Am I Capable of More? (Read 1159 times)

When I got my miles consistantly up to ~ 40-50 mpw Mcmillan predictions started to be close. Before that no. And I usually train on the very slow end of the paces they give me...or slower.

I generally train towards the slower end too, epecially on my easy days. I will also repeat the major cumulative effect from being consistent over an extended period. In my first year of resuming serious training that began just before I turned 59, I ran just over 2000 miles. The next year was closer to 2200, and in 2007 I ran more than 2700 miles. This year I'm on pace to run 3000 miles. As the 2nd year came to a close I thought things had gotten about as good as they were going to. I'm a realist and realized that age will eventually slow all of us down. However, I began to run faster than I thought possible for me at my age. That cumulative affect really started paying off beginning in the 2nd half of last year--my 3rd year since beginning the push. More recently I've run the last 5k of half marathons within 10-15 seconds of my 5k PR of a couple years ago. This is something to consider, especially for those who think they are too old to expect much improvement. I have some veteran runner friends who have had similar experiences recently after increasing the amount of time they spent running. I believe that most runners can get the same type of results if they are willing and able to commit the time and energy.

I see a consensus forming.

A consensus? Here? NEVAH!!!!

I don't mean to sound snotty or arregant but... There are tons of people out there with lots of potential. Very few actually put in necessary effort to fulfill it. Everybody wants something cool; very few actually work for it. Great physical talent equates ZERO when there's no heart in it. Lorraine Moller said it's 100% physical and 100% mental. I like that. Even 100% physical talent comes out as big fat ZERO when there's no heart in it (100% X 0% = 0%). Will to win means nothing without will to prepare. If you're a young paster who works with youngsters, you should remember that and think about maybe conveying that message to them and what's better than you actually "doing it"?

We all should believe we are capable of more. You have a very good 5K time, much faster than me, but we run close to the same marathon time. I'm surprised you're not asking how to improve instead of can I, so I'd get past that quickly and move on to the how.

your 5k time has me... by a bit... you are about 10 years younger than me too... you can look back at my log from this spring and see the miles I put in... especially back in april. If you look before that I was running very similar milage to you. I ran 3:38:50 in Cleveland. Just putting in more miles and slow miles at that will help... I'll second the 50+ miles a week doing wonders thing!

I completely disagree.

Screw you. Asshat.

Screw you. Asshat.

Agreed.

Makers, I have been reading this thread with great interest. You are round about where I am at the moment. Training for a spring marathon (my first) and currently ramping up the miles. I have been running for about 18months after a long lay off, although I was never that serious before. My mileaage has been in the mid twenties, peaking around 35 in the summer. I hope to hit 50 miles by Christmas and then, like yourself will start a more structured programme. I, 4/5 weeks into my base phase now and should hit 45 miles next week. Im adding a few miles each week and stepping back every 4th week. I have set myself an almighty challenge of going sub 3hrs for my marathon but this will remain under review until the day of the marathon. I am very competitive and I really want to give it my best shot. I will keep an eye on your progress. Good Luck!