How Has Your Running Changed as You've Aged?

I have been simmering over this article for the last month, and I'm still having a hard time formulating a remark. Did it make me feel better or worse?
Should I throw in the towel?
Give up doing races?


In this article in the WSJ - Older, Wiser, Slower. The writer shares his reason for slowing down. (A Cardiologist told him, “…keep your heart rate below 120.")
He gives example of athletes who have made adjustments but he did not elaborate on their happiness...

“If your have to go as fast at 50 as you did at 20, you will grind yourself into the ground.” – Mark Allen

In the article's side bar:
How has your athletic activity changed as you've aged?

Reader’s comments:

• “Trained every day - 50+ miles per week. Now I realize that this was killing my spirit to enjoy running, etc. I am more laid back and don't care if a friend beats me in a 5k”
• “…count every healthy day as a blessing.”
• “There's a middle zone you need to find, which is little beyond what's comfortable, but not miserable for you.”

My Comments:

• I can still run fast but not for the same distances.
• It takes weeks not days to recover from a race.
• I need to warm up and yes some days it takes 20 minutes.
• I feel stiff – I’m forced to warm up before I take off.
• When I push myself at the end of a race I feel horrible.
• Instead of celebrating a PR, I beat myself up for not going faster.

If this sounds like runner burn-out, you’re wrong. It’s a fact of life - unless you’ve found some magical Sports Drink.
No matter what you do - your body still has an expiry date.

How has your running changed as you've aged?

Keep On Running

This story has two important lessons:

• It’s never too late to take up running.
• And how important it is to keep pushing yourself.

Roy Engler took up running when he was in his fifties. He is now 86 and still running four times a week!
The magic in this story is not that he is still running; BUT that he is still competing – albeit with himself.
(There are not many runners in his age category.)

This year (at 86) he ran a 9:50 mile. WTG Roy
Here are his official USA Masters Track & Field Rankings

Keep On Running

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Keep Your Metabolism Stoked

As we age our metabolism slows down. But can this process be changed?
"Metabolic rate is the number of calories our body requires to keep going."
When measuring our Basal metabolic rate (BMR) - the energy your body requires at rest, scientists found that it decreases with age and with loss of muscle.
As you can see by this Wiki entry the metabolism system in the body is a very complex process. (Remember the Krebs’s cycle?)

Two facts about slowing metabolism are clear.

1. Many older people are less active. When people retire – they begin a more a sedentary lifestyle.
2. It appears older people eat less - hard to believe but true. "When younger men and older men were doing the same amount of exercise and eating the same amount of calories, the basal metabolic rate remained unaltered.”

So:

1. Keep active - forever!
2. Build muscle as it requires more energy to maintain. Try adding some kettlebell swings which workout those big core muscles.
3. Don’t skip breakfast - Ever! "Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn't rev back up until you eat again."
4. Get enough sleep.
5. And keep on running!

What’s your BMR? ( I need around 2000 calories a day!)

REF. Metabolism-metabolic-rate

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Lance Continues to Inspire

It seems lately Lance Armstrong’s face is everywhere.
[My latest issue of Outside.]


Last September, he confirmed he was going to re-enter the racing circuit which included the 2009 Tour de France !
He’s battled with cancer – now he’s taking on the aging process. At 37 he’s heading back into completion with an attitude I just love .

“For me, at my age, athletics is more metaphysical than physical. I’m 37. I prove to myself and others that I can still compete and I hope I can inspire others along the way.” - Lance

He states his main reason for his comeback is to promote his cancer charity organization LiveStrong. I know one thing - he’s an inspiration for cancer victims!

Thanks Lance for giving us all hope.
PS.
Good Luck in the Tour Down Under – next week.

Lance Spotting:

Vanity Fair
Outside
Mens Health
NY Daily News

Related Links:

The Metaphysics of Athletes and Age
Why Old Athletes Come Back

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A Year of Running

Around this time, every year, I look back at last year’s mileage and compare it to this years'. And then attempt to sketch out some aspirations for next year.
I’ve only been keeping track of annual mileage since 2001. Thanks to online running journals it’s so easy now.
Last year’s miles 786
This year’s miles 793 (Over 800 by year’s end :)

Aspirations:

• Beat or make my Half-marathon time of 1:55. (Re-read Galloway’s book – "Half Marathon - You Can Do It" book to establish a new training schedule.)
• Race in a new locale.
• Run injury free!
• Maintain my pace – this is a big one for me. Each year I get older and it’s getting more difficult to see any improvements. I know the ice will shatter someday, till then I’m going to keep skating.

Remember:

"The best swimmers are always in the pool."

Meanwhile, back to building a bird’s nest.


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Aging Transitions

This weeks theme at Runner's Lounge TIaRT is… Running Through Transitions. I will not give advice on the transition from youth to middle- age. (If you know where the fountain of youth is – please email me: )
But I have made some observations:

• Waking up refreshed is now a gift.
• You will create several new definitions for pain.
• Stretching is your workout.
• Most runners in the race are younger than you.
• And... Running is a vital part of survival!

"Stop thinking and talking about it and there is nothing you will not be able to know." - Zen Paradigm

Image Marimekko

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All Masters Runners

When I’m feeling slow, I like to compare myself with the female elite runners in my age group.
I understand most of these runners train rigorously to keep up their records.
I, on the other hand, generally take it pretty easy. Running 3-4x a week with a few intervals and long runs to keep it interesting.
I deplore injuries.
When I compare myself to these Masters, instead of my past personal records, I go boldly forward knowing I am not alone in this incessant aging process.



So all Masters Runners - run like the wind and have a great day!

American Masters Outdoor Track & Field Records
Chart made with Google Docs

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