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Original poster

Fuck it! Do I just have to accept that I am too old and slow?

56 replies

IrianofWay · 17/04/2016 19:46

I ran my 5th 10K today and 2.5 minutes slower than the same race last year. But the worst of it was that I ran my hardest - I gave it everything I had and I was nearly sick at the end. It was marginally faster than the 10k I did last month but even so.... I am 51 so maybe I just have to accept that I that is the best I can do?

All the other women who joined the running club at the same time as me are resolutely getting faster but I seem to going the other way.

I am trying to give myself little pep talks but it doesn't work. I am so disappointed.

OP posts:
Drinksforeveryone · 18/04/2016 08:20

I might follow this thread and see what the advice is OP.

I seem to be getting slower too - its very frustrating.

But as pp have said - any number of factors on the day can affect your time. There's no 'perfect' race, is there.

I like parkrun, buthave stopped going to my local one as it's just too busy - over 700 runners last time I checked! Also considering a local club, but am a little intimidated by their running prowess.

Just keep at it for now - maybe try different routes ? Join a running challenge ? I've just joined one on the Running Bug forum.

Original poster
IrianofWay · 18/04/2016 08:03

Hi thanks for rhe replies.

Doreen - no, it was in a town beginning with B! Grin Well done you!

Mrs M - it was hot although cold in the shade. But I can usually cope with the heat. I was reasonably hydrated and I slept OK beforehand. Training - well... that;s the thing isn't it. I did a warm-up run beforehand - 2 miles including a few hills because I normally struggle in the first few miles before I get warmed up so I thought I get that in first but maybe it was too much.

cmot and cyclist - well I am not sure about my training. I have been doubtful for a while and I guess if I am going to do this anything like seriously I need to look at it. I run a 5k during my lunch hour on Monday - that is the run I usually really push the pace - I can just about do it in under 30 mins ( i told you I was slow!). Tuesday evening I do another 5k in the winter (have to stick to places with street lights) but tend to do a 10k in the summer around the country roads. Thursday is club run - between 4 and 5 miles or shorter with fartleks or hill training. Saturday is my favourite run - I have been doing 10 miles or 13 miles recently but it's slow. Thing is that is what I love doing but I know it isn't doing my pace any favours.

A lot of my club do parkrun and I am sure it has helped them but I don't fancy it. I like my own company and besides they are all on saturdays and I don't have a car then. I know it's just an excuse and I could get a lift but I like my long meandering saturday runs! I could also do a club run on Tuesdays which is when the more experienced runners come but they are all seriously fast and I will confess I am nervous of trying to do 7 miles at their sort of speeds.

I don't know. Maybe I just have to accept that I can either enjoy my running or get ouf of my comfort zone and be faster!

OP posts:
DoreenLethal · 18/04/2016 07:33

Was it in a city that starts with D? I ran the 3k fun run and didn't come last. I am 49 and I was well chuffed with that!

MrsMook · 18/04/2016 07:21

There could be lots of factors at play, the weather, hydration, food, sleep...
Then there's training. Were you rested enough before?

I was about 3 mins slower yesterday. My main problem was being at the back of my wave from the queue for the ladies. I was then much slower on the first 2k in a busy crowd, and weaving around people running in groups. Add in the cold dry wind and hot sunshine which is different to the cool to mild damp I've run in for months and that's a couple of minutes gone.

CMOTDibbler · 17/04/2016 20:14

Sometimes things just don't line up, for any number of reasons. As another says, more intervals or hills might help and some cross training?

anotherbloodycyclist · 17/04/2016 19:56

Don't be so hard on yourself! I suspect it's less to do with age and more to do with the training. What's a typical week like in terms of your running? I found adding in a bit more speed work/ intervals really helped pull my times down. I'm 48.

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