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Newbie runners over 50

guest — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:15:16 GMT

I started running about three years ago, had several minor injuries/problems the first few months, then started again two years ago at 53. So I'm 55 now and recovering from a weightlifting foot injury a few weeks ago, but I will be back out there next week, if the doctor gives me the okay. I might be walking in the beginning. Glad to see you have set goals for yourself. I don't run in organized races. I just like to run.

49 and fat. Want to be 50 and fit.

guest — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:00:20 GMT

I agree with what Andy has to say about weight loss being mostly a change in your diet. 90%/10%, maybe 80%/20%.

For example, if I run 24 miles this week I'll burn about 2400 calories. That's about 2/3 of a pound. I could easily add 400 calories per day to what I am already eating, be 400 calories over for the week, and not gain or lose any weight.

I tend to eat according to how much I work out. I'd like to lose 30 more lbs, but if I don't change my diet I'll never lose weight, because I don't want to work out any more than I am now.

I don't know about the no bread thing, but if that works for you, more power to you.

Treadmill runners

guest — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:19:09 GMT

Shourek. I used to think that people were looking/judging my running when I first started. I can't tell you when I decided I didn't care anymore, but it did happen as I become more comfortable running.

When I see a runner who looks uncomfortable, I think to myself: At least they're out there trying, unlike a lot of people who give up.

As far as treadmills go, I try and not use them. I live in RI and have only run on a treadmill twice this winter. Once when it was really cold, and once during the blizzard.

Re: What's your 2013 goal... AND what's your lifetime goal?

guest — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:09:22 GMT

I don't have any goals yet. I'm just trying to maintain my running during the winter (and tax season).

Actually, my short term goal was to run at least three days a week (outside) during the winter, and I have done that. I only ran on the treadmill twice, because of the weather.

I have only run one five mile race, which was back on Thanksgiving, but I was thinking of running a half marathon in May. I'd better start setting up some longer weekend runs. I'm only running 4 or 5 miles each time.

Some inspiration...

guest — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:27:12 GMT

This won't sound right to some people out there, but this doesn't inspire or impress me.

If there is something you want to do badly enough (at any age), for your own purpose, then you should pursue it, and do it with everything you have.

None of this makes me want to run a marathon now, or when I am in my 80's (or 90's).

I'm glad they had the motivation to do it for themselves, but it doesn't mean anything to me.

Long runs, running shoes, decisions decisions...

guest — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:41:14 GMT

I wear Newton Gravity for all my runs.

Weight Loss Buddies III

guest — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:11:03 GMT

It's been 2 weeks since I posted and I've gained 3 lbs. The scale must be broken!!!!

I have to wrap my head around losing weight. I spent part of this weekend trying to think of something that will work for me.

For starters, I have a few things I'm going to try.

Scheduling workouts/runs and not blowing them off. Includes getting everything ready the night before.

Tangible, achievable short term goals.

Going to bed earlier. I eat pretty clean for most of the day, and sabatage myself late at night.

So I'll start at 198 and go from there.

What do you do on rest days?

guest — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:36:04 GMT

I rest on rest days. No weights. No running. No biking. Walking to work, or to a store on a rest day is not exercise per se.

If you don't rest, you don't fully recover. I'm so drained after weightlifting or my long run, it's difficult to do much of anything well the next day.

If I want to build and see improvement on my next run, I make sure I am rested. I have at least one rest day per week. Mostly it's two days every 8 days or so.

If you don't rest, you can overtrain, and set yourself up for injury. Then you are forced to rest for many days.

Rather than work out every day, I change things around. Run-weights-rest. Repeat. Other weeks I'll run three or four days in a row, rest then lift, rest, then run, bike, lift.

If I've done my training properly (lifting and long run), I need to rest the next day, not because I want to, but because I don't really have a choice.

Rest days also make me want to get out and train the next day even more, because I'm not dog tired. I have much more energy.

I miss the old C25K 'check-in' threads :(

guest — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:36:09 GMT

I don't know about the old C25K threads, but it took me three times (starting from scratch then quiting) to figure out I really do like running. I hated it at first (because it wasn't easy for me). I couldn't understand why my wife loved to run so much. Now I mostly like it, because I can run almost anywhere. My daughter swims three hours a day for practice, and it's too far away to drive back home, so I run while she swims. I also bike, but it's much easier to just take my running shoes while traveling instead of my bike.

Maybe the new C25K runners will check back into this thread that you created.

On C25k Shoes

guest — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:48:31 GMT

When I first started running, I went to a very reputable running store. I ran on the treadmill in the store and they said I had moderate pronation. They put me in a stability shoe (Asiics brand). It felt like running in lead weights. I was about 220 at that time. I had shin splints really bad so I quit running.

The next year, I bought a new pair of running shoes (stability of course), ran for a while, had less sever shin splints, but developed plantar faciitus. Quit running a second time.

Went back two years later. They still recommended stabilty shoes. I had told myself before I shopped that I was going to buy the most comfortable shoe I could find. It came down to one of the Brooks shoes (can't remember the name) and the Mizuno WavePrecision. I ran for two years in the Mizunos (3 pairs). In August 2012 I switched to Newtons and will continue to buy Newtons until something better (for me) comes along.