Woohoo! Glad to see this thread for 2024. I think I started the first “Run for your life” thread around 2019/2020? I tried searching to reminisce, but came up empty handed.
@Longwaytogo and others feeling “past their prime” in terms of hitting their goals, if you’re in your 40’s/early 50’s especially, unless you were some high level elite runner/trainer in your 20’s/30’s, you can totally hit your very reasonable goals if you’re willing to work hard enough for it.
Unlike some sports (particularly those that involve heavily around muscle mass), the decline in performance for endurance activities is incredibly gradual past your 30’s. In fact, arguably the best marathoner in the world right now, Eliud Kipchoge, is 39 years old. Best female ultra marathoner, Courtney Dewaulter, is 38. The recent winner of Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra (running 450 miles to win), is 47 years old.
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@Longwaytogo - if you want to hit 2 hours, and you were that close in your 30’s, I think it’s still within reach if you want to work hard enough for it. What was your weight when you were so close? At 6’2 & 240 lbs, you could definitely shed some lbs for immediate increase in performance. The rest of it is getting more miles in, and have them being quality miles. I would highly suggest reading, “Run Like a Pro, Even if You’re Slow.” I’ve listened to and read tons and tons of books on running over the years, and that is an accumulation of what I would consider the best perspectives I have read. I’m a firm believer in the 80/20 method. It roughly means: 80% of your miles should be around Zone 2/75% max heart rate/the pace you can run to barely hold a conversation if needed. 20% of your miles consist of quality speed work. Could be 1 mile repeats, 800m repeats, 400m repeats, etc. All sorts of speed workouts to get your mileage. Each week, do not increase mileage by more than 10%, and have a “cutback” week every 3-4 weeks.
I haven’t entirely defined my goals yet for 2024. In summer 2022 I completely tore my hamstring waterskiing and spent all winter rehabbing. It was going great until I developed hip pain this summer, and learned I have a labral tear. I had hip surgery this month and will again spend this winter rehabbing, released to start running February 1st. Once my pain from running became unbearable late this summer, I really picked up biking, both gravel biking and mountain biking. I plan to incorporate a lot of biking this spring/summer and plan on both biking & running races later in the year.
