I couldn't understand how anyone could run a 25-minute 5km. Just how do people move their legs that quickly! That's 8:00 min/mile pace, give or take. My HM PB was under 7:00 min/mile and the last time I tried to run a fast 10km, I ran it in 39:05 which included a 5km of 19:01.
Run up hills though - I really think it helped my speed and endurance on the road.
I remember walking back along Church Road on marathon day (I'd just done the 10k) one year as the leaders came through. I was stunned at their pace and how they can manage it. But then I know people who have run over the Seven Sisters at the Beachy Head marathon and I swear that's impossible!Thank you for that Bozza. So interesting and not TLDR. Sorry to hear about your heart.
I do a "long" run each weekend (c. 10 miles) and a "fast" 5k midweek (currently 26 minutes or so). Sounds like I need to run more often and add hills. There's plenty of those in Dorset.
I'm totally with you on the "how do they move their legs that quickly?". But then when I started I thought " how the f do people run 13 miles??".
As ever, thanks for the encouragement NSC.
The thing about trail running, is that all time pressures disappear.Thank you for that Bozza. So interesting and not TLDR. Sorry to hear about your heart.
I do a "long" run each weekend (c. 10 miles) and a "fast" 5k midweek (currently 26 minutes or so). Sounds like I need to run more often and add hills. There's plenty of those in Dorset.
I'm totally with you on the "how do they move their legs that quickly?". But then when I started I thought " how the f do people run 13 miles??".
As ever, thanks for the encouragement NSC.
You will open up a whole new world of trainer rotation. I have 10 pairs on the go at the moment. Different trail shoes for mud, hard trails and rocky runs. You will need to see what sort of trail shoes will suit your terrain but something like a pair of Hoka Speadghoats or Saucony Peregrines should do the trickI only run on roads because of my dodgy rugby knees, but I might start running off road because it opens up a lot of new avenues (so to speak). Do you use different trainers for trail running?
And apols if there are too many questions.
In contrast to @HH Brighton, I have two pairs of running shoes - one for the road and one for the trails. There was a nutter on Sunday running in flip-flops - I wouldn't advise it - but this time of year, that extra grip makes all the difference. However, head onto the SDW in the summer and you can probably get away with normal road shoes.I only run on roads because of my dodgy rugby knees, but I might start running off road because it opens up a lot of new avenues (so to speak). Do you use different trainers for trail running?
And apols if there are too many questions.
It's easily done. If I didn't run, I'd pile it on because I love food. But don't feel ashamed or embarrassed, because you're getting out there and exercising, Which is more than a lot of people...I got back to running (let’s be honest and call it fast walking and a little jogging in between) after putting on around 35lbs of fat over the past 5 years.
Honestly embarrassed and ashamed, after having spent much of the past 15 years running regular 5k and 10k races and events, remaining very fit and confident etc.
I got very lazy and overindulged over the past 5 years, but I kind of mentally ‘snapped’ over the weekend, kind of in a good way - where a tiny part of my brain really told me to ‘get the f*** moving, now’.
So I’m now 4 days in, cleaning the diet well up, and moving 2-3 miles each day to build some muscle back up in the legs, oil up the knees and hips, blow out the cobwebs in the lungs. Most importantly, work my way down to my healthy running weight, and just keep moving.
This maybe should have been posted in the weight loss thread, but this running thread has always been motivating to me - well done everyone who’s still at it, I’ve run done park runs with some of you years back, and you’re inspiring me to get moving again.
I just broke in a new pair of shoes. It's peak marathon training week and I wanted to give my new race shoes a try (Saucony Endorphin Pro 3). I have a full shoe rack next to my front door which holds 12 pairs of shoes, only 3 of them are not for running. 8 pairs of road shoes in various states of wear, a mix of faster "race" shoes and everyday runners, plus a pair of winter trail shoes for the really snowy/icy days here.You will open up a whole new world of trainer rotation. I have 10 pairs on the go at the moment. Different trail shoes for mud, hard trails and rocky runs. You will need to see what sort of trail shoes will suit your terrain but something like a pair of Hoka Speadghoats or Saucony Peregrines should do the trick
I only run on roads because of my dodgy rugby knees, but I might start running off road because it opens up a lot of new avenues (so to speak). Do you use different trainers for trail running?
And apols if there are too many questions.
It's easily done.I got back to running (let’s be honest and call it fast walking and a little jogging in between) after putting on around 35lbs of fat over the past 5 years.
Honestly embarrassed and ashamed, after having spent much of the past 15 years running regular 5k and 10k races and events, remaining very fit and confident etc.
I got very lazy and overindulged over the past 5 years, but I kind of mentally ‘snapped’ over the weekend, kind of in a good way - where a tiny part of my brain really told me to ‘get the f*** moving, now’.
So I’m now 4 days in, cleaning the diet well up, and moving 2-3 miles each day to build some muscle back up in the legs, oil up the knees and hips, blow out the cobwebs in the lungs. Most importantly, work my way down to my healthy running weight, and just keep moving.
This maybe should have been posted in the weight loss thread, but this running thread has always been motivating to me - well done everyone who’s still at it, I’ve run done park runs with some of you years back, and you’re inspiring me to get moving again.
Five finishers including the first ever women - Jasmin Paris - who finished the fifth loop with just one minute and 39 seconds to spare!