I appear to be getting slower and it posses 2 questions

[Mike1942]

1 Am I lacking in enthusiasm or motivation

Or 2. Is it age related.

Let's forget my "glorious" past. Last August , I deceided to try running again after a long lay off. 30 yrs ,+.

Numerous injuries happened in the first 6 months but I managed to get my Parkrun time below 35 mins ( it's a nice flat run at Rutland Water). I found a good sports physio ( who is now my personal trainer,) and my injuries came under control. During one 5k (together,) I managed sub 28 ....wow we. But the rest of this summer I am definitely getting slower, even tho I am injury free.My best was a sub 35 at Rothervalley (another flat run). It was my intention to get to 30 min for 5k by my 75th. I failed. So I ask you. Is it lack of motivation or is my age the problem?

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

I am assuming it is important for you to reach the goal to get faster? What does your PT say? To get faster as you are probably aware is to run lots and do intervals. I like these : runnersworld.com/peak-perfo...

As we get older it does get tougher, but with the right amount of care, effort and grit that shouldn't hold us back ( in my view!!). Well done on all your achievements... 😎

[Millsie-J]

Im no expert but I would say:

Its harder in the heat of summer to maintain a fast pace.

Its hard to maintain a fast pace as we get older, but maybe not impossible over the quite short period you are speaking of.

(Always impossible for me mind you, im super slow!).

It sounds like you are doing all the right things but:

- your fastest was with a pacer...... do they have a sub 30 mins pacer at your local parkrun you can link into?

- are you training further than 5k? And including some interval/ fartlet/ hills into your training programme ?

Extending distance and running hills will increase your stamina and make the 5 k feel easier, and you may therefore increase your pace.

You probably know all of this, but if you are simply running flat out for a pb each run then maybe its time to mix it up a bit.

BUT: do you really need to run sub 30 mins to enjoy your runs?

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Do you train fast? from what I've read, you have to train fast to race fast. Do we have the same enthusiasm for it though, or the drive or inclination to keep flogging ourselves when we don't have to or have nothing to prove ?

Running with a club might help if you really want to increase your competitive edge

I am having these convo's with myself at the mo. I might get back to doing parkruns

Have you done Poolsbrook? Three laps though 😩

[Mike1942 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble may try Poolsbrook this Saturday. It's 34 mins from home. (Donny)

[Tomas Graduate10]

Is 1942 your birth year Mike? If so, yes, it could simply be age related. We do all get slower as we get older, and I think I would be over the moon if I could run a 35 min 5 km at 75!

It's so important to stay injury free. Being on the IC is not going to give you the speed you crave, so well done for remaining injury free.

The speed may come with additional training. The two biggest contributors to speed are training volume and speed training. You're not saying if you're doing any threshold training, any intervals, any hills, etc, so it's hard to say what is causing you to perform less fast than you would like to. But those are the kinds of things that might increase your pace.

All the best, and I am (still) in awe of your results young man!

[davelinks Graduate10]

Yes Mike, that's not a half bad time over 5k at your age, I agree with what others have said..

And a good idea maybe, would be to try and latch onto a 30min pacer at PR.

But why beat yourself up about it? It's great you're out there getting the runs in regardless..😊

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

Mike - I was born in 1946 - I have similar parkrun times to yours PB is 29:12 (running with a 30 minute pacer) and a comfortable time was ( before I fractured my foot in an accident) around the 35 minute mark. My "usual" time was around the 32 minute mark - "usual" meaning, I wasn't pushing too much but wanted to have a good run.

I realised the ultimate futility of trying for PB's at parkrun - I see all kinds doing it and also see all kinds hurting themselves. I decided that what I really wanted was to be able to run 5K "strongly" - to be able to always complete the 5K with a smile on my face. At your and my age, there aren't too many people running 5K. Obviously there are a few like us at parkrun - but we are really a very tiny minority of the population of our age group. Most important things for me are to keep on running and to enjoy it!!!

[Mike1942 Graduate10]

Evening everyone. Thanks for your kind words. Secret of my best time this year with my PT is that "she " is a triathlete about 35 with long natural blond hairand "drop dead gorgeous". ( Male chauvinist pig that I am)

I suppose I am a little anxious (nervous) about November 4 th it's my debut in duathlon. Those wondering about my current training I put up a post entitled 3Ms "Mike's might mission" a couple of weeks back.its been hard going.

[misswobble Graduate10]

I fancy a parkrun this Satdy. See you there 😃🏃‍♀️🏃👍✔️

[Mike1942 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Rita says yes. We will be there by 08.30. how will we know each other? P M ?

[misswobble Graduate10]

I posted a pic of me the other day on the 5k community, in Aldi gear. I'll wear the same jacket, and maybe the cap if it's raining

I use the car park nearest the start line so,I can just get out the car and wander up there. it's next to a small farm, just off the main road. Fan road I think it's called 👍

[Mike1942 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Affirmative

[misswobble Graduate10]

I will be wearing capris and Nike Pegasus in dark purple 😃

[Mike1942 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Obviously I must check my extensive wardrobe! Possibly my new black and white "Skins" my duathlon "bike plus running gear" or perhaps my famous blue shorts, first worn in 1983 on the day I did my sub 20min 5 k . I insist on bringing the certificate to show you.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Ha ha, feel free

Skins! Crikey, them's posh

[Mike1942 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

The Half marathon running wife insists on coming to. ..,.sighhhhhuhh

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Mike1942]

She's gonna give you a run for your money 😃👍

[Mike1942 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

See you tomorrow it's an early night. Sleep tight.n M

[misswobble Graduate10]

Yeah I'm going 😃