thr best is still to come....our pace is much slower now, but the joy of running will reach new hights for us aloder runners in a unbelieveable wonderful way
I really enjoyed this series Neil. Great to see a training block up close and personal. Running all runs solo is a lot harder, so i totally understand why you would reconsider the 10 day calendar. Fewer runners train to it so it's harder to find people to share runs with.
The flexibility point is so important! I'm currently half way through my first marathon training plan, following it to a T, and struggle with saying "no" to parkruns and social run clubs. I feel that I'm missing out on the social aspect of running, but I guess making sacrifices is part of the process.
Hey mate, good luck with that marathon prep. When I did my fastest marathons, my long runs were with others and it really helped. Also understand that not everyone is in a position to do that, so some sacrifices have to be made. Not having that social contact on those long runs can be hard, but it can also make your stronger come race day. 👍
Love your work Running Duck, not long ago at all I was running down Fitzroy street with you & you dropped a sub 3. No doubt in my mind you are on a good trajectory, your positivity is to be admired. Cheers mate!
Cheers mate. It seems like an age ago now, but it's not even 2 years. Things and times change and we roll with the punches. Looking forward to getting down to Melbourne in October for the half. 👍
I think you need to point yourself back into the direction of threshold session. We always use to talk about training ourselves to be comfortably uncomfortable. I know every time I step away from speed sessions for a bit & return back towards tempo/threshold that once I got comfortable with this everything else falls back into place. They are also better on an ageing body for recovery opposed to flogging ourselves during intervals.
Yeah, agree with that. The easy/aerobic runs are fine, but the body doesn't appreciate it when I turn up the gas, but maybe I need to start off with small distance/time and go from there. 👍
Love your honesty and at the end of the day you’re running to enjoy it. You’ve inspired me to try a marathon so if inspiration is your goal it worked for me! Thanks woody!
Fantastic mate, I hope you enjoy the process in preparing for a marathon. I find it humbling that people like yourself are being inspired by my videos to take on challenges like running a marathon. Good luck with everything and let me know how your marathon goes. 👍
As an older runner I understand that slower running times are inevitable so, to keep up my motivation, I focus on age grading scoring rather than times ... it works for me! 😀
I agree with alot of the good comments here. Also for me as I got older I realized it was easier for me to maintain endurance than speed. As a result, I went for longer distances at my reduced speed. Maybe look ar marathon or 50k. Your training volume looks like it can support it. Just a suggestion to consider.
How about the heat? I find myself drained with the heat, so hard to finish a long run when I am so sweaty that my socks are completely damp. Keep working and wait for the weather to cool down.
Cheers mate, but our hot weather is yet to come. I normally adjust my runs in the heat - shorter, more water stops, and in as much shade as possible. 👍
First off mate.. I’m 40 and I think you’re a phenomenal athlete. Don’t beat yourself up. I was really unsure if I should write this.. didn’t want to come across a certain way.. but the heart issue, have you questioned the vaccine? I saw you did have a few shots and the booster. I’ve had friends who have had the vaccine and they struggle to hit top paces anymore and they are between 40-50. Some have asked their doctors and have managed to get medication in line with the vaccine injury, Anyway.. I won’t go on. I’m sure I’ll get slaughtered for even breathing it. Really hope you’re ok Keep running bro 👊🏼
It's all good hear mate, all comments are greatly appreciated. The vaccines have knocked me a bit for a day or two, but usually bounce back. The heart condition is not related, just one of those things. I'm thankful that I'm still able to run. 👍
Hey Neil. Rather than setting goal times. Just punch your current half marathon time in some online calculator like Jack Daniel's or McMillian and get some new paces to train to based on your current "old man" fitness rather than pushing to hit a time goal. JMHO. Treat yourself like you would as a beginner runner you're coaching.
You almost got your time,don't be so hard on yourself.
Yeah, I was close, and at the end of the day I was happy with what I ran. 👍
thr best is still to come....our pace is much slower now, but the joy of running will reach new hights for us aloder runners in a unbelieveable wonderful way
Absolutely, couldn't agree more. Thank you. 👍
I really enjoyed this series Neil. Great to see a training block up close and personal.
Running all runs solo is a lot harder, so i totally understand why you would reconsider the 10 day calendar. Fewer runners train to it so it's harder to find people to share runs with.
Thanks for following along Bartek. Hope you are well, good to see you out and about on Strava.👍
The flexibility point is so important! I'm currently half way through my first marathon training plan, following it to a T, and struggle with saying "no" to parkruns and social run clubs. I feel that I'm missing out on the social aspect of running, but I guess making sacrifices is part of the process.
Hey mate, good luck with that marathon prep. When I did my fastest marathons, my long runs were with others and it really helped. Also understand that not everyone is in a position to do that, so some sacrifices have to be made. Not having that social contact on those long runs can be hard, but it can also make your stronger come race day. 👍
Love your work Running Duck, not long ago at all I was running down Fitzroy street with you & you dropped a sub 3. No doubt in my mind you are on a good trajectory, your positivity is to be admired. Cheers mate!
Cheers mate. It seems like an age ago now, but it's not even 2 years. Things and times change and we roll with the punches. Looking forward to getting down to Melbourne in October for the half. 👍
Great video, looking forward to what comes next.
Cheers mate, thanks for your support. 👍
I think you need to point yourself back into the direction of threshold session. We always use to talk about training ourselves to be comfortably uncomfortable. I know every time I step away from speed sessions for a bit & return back towards tempo/threshold that once I got comfortable with this everything else falls back into place. They are also better on an ageing body for recovery opposed to flogging ourselves during intervals.
Yeah, agree with that. The easy/aerobic runs are fine, but the body doesn't appreciate it when I turn up the gas, but maybe I need to start off with small distance/time and go from there. 👍
Love your honesty and at the end of the day you’re running to enjoy it. You’ve inspired me to try a marathon so if inspiration is your goal it worked for me! Thanks woody!
Fantastic mate, I hope you enjoy the process in preparing for a marathon. I find it humbling that people like yourself are being inspired by my videos to take on challenges like running a marathon. Good luck with everything and let me know how your marathon goes. 👍
As an older runner I understand that slower running times are inevitable so, to keep up my motivation, I focus on age grading scoring rather than times ... it works for me! 😀
That's a great way of looking at it. I'll go check it out. Thanks. 👍
I agree with alot of the good comments here. Also for me as I got older I realized it was easier for me to maintain endurance than speed. As a result, I went for longer distances at my reduced speed. Maybe look ar marathon or 50k. Your training volume looks like it can support it. Just a suggestion to consider.
Good advice mate. Not sure one of those longer events will happen this year, but could be a goer in 2025. 👍
@runwithwoody Take it with a grain of salt. I am younger and cannot hit the speeds you can do. you are great!
How about the heat? I find myself drained with the heat, so hard to finish a long run when I am so sweaty that my socks are completely damp. Keep working and wait for the weather to cool down.
Cheers mate, but our hot weather is yet to come. I normally adjust my runs in the heat - shorter, more water stops, and in as much shade as possible. 👍
First off mate.. I’m 40 and I think you’re a phenomenal athlete. Don’t beat yourself up.
I was really unsure if I should write this.. didn’t want to come across a certain way.. but the heart issue, have you questioned the vaccine? I saw you did have a few shots and the booster. I’ve had friends who have had the vaccine and they struggle to hit top paces anymore and they are between 40-50. Some have asked their doctors and have managed to get medication in line with the vaccine injury,
Anyway.. I won’t go on. I’m sure I’ll get slaughtered for even breathing it.
Really hope you’re ok
Keep running bro 👊🏼
It's all good hear mate, all comments are greatly appreciated. The vaccines have knocked me a bit for a day or two, but usually bounce back. The heart condition is not related, just one of those things. I'm thankful that I'm still able to run. 👍
Hey Neil. Rather than setting goal times. Just punch your current half marathon time in some online calculator like Jack Daniel's or McMillian and get some new paces to train to based on your current "old man" fitness rather than pushing to hit a time goal. JMHO. Treat yourself like you would as a beginner runner you're coaching.
Yep, I'm certainly having to reconsider my paces / goals and stick to what my body is capable of now, as I return to running.
Not a bad idea Alan, and something I haven't done. I will check this out and see what comes out. Thanks for the "old man" reference 🤣🤣🤣. Cheers. 👍
It's great to see you back at it, Bartek. 👍
have you had COVID at all during this training block? sounds like the long covid fatigue
Hey mate. No covid for me since 2022. It knocked me around for a few months, but later that year still managed a sub-3 marathon. 👍