Written by Michael Beisty
Distance running can be a sorrowful sport. While some of us maintain a durability in competitive performance over many years, others aren’t so fortunate. For the few who have extraordinary ability, there is only a small window of opportunity to scale the heights of athletic endeavour,...
Anaerobic threshold is, seemingly, a well understood concept. The focus on this threshold could be described as excessive in the world of middle-distance running, viewed by some as a shortcut to exceptional performance outcomes. Training at, or above, this threshold is a key consideration in the programs of all distance runners. In this article I identify aspects of the anaerobic threshold that may require attention as we age, and its application to training.
In this article I attempt to provide information in a simple fashion and minimise overly technical descriptions of physiological processes. To assist those who want a very high level of detail, I point you to the reference/sources listed at the end of the article.
This article marks the beginning of a new series for the mature aged distance runner. My previous two series about training principles and practical philosophy have discussed many topics that relate to the competitive among us. While I have covered a range of information within these series, there have been some gaps in the examination of biological and other factors that are critical to high performance.
Anyone of any age who engages in running should be in tune with their body and seek medical advice before embarking on any intensive activity (including changes to said activity) that may unduly extend them. This is critical should the aspiring athlete have underlying medical conditions and/or ongoing health issues requiring medication.
OPPs are the glue that holds everything together as the mature distance runner faces the inevitable setbacks that will occur. They are the bedrock for determination, for it is all too easy to give in or give up.
Brian Morgan is one of those endurance athletes who just kept on keeping on. His career is impressive and though some of his best performances were swamped by the rapid improvement in Australian distance running from the mid 1970s onwards, they are revered by Newcastle locals who raced during that era. Brian’s name crops up everywhere in the NSW and Australian distance racing scenes, across all disciplines: track, road, cross country, mountain running, fun runs and club association events.
Lifetime runners are a rare breed. I certainly was not able to manage it, the selfishness of the commitment dousing the fire of competitive desire and the level of dedication that lifetime running entails. Though a flicker remained through midlife, primed to become a raging inferno once I was ready again. I have come back to running, and I will not, cannot, let it go. This may sound melodramatic, and it is, quietly so, representing the flourish of commitment to a running life that faltered and is now renewed.
Margert Beardslee’s story is not all flash and glamour. Known by many ‘old hands’ as Margaret Ricardo, she commenced running as a young girl, in what I would call a Ground Zero period of women’s distance running in New South Wales (NSW). Women’s participation during the 1970s was in its infancy, a small appendage to a male dominated competitive activity.
Explore the unique philosophy of self-care for mature distance runners in Part 5B of this insightful series. Discover valuable insights, personal experiences, and practical strategies for preventing injuries and sustaining peak performance as you age. Gain a fresh perspective on running and aging that goes beyond the usual advice, with a focus on finding your "sweet spots" and managing your running career wisely. Learn from one runner's journey and discover how to balance volume, quality, and strength for injury-free running in your later years.
