In the whole scheme of things, it doesn't mean much. 5 miles under 45 minutes after age 60 and 4 dollars will get me a grande latte at Starbucks. But as I approach my 62nd birthday, I am looking for practical measurements that will help me to determine If I should continue running, or, has the time arrived for me to cover distances of ground by going for long walks. The Harpoon 5-Miler (Boston Seaport District) in May will be my next test. If I finish in under 45 minutes, then I'll probably keep on with this running thing for at least another year.
Is there any reason you are against using the age grade calculator to measure your performance?
Having trouble understanding why, if only .01% or whatever small % of us geriatrics can run under 45 min. for 5 miles, do we not get any respect on here? Seriously.
It is almost as if we have to settle for personal enjoyment and satisfaction of a life well-lived ;)
Thanks to all who posted their advice. I completed the Harpoon 5 Miler in Boston on May 22, 2022. Time was 42:23 at age 62. There were 18 runners (15 M, 3 F) age 62 and over who finished in under 45 minutes. A high percentage, given that only 59 of us in that age group participated.
I am looking forward to a nice long WALK with my wife this week.
There is an annual marketing report on running. I couldn't remember the name and it's behind a paywall, but I think less than 1% of the over 60 population runs regularly and the overwhelming percentage of those runners only run recreationally to finish.
This should be easy enough to calculate, because apart from a micro-handful of people like me who train and are “fast” and who don’t compete, everybody capable of doing something like this actually has 5k results recorded.
Take the total number, divide by the total population in the given age bracket, multiply by 100, and that’s basically it. Or if you are super-conservative, double it.
You might be one of the very few, pretty fast guys over 60. Enjoy.
But don't think that is normal. You are probably in the 0.001 percentile of your age group (US population) and 1% of the one who are still running at the age of 60-65.
Nah.
I was running low 8s for 5ks at age 62-64 and usually finished 2nd or 3rd in may age group in local races.
Now I hope for 9s at age 68
This spring, age 63/64 (birthday in early April), I ran four 5Ks and two 10Ks. I ran the 5Ks at paces ranging from 8:08 down to 7:47. I ran the 10Ks at 8:25 and 8:15 pace. When I was 60, I ran a 10K at 7:38 pace. I'm strictly local/regional talent, nothing special, just the kind of guy who tends to win my AG unless the real racers show up. (The real racer, Glenn Hudnall, my age, ran 7:10 pace in the race I ran 8:15 pace in.)
So I wouldn't know. But I'm happy to be racing at all at my age.
This spring, age 63/64 (birthday in early April), I ran four 5Ks and two 10Ks. I ran the 5Ks at paces ranging from 8:08 down to 7:47. I ran the 10Ks at 8:25 and 8:15 pace. When I was 60, I ran a 10K at 7:38 pace. I'm strictly local/regional talent, nothing special, just the kind of guy who tends to win my AG unless the real racers show up. (The real racer, Glenn Hudnall, my age, ran 7:10 pace in the race I ran 8:15 pace in.)
So I wouldn't know. But I'm happy to be racing at all at my age.
You are a real racer. Don't sell yourself short. Most 60 year olds can barely walk. Very few run and most of them you see in races.
This spring, age 63/64 (birthday in early April), I ran four 5Ks and two 10Ks. I ran the 5Ks at paces ranging from 8:08 down to 7:47. I ran the 10Ks at 8:25 and 8:15 pace. When I was 60, I ran a 10K at 7:38 pace.
You're racing well. It's amazing how our paces slow so dramatically, yet we still can place ahe-group place at the races. The competition just seems to be dwindling away.
How much can you train nowadays? I'm down to 20 mpw due to chronic tendonitis. Plus, recovery takes so long, I can manage only three runs a week, never on consecutive days.
At 58, I could still run 6:26 pace for 15K. Also ran a 3:07 marathon and a 5:38 mile. I could train 40+ mpw, and that made all the difference.
Now at almost 63, most training is at 9- to 10-minute miles. A half marathon a couple weeks ago, though, was 7:40 pace, good enough for 2nd M60-64. Dunno what to expect for the marathon this weekend. Sub-4 perhaps. 3:45 would likely age-group place, amazingly. That would be nice :)
This spring, age 63/64 (birthday in early April), I ran four 5Ks and two 10Ks. I ran the 5Ks at paces ranging from 8:08 down to 7:47. I ran the 10Ks at 8:25 and 8:15 pace. When I was 60, I ran a 10K at 7:38 pace.
You're racing well. It's amazing how our paces slow so dramatically, yet we still can place ahe-group place at the races. The competition just seems to be dwindling away.
How much can you train nowadays? I'm down to 20 mpw due to chronic tendonitis. Plus, recovery takes so long, I can manage only three runs a week, never on consecutive days.
At 58, I could still run 6:26 pace for 15K. Also ran a 3:07 marathon and a 5:38 mile. I could train 40+ mpw, and that made all the difference.
Now at almost 63, most training is at 9- to 10-minute miles. A half marathon a couple weeks ago, though, was 7:40 pace, good enough for 2nd M60-64. Dunno what to expect for the marathon this weekend. Sub-4 perhaps. 3:45 would likely age-group place, amazingly. That would be nice :)
20 mpw? Ha...try 5 mpw spread over just 2 days a week! ☹ I'm 61 & so full chronic injuries & post-traumatic OA...it's not even funny (no more racing of any kind!). So, I quit listing my injuries now on posts as it takes too much time (suffice it to say I'm going to need two joint replacement surgeries in the foreseeable future).
Just 11 yrs ago at the age of 50, I was kicking ass running 40+ plus mpw, 4-5 days a week, weekly speedwork & racing 2 or 3 times a month year round. Now I'm regulated to having to do my cardio on a spin like 4 times a week in the cross fit room of my gym where everybody stares at me like they've never seen an old stiff work out hard on the bike. And I hate it when I see an older guy running around my neighborhood as it fills me with envy & jealousy. Lol
:Aging SUCKS when you can no longer run for the most part, and you can no longer do the activity that has been so fulfilling & rewarding the last 3 decades.
The running Gods can have a sick sense of humor with some of us!
20 mpw? Ha...try 5 mpw spread over just 2 days a week! ☹ I'm 61 & so full chronic injuries & post-traumatic OA...it's not even funny (no more racing of any kind!). So, I quit listing my injuries now on posts as it takes too much time ...
I've seen your list! It is sad, but kudos for still getting out there a couple days a week.
I met my wife in a running club in 1997. Tall and fit, she could fly down the road. Now at 67, arthritis has completely sidelined her. She cannot even bicycle. Fate can be cruel. I'm fortunate to be able to run (such as I can for now).