At age 19-26 I averaged 110 miles a week 1970-76, with top weekly mileage of 175 miles. I had many weeks of 140 miles during those years, with double workouts Monday thru Saturday, Sunday once a day. Once I began coaching in 1977 I stopped competing on a regular basis, but still ran 4-8 miles most days. Long run generally double digits. In 1996 I left coaching to enter financial services where I worked on average 60 hours a week through 2002. I did very little running those years, eating poorly, less restful sleep, ballooning up in weight from 160 to 220 lbs.
In 2003 I began to run with a couple running groups in Boise, eventually progressing up towards of 100 miles a week, averaging about 60 miles a week during my best masters years ages 54-58. During those years of 2004-08 I could run doubles most days. By age 60 I was sandwiched between children transitioning to independence and parents in their final years. This time period also corresponded to hip impingement issues, busy work commitments, and less desire to chase the train. I would say most weeks I still ran 30-50 miles in mostly singles.
My cancer diagnosis (Follicular Lymphoma) was five years ago last month. At the time, age 67, I was running 20-30 miles, four days a week, with spin bike and swimming the other days. I detailed some of the training when first posted here 2017. My primary care physician encouraged me to stop running and put on some weight prior to starting chemotherapy, that and the treatment caused me to put back on the weight topping 210 lbs at the height of treatment spring-summer 2018. The Covid lockdowns, racing restrictions, and family commitments, placed competitive running on the back burner.
At age 72 I still am generally physically sound, a little overweight for racing, but still manage 7-10 hours a week of cardiovascular exercise. Most of this is cross training, but when inspired I can ramp up to 20 miles of running without much problem. Boise High Track is under construction, and unlikely to open to the larger community upon completion. Covid resulted in the attempted sale of the Boise State Indoor Track. The damage to adult programs in the area is quite dramatic. That, and training is not as convenient as when I worked and ran with friends in the Downtown before work. A forty minute round trip from my current home is just not that attractive. So I run alone. I enjoy bringing my wife coffee in bed, helping around the house. Doing many of the things I missed during my work years. Perhaps I will get inspired as the weather improves, set some goals, get serious again. I really have no reason not to.
In the meantime, I just can’t help it……I will leave you with a “best to most.”
Igy