Demographics. At what age are PBs a thing of the past?

[dynamodi]

Not sure if there is an answer to this. So as a 57 year old female who completed C25k in September so still a very new runner, when will I be too old to realistically improve on speed ? Apologies for the deep question but just curious !

[mrrun Graduate10]

How do you define speed?

[MandiV]

Well I’m 57 - started in Aug at 56 and have taken about 3 m off mine and hope to take about 6 m more!!!

[dynamodi Graduate10 in reply to MandiV]

Thanks Mandiv. Hopefully I too will continue to improve.!

[Duddles]

I'm 72 and every run and walk I aim for a PB. It is ingrained in me. Glad to say, still achieving them sometimes. Have done Couch three times and today Run 3 of Week 7 was an all time PB. BUT fortunately most on here are not competitive nutters, and are out just to complete the runs and get as much time on the road as possible, regardless of speed. So don't do what I do. Speed is irrelevant.

[dynamodi Graduate10 in reply to Duddles]

Duddles what an absolute inspiration you are. And you of course right. I think it's easy to fall in to the trap of thinking speed is king.

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Of course you can. I'm 59, started C25K in May this year and ran my first 5k in July in 44 minutes. Current PB (set 10 days ago) is 30.59. Ok I'm no Mo Farah but it just keeps getting better every couple of weeks. You can do It!

[dynamodi Graduate10 in reply to telford_mike]

Thanks Mike. And that's a great time. My last park run time was 32.47 which I was pretty pleased with

[siabod Graduate10]

Hi dynamodi, I think this is going to be age v personal fitness, at 54 I think I have a lot of room to improve before it is age that is slowing me down (weight being one of the factors).

Also I don't know if you have run in a park run yet, but you may be interested in their age graded results.

I am curious to find out just what is possible if I keep going.

[dynamodi Graduate10 in reply to siabod]

Thanks siabod. Yes done a couple of park runs. I just get very nervous for some reason. silly really as I know i can do the 5k. I too feel I can improve

[Lordi Graduate10]

Reaching peak running fitness and ideal body mass anytime after your thirties would probably set PBs that won't ever be broken again.

Luckily for most of us we've probably never been in top shape running-wise nor probably had zero extra body fat we could do with losing!

So for us in our 50s I say there's always potential for improvement while there's weight to lose or still scope for improved fitness, nutrition and maybe most important ambition and determination!

I am still shedding weight and getting fitter as I increase my exercise volume so I'm achieving PB improvements. A skinny BMI is still lightyears away for me so I know I've still got lots of potential for improvement in speed and endurance solely based on weight loss.

[dynamodi Graduate10 in reply to Lordi]

Thank you Lordi. what you say makes perfect sense. I am a skinny (have rheumatoid arthritis) so try to keep weight down.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

I started couch to 5k at the end of May aged 66. After graduating I decided that, because of my age, I would get more return out of distance rather than speed. I did a 9k last week. I still do PBs; I knocked about 10 minutes off my first 8k time recently. My 5k best is a couple of seconds over 34mins, and I just don't care (in a good way). Long, and therefore slow, runs in the fabulous countryside around here is what floats my boat. I am sure that you can improve on speed, if that is what you want, but the really deep question is "what do I want to get out of running and what do I need to do to achieve it?" World class athletes won't be doing PBs in their fifties and sixties, so you are one up on them but I am sure that lots of them will be running for all the benefits it brings.

[dynamodi Graduate10]

Thank you. I think it's easy to get obsessed with speed. With building up distance- I'm working my way up to 10k- the increased speed will no doubt come. And as you say it's all about enjoying your surroundings

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

It is said that all new runners continue to improve (probably meaning achieving new pbs) for seven years.

I think Lordi has hit it on the nail though.

I started C25K at 57 and my 5k and 10k PBs came when I was 60, at a time when I was running the greatest monthly mileage in my running career.

It is also generally accepted that the body goes into decline in your sixties, so you have to do more to stand still, which may explain why I haven't matched my PBs for the last three years..............that and prostate cancer.

A friend of mine who has always run, told me that she had had to accept that she was unlikely to create any new pbs once she found her form diminishing in her early sixties.

Running does not have to be about PBs.

[dynamodi Graduate10 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

You are very right in that running does not have to be about pbs. I do think sometimes you can become fixated with speed. hope you cancer is in recovery. I too have had to deal cancer this so I know what it's like. Thank you

[misswobble Graduate10]

You have to be stronger to be faster. One won’t come without the other. Building those running legs with slow runs and rest days takes some time but it’s worth doing. Go off too quick too soon and you risk hurting yourself

So take care

You can’t do anything about your age but it’s not a barrier. Have fun 🏃‍♀️💪👍😃

[Beccym Graduate10]

PBs' are personal so of course you can improve maybe if you had set one at 19 that may be a challenge.

I have friends in their 60s and 70s who are still improving.

The most important thing is however that you enjoy it and get round

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

I’m 54 and by degrees my times are coming down. Not each run, but in general. A lot for me depends on weather conditions. My parkrun PB of just over 37 minutes was set on a cool wet day. Today was very mild and windy and I did it in 38.47, but I’m not built for speed and I just love being able to run. My only proviso is that I don’t walk any of it! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

I’m running my first 10k next Thursday. Anything under 85 minutes will be brilliant as a benchmark! (Did 9k in 75 minutes, so that should definitely be achievable!) 😀

I just think as long as you’re happy and running, there’s nothing to be concerned about. 😀👍

[dynamodi Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

the very very best for your 10k. that will be my next challenge!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to dynamodi]

Thanks, you’ll do it! 👍

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

In terms of reaching goals, there is no limit I don’t think. You just need determination. At 48 I can safely say I’m the fittest I’ve ever been in my life, and I aim to be even fitter at 50,60,70......

[Blackberrypie Graduate10]

You might find it useful to read "ROAR" about women's fitness - it's mostly aimed at really serious runners so I'm definitely not planning to implement all of it. But there is some really useful material on women's specific fitness needs including the particular challenges of maintaining fitness during and after the menopause (including recommendations on training and nutrition) which I've not seen addressed elsewhere.