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05/17/2009 10:50:08 PM · #1
Was state champ in 200 meters 27 years ago. Also used to run a 4.4 40 coming out of blocks.
While I still run "miles" and hit the weights 2 or 3 times a week, I haven't run any sprints in 27 years. In your opinion, after a good warm up...what do you think my first 40 yard time will be when I try it next week? No blocks will be used...just stand up on grass.

To help your guess:

46 yrs.
156 lbs.
Work legs in gym once a week.
Bench 225 max.
Can run easy mile in under 9mins. Can do a mile in about 7.5 mins but collapse at end !

Edit: Sorry...had wrong 40 yard time.

Message edited by author 2009-05-17 22:57:46.
05/18/2009 11:55:34 AM · #2
Hey, Buddy! Good possibility to still run a respectable race, but THAT is the KEY! The RESPECT starts with you respecting your aging body.

Sorry, we don't like to think of ourselves as aging in our late forties, but the truth is that if we don't admit it to ourselves and train accordingly...by backing-off of our personal expectations of perfection.

Currently, I am having motivation issues not only due to my 48 years, but because I live in a running "wilderness" (i.e. most races of any character-level require at least an hours drive.

As runners in our Youth, we were taught to "listen to our bodies." If a nine-minute pace is do-able with reserve to live to tell about it, then Friend, DO THAT!

Carbo-Load Pasta Meals for the rest of the week, Light Distance-Runs a time or two, run a few Fartleks (which with the cardo-loading should have some wonderful double-meaning incidents, and finally on race day reign in your "doggies" slightly for 10 yards to check pace then Gun It Best you Can! Cheers! :)
05/18/2009 12:13:17 PM · #3
53 years old, and finally able to run a little again after ignoring and abusing my body for over 30 years. It feels good!

I still mostly walk hard and fast, about three miles every two or three days.....that keeps me feeling good and gives me decent wind.

I was an avid cross-country runner, and I understand the benefits of NOT running on asphalt better than most since at 53 I still have my original knees with no scars.

Oddly enough, I find rollerblading as fulfilling as running, and it's not quite as hard on the knees......as long as you don't fall!
05/18/2009 01:36:28 PM · #4
37 years old. I'm a long distance guy though which may actually be aided somewhat by age. I think I'm running my fastest ever (not that I was ever fast). When I did cross country in high school I would usually finish last and my 3-mile times were around 23 minutes. I know, pretty pathetic. We were state champs and our fastest guy ran in under 15 minutes. (14:45 if I remember correctly). Anyway, I can currently do 3 miles fairly easily in about 21:30, and I set my PR for the half-marathon two weeks ago at 1:52. I've always had the dream to do a sub-6 minute mile. The closest I came was a 6:03 two years ago. I'm going to make another run at it. I did a practice run on the treadmill and did 6:27 no trouble. Maybe this is the year. :)

PS: Haha. My bench is probably about, uh, 85 pounds. :)

Message edited by author 2009-05-18 13:37:58.
05/18/2009 02:32:57 PM · #5
Is it true? Old runners never die, they just run away.
05/18/2009 04:22:15 PM · #6
I haven't done sub 6 in about 20 years, however, I've never really tried since then ! Even back then it was like 5:52 and then collapse at the end !

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

37 years old. I'm a long distance guy though which may actually be aided somewhat by age. I think I'm running my fastest ever (not that I was ever fast). When I did cross country in high school I would usually finish last and my 3-mile times were around 23 minutes. I know, pretty pathetic. We were state champs and our fastest guy ran in under 15 minutes. (14:45 if I remember correctly). Anyway, I can currently do 3 miles fairly easily in about 21:30, and I set my PR for the half-marathon two weeks ago at 1:52. I've always had the dream to do a sub-6 minute mile. The closest I came was a 6:03 two years ago. I'm going to make another run at it. I did a practice run on the treadmill and did 6:27 no trouble. Maybe this is the year. :)

PS: Haha. My bench is probably about, uh, 85 pounds. :)
05/18/2009 05:02:06 PM · #7
Originally posted by kenskid:

... I haven't run any sprints in 27 years. In your opinion, after a good warm up...what do you think ...

I think you're at high risk for a pulled hamstring -- even with a "good warm up" I'd recommend running some "sprints" at less than 100% before trying for a "good time" or you may have a bad time for a while ... supposedly I ran ONE 5:25 mile (and a sub-12 minute two-mile) in high school, but my hips have been messed up for about 4 years and I don't run at all now. :-(
05/18/2009 05:08:44 PM · #8
50 year old did a half marathon last year almost killed myself ..lmao!!
05/18/2009 11:37:00 PM · #9
Woo hoo! I did a 6:15 today with only a bit more difficulty. I think next week I go for the 5:56 mile (10.1 mph on the treadmill, thanks WolframAlpha...)

Message edited by author 2009-05-18 23:37:17.
05/20/2009 04:11:54 PM · #10
Originally posted by vxpra:

Is it true? Old runners never die, they just run away.


Actually, Runners never die, we just become "Old Fartleks!" :}

In my late twenties (which corresponded with the late 1980s,) I was living in Tallahassee, Florida, and heavily into the weekend races sponsored by the Gulf Winds Track Club (of which I was then a member.) Even though I was not the fastest runner, I always seemed to finish in the top third to quarter of the finishers in the race.

That was really encouraging to this plodder who likes to think that he can do at least a few things right.

Yet, some of my greatest motivation toward tenacity in life came from the oldest and slowest runners in those races.

One year in February on the day of the annual Marine Corp 10K, a challenging run with a Heartbreak Hill at the end (It was WONDERFUL!,)the day was VERY COLD.

During the "Warm-Up" before the race, I saw one of the oldest club members, "Fleetwood" Fessmyer (early 70s at the time,) doing what he consistently did before races. He was soaking his heels in ice!

What an amazingly tough old buzzard! Below freezing temperatures soaking his heels in ice, acting like it was a nice spring day!

THAT taught me that I have absolutely nothing about which to complain! :)

In addition, the day that I ran the only 20K (12.4 miles) that I ever remember running, "Old Charlie" (who started running in his late fifties, and was then about 65, pulled-up across the Finish Line as the very end of the race,...BUT...HE FINISHED! This was sort of a Cool Runnings moment for me...because the MAN finished!

On the days that I lament that after three years as a member of DPC, I am still in the Basement of SCORES, I can call to mind "Fleetwood" & "Charlie" and feel like maybe I can enter one more "Who-Even-Cares?" Photo in a DPC Challenge! :)
05/20/2009 05:02:21 PM · #11
Ahhh running! I come from quite an extreme long distance running background. In 1988 I ran a PB 29:35 10,000m on the track and the following year a 2:24 marathon. My biggest inspiration back then was Henry Rono, who is now on my Facebook list of friends :)

In the mid 90's after 15 years of training 200+ km's every week I turned to triathlon and PB'ed a 9:29 Ironman ..... my body finally told me to stop and that's when I picked up a camera for the first time :) I really miss those days. This is a pic of me doing the Lanzarote Ironman in 1998.

05/20/2009 05:15:41 PM · #12
2:24 marathon?!? That's pretty sick Gary.

What are you even doing here? Methinks you must have a Glamour shot... ;)
05/20/2009 06:05:40 PM · #13
Did some yesterday...three sub 6sec 40yard sprints.... However, each time I did start to feel quad pulling and had to "even off" before the finish. A little sore today but nothing big.

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by kenskid:

... I haven't run any sprints in 27 years. In your opinion, after a good warm up...what do you think ...

I think you're at high risk for a pulled hamstring -- even with a "good warm up" I'd recommend running some "sprints" at less than 100% before trying for a "good time" or you may have a bad time for a while ... supposedly I ran ONE 5:25 mile (and a sub-12 minute two-mile) in high school, but my hips have been messed up for about 4 years and I don't run at all now. :-(
05/20/2009 06:35:59 PM · #14
Originally posted by kiwiness:

a 2:24 marathon.


Big respect from me!
05/21/2009 12:52:59 AM · #15
Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Methinks you must have a Glamour shot... ;)


No, grunge actually :)
05/21/2009 01:15:24 AM · #16
Old runner in the sense that I have arthritis in my hip (as a result of Perthes Disease as a kid).

Main events were 3000m steeplechase - with a PB of 8:53 - and cross-country, but I competed for uni from 800m (1:52) through to half-marathons (68:44). Guess I was more strong than fast.

I miss running, and often consider hip resurfacing to get back into it, but I question my motivations. There was a time when running was the main source of personal meaning I had in my life, and I took a huge hit when the arthritis got to a point where it hurt too much to train. I have subsequently rebuilt my priorities in life, and base my source of meaning on far more solid foundations (I recognised Christ as my saviour); and I therefore fear feeding an old source of personal self-based pride.

Kiwiness - respect for a sub-30 min 10000m too. Best I ever managed was 30:29. And my best mile was 4:07, but we didn't do them very often in South Africa.
05/21/2009 10:35:24 PM · #17
Originally posted by kenskid:

Was state champ in 200 meters 27 years ago. Also used to run a 4.4 40 coming out of blocks.
While I still run "miles" and hit the weights 2 or 3 times a week, I haven't run any sprints in 27 years. In your opinion, after a good warm up...what do you think my first 40 yard time will be when I try it next week? No blocks will be used...just stand up on grass.

To help your guess:

46 yrs.
156 lbs.
Work legs in gym once a week.
Bench 225 max.
Can run easy mile in under 9mins. Can do a mile in about 7.5 mins but collapse at end !

Edit: Sorry...had wrong 40 yard time.


I think you will surprise yourself!!! you have a history of running at an elite level, don't worry about age although your distance times are little low, sprinting is a whole different ball game as you know.

I did some cross-country running as a teenager and trained and played rugby up until my early 20s but after that went downhill into an obese adult, absolutely no training for 20 years.

Now at as a 45 year old with less then 12 months of training I'm fitter then I have ever been and loving my distance running so I'm sure you can achieve anything you set out to achieve, check out the fitness test below.

Good luck

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Woo hoo! I did a 6:15 today with only a bit more difficulty. I think next week I go for the 5:56 mile (10.1 mph on the treadmill, thanks WolframAlpha...)


Hey doc that's some impressive times !! I do a lot of treadmill running now and my best mile is 6:45 (at 9.4 mph) but I'm a lot older then you and have 20 years of neglect to catch up.

You might want to try the fitness test below, I do it every 8 weeks and my best is 1.69 miles for 12 minutes which not only gives my a high fitness level for my age category but also high level of fitness in the 29-39 age group.

running fitness test
05/28/2009 05:40:53 PM · #18
Just had to share I did a 5:56 mile yesterday on the treadmill. I have never (to my recollection) run a sub-6 minute mile. Woo hoo! I think I could even go a bit faster. I think I'm going to keep training on the treadmill down to the 5:45 range and then try on a track to see if I can hold on to a real sub-6 minute mile. I generally think treadmill running is easier than running on a track.

I was all grins yesterday. :) It's all tempered, however, by knowing that even in our own practice I'm not "fast". One of the internal med docs ran a 4:04 in college. Sick!
05/28/2009 06:01:59 PM · #19
I'm not near a sub 6. I'm going to put the treadmill on 6 mins and see how far I get !

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Just had to share I did a 5:56 mile yesterday on the treadmill. I have never (to my recollection) run a sub-6 minute mile. Woo hoo! I think I could even go a bit faster. I think I'm going to keep training on the treadmill down to the 5:45 range and then try on a track to see if I can hold on to a real sub-6 minute mile. I generally think treadmill running is easier than running on a track.

I was all grins yesterday. :) It's all tempered, however, by knowing that even in our own practice I'm not "fast". One of the internal med docs ran a 4:04 in college. Sick!
05/28/2009 06:10:32 PM · #20
Originally posted by kenskid:

I'm not near a sub 6. I'm going to put the treadmill on 6 mins and see how far I get !


Warm up a bit. I set it for about 8.0 mph and run 0.22 miles at that pace. Then I enter 10.1 (for the 5:56) and it works it's way up so that it's at full speed by the time it rolls to 0.25 miles. Then go for as far as you can. Treadmills, to me, are easier because they act as your willpower. On the track you have to push yourself to run at a certain speed, on the treadmill you only have to stay on. :)

Message edited by author 2009-05-28 18:10:51.
05/28/2009 06:51:03 PM · #21
I run around the local lake. The track has 7.7 km, which is 4.8 miles. Today I did my best with 33.45 secs. I think I'm ready for a sub-6 mile. Actually, it's gonna be the first time I'm gonna try a mile. I like this quote>

"The mile has a classic symmetry. It's a play in four acts."
byJohn Landy
05/28/2009 07:06:29 PM · #22
Originally posted by Zigomar:


"The mile has a classic symmetry. It's a play in four acts."
byJohn Landy


The third act is a real bitch! :P

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. that's a pretty sweet time for your longer run.

Message edited by author 2009-05-28 19:07:01.
06/11/2009 07:33:34 PM · #23
Originally posted by Zigomar:

I run around the local lake. The track has 7.7 km, which is 4.8 miles. Today I did my best with 33.45 secs. I think I'm ready for a sub-6 mile. Actually, it's gonna be the first time I'm gonna try a mile. I like this quote>

"The mile has a classic symmetry. It's a play in four acts."
byJohn Landy


Did you give it a try? Last night I managed a 5:43 (10.5 on the treadmill) which is probably pretty close to my limit. I think I'm going to try a 10.6 or maybe 10.7 next week, but we're almost at my max. I got enough bronchoconstriction after to need some albuterol.
06/11/2009 07:40:05 PM · #24
Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Zigomar:

I run around the local lake. The track has 7.7 km, which is 4.8 miles. Today I did my best with 33.45 secs. I think I'm ready for a sub-6 mile. Actually, it's gonna be the first time I'm gonna try a mile. I like this quote>

"The mile has a classic symmetry. It's a play in four acts."
byJohn Landy


Did you give it a try? Last night I managed a 5:43 (10.5 on the treadmill) which is probably pretty close to my limit. I think I'm going to try a 10.6 or maybe 10.7 next week, but we're almost at my max. I got enough bronchoconstriction after to need some albuterol.


Congrats, that's a resptectful result! I'm thinking about trying all the time, but I'm still hesitating. I'm doing my 8km norm every day in the meantime. The thing is that here it got too hot and I'm waiting for some rain... ;-) I'll probably try next week and I'll post the result anyway!
07/01/2009 04:17:17 PM · #25
Sub mile done!

Woohoo!!!

5:39 on a clay-like surface!

And yes Doc, that third act is a real bitch ;-)
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