Running and older people

[Dessie01]

Great run today on a beautiful autumn day in France . Ran for half an hour so very pleased with myself . My question is , I have had two days rest between runs and have run a lot better today , do older people take longer to recover from their runs or is this just an excuse to get an extra rest day !!?

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

That would depend on the person's fitness levels because some older people run long distances and run often. I am 52, graduated recently and I continue to run 3 times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. I run 30 mins X 2 and 5k once a week. Aiming to move that to 3 X 5k per week. Then I will see how my legs r doing but would like to build towards 10k next year. I always take rest days, I need them and I like a 2 day rest too

[Dessie01 Graduate in reply to JoolieB1]

I am running 3 times per week , Monday , weds and Friday . Thanks for feed back

[Tomas Graduate]

Yes. The older you get, the slower your body recovers.

But Joolie is right of course that some "older" people are fit and therefore recover quicker than other "older" people.

You must take whatever rest is necessary for YOUR body to recover, regardless of how long other people spend on it

[Rignold]

As Tomas says, you take as long to recover between runs as your body needs. As you get fitter, your muscles, joints etc get stronger the recovery time will come down. It may take the older body longer to make those adjustments but it will still happen. My recovery rate is much quicker than it was even a year ago, and I bounce back from exertion (and illness etc) in a rcation of the time I would have done 10 or 15 years ago. Not that I was able to do what I can do now 10 or 15 years ago.

[misswobble Graduate]

I'd rather take two or more days to recover and be fit to run, than run too often and end up on the couch (where I am now incidentally)

[Dessie01 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

So true ,thanks

[turnturtle Graduate]

I definitely think we do need longer to recover. I go on what my body is telling me. My current trainng plan says I should run today but actually I woke up with a stiff back and rather rheumaticky all over so plan to do a bit of stretching cum yoga today and run tomorrow if I feel more supple. If you're doing quite fast and/or or long runs then personally I think every other day could be too much for us oldies and counter-productive . If you want to talk more about older runners issues I've started a facebook Group called Run Granny Run for just that purpose

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to turnturtle]

Just seen that you are 69 - the same age as me, Dessie. Don't take any notice of these young things offering advice. What do they know?

[Dessie01 Graduate in reply to turnturtle]

Joined already

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

We are all different but I do think us oldies sometimes need a bit longer to recover. You know your own body best - there's no need to think you are making excuses. Do what feels right for you. Enjoy!

[Madge50 Graduate]

Hi Dessie, I'm over 50 and run twice a week, I found three times too much and was getting overuse injuries, since I've run twice a week, I've reached the magic 5k and have done two 10k 'races'. I think it also depends what else you do, I.e what other activities. I'm really happy with what I manage to do, so just go with how you feel, you're the expert on you!

Mx

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I run 4 days per week -- I can't really say what is suitable for older people , because I am only 69. I have read that older people do need longer between runs -- so I will keep that in mind for the future -- for now, I am more wary of doing too much distance in a week.

[Dessie01 Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

I too am 69 so at the moment I am going to continue to run every other day , will review when I get old , your post made me giggle

[susiewoo75 Graduate]

I always have two rest days but often do other things like swimming, walking or cycling. Variety is good. I'm 60 by the way and new to running this year. Love it!

[Dessie01 Graduate in reply to susiewoo75]

Think I'm going to fit running in between yoga and walking ,thanks