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Nov 2016
10:50pm, 9 Nov 2016
10,687 posts
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Bazoaxe
Great thread...
I started running aged 32, did my first marathon at 39 and at age 42/43 set a raft of PBs. Then I got injured and had a few wilderness years but never gave up hope, but it looked like I had hit my peak.
Aged 47 I put the injuries behind me and for 18 months set and improved on PBs at almost all distances. Another injury set me back, but I still have plans to set a few PBs at age 49.
Thats said, it gets harder each year as I need to train and race smarter
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Nov 2016
11:14pm, 9 Nov 2016
61 posts
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Brunski
Derby tup - when you say you got stronger, did you hit the weights?
Bazoaxe - That's progression through 2 decades which is fantastic (and very encouraging). I've seen some of your training in the Hadd thread and you're definitely giving yourself every chance of hitting more PBs next year/season....
Happy with how my first attempt at starting a thread on here is going, loving hearing all of the contributions, keep 'em coming!
Definitely appears that there's no stopping very good performances in your 40s and beyond, and also a lot of people seem to have had a mini-dip, got back on it again (maybe post injury) and surpassed previous efforts, great stuff!!
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Nov 2016
12:07am, 10 Nov 2016
1,644 posts
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Fitz
I started running at 43 years old, this year I turned 50. In the last 12 months I have PBd 5k, 10k and HM. Can't get past my 2013 mara PB, on a good day I'm about 3-4 mins slower.
The PBs came off slightly increased training mileage, a small reduction in weight and possibly less beer intake. I have a long-standing foot injury that gives me grief on longer runs, which I think is the main reason I can't get a new mara PB. That and maybe a lack of mental toughness.
If I could be more systematic around training intensity - more hills, tempo and intervals - I think I could go after new PBs at the shorter distances. But these days I mostly just run to feel. Junk miles, or enjoyment miles, depending on how you look at it.
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Nov 2016
5:07am, 10 Nov 2016
21,942 posts
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Derby Tup
Not weights. Specific training for hilly ultra runs. Up to 20 hours per week. I was shocked (and embarrassed) how much weight I lost and how much training I could do. In fairness an old friend thought I had AIDS or cancer but for a while a portly middle-aged man turned into something approaching an athlete
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Nov 2016
7:52am, 10 Nov 2016
62 posts
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Brunski
Fitz, I'm with you on the too much beer, the need for more mental toughness, and quite recently the foot injury part.
Still 5k, 10k and 10 mile PBs recently are spot on.
Do you know what's causing the foot injury? I changed trainers, loosened the laces (using the locking bits at the top to stop them slipping) and it's been better for me recently.
Derby Tup - 20 hours a week is some commitment...I struggle to get up to 5-7 hrs most weeks. How many miles a week we you running?
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Nov 2016
9:38am, 10 Nov 2016
21,943 posts
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Derby Tup
It was mostly in the Lake District and more about time on feet and ascent than out and out mileage. 72 miles and 27,000 ft of climb rings a bell as a high water mark 
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Nov 2016
10:07am, 10 Nov 2016
1,645 posts
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Fitz
Brunski, my foot injury has been x-rayed, CT scanned, MRId twice and seen by an orthopaedic surgeon who discounted the suspected stress fracture, bursa or neuroma and thought it was just an overload effect that could be cured by orthotics.
The podiatrist (recommended by the surgeon) has had two goes at doing the orthotics. They reduce pain in the foot but cause all kinds of imbalances and hence injuries / strains in my hamstring, glute and piriformis. I'm going to ditch that podiatrist and try again with one that (a) knows what he is doing and (b) is open at times convenient to me.
Bah.
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Nov 2016
10:26am, 10 Nov 2016
410 posts
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Daz Love
Fitz - Where is your foot pain as I have been on and off for the last year. Had all that you have said and my Orthopaedic Surgeon referred me to podiatrist!!
Mine is on the outside of the foot (Could be Peroneal tendon) Rest does help but seems to come back after a few months!
PS I'm still improving I hope. I do think more mileage and better training can continue that and from what I hear/read, its typically 7-8 years although as Baz has proven, new methods, increase in mileage anything is possible. Staying INJURY FREE is the key!
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Nov 2016
10:43am, 10 Nov 2016
11,720 posts
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Seratonin
Responding to the OP - I started running in 2009 at the age of 49 and not really partaken in any regular, serious sports activity for a good 20 years. Luckily, I do not carry a lot of body excess weight.
I don't do a lot of races but I seem to have peaked in 2013 when I got PB's at 10k and HM. My Parkrun PB was acheived in 2014 but I know that I could improve this easily. My home PR is Corby and that is a really challenging course as there is a hill to be negotiated 3 times no matter which way round they run the route! I haven't done any other PR's but I know that the PB would happen if I chose a flatter course.
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Nov 2016
10:43am, 10 Nov 2016
12,451 posts
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Dvorak
I resumed semi-regular running around 2000 (aged 35) and ran the odd race (mainly 10K). First half mara in 2006 and shortly after I found Fetch Everyone. More and better training found me hit my best patch 2009-2010 and my best times (not just PBs but improvement and near PBs) are from that spell.
Despite more miles just was not hitting the same times after. Got closest last year but (despite even more running) have fallen away again. Currently have foot (Achilles related) problems which has curtailed running a lot and has been in all that time the only injury (aside from a broken arm in a bike crash) which has gone on for a while and had this effect.
I recommend reading Canute's blogs. He has though a lot about the older athlete (he is and older, older athlete) and the effects of aging on performance.
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