Running with Age
I
began running when I was about 38. I'm much older now, but in my mind I'm still 38
and should be able to do all of the things I did at that younger age.
However, in my body I'm older, and I'm finding out that running now is different than it was before. During my 40s and 50s I didn't
notice much difference in my ability to run and my ability to recover from
heavy runs. But, I do notice differences now. I need more time to recover
from a heavy run, and I have to allow more time for my body to adjust to increases in
my distance. Also, I'm discovering that consistently getting enough sleep in
more important now than it was in my younger years. In order to get more rest,
I'm only running four days per week, for a total of 30 - 33 miles per week.
Here
is a great article on getting rest.
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/resources/rw_archives/mar_2002.html
I
still have the enjoyment from running that I had during my younger years, and I
still look forward to my runs. Because of my experience in
running, I have more "wisdom" about my running, and I'm more content
to use time as part of my training. I have no (well, almost no) desire to
push, push, push to quickly reach faster and longer runs, I'm content to slowly
increase my distance and my speed.
I'm
sure that we will each react differently to our running as we grow older.
If we listen to our bodies, this aging shouldn't be a problem. Our bodies
will tell us when we need more rest. I think the biggest challenge will be
the mental part of running. Instead of pushing, pushing, pushing to faster and
longer runs, we will have to overcome those urges and
listen to and obey our bodies. Constantly running at the upper limits of
ones ability leads to injury, and for older runners the threshold for
injury is thinner and is more easily penetrated.
I'm
finding out that growing old is a great time of life, not just in running
but in all aspects of life. I've always enjoyed being Allen Leigh. Life is
a grand adventure, and my older years are just new and exciting chapters
in that adventure. My goals in running are to run a half-marathon under two
hours while I'm in my 70s and to run a
half-marathon at any pace at age 100 :) When my time to pass-on comes, I hope it is a stroke while
I'm out running. I think that would be a great way to say good bye to this
wonderful life and a great way to begin the next chapter of my grand
adventure! Hmmm... maybe I'd better carry some ID with me.
Jeff Galloway has published a book called
Running Until You're 100. I recommend it for details about running as
you get older.
Food
is important for runners of all ages. Here is a good article on tips for older
runners.
http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/Mastering_sports_nutrition__Tips_for_older_athletes.htm
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