Any runners here?

[freedom_in_4low]

I can't seem to get myself to do it unless I'm signed up for an event...then I will train so I don't embarrass myself and waste my registration fee. Went 5 years between events not running a step until 12 weeks ago, and finally got back on the horse. I figure I'm about to turn 41 and it's only gonna get more difficult to get and stay in shape.

When it's happening, I hate every second but dang it if I don't feel like a million bucks for the rest of the day.

My wife likes this photo for some reason. I didn't feel one bit like smiling but I did the best I could when I saw the camera guy just past the finish.

 

[PRNDL]

I did a half almost a decade ago, hit my goal and swore I'd never do it again. Lately, I've been getting back into it and almost enjoying a 3 mile run a couple of times a week. I'll be 39 this month and I'm in the same boat. Just need to keep moving.

 

[Chris]

I'm 41 years old and I run 4 miles every day and average about 7 minute miles.

Nothing spectacular, but I make a habit of running and then doing weights immediately after.

I had to force myself to start running but now it's addictive. I put my AirPods in and turn on worship music and it gets me in the zone.

 

[Mhass]

That right there is the only thing that will make it happen consistently.

 

[Mhass]

Don't really know how many marathons I've done. At least 30, I reckon.
In 2017 I did a bucket list race- Ironman Maryland.
Next year I turn 60 and I'm gonna knock out at least one more. Shooting for 13 hours.
No where near 7 minute miles anymore.
Hold on to what you have! It's easier to stay in shape than it is to get in shape.

 

[red02tj]

42…5 marathons, my first love is cycling but I take my running shoes on every work trip. It’s a great way to see the world at 630am when your co-workers are sleeping off the night before.

 

[red02tj]

also, for anyone whose kids in in the 1-5ish range, get a running stroller. I got hundreds of training miles in with 2 of my kids, mom got a break and the next run without the stroller was always faster.

 

[tworley]

I was a distance runner many years ago. My best mile was 5 min 15 sec. I progressively got slower as I got older

I completed a 5k a few weeks ago. First one ever. I didn't train much, maybe a month in advance. I ended up straining my soleus (which hurt like hell). Stayed off of it for a few days and then felt like nothing happened. During the 5k, I strained it again about 2 miles into the event, had to walk the rest. But agree, afterwards (even during my limited training) I felt great afterwards.

 

[Mhass]

also, for anyone whose kids in in the 1-5ish range, get a running stroller. I got hundreds of training miles in with 2 of my kids, mom got a break and the next run without the stroller was always faster.

Same with the bike trailer. Bonus was it put the kids right to sleep.
I used it for camping gear when i was bike touring.
Now I have a sweet touring bike.
Trailer is available for free if anyone in the Fredericksburg, VA area.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I'm 41 years old and I run 4 miles every day and average about 7 minute miles.

Nothing spectacular, but I make a habit of running and then doing weights immediately after.

Nice. How long have you been doing it? I think I could do a 7:30 mile but mile 2 would probably take 12:00.



Weights are another thing I would like to get started. It's more difficult for me than running because it takes so long to see visible results. With running I can do literally the same run a week apart, go look in my Garmin app and see measurable improvement.



I joined the track team in middle school but wasn't built for sprinting and completely inexperienced at distance, so I didn't get any coaching attention and never really learned pacing. Lost interest and didn't come back for high school. It wasn't until my 30s that I got a job that funded my HSA for meeting activity goals like number of 30 minute exercise sessions per month and getting so many steps a day so I bought a Garmin watch and did a beginner 5k training plan based on heart rate zones, and then I learned what different paces feel like. I did it every year when I lived in CO to warm up for high elevation hiking season where I'd usually do as many day hikes to 14,000' peaks that I could get away for in August and September. Then 2019 is when I thought hey...I'm doing all this training, I should try an actual race. I did it a couple months before changing jobs to working from home, my work/life balance went out the window and I didn't run again until this year.



After yesterday I went home and immediately signed up for another one in September, and Monday I'm starting the Intermediate 5k plan on my Garmin.



I'd like to do a 5k under 26 minutes. In the two events I've done that would have been good for at least 2nd place in my age group. I got 4th this time, but it was only out of 11 and I was 4 minutes behind 3rd and 3 minutes slower than my own time in 2019. It was disappointing but I'm also 5 years older, 25 pounds heavier, and until 12 weeks ago a lot less active, and finding the balance between excuses and realism.

I had to force myself to start running but now it's addictive. I put my AirPods in and turn on worship music and it gets me in the zone.

My running music this year has been Theocracy. If you're not familiar, they're a Christian prog/thrash/power metal band. They've got some good 20 minute-ish songs that really make the run go by fast and work well with my step cadence, not to mention have some really cool lyrics. They'd be a good fit if a combination of Megadeth, Kansas, and DragonForce sounds like something you'd want to listen to.

 

[KcTj]

I’ve had the runs, had run’s of bad luck, have run out of time …

 

[Chris]

Nice. How long have you been doing it? I think I could do a 7:30 mile but mile 2 would probably take 12:00.

I've been doing it about 10 years now. Like I said, at first I loathed running (and cardio in general). After it became a habit though, it then turned into an addiction (much like weight training). If you force yourself to do something for long enough (even if you don't like it), it just becomes a routine.

Weights are another thing I would like to get started. It's more difficult for me than running because it takes so long to see visible results. With running I can do literally the same run a week apart, go look in my Garmin app and see measurable improvement.

Oh yeah, I remember when I first started doing weights at 20 years old. Took me months before I saw anything noticeable and probably a year or two before it became very obvious. The benefits are worth it and then some though!

I'd like to do a 5k under 26 minutes. In the two events I've done that would have been good for at least 2nd place in my age group. I got 4th this time, but it was only out of 11 and I was 4 minutes behind 3rd and 3 minutes slower than my own time in 2019. It was disappointing but I'm also 5 years older, 25 pounds heavier, and until 12 weeks ago a lot less active, and finding the balance between excuses and realism.

I think it would be fun, especially you're competing in something like a 5k. That adds to the motivation.

My running music this year has been Theocracy. If you're not familiar, they're a Christian prog/thrash/power metal band. They've got some good 20 minute-ish songs that really make the run go by fast and work well with my step cadence, not to mention have some really cool lyrics. They'd be a good fit if a combination of Megadeth, Kansas, and DragonForce sounds like something you'd want to listen to.

Very cool! I'll check them out. I've stayed away from most metal because of the messages. If it's Christian though then I'm game to give it a listen. I've made my own playlist that I listen to daily when running.

 

[Mike_H]

I used to run…should probably start again. More of a sprinter build, so I’m S-L-O-W, but it did make me feel good. Runners high is a real thing. I tell myself I’m going to mountain bike, and I really enjoy that, but I can get the same workout in about 30 minutes without driving anywhere that I get in a 2 hour ride, that I need to drive to get to a trail.

I also don’t care for 5ks. Last few races I’ve run (been years tho) have been 10k. Too many people in the 5k races. It would be nice to get down to the low 20’s for a 5k again though. At 46, I think I could do it in 25 minutes, but it woods take me a few months of training. I was an 18-19 minute guy in high school cross, when the guys on my team who scored points were all sub 17.

 

[tr21triton]

only time I run is when the other guy has a gun bigger than mine or I run out of boolits first

 

[PRNDL]

I'm 41 years old and I run 4 miles every day and average about 7 minute miles.

Nothing spectacular, but I make a habit of running and then doing weights immediately after.

I had to force myself to start running but now it's addictive. I put my AirPods in and turn on worship music and it gets me in the zone.

Weight training is my primary workout method. I bought a nice collapsible Rogue power rack in early 2020. Not setting any records, but I've been consistent with it and Its something I enjoy. As I put on the years, I do feel the need to add in more cardio. Might be time for a new habit.

 

[Chris]

Weight training is my primary workout method. I bought a nice collapsible Rogue power rack in early 2020. Not setting any records, but I've been consistent with it and Its something I enjoy. As I put on the years, I do feel the need to add in more cardio. Might be time for a new habit.

I hear you. The older you get the more important that cardio becomes.

 

[red02tj]

Morning call got canceled, had the extra hot dog I didn’t need, could have gone back to bed but all I could think of was one of my favorite quotes

“Make it a non-zero day”

Anything that moves you towards your goal is exponentially better than nothing. Whether that’s 1 mile, 1 job application, or 10 minutes of studying, anything > nothing. So I dragged my butt on a run and then my dad invaded my thoughts. He’ll be 73 in January when he runs his 30th marathon, growing up he always said , “any day I can get running shoes on and one foot in front of the other is a good day.”

PS the scenery didn’t hurt, and a 30min run is still the best mental reset I’ve discovered.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Morning call got canceled, had the extra hot dog I didn’t need, could have gone back to bed but all I could think of was one of my favorite quotes

“Make it a non-zero day”

Anything that moves you towards your goal is exponentially better than nothing. Whether that’s 1 mile, 1 job application, or 10 minutes of studying, anything > nothing. So I dragged my butt on a run and then my dad invaded my thoughts. He’ll be 73 in January when he runs his 30th marathon, growing up he always said l, “any day I can get running shoes on and one foot in front of the other is a good day.”

PS the scenery didn’t hurt, and a 30min run is still the best mental reset I’ve discovered.

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Nice! I'm gonna try to get one in today. I've had plenty of time on my feet this week but haven't gotten around to a good run.

We had a cold front come in yesterday just in time to make it actually rather pleasant for shooting fireworks and today's high is only 86. It'll be a nice one.

Glad to hear your dad is still that active at 73.