Feels like that first couple of years rebuilding metabolic conditioning and tissue capacity can't be done any quicker for those in our age group coming off an extended break. For me, it's been those typical mid-forties lifestyle niggles that have been the hardest to overcome (plantar fasciitis, shoulder impingement.) Every year it becomes more difficult to push back the accumulation of hours spent sitting in front of a computer and the stress-load of work. Restructuring your life to your goals feels like table-stakes for age-groupers with families. When you think in terms of "doing it quicker," that restructure must become more extreme.
Excellent points. My body-maintenance takes the same time commitment as when I was an elite, but I’m doing far less load.
Dynamic Loading helps with my overall time commitment because I don’t need to restructure every day (like when I was younger). Initially, I needed to create space for 2-3 weekly loading days. I could get those in the mornings. Still mostly train in the mornings.
12 years ago, I decided to focus on XC mountain biking for a season. I took my running to zero.
As a result, my running muscles/connective tissue detrained. A little bit of maintenance running over the years that followed would have gone a long way.
Aha, got it, I thought you meant adding 2 more short runs weekly to your program the last 3 years, and I wondered why/ where. Thanks.
PS, I just biked from Minnesota to Vermont through a circuitous route among the Great Lakes & Ontario and your recommendation for a helmet light and bike bell helped me keep safer - all sorts of road/ trail settings - all the details you add are really helpful - thanks
I love seeing the world foot by foot and it’s a super enjoyable way to string together long days. I’m 750 days into my own return from 13 years off running ;-)
Feels like that first couple of years rebuilding metabolic conditioning and tissue capacity can't be done any quicker for those in our age group coming off an extended break. For me, it's been those typical mid-forties lifestyle niggles that have been the hardest to overcome (plantar fasciitis, shoulder impingement.) Every year it becomes more difficult to push back the accumulation of hours spent sitting in front of a computer and the stress-load of work. Restructuring your life to your goals feels like table-stakes for age-groupers with families. When you think in terms of "doing it quicker," that restructure must become more extreme.
Excellent points. My body-maintenance takes the same time commitment as when I was an elite, but I’m doing far less load.
Dynamic Loading helps with my overall time commitment because I don’t need to restructure every day (like when I was younger). Initially, I needed to create space for 2-3 weekly loading days. I could get those in the mornings. Still mostly train in the mornings.
G
Hi Gordo, this is a great summation/ overview.
Can you expand on each of these sentences?
I could have saved myself a lot of hassle with a couple short weekly runs.
- What hassle could you have avoided? Where would you have fit them?
Foolishly, I thought short runs were not worth it.
- Eg, did you originally think them too costly for the benefit?
- What changed your mind?
Short runs are absolutely worth it.
- How are they worth it? How did you find out?
Thanks -
12 years ago, I decided to focus on XC mountain biking for a season. I took my running to zero.
As a result, my running muscles/connective tissue detrained. A little bit of maintenance running over the years that followed would have gone a long way.
G
Aha, got it, I thought you meant adding 2 more short runs weekly to your program the last 3 years, and I wondered why/ where. Thanks.
PS, I just biked from Minnesota to Vermont through a circuitous route among the Great Lakes & Ontario and your recommendation for a helmet light and bike bell helped me keep safer - all sorts of road/ trail settings - all the details you add are really helpful - thanks
Sounds like a big tour!
I love seeing the world foot by foot and it’s a super enjoyable way to string together long days. I’m 750 days into my own return from 13 years off running ;-)