Welcome,
This week I'm writing from Chesapeake VA. Over the weekend, I ran the Crawlin Crab half marathon. While the race didn't go as I planned (I ran 3 minutes slower than two weeks ago), I try and remember that running is a collection of workouts, not just one race. I should read my own newsletter as many people older and wiser have said this each week.
Anyway, this week I'm making my way up the East Coast to a good friend's wedding in Syracuse, NY. Many long-time friends know I spent over 5 years in Upstate New York, but wow that feels like forever ago. Even living in New Jersey feels like a lifetime ago!
This week I'm interviewing a few friends in their 60s. Each week that I've interviewed people I've said: "this could be my favorite newsletter yet" but truthfully I've LOVED getting to know every single person's story.
If you are enjoying the newsletter series, I appreciate you sharing. Sharing helps new people discover it!
With that, we get to know 3 people in their 60s. Plus 3 more on Thursday!
Bill C Age 66
Bill began running in high school. He was before the 5k era and ran the half-mile through 2 miles. In high school, he was not the fastest but did place. Then he took a break for many years until his 50s. Around age 55, he walked off 40 pounds and got back into running. Now he is running his fourth Boston!
What changes have you noticed?
I've gotten gradually slower in the last few years. My effort is the same, but my stride has less spring and bounce. It's become harder to do multi-hour-long runs, but then again, Florida has ten-month summers. My 800-meter repeats are 15-20 seconds slower than my personal best at the distance.
What do you do differently?
Now, I run more easy effort runs. I was not a good listener, if you know what I mean.
"Ouch! Oh, I can run through this. Then eight weeks later... So yes. Easier is good.
What keeps you motivated?
At first, getting faster, then getting a BQ. Then another. And another :)
I have had success in local races - age group awards, master's wins, finished as high as second overall several times. Relatively small races, but still. Not bad for an old guy!
Our oldest daughter, an excellent runner and marathon pacer, talked me into trying for a BQ. That went well! 2016 was my first and marathons got my focus for several years.
Then with COVID, very few races have been available. During this time, I also started to come to terms with being slower.
So motivation now is pretty much run to stay fit and healthy, and I feel like I'll be okay with that for as long as I can manage.
What are some positive things you've learned throughout the years?
First and foremost, learning to enjoy running for its own sake and its benefits, with or without competition.
Racing in my early 60s, I'd often finish ahead of many - sometimes most - runners half my age or less. That was kind of cool. Also, I think that's some sort of over for me, and I'm okay with that. :)
You can find Bill C here.
Howie Age 69:
Howie started running as a 13-year-old for all of the "vain" reasons that youth offers. He played football, wrestled, and ran track from the 7th grade through high school. The football coach also coached track, so Howie ended up running the 2-mile, 1-mile, and on occasion, the mile relay (painful!). He ran cross-country at the University of Delaware during his freshman year. Then he transferred to a different university with no formal running program but found a running "buddy" who wanted to run a marathon. He loved what running longer distances felt like!
What has changed for you?
I used to ignore injuries and never addressed the actual cause.
I developed calf muscle issues and switched to race walking while recovering, but I still preferred running. My calf issue happened during my late 20s and interfered with my running until nearly two years ago…off and on.
Now, I'm about to leave my 60s…and STRETCHING has become a "pay me now…or pay me (more) later" thing.
Stretching was something I largely ignored through the years and felt I did not need it. I tried to maximize the time available for running, and I got away with it "more or less" for many years.
What keeps you motivated?
Goals became important, although competitiveness took on a different look.
I spent most of my years (almost 31) in the Air Force running for general fitness, but not racing since deployments and ops tempo was an all-consuming effort.
Something "clicked" to get me racing, but not until about ten years after military retirement. I cannot say exactly why…except that I was "just running" with no goals. After my 65th birthday, I got this crazy idea to start running half marathons. The community helped, meaning discovering Terrell's newsletter and later yours.
My reasons for running have morphed over the years, but where I currently am dawned on me in just the past few months.
I feel like living is winning and running is what keeps me living and with purpose.
I spend a little time before running (light stretching and muscle rolling) and much more time after running (intense stretching and intentional/targeted muscle rolling).
I appreciate that with running, returns depend on your investment (i.e., stretching and rolling).
What has changed?
What I experience now: it's slower…and more intentional—plus I listen to my body more.
A sub-10-minute mile pace today feels like a sub-7-minute mile pace in my 20s. Sometimes I laugh at how fast "slow" feels…but then sense genuine compassion when I see the condition of many age-group peers (and younger) who look like they can barely get around. I have learned more about listening to what my body needs and not pressing through pain.
Also, a "win" looks much different now. It's "being in the arena" as opposed to crossing the finish line for a medal. Running three times a week is "all good"…, and I can maintain half-marathon fitness levels by sensibly adjusting mileages.
I run…so I can run.
Nathan Age 65:
Nathan started running consistently when he was 12 years old. Before that, his parents would drop his older brother and him off about a quarter of a mile from their home and let them run behind the car.
This was done as rehab for his brother, who contracted polio as a child. Both are still running today and as Nathan says "runs circles around his brother".
At 12, Nathan went out for track and tried to be a sprinter. Eventually, the coaches moved him to the 440, 880, and mile events.
What have you noticed has changed as you've gotten older?
Now, I need more recovery time between hard workouts and after tough races, no matter the distance. I started to feel some of the impact in my 40s but noticed the need for more recovery in my late 50s. I also noticed that I needed to plan more when to race and prepare for a race—more warmup time to run and more post-run exercises to strengthen the core and remain flexible.
Has what do you do before a run changed?
I never did a dynamic warmup until I got into my 50s and 60s. Now my wife says I do more warmup and post-run exercises than I do actual running. Also, the science around running has evolved tremendously. I do like to get up and wake up now in lieu of rushing out the door to run. A cup of coffee is a nice starter versus rushing out the door. Now that I am retired, I have more time to run and prepare to run, less running in the dark, and no more running on ice and snow.
What have you done differently since when you started running?
Listen to my body more today than ever—there is a big difference between hurting and just sore. Also, more consistent on the number of days I run and the amount of mileage.
I try to keep a weekly mileage around 40-50 miles per week. Speedwork is important, but I can no longer do two sessions in a week, and some weeks are lucky to get one session.
I have had to learn how to recover to run.
Also, easy is easy. I never heard of strides in my early years. Now strides are a weekly event.
What keeps you motivated to run?
I love the freedom running brings. Also, not many people my age are still running, so I want to keep doing it as long as possible. I run fewer races these days due to the more extended recovery period. I can see a half marathon, marathon, and maybe a Turkey Trot in a good year. I could do more races if I only wanted to run the race versus compete in the race. I have not learned yet how only to run a race. Still have the competitive juices to win my age group.
What are POSITIVE things you've noticed since growing older with the sport?
No longer be at the front of the pack so enjoy your time with the scenery and people around you. Enjoy the run and the post-run feeling.
Most of your friends and neighbors think you are crazy running at 60 plus years old. They all have excuses of why they cannot run anymore but wish they still could or were. It does not matter how fast you are anymore. You are faster than most, and it does not matter.
Thank you, Nathan, Howie, and Bill for your time!
More of the running as you age series:
30s: Katie, Vanessa, and Jessica
40s: Melissa and Matthew
40s (Part 2): Laura and Jonathan
50s: Andrew and Frank
50s (Part 2): Tom and Jen
What is Keeping Me Entertained?
Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 Shoe Review
Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 Shoe Review
San Francisco Half Marathon (1:31.28)
Clean Sport Podcast Catching Up With Sara Hall
Redefining Failure and Success
If you are enjoying the newsletter series, I appreciate you sharing. Sharing helps new people discover it!
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As a 68-year-old woman, I really enjoyed the three entries from the 60 year olds, even though they were all men! I am experiencing quite a few of the things that they mentioned so I found the reading quite informative.