Any distance runners here?

[Another Fan]

In my 20s I had a friend from high school I used to run 5ks with.  A few 10ks as well but mainly the 5k.  
 

I haven’t a ran a 5k in over 5 years but signed up for on New Years Day as a fitness goal/see if I can still do it kind of thing.  
 

Anyone here compete in these runs or finish a marathon?  

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 hours ago, Another Fan said:

In my 20s I had a friend from high school I used to run 5ks with.  A few 10ks as well but mainly the 5k.  
 

I haven’t a ran a 5k in over 5 years but signed up for on New Years Day as a fitness goal/see if I can still do it kind of thing.  
 

Anyone here compete in these runs or finish a marathon?  

Many years ago, not any more.  Three marathons, only one of which I was satisfied with.  Many 10k, 5 milers, not as many 5k.  20k was a fun distance in you had to approach it with respect and planning, usually ran the 'Run for Your Life' 20k in September in Buffalo, early 80s.    Turkey Trot every Thanksgiving from 1982-2005; was only working on the Niagara Tunnel Project for a week in November of 2006, and didn't think missing a day of work the first week was a good idea.  The streak ended at 24.  

Edited November 23, 2021 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Ran a mile in 5 min 11 sec in indoor track in HS.  I gave it up after that, as I felt as though that was the pinnacle of my running career.

[Steve O]

Countless 5 mile and 10K's until my mid 50's, past decade I've stuck to the ellipticals at the gym. Just make sure you work your way up to the 5K, need to get your body used to taking the beating that running puts on it, which is why I gave it up 10 years ago. Wouldn't want to tear and Achilles tendon at this stage of the game. Going straight to a 5K on a cold day without working your way up is textbook for a bad ending.

Edited November 23, 2021 by Steve O

[Augie]

38 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Ran a mile in 5 min 11 sec in indoor track in HS.  I gave it up after that, as I felt as though that was the pinnacle of my running career.

 

I too have run for 5 min 11 sec, but I didn’t go nearly a mile. 

 

I used to have a little 3 mile routine I’d do around the neighborhood before work. On days when I couldn’t get the run in I’d really miss it. On two different occasions I’d do it for almost a year before my left Achilles started hurting. Tennis was my real thing and it can be hard on the Achilles so I gave it up my running. 

 

My son and DIL recently decided to run a half marathon (13.1 miles). He’s more of a gym rat than distance runner. Both very fit in their late 20’s. She trained for it, he did not. About half way thru he started having a problem with one foot but he toughed it out. A half marathon out of the blue with zero prep is probably a bad idea at any age. He walked funny for a while! Gave him my wife’s foot massager. I think he considers that box checked.  

[Augie]

2 hours ago, Steve O said:

Countless 5 mile and 10K's until my mid 50's, past decade I've stuck to the ellipticals at the gym. Just make sure you work your way up to the 5K, need to get your body used to taking the beating that running puts on it, which is why I gave it up 10 years ago. Wouldn't want to tear and Achilles tendon at this stage of the game. Going straight to a 5K on a cold day without working your way up is textbook for a bad ending.

 

I posted above before I read this! You are 100% correct about fearing an Achilles injury! 

 

During nice weather I go to a park and mostly walk a trail and throw in a bit of jogging to get my heart rate up and break a sweat. I do it for an hour while listening to sports radio. I absolutely LOVE a good sweat! Flush the toxins out of the body. 

 

EDIT: Just looked it up and a 5k is only 3.1 miles +/-. I thought it was more like 3.7 miles in my mind. My routes were 2.5-3 miles in a couple different neighborhoods, so almost a 5k most days of the week.  Oh, to be young again. More than a decade ago, but it seems like yesterday! 

 

 

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Edited November 23, 2021 by Augie

[billsfanmiamioh]

I usually train for a few months and run a half every year in the fall then take some time off and just do shorter runs and maybe an occasional 5k. I think I’ve done 9 half’s. Would love to do a full sometime but I’d definitely be a one and done. I have utmost respect for “real” distance runners (not people like me). I did not do the half this fall so I’ve been slacking and need to get back out there. 

[Gugny]

9 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Ran a mile in 5 min 11 sec in indoor track in HS.  I gave it up after that, as I felt as though that was the pinnacle of my running career.

 

That must have hurt with those long balls of yours.

[Doc Brown]

A recent study in Japan showed that too much strenuous exercise might shorten your lifespan.  Best study ever conducted.

[Gugny]

10 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

A recent study in Japan showed that too much strenuous exercise might shorten your lifespan.  Best study ever conducted.

 

My girlfriend and I were in Chicago during the Chicago Marathon last month.  As we walked around downtown many of the marathon participants had recently finished.  Every single one of them looked like they wanted to die.  Many looked like zombies.  I know completing a marathon must be a great achievement, but I wondered where the fun in it could possibly be.  These people were in agony.  I guess I just don't get it.

[Doc Brown]

17 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

My girlfriend and I were in Chicago during the Chicago Marathon last month.  As we walked around downtown many of the marathon participants had recently finished.  Every single one of them looked like they wanted to die.  Many looked like zombies.  I know completing a marathon must be a great achievement, but I wondered where the fun in it could possibly be.  These people were in agony.  I guess I just don't get it.

They're in the right city then.  It's pretty fun and self satisfying to be able to say I completed a marathon.  At least that's what I've been told and I'll take their word for it.

[RaoulDuke79]

15 hours ago, Another Fan said:

In my 20s I had a friend from high school I used to run 5ks with.  A few 10ks as well but mainly the 5k.  
 

I haven’t a ran a 5k in over 5 years but signed up for on New Years Day as a fitness goal/see if I can still do it kind of thing.  
 

Anyone here compete in these runs or finish a marathon?  

Never have, but my daughter signed up for a 5K in a few weeks. She's used to running for soccer, but it's not the same kind of running as a 5k. I suggested we start practicing because I could use the exercise too. We went for a jog around our development 2 days ago, which is probably less than a mile and it feels like my legs are going to fall off today. 

[Pete]

Stick with it.  It’s mucho easier to stay in shape, then get in shape as you get older.  And it’s law of diminishing returns.  In my 20s I crushed 10k.  Now 2 is plenty,  I recently did two miles 14 minutes- not bad for 53 year old.  My father is 74 and runs almost every day.  The Thanksgiving    10k he’s running Thursday- he’s run 41 out of last 44

Edited November 24, 2021 by Pete

[Another Fan]

17 hours ago, Steve O said:

Countless 5 mile and 10K's until my mid 50's, past decade I've stuck to the ellipticals at the gym. Just make sure you work your way up to the 5K, need to get your body used to taking the beating that running puts on it, which is why I gave it up 10 years ago. Wouldn't want to tear and Achilles tendon at this stage of the game. Going straight to a 5K on a cold day without working your way up is textbook for a bad ending.

I started doing a 5k on the treadmill as it’s a programmed exercise on it at the gym.  I’ll try and get more and more faster as the month goes.  I’ll see how that is

 

Yeah it’s kind of like a last dance/rodeo kind of thing just depending how it goes/how I feel afterwards 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

I think running at all Is the worst thing you can do.

 

I have realized that as I have gotten older, that I need to save my legs and knees for stuff that is fun. So I only run when I am playing fun sports— basketball, tennis, etc. i will walk

and hike and walk on the golf course— but why waste your knees on something like distance running, which is not fun and also doesn’t burn you nearly as many Calories as something like hoops? 

[Another Fan]

11 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I think running at all Is the worst thing you can do.

 

I have realized that as I have gotten older, that I need to save my legs and knees for stuff that is fun. So I only run when I am playing fun sports— basketball, tennis, etc. i will walk

and hike and walk on the golf course— but why waste your knees on something like distance running, which is not fun and also doesn’t burn you nearly as many Calories as something like hoops? 

The individualistic aspect of running appeals to me and probably others.  You know you set your own goals kind of thing.  
 

Yeah running, jogging or walking can get boring but I usually feel better afterwards 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 minute ago, Another Fan said:

The individualistic aspect of running appeals to me and probably others.  You know you set your own goals kind of thing.  

Exactly.  Well stated.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

19 minutes ago, Another Fan said:

The individualistic aspect of running appeals to me and probably others.  You know you set your own goals kind of thing.  
 

Yeah running, jogging or walking can get boring but I usually feel better afterwards 

Didn’t mean to dis runners or running.

to each his own!! . If you love running as much as I love playing Bball, then go for it. I guess my premise was based on the fact that I hate running!!— haha. 
 

I do think you need to watch your miles— you don’t want your body to breakdown from overuse. 

[May Day 10]

I ran a bunch of half-marathons.  Meant to do a full marathon, but kids got in the way of free time.

 

Half marathon is a really good distance.  Those were my favorite as well as 10Ks.  They are long enough to get a good kick during, but not body/altering/damaging.

 

I think my best half marathon time was 1:41 I think

[BuffaloBud]

Full respect to the runners out there.  I'll exchange that for miles on the bike.  Less wear and tear on the knees / hips.

 

I know, I know - cyclists suck.  😆

Edited November 24, 2021 by BuffaloBud