Is Running Always Pure Joy? Maybe!

Reading Eric's recent post on this subject, I am reminded that my runs "are not what they used to be" and I was wondering if The Cool Impossible can help me.

A few facts first: I've been running regularly for about 15 years. The most I've ever run is 10 km and just for the joy of it.  Most of the time, I run around 5 km, 3 or 4 times a week [alternate days].  As I am approaching my 75th birthday and just bought "The Cool Impossible", I would really like to do more, more efficiently and more enthusiastically.

I can remember that a year ago I really looked forward to my runs and always finished them with a smile on my face, but not these days.  I was running 6 km four times a week with Sprint-8 intervals once a week.  But lately, I haven't run 10 km for more than a year and I'm struggling to complete 5 km.  Basically, I'm tiring [mainly in the legs] towards the end.  Max heart rate rarely exceeds 125.  At present, my pace in these runs doesn't even show on the charts shown in The Cool Impossible!

Can anyone suggest where to start?  Can I improve my performance?   Can I get back to enjoying my runs?

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Eric Orton Global Run Academy to add comments!

Join Eric Orton Global Run Academy

Comments

  • strength exercises are good in general, you are not new to running and unless you are experiencing problems you may not need them. Bulletproof Coffee eh? I may have to check that out!
  • Thanks, Lori, for taking the time to respond to my cri de coeur.  I've done my test runs and I just creep onto the charts in the book.  Strangely, I did another treadmill test for VOmax and the result was quite good; so I'm not too unfit.  Do you think the foot strengthening exercising will make a difference?  I would take some tuition from Eric, but, I'm in Australia [and I've had my holiday for this year!].

    Re diet, I am big on whole foods and rarely eat processed food.  However, I do take supplements, but only from Life Extension, which is the best supplier in the USA [no advertising intended].  Interestingly, I started my day yesterday with "Bulletproof Coffee" just before my run and the whole thing went very smoothly.  Plenty of energy and I finished with a smile on my face.  Bulletproof Coffee sounds disgusting, but it seems to do "what it says on the packet".

    Thank you again for your advice.

  • Thanks, Lori, for taking the time to respond to my cri de coeur.  I've done my test runs and I just creep onto the charts in the book.  Strangely, I did another treadmill test for VOmax and the result was quite good; so I'm not too unfit.  Do you think the foot strengthening exercising will make a difference?  I would take some tuition from Eric, but, I'm in Australia [and I've had my holiday for this year!].

    Re diet, I am big on whole foods and rarely eat processed food.  However, I do take supplements, but only from Life Extension, which is the best supplier in the USA [no advertising intended].  Interestingly, I started my day yesterday with "Bulletproof Coffee" just before my run and the whole thing went very smoothly.  Plenty of energy and I finished with a smile on my face.  Bulletproof Coffee sounds disgusting, but it seems to do "what it says on the packet".

    Thank you again for your advice.

  • I was kindof where you are about 3 years ago. I definately think you can improve your performance and get back to enjoying your runs. It's been a few weeks or more since I read Eric's book, but I would think starting a test run to find your heart rate/pace zones, start the strength exercises and work through like you are starting from beginning. You will likely progress rapidly and if you get bored you can step it up a bit. Shaking up your runs with track work and hill work once or twice a week helps me shake out the cobwebs, reduce redundency, and improves speed/strength overall. Look at your diet as well. Lots of whole foods. Try to get all your vitamins and minerals from your diet. Sounds basic and silly, but that's the best way your body can absorb them. Plenty of studies to show vitamin supplements don't seem to benefit much and can be harmful...your body was meant to extract the nutrients it needs from foods. That being said, You might consider supplementing with fish oil, and blue green algae...I'm a pretty cautious about supplements, but have fouond benefit for myself and patients with these and the potential for harm is exceedingly low if you stick with a reputable supplement source. I know I just contradicted myself here, but blue-green algea is considered a whole food and your body will exract the nutrients and there is enough clinical evidence and research to support supplementation with healthy oils. Blah blah blah. My disclaimer is that is just my experience, so take it with more than a grain of salt.
This reply was deleted.