ISFAST

[Hericus]

At 69, I completed C25K and I'm now in Week 4 of my own 8-week bridge to 10k - a shorter run (3-4.5k depending on inclination) on Day 1, progression towards 10k on Day 2 and a Parkrun on Day 3, with strength and flexibility exercises on the rest days.

At a Parkrun a couple of weeks ago, I saw a group wearing running club T-shirts from one of my former haunts, and out of curiosity, I looked up the club's website that afternoon.

They included an edited version of a feature, allegedly based on one in Runners' World, offering guidance to people who were interested in getting into running.

Over-65s, it said, shouldn't get too optimistic, as most people of that age would consider it an achievement just to be lining up at the start of a run. The best idea, the writer siggested, would be for me to find some people of my own age to hang out with!

As someone who 12 weeks ago was worried about running for two minutes, and who is now feeling really chuffed (thank you Laura!) when he finishes above half way in a Parkrun field, I didn't feel very well disposed towards some clever dick who thinks I shouldn't be allowed out without a care worker.

So I've just made myself the founder and sole member of my own ISFAST Club - I'm Sixty-Five-plus And Still Trying.

Look out for my T-shirt and Ya-boo to Runners' World!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Ha ha 😁. There are loads of golden oldies running up a storm all over the place. I go to quite a few races and it never ceases to amaze, and inspire me, the number of older runners there are. Not just taking part, but kicking some serious ass. There is a group of four women aged 65-70 who I regularly come up against and they are awesome. Another lady is 74 ish, and blimey 😳 When they pitch up its game on. Not come anywhere near em yet but it’s fun trying 💪👍😃🏃‍♀️

Running and racing is such blooming fun! Yeeeeeeeeeha 😁

I wondered who the heck I thought I was kidding when I did my first winter hilly 10k Race til I spotted lots of other silver-haired ladies there, and felt reassured. What else would we be doing on a freezing cold Sunday morning 😁👍

[Hericus Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Too right, misswobble - I'm defiant, not down-hearted!

I've entered for a 10k race in early August, and I can't wait to get my medal!

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Hericus]

Yay, good for you 😃 Doing the training is fun Slow and steady will get you there. Doing the ground work will get you in shipshape shape 💪

Cross training is needed for 10k aspirants so are you building this into your training plan? Cycle, swim, walking is fabulous, dancing, gym or home based strengthening, yoga is ace Just do something other than running 😃👍🏃‍♂️

It’s all fun as long as you go carefully. racing is such fun I can’t tell you 😁

[Hericus Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

I can't cycle because the vibrations through the handlebars set off a ligament problem in my arm; I've flopped two swimming courses because I'm a born sinker; I walk a minimum of 5 miles a day, and try to make it 40 miles a week, so that's one star!

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

I’ll echo every word you said, never had so much fun, on my own, in my life.......races and Parkrun are the icing 🤗🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

I like this idea!

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Well done!, keep it up . . . at 61 I guess I am a mere youngster so cannot join the ISFAST Club just yet As I mentioned in another post just to be running over 60 is great, I’m sure a lot of my friends that are of a similar age think I’m a bit crazy, but I don’t care, I love it. Whether I shall make it to 10k I don’t know (currently just completed week 3) but I’m well and truly off the couch and giving it my best shot.

[Hericus Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Orangeguy, I was due to do 8k today for the second week, progressing to 9k next week for a couple of weeks, then 10k, but I got impatient.

I ran just over 5k along an old railway line, so I had no alternative if I wanted to go home! I did 10.2k because Strava tends to knock 100 metres off whatever my Garmin Forerunner says.

When I finished (just under 60 minutes) I didn't feel there was anything left in the tank, but I recovered very quickly. It was a very hot day and I was sweating buckets.

I accept it was ill-advised, and asking for injury, so I wouldn't recommend anyone else to rush it.

I just hope Laura doesn't read this, because I'd be in real trouble.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Hericus]

I did the same sort of thing a couple of weeks ago, meant to be trying for 5.5k, was gonna catch the bus home and left my pass on the coffee table so ran back home again - first 10k.

And can I order my Teeshirt please size M/L

Thanks 😁

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to Hericus]

Well done with the 10k! . . . I know just what you mean, I park the car in a carpark then also run along an old railway line, always have to keep an eye on my Garmin though because at some point I need to about turn to get back to the car. I could walk some of the way back of course but that is a last resort.

[Hericus Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Orangeguy, since the "walk a bit, run a bit" sessions on C25k, I have never allowed myself to walk, because I would be afraid that if I gave way once, I would feel I had licence to do it again.

I'll slow down my pace temporarily, although I find it impossible to run for any time at anything other than my natural rhythm.

[TedG Graduate10]

I’m the same age as you and I’d like one of those T-Shirts please 🤗

[Hericus Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

Actually, I'll see if I can get a few printed.

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Hericus]

Mine’s a Large please 😊