Return to running after 36 years

I ran from 6th grade all the way through 2 years of college. Once I left school and didn't have a team to run with any longer, I just stopped! I was a decent runner back then, 4:25 1600m, 9:40 3200m, 15:30 5K, 33:20 10K. My last real hard-core training was around age 20, although I ran a 10K here and there until I was 26 years old and my daughter was born.

Fast forward to age 56! I had found myself 65 lbs heavier than college and getting slightly out of breath at the top of a staircase. I also have some major back issues. I finally said "enough" and joined a local gym that has daily classes and a nutrition program. I was able to shed 40 of those pounds over the course of 2 years and found myself attempting to run again. I ran a couple of times in the neighborhood and ran a 5K. I had absolutely no idea I'd find myself running 26:00 for 5K. I wish I'd kept running all those years and seen the slow progression, instead of all at once! I've been running more and more since April. I'm creeping up the mileage to 20-24 miles per week. I throw in an interval workout per week. It such a slow progression. My 5Ks have gone 26:00 to 25:00 to 24:00 and then I found a nice flat course to run 22:45 :) I'm starting to come to terms with running my race for my age. I guess this is my mid-life crisis! I can't afford the sports car, so I'll continue to run!

Comments for Return to running after 36 years

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Oct 04, 2022
Impressive!
by: Nicole

Hi, what a great story! You definitely seem to have kept some of your fitness and speed from your younger days. If this is your midlife crisis, then it is not bad at all :).

Oct 29, 2022
Thank you Nicole.
by: Anonymous

I found another flat course today after a few hilly ones and got down to 22:03. Progress :) I've been slowly upping my milage. Still only 20-ish miles per week max.

May 22, 2023
2023 Update NEW
by: Anonymous

Early in 2023, but I found more flat courses! I'm up to running in the 20-25 miles per week with 1 interval workout. I've been dealing with a lot of calf issues. But my last two 5Ks have shaved more time with a 21:45 and 21:15.

Keep moving!!

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