I didn’t become a runner until I was 38 years old.
I was 39 when I ran my first half, 40 when I ran my first marathon, 45 when I ran my last one (AND I MEAN IT THIS TIME), and I ran my 21st half marathon just 2 weeks ago. Oh, and I already have 2 on the calendar for 2018.
Also important to note: I am not a particularly gifted or swift runner.
I am just stubborn.
Races are a part of my running routine for one very simple reason: if I don’t have a race on the calendar, I get lazy and don’t get the miles in. And if I don’t get the miles in, I get off balance and when I get off balance I get depressed and doughy.
So me running = balanced and not doughy.
There are many, many runners (whom I follow on all the things and love dearly) who are what I would call “technical runners”. They track every mile, they hit key workouts, they have complicated formulas for when they do what, they strength train, they cross-train, they are, truly, remarkable athletes. (note: cross training and strength training are actually a really, really, really good idea. The fact that I don’t do it should not be emulated. I am LAZY).
Also, I am NOT that runner.
And bless their hearts, sometimes it feels like those technical runners are the ones who do most of the writing and the speaking and the posting on running, and it can make the ordinary over-40 human feel like it’s all just a little TOO MUCH.
So here’s my KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) half marathon training method. I am NOT a running coach, a physical therapist, a physician or a chiropractor. I am a woman who runs. Period. So take all of this with a huge grain of salt (or, if you’re so inclined, a chocolate bar with almonds).
- Build your base
If you’ve never been a runner, this has to be step one or you’ll get hurt. Just go out and run. Mailbox to mailbox, house to house, one lap at a time, whatever works for you. I love the Galloway method and I’m fairly sure I’ll use it until I die. And no, being an interval runner does not make you “not a runner”. Once you can run five miles, you’re ready for step 2.
2. Pick your race!
There are two schools of thought here. Some say pick an easy local race to get your feet wet. I have a different approach. Just GO BIG. Find a big, exciting, huge race, preferably one you travel to, and go for it. Of course I think Run Disney is just perfect for your first half. Big races also have the advantage of almost always being very friendly to first timers. My first half was a local race and although I had a great experience, I literally came home and did laundry which made it seem less than spectacular. Had I traveled somewhere and gone to some fabulous brunch and had a massage after (preferably in Florida), I think that would have been better.
3. Put your workouts on your calendar
This does not need to be complicated. One does not need a PhD to do this, Friends. Just go running 3 – 4 times a week and make your weekend run your longest of the week. Here’s my workouts this week: Tuesday – 3 miles, Thursday – 3 miles, Saturday 5 miles. Not too hard. And if I’m particularly sore or something hurts? Those can easily become some running, mostly walking workouts.
4. Get up to 10 – 12 mile long runs for a half marathon, building slowly (1 – 2 miles longer each week). And then taper (run less) for a couple weeks. And then run your half marathon. All you need to know is a. your bib goes on the front and b. don’t wear the race t-shirt for the race because that’s bad luck.
5. TELL EVERYONE AND BRAG FOREVER (or better yet, start a blog and write about it and post pictures of yourself running endlessly so no one every forgets that YOU ARE A RUNNER DAMNIT)
So that’s really it. Super simple, super easy, super attainable for YOU. That’s right, I’m talking to YOU.
Let me know how it goes.
I always love your posts and feel I can relate so much! BTW you look splendid in all of these photos! Where did you get the outfit shown at the beginning of the article with the gray skirt and black tank? I must have it! Most importantly you remind us that you are real and human too. I joined a Galloway group at about 40 years old. I have done 4 full marathons (boy those are NO JOKE) and countless half marathons. I feel its what keeps me going, keeps my sanity, and keeps my depressions at bay. I also need to have a rave on the calendar. I also have a wonderful group of Galloway women to train and travel with so I don’t plan to ever give this up! We’ve done mountain races, beach races, Disney Races, Ragnar races, Pueblo races…and I even made it into the NYC marathon lottery 2016. The only sad part is that at the age of 45 I am the youngest in my group which means my friends will reach old age before me as most are in their 50’s, 60’s and a few into their 70’s. I am cherishing this time with them. To everything there is a season…
That outfit is from Skirt Sports http://www.skirtsports.com/ and although that particular outfit isn’t in stock any more , they have TONS of great styles on the website right now that are adorable. LOVE their stuff! And thank you so much for your kind words and wow, you’ve run so much! And I wouldn’t rule out the 70 year olds – when I was cheering at Disney for the full, I saw plenty of women that looked like they were in their 70’s and beyond. I always say I run like a little old lady so I can still be running WHEN I’m a little old lady! HA!
You’re right – it really is simple. I’ve done the obsessive tracking thing before and it’s fun but I’m over that. My last half was completed with zero training analysis and even though it was 9 minutes slower than the last one, it was the most enjoyable. And really, why do this if we aren’t going to have fun?
Right?? I’m not going to win no matter what I do, so I might as well enjoy the ride! All the great health without any of the stress.
Thank you so much for this post! I’m 49 and training for my first half in March, using pretty much the same approach (even the Galloway thing). Your post is really validating, because so much of what I see in running media is for/about/by those hard core gifted runners. That’s not me. I’m pretty happy being slow. I just want to run a half to see if I can, and because I like having a quest. Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one, and for showing me this “lazy” path can lead to success!
It so can! And there’s all these studies showing that our kind of exercise is just as beneficial long term so why not?!? Congrats on training for your half! How exciting!