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I've often thought about the fact I'm in the masters running category. Ok, really, I've always been in it since I didn't start running until after I was 40 years old but I still think about it. How fast would I have been in my 20's had I started running then? I tend to fall in the lower top of the pack. What does that mean? Sometimes I'm in the top 10%, but mostly I'm probably in the mid pack or faster.
Did master runners that run a 6:30 minute pace in their 60's run a 5 minute pace in their 30's or 40's? Were they always the same pace? Did they slow down? Or did they actually speed up and got up to a 6:30 pace by the time they were in their 60's?
I see runners much older than me cruise by me all the time. I read about them in Running Times all the time. Where did these guys/gals come from? Will Ryan Hall run his same paces when he gets in his 50's or 60's?
Not that it weighs on my mind, but it makes me wonder if I'll be in the back of the pack then or in the top of my AG.
Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!
Interesting topic. My dad ran his first marathon when he was 52 and finished in 3:34. That is better than my 3:49 best that I ran when I was 34. His best is 3:10 that he ran when he was 55. There is hope... I'm turning 50 next year.
ReplyDelete3:10 at 55 is insane Johann! Wow!
DeleteI started at 36 after almost 20 years off of running. I'm still improving after a couple years and expect to be faster at 40 and 45 than I am now. I want to be one of those older guys who cruises by guys like me currently. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Josh - I'll race you at the Brooksie. LOL!
DeleteAs always, it's dependent on the person -- Ryan Hall's times may fall off dramatically, or he may see his times slip less than other runners. I'm just waiting for that older age when there's only 1 or 2 other runners so I always medal. :)
ReplyDeleteanybody who is running faster as they're older is merely getting into better shape. guys who are already in top shape start losing the age battle sometime after 30.
ReplyDeletethere are some age-equivalency time calculators on the internet. based on ryan hall's boston time from a couple years ago, if he stays in that kind of shape and has good health, he might be running around 2:19 for a marathon at 50. still way better than i'll ever be, but not quite as fast.
You have aged well Jeff! I've had similar questions. I figure it's 65% determination and discipline, 23% genetic, and 12% diet.
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered about this too. I guess we'll find out as we get older.
ReplyDeleteI refuse.....to get older that is. :)
DeleteMy wife ran her best times aged 46 & 47, but that was when she put in the best training, so I don't think you are to old to ran faster times, me on the other hand, I'm a old runner, to many very hard miles under the belt to run fast (for me) times... You don't have that, so the harder you train the faster you will run...
ReplyDeleteGood luck.