Any marathon runners out there? I'm 60 years old soon to be 61 and decided it was time to do my first half marathon and after the experience I had it won't be my last.
I've been running since my late twenties after I gave up playing ice hockey when I started having kids. I ran my share of 10k and 5k races well into my thirties when I stopped running in races but kept up with the running to stay in shape.
I'm not nearly as fast as I was when I was younger and even in those days never thought I could run that far although I've always wanted to try it. My daughter, who is a marathon runner and has done NewYork 4 times along with Boston twice and several others, urged me to try it and said she would pace me. She coached me and told me how to train.
I can honestly say I surprised myself with the result and I guess wanted to start a conversation about marathon running with those out there who are into it. I can honestly say the satisfaction of completing the race is indescribable.
Fast forward life. 4x bypass, knee replaced, neuroposy, pinched nerve in back.
At 63 keeping as active as possible. Hanging around 220. The old fat fu$k I am.
I expect to hear you did a full one by this time next year blueblood'11.
I got hooked when I started a few years back. You feel great after a good long run and learn a lot about yourself in those hours on the pavement. Major accomplishment. CONGRATS!
All the sudden that barrier will fall when your just running and in thought. Don't think about the distance. It means nothing.
I hear ya! I'm glad you enjoyed the experience. Hope you keep it going! The thread inspired me to go out and run 10 miles after work today. Keep up the great work
I ran NYC and the Marine Corp Marathons, both were wonderful experiences. To put things in perspective my longest run before my first half (I've done about six) was nine miles.
To prepare for the two marathons I had to work my way from 10 to 12 to 14 to 16 to 18 to 20 mile runs, so it really was a different kettle of fish.
With that said, I highly recommend giving it a try! If you can manage to get into NYC, the run across the 59th Street Bridge and the crowd waiting on First Avenue is about as good as it gets...
Riding the stationary bike is more my cup of tea.
Distance running is way more mental than physical. In my experience, the way to break your distance record is to not think about it at all. The goal isn't to reach this marker, then that marker, then that marker. The goal is to keep running.
That being said - and I can't stress this enough - listen to your body! If you're hurt or in pain, shut it down and rest up. Don't be a hero or you'll end up on crutches like yours truly!
On the other had, I run in half marathons nearly every month and they are a lot more enjoyable (for me at least)... I'm able to run hard and push for personal best time rather than simply managing my body from breaking down... I wouldn't dissuade anyone from running a marathon, but just go into it knowing that it might not be the most pleasant experience (particularly your first)...
So, 15 years later, she will do her 51st marathon on Monday in Boston. The following week she travels to Big Sur to run her 52nd. I guess she's a plodder (probably will be somewhere between 4 and 4.5 hrs, depending on how she's feeling), but...
damn.
I ran for awhile as well, partly inspired by her, but my body can't take it any more. Good on you if you can keep it going into your 50s and 60s.
I've done 12 marathons and countless other races. my knees are paying for it now, so I'm currently just running for exercise and not really racing. I hope to change that, but I've been saying that for over a year now!
Congrats on the run. Well done.
As for myself l don't know if I have a marathon in my bones. I guess this was a first step in that direction. All I know is that I was feeling so unbelievably good in mile eleven I thought I got this.
Then about halfway through mile 12 the wind which got more and more significant was smack dab in our faces. It as a rude awakening. What I thought was going to be a victory mile as I cruised to the finish line turned into a hellish struggle to keep from bottoming out.
Somehow I was able to gather myself and just had this burst of adrenalin the last half mile and took off like a bat of hell. My daughter said where did that come from because it looked like I had nothing left in the tank.
I went from strong on and in control to what just happened in a matter off seconds. It was like I just fell off the ledge.
As for myself l don't know if I have a marathon in my bones. I guess this was a first step in that direction. All I know is that I was feeling so unbelievably good in mile eleven I thought I got this.
Then about halfway through mile 12 the wind which got more and more significant was smack dab in our faces. It as a rude awakening. What I thought was going to be a victory mile as I cruised to the finish line turned into a hellish struggle to keep from bottoming out.
Somehow I was able to gather myself and just had this burst of adrenalin the last half mile and took off like a bat of hell. My daughter said where did that come from because it looked like I had nothing left in the tank.
I went from strong on and in control to what just happened in a matter off seconds. It was like I just fell off the ledge.
I used to think a full was very scary but the training plans are excellent if you stick to them. If you can do a half you can do a full. It just depends on if you have the time to dedicate one day a week to a run that will take quite some time. April 28th I hear if I got into chicago. Did it last year had a blast.
I am retired and can run when and as much as I desire. Like I said I'm 60 going on 61 but most people think I look more like late 40's or early 50's. I don't necessarily know if that means anything but it does help me I guess psychologically.
I know one thing for sure, I'll be doing more halfs at the very least in the near future.
They say if they are already in your routine then keep with them but if they are not do not. I hadn't really lifted much weights since I played ball (4 or so years) so I didn't incorporate them into the first marathon I trained for. However, due to my injury the last 6 months I got back into lifting since I couldn't run and will incorporate it this time around. Its very hard to get the mileage you need in doing the major lifts though (deadlifts, clean presses, squats). I will prob ditch squats all together soon. I do box once a week.
Blueblood - sounds like you are in great shape for your age from what you have described. If you are up for it go for it!
The following day I felt like I could run all day long. I did 8 and was tempted to go for ten but I didn't want to go crazy all of a sudden. Interesting thing was I wasn't really pushing it.
My legs felt very very strong and steady and I was loose and free. Considering it was a training run my pace was as fast or faster then what my race pace was.
I don't know what that means if anything. But, if my training run pace gets faster I can only assume my race pace will also be faster. I ran a much faster pace overall during the race then I ever did in training runs.
I guess only time will tell.