So how many miles a week are you running now?

[lazygood4nothinbum]

i don't run (2 ruptured discs for years and don't wanna risk knees at this age) but i do alternate strength training with swimming & biking. also i combine swimming with both biking & weight training and i combine biking with walking (bike to beach, walk a few miles along beach, bike back).

general routine consists of biking hard for about 20 miles or i bike easy few miles to the pool and then swim for an hour (got my 50-meter swim down to 42 seconds) one day followed the next day with an hour of weight training. or i might swim for a 1/2 hour at the gym followed by an hour work out on weights followed by a day of rest.

i'm more likely to rest a day after i've done a combined day. i don't necessarily take a day of rest when i simply alternate routines unless i'm feeling tired or, how odd, lazy.

 

[xyz]

I'll join in... Not retired yet (50) been out of shape for the past 3 years... Currently up to running 3 miles a day (lost about 45 pounds). I am hoping to get to 6 miles per day and sustain on that. Goal is to be in top shape going into retirement.

 

[dumpster56]

Just a funny aside, went out and ran 7 miles yesterday morning felt great, went to the high school track and we had to put the hurdles and pole vault pits away for the year and decided to run 2 or 3 more miles to get 10 in for the day, mind you it was 96 degrees at the time on the hot track no real breeze and a dewpoint near 70.

Wow did 2 miles and went right into the cool gym, really be careful at 2pm on hot summer days!!!!

 

[CuppaJoe]

Let’s see, walking toward the exit on a moving public transit vehicle going nine miles an hour sharply downhill....

I try to walk just below the level of knee pain kicking in which is about 1-1/2 to 2 miles a day; so I try to get that walking in in the most scenic places.

 

[haha]

Today I walked over 10 miles, from Uwajimaya in the International district, up and across Capitol Hill and north on 23rd into the U District where I got an iced tea.

I also run a little-only on a track, and as fast as I can for a 220, then walk 220, etc. till I am tired. I loathe jogging. I have told myself it will wreck my knees so I have an excuse other than sloth for not doing it. I also like to jump rope with AC/DC on my mp3 player.

New Guy, you amaze me!

Ha

 

[Martha]

And Ha, you amaze me.

 

[dumpster56]

Today I walked over 10 miles, from Uwajimaya in the International district, up and across Capitol Hill and north on 23rd into the U District where I got an iced tea.

I also run a little-only on a track, and as fast as I can for a 220, then walk 220, etc. till I am tired. I loathe jogging. I have told myself it will wreck my knees so I have an excuse other than sloth for not doing it. I also like to jump rope with AC/DC on my mp3 player.

New Guy, you amaze me!

Ha

10 mile walks are great and in fact do much for your cardiovascular system as jogging!!

I have a screw loose in my head, ran 70 miles last week.

 

[RunningBum]

I should probably lurk more than 15 minutes before my first post, and will do that in other threads, but this is certainly one of my interests, so here goes!

Right now I'm recovering from a calf injury so I'm at 15-20 miles. Normally I'd be more like 35-45 this time of year. I'm definitely looking forward to having more time for running when I take ER in about a year, and probably more importantly, having more time for cross-training--weights, swimming, stretching, rope jumping, etc, that I'm not doing enough of now. I've got lots to learn in some of those areas, especially lifting.

Somebody mentioned that 1 hr running 3x week is probably all you need. I agree, though I've personally found that entering and trailing for long races has been a great motivator, so I do more. I ran my first marathon at 39 (I'm 45 now), first ultra 2 years later, and have plans to step up my running in ER to do a 100 miler.

I'm mixing in a lot of trail running these days. I find it easier on the joints to do softer trails, and it varies the stress on the body because every step is potentially different, unlike the repetitive nature of road running. And I'd really rather be running in the woods than on the roads. Of course there are dangers of tripping over roots and rocks so it all balances out. The average age in a trail race seems a lot older to me, and I like the atmosphere and somewhat less competitive nature of trail races. Because of rougher terrain, most people do some combination of running and walking.

I still plan to do an occasional road marathon too. Just thought I'd give trails a mention since I didn't see it brought up.

 

[RunningBum]

btw, this probably isn't what the "confused about dryer sheets" thing is about, but they sure help take the smell out of running shoes!

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I
Right now I'm recovering from a calf injury so I'm at 15-20 miles. Normally I'd be more like 35-45 this time of year.

Looks like Newguy888 has met his match!

Welcome to the board.

 

[RunningBum]

Looks like Newguy888 has met his match!

Welcome to the board.

Thanks. I don't think I quite match up to Newguy888. I think I've done one or two 65 mile weeks, but never regularly. Hopefully in ER I'll be able to do as I plan, but until then it's just talk.

 

[dumpster56]

Welcome to the board runningbum.

More milesthe better. I find the older I get 51 now the more miles I want to run.

 

[xyz]

Reached a new goal this week.. ! Hit six miles yesterday ... I figure I am doing pretty good for an old guy. Legs feel very good and looks like I will do it again today. How do you get to the really long distances ? I have never really ran more than 14 - 15 even in my best shape.. I was actually a competitive swimmer from age 8 thru 21 so always focused on that.

 

[dumpster56]

14 or 15 mile runs ARE long runs. Just keep building the time you are out running. I noticed last night that I did not sleep well. I think I am a bit over trained. Ran 10 miles yesterday and almost 70 miles for the past week. Ran about 240 miles in June. Time to cut down some mileage this week and swim a bit more. Plus its hot as all get out. 95 everyday. How many more weeks of this heat? 8 ,10? Ohboy.

 

[Bigritchie]

When I was in the Marines going through demo school, we had this Chief Warrant Officer, that could run 3 miles in 15 minutes flat, and he would utterly destroy us on 15 mile runs. The guy was pushing 50 too and would raise hell that 20 year olds would fall back on his runs. He would run us up this large mountain on base too. Guy was worse then boot camp for PT.

I wish I could run now, but I don't think my back could handle it. I have started lifting weights again (very carefully) because I want to be in much better shape for retirement.

Not really sure what I can do to really get my heart rate up with my lower back so messed up though, may have to go the eliptical or bike route.

 

[dumpster56]

When I was in the Marines going through demo school, we had this Chief Warrant Officer, that could run 3 miles in 15 minutes flat, and he would utterly destroy us on 15 mile runs. The guy was pushing 50 too and would raise hell that 20 year olds would fall back on his runs. He would run us up this large mountain on base too. Guy was worse then boot camp for PT.

I wish I could run now, but I don't think my back could handle it. I have started lifting weights again (very carefully) because I want to be in much better shape for retirement.

Not really sure what I can do to really get my heart rate up with my lower back so messed up though, may have to go the eliptical or bike route.

What is the diagnosis of the back issue?

 

[RunningBum]

Reached a new goal this week.. ! Hit six miles yesterday ... I figure I am doing pretty good for an old guy. Legs feel very good and looks like I will do it again today. How do you get to the really long distances ? I have never really ran more than 14 - 15 even in my best shape.. I was actually a competitive swimmer from age 8 thru 21 so always focused on that.

Great! Always nice to break a barrier and get to a new goal. Bump your long run 10-15% each week, but every 3rd week drop back. So next week you could do a 7 miler, the following week an 8 miler, and after that drop back to 6. Then you could go 9, 10, 8 in the next 3 weeks, and so on. Shorter runs on other days, though one other fairly long run helps. I used Hal Higdon's marathon training program (Hal Higdon) to go from a 10 miler to a marathoner in 4 months. And he says you can start from 6 miles if you can run that comfortably.

 

[Bigritchie]

What is the diagnosis of the back issue?

I broke my lower back in 4 places, with plenty of cracks throughout and my spine is pushed forward about 2 inches of my pelvis. It was about 10 years ago, and depending on how much I am on my feet it feels like I have a grenade exploding in my back when I move sometimes. Got my spleen cut out too and broke a lot of ribs.

I can get around ok now, but if I am on my feet for a while it gets pretty nasty.

 

[windsurf]

Bikers

I don't mean Harley folk. I have refound the joy of two wheels this summer on the road and on a compacted crushed limestone canal path that will eventually stretch over 100 miles from the shore of Lake Erie deep into S.E. Ohio. DW asnd I do the path with her on a hybrid and me on my Gary Fisher (slicks on the rims to keep the limestone out of my eyes) and I do roads on my Trek. On Sunday, I plan to reprise a 75 mile ride I used to do over to our family reunion. Temps will be 90's by noon. Haven't done it for @ ten years. I am confident but will be packing the cell with DW coming along at some point with the picnic basket and room for me if necessary. Wish me luck. Any other bikers out there?

 

[dumpster56]

I don't mean Harley folk. I have refound the joy of two wheels this summer on the road and on a compacted crushed limestone canal path that will eventually stretch over 100 miles from the shore of Lake Erie deep into S.E. Ohio. DW asnd I do the path with her on a hybrid and me on my Gary Fisher (slicks on the rims to keep the limestone out of my eyes) and I do roads on my Trek. On Sunday, I plan to reprise a 75 mile ride I used to do over to our family reunion. Temps will be 90's by noon. Haven't done it for @ ten years. I am confident but will be packing the cell with DW coming along at some point with the picnic basket and room for me if necessary. Wish me luck. Any other bikers out there?

Sounds fantastic. 5 to 6 hours. Enjoy!

 

[CyclingInvestor]

Any other bikers out there?

Bicycle commuting 1979-2006 (until retirement), touring since 1982,
mainly out of the Los Angeles area.

Sounds like a great ride.

 

[Alan]

Any other bikers out there?

DW and I enjoy biking, but I don't believe we are quite in your league. At weekends we usually get in a couple of rides of around 20 miles. Come RE we hope to do a lot more. Interestingly enough I find that it is good for my back.

 

[Dog]

I love to run and cycle. Currently building up miles on the bike for the Seattle to Vancouver ride in August and Tour de Whidbey in September. Last year did the Seattle to Portland. Have run lots of 5k, 10k and the Seattle 1/2 and full marathon. Also did some team running - Mt. Rainer to Pacific relays (those are fun!). Would love to do more, but work gets in the way. I also lead Spin classes 3x a week and sub yoga classes when needed (BTW - really recommend yoga to runners and cyclists). Looking forward to RE in 13 months....already have a list of events .... RAMROD, Whidbey Island Marathon, Lake Stevens Ironman 70.3, etc.

 

[windsurf]

DW and I enjoy biking, but I don't believe we are quite in your league. At weekends we usually get in a couple of rides of around 20 miles.

20 miles is a very nice ride and quite enough for a good workout!

 

[Alan]

20 miles is a very nice ride and quite enough for a good workout!

We usually have a cafe stop part way as well