Coming back after a break (Read 807 times)

Hi all, This site looks like a great idea and I would like some leads please as I am in a awkward situation. Background: I am male, 56 years and actually started running on April 26 1986! I remember that date as it was the Chenobol incident also my wife's birthday. So, I progressed for a few years than one thing and another came along and here I am trying to get back my fitness. I have a 10k PB of 42:25 so I was reasonable able all those years ago. But, I have had a very low activity rate for the past 4 or so years so am probably a beginner again. I am doing about 3 sessions a week each of around 25 mins but after several weeks of this I still cannot make the whole effort in one go. That is I have to stop 4 or so times to walk. Attempting to go slower does not seem to work. Are there training schedules around this site? I have a HRM and have noticed that I quickly get into the high zone so I suppose I should take it easy. Any suggestions please? Thanks.

Hi Wingz, thanks for that info, I had read about that program but could not locate it. Let me take a look and see what I can learn there. As you say the body we have and the body I used to have are two very different things.

I would say first and foremost as a 56 year old that just started back to running (myself) this past March and also was 'once up on a time' pretty successful also, my very very first advice is to forget what you USED to do (its no longer important to what you are currently trying to do ).....i had to.....cause you arent that guy any more and your starting over.....so think like a beginner that is learning to run (the good thing is you have experience already, at at 56 you are probably patient enough to work your way up again). C25K maybe....its a good program to help a beginner learn how to run....I dont see you as a beginner,,rather you are reborn and so you should know what to do.......you might like this and might not... My advice is to run 5 days as week (guess cause that is what I like to do - nothing scientific here) and be very careful about advancing your distance and speed too quickly...dont comparde yourself to your accomplishmens of past years....compare yourself to your current progress and running accomplishments. Good luck and let us know....

Thanks for the interest and tips. I have started the CT5KL program at week 3 (yea I know I should start at the beginning), but at the moment I can just about manage that so will keep at it until it seems I could progress. What I like about that program is the way it gives you a target and something to measure yourself against. When I started originally I was in my 30s so was able to just hop out the door and run round the block and made steady progress - I do miss that flexibility but now accept that I would be happy with the ability to go the distance at any pace. Great community btw.