We studied 1,000 Runners Over 50, This Stops Them Running Faster

Comments · 55

• LY

  @lydiagould3090 · 1 year ago

  I'm a 69year old female cyclist who runs, and I was happy going out running (albeit slowly) but when I got a coach and started using my garmin, I stopped enjoying it, always felt under pressure and eventually got a niggling overuse injury. I was so disappointed how slow I had become .(I used to be a sub 3 hour marathoner, 58 minute 10 miler and held several fell race records in Wales. Now I see no point putting so much work in when I'm not going to win anything or be fast, so I'm focussing on cyle racing. I do enjoy running, but I'm just going to do it for fun ,and accept how slow I am.

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• CH

  @chrismia2402 · 1 year ago

  I tried that for 2 years, zone 2 and I got slower and slower and slower. This last 9 months I changed back to just running and enjoying my runs, 45-60 sec per km quicker but not putting any effort in, just relaxing and letting my runs happen rather than slowing it down (gees I hated forcing it slow). Anyway, I finally won at SA Champs and am now flying again. My relaxed runs are just runs now and my speedwork and jumps are proper.

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• W.

  @W.L.G.Heffels · 1 year ago

  Zone 3 is my aerobic zone and I feel comfortable with it. I have noticed that running in zone 3 makes you faster and gives more stamina on the long runs. You can run longer on a higher heartrate.<br>It works very well for me. Oh, by the way my age 65.

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• RO

  @RobBzReef · 1 year ago

  Helpful, I&apos;m currently unlearning all my old habits and bad assumptions. &nbsp;It was easier to be stubborn when you were 40 and under but doing the same shit and expecting the same results is actually counter intuitive with running as i aged i found out. &nbsp;I&apos;m enjoying this new journey, and information like this is proving immensely helpful and I&apos;m feeling productive again.

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• CA

  @caronnest4939 · 1 year ago

  Love this channel much love coastal runner from n ireland ❤

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• MO

  @Motivatortoday · 1 year ago

  Being obsessed with running faster becomes a psychological issue because there is very little difference between running 8,9 or 10 minute miles over the age of 50. The most important thing is that you can even complete 2, 3, 4 mile runs and experience the love and pleasure that a good run provides. Being obsessed with time is a social cultural construct that results in an unhealthy approach to running faster.

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• JO

  @joelouden6592 · 7 months ago

  My New Year&apos;s Resolution for 2026 is no more Zone 2 running. It&apos;s way too frustrating to run super slow with walk breaks just to keep my heart rate where it needs to be. I&apos;d rather run faster for shorter distances, breathe hard, and take rest days. After a short, fast run I feel energized. After a Zone 2 run I feel sluggish and like my body is turning into mush.

• LE

  @leafulchermasterunner · 1 year ago

  I’m<br>52 and run sub16 for fun.<br>I do speed work three times a week. Speed work is the most important.

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• CH

  @chrisginoc · 11 months ago

  Zone 2 easy days are to be kept easy. Tempo and interval days are meant to be done hard

• JE

  @JERZEEHOTBOY · 1 year ago

  Or use the Nike NRC apps running plans with guidance. It incorporates all of the zones weekly.

• NO

  @NotElvis · 1 year ago (edited)

  I am a 66 year old runner and cyclist. &nbsp;My problem with 80% Zone 2 effort is: loss of fitness if I want to do both sports. I need to alternate days between running and cycling to avoid injury and over-training. I am not 30 years old any longer :). <br><br>If I do 80% Zone 2, &nbsp;that&apos;s 24 days easy and 6 days hard per month (and just 3 fast bikes and 3 fast runs). That doesn&apos;t produce the results I am looking for. I tried. Instead, I do two bike rides per week in Zone 2 and then a time trial or hill climb. Same for runs. Two runs in Zone 2 and one at 5 km pace or faster intervals.<br><br>On the whole, &nbsp;I strive for two Zone 2 efforts for every hard effort *in alternating sports on alternate days*. I remain near the top of both running and cycling at local events. &nbsp;My VO2 Max has been at 62 ml/kg/min for the last six years. &nbsp;Zone 2 is good but you need more IMHO.

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• JA

  @jasperluitjes4467 · 4 months ago

  50 isn’t a special point where you get less good at running. Performance slowly degrades as your maximum heart rate does. Your training stays as effective as it was.<br>Having confidence in yourself and having fun running makes all the difference.<br>I noticed after half a lifetime competitive running that being a lot more relaxed and being less stringent on myself made running a lot more enjoyable.<br>I still can run fast and enjoy it when I want, but run a lot slower when things go less easy.<br>After 50 you do have all the experience to fix training ‘problems’ yourself.<br>For me a lot of fun was added running with first one and later two dogs. They run so easy and effortless that you have no time concentrating to much on yourself which is mostly a good thing.