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My goal is to stay at least one step ahead of Father Time. I use a “rolling” 12-month plan to maintain both endurance and strength. I base it around six half marathons per year with a 5 or 10k in the months between, usually focused on a fun theme. My typical training week is three runs of various types (tempo, fartlek, etc) and two strength workouts. I tried upping to eight halfs, but found that counter-productive because there wasn’t enough time for training, tapering, and recovery. The strategy has served me well. I am faster and stronger, and have greater endurance than I had 10 years ago. I just turned 70 and my finish times will usually put me in the top quarter of the 40-44 year group. I intend to be even better when I turn 80.

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have a relatively consistent strategy. I go no more than a week, a few runs, before I focus on improving something. I try not to set strict goals in terms of miles or number of runs/week. Instead, I focus on mechanics and methods. Things like foot placement, different types of breathing, finding a 'new gear', precision pace over specific distances. Sometimes these experiments work to my benefit, other times not so much. This puts me in a place where I continuously learn, trying new things (and not just new shoes). While there is certainly benefit in maintaining one's conditioning, there is also always room for improvement - even if that means slowing down or taking a break, as that can be part of the learning curve and a good recovery practice. The discovery process, to learn and grow, to try something new and not get stuck in one gear, one method... When I lose that inspiration I simply take a break and focus on something else [swim, bike, OCR] - and return to running when I feel it calling me.

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

totally wing it. I run just feel good. And be outside. And use my body. I love races but it's just a test to see how fast I can finish but not with any specific training. I love being around other runners too. but as far as everyday runs, it's about just feeling good. I'd like to learn more about the goal setting though. and some strategy.

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I run 3-4 miles several days a week and one longer run of 5-7 miles, but besides trying to keep a steady pace I don’t do anything technical on the Superstition foothills here. Sometimes I’ll walk two miles and then run.

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I put in about 30-35 miles per week with about 70% at easy run pace, not going over 140 bpm pace. I do run tempos for about 25 minutes at half marathon pace and interval runs at 6x400m every week. My half marathon is coming up this weekend and for that reason i started to put in only 10 miles this week with very easy pace to rest my body.

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I learned how to plan and train for marathons in a USA fit club many years ago, including being an assistant coach for 5 of those years. The mental and physical training is in my bones, but more relaxed and appropriate to my aging ability. Running/walking 4-5 times per week with a different goal or location each time to keep it interesting. I can do a half any time but need to do more miles for a marathon. Strength training several times per week. Tai Chi. Being flexible enough to change the workout as needed. Not being too serious. Love doing races of all distances.

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Goes back to why you run in the first place. There are those that have specific goals regarding time, speed, pace, etc. They are structured around plans. For them, running is somewhat of a lifestyle. The rest of us look at running as a tool to keep weight off, maintain cardiovascular fitness, a form of exercise, something useful to accomplish a purpose unrelated to how we finish in any event. I run 3-4 times a week, no speed work, lift twice a week, and listen to my body. Really tired? Take a day off.

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I just wing it!!! Each one of us got wings ..it’s knowing and understand it ..why? How? And what?we all human ...we not LIMITED🙏🙏❤️Love y’all and respect

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I started running in December last year just for my health. On September 15 I ran the City of Rose's half-marathon in Cape Girardeau, Mo. When I started last December I couldn't get through a mile, so my plan formed itself, eat plenty and run farther. In April I signed up for the half-marathon and set a standard distance of 4 miles with the occasional 6-7 mile. In August everything ramped up, week one 4 miles every other day, week two 7 miles every other day, week three 9 miles twice, week four I ran one 10.5 miles. Then rested and only ran a couple of times about 2-3 miles until the race. Beat my goal by 22 minutes. Loved every second of it. Oh yeah, treadmills suck... Outside no matter what.

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

Having only been at this thing we call running for going on 2 years now, I still need training plans with a goal race at the end to keep me motivated and on track. However, the last 6 weeks have been trying as I'm dealing with a calf strain that will not go away... I look forward to the day when I'm running for pleasure (I mean, I kinda am now, but with some structure) and not paying attention to time/distance. :)

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Sep 27, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have a plan for building miles, which is working. The times are coming down on their own. I'm a middle of the pack guy, I think of my time more in a range so 10 or 20 seconds a mile don't matter much.

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Oct 7, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

I’m new member: love the heat as long as I have water | Did one half marathon in Jan water at water cups were frozen solid / also was with a group during tornado / took cover til tornado passed Would be interested in everyone’s fav marathon / event or 1/2 Deb in Tx

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Sep 28, 2019Liked by Terrell Johnson

You know I do it both ways. Some days are smell the roses day Where I purposely stop and look around and enjoy where I’m at. Most times though I’m tied to my cadence my pace my top speed

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My running style has not changed other than a bit slower, eat reasonably healthy, still run three days a week consistently and always average about 10 miles in preparation for any half marathon. For a Marathon I'll increase my training distance up to but not more than 17 miles but generally it's a 13 mile run. The energy of other runners, picking up the pace of other runners, especially as I try to identify as best possible people that may look like in my division and always listen to the body and push a bit further. Now in the 75-79 age division next March's L.A. Marathon, my 21st Marathon not all L.A., have done Disney World, Boston, Long Beach, California that had qualified me for Boston, I don't expect to need to change much just continue my Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday morning runs and distance. It's all a pleasure of course and always listen to the old body but never give up. Running is a pleasure ..T.M.I. sorry..

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Different kind of runs- If the course I will be racing on is hilly, rolling hills, flat will of course influence my training a bit. If possible I like to get in a couple of training runs on the actual course that the upcoming race is on. I usually pick a couple of races each year to peak at and a few races just to keep sharp and race without any real time goals.

Training- I will have weekly goals, but these are not written in stone. Leading up to a race I might have a 4 week training block of 300 miles. Will include one run of at least 24 miles. Another week will have several runs between 12-15 miles.

Training pace- I check my warmup (3 miles). Then I break down the run into sections of 2-5 miles. I simply maintain pace as the run continues. I do use my watch (forerunner 15+10). during training. During a race I try not to use the watch.

Cross training- I don't do any. When I'm not running this is the time to rest physically & mentally.

Goals- I try to improve on one or two races I ran the year before. I do like to run different races and distances. I want to feel like I have actually accompolished something so I do tend to pick out harder races. The time might not be as fast as an easy course but if you exceed the time the following year you do see an improvement.

Training runs are simply workouts to get you to reach your racing goals. There are no awards for fast training runs. Just being consistent and injury free should be of the utmost importance when preparing for race day.

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I have found it helps to have a goal, or at least some reason to be consistent in running. That being said, I haven't been real strict with the training plan, so I guess I'm winging it. When I started training in January for my first half marathon, it was cold, injured my knee and thought I was making a big mistake. My chiropractor worked with me through the training and said I just couldn't do as much running as my training plan. I still ran 2-3 times a week. I also did a lot of spinning and probably not enough resting because I was worried I wasn't training enough. The half marathon was a success because I finished. I am now training for my 2nd half. It's not cold and I don't have an injury. Running is so much more of a joy. I'm still not running more than 2-3 times a week, but I'm taking more time for rest. My time has improved by 30 minutes. My weekly training routes are very hilly (Connecticut) - lots of short steeps and long gradual inclines, so no other special "hill repeat" workouts are required. However, my long run route is mostly a flat. I found that I actually prefer the hill runs - something I thought I would never hear myself say! I am grateful for the ability and hope it's something I can continue for decades to come - I'm 53 and never thought I would be running a few years ago. I always said I would never do a marathon, but now I'm actually considering it for next year. I don't want running to become something I don't enjoy and I'm afraid marathon training might be too much. However, I do like a good challenge! I think I'll enjoy a few more 13.1's before I make that leap & sign up for 26.2!

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before each race I follow my training plan, after that usually October I run just for fun until March, I hate treadmill so always outdoors

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I have done structured running plans with success. I have done intervals to finish painful races. I have walked hours just to get miles on the feet. Done hill work in the middle of the night for Ragnars. Finish, don't puke on anyone, don't die, these have all been goals. Different goals for different times in my life. Recovery runs after injury vs going balls out for a PR when it was freezing. All of those are good and part of who I am as a running, then there are those zen like runs with no plan, no Garmins or monitors or races or waterstops, those are the best that i can remember.

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I do tend to “wing it.” I try to get into a good rhythm with breathing etc. and I go from there. It’s all about the rhythm. Music is very helpful. I can’t run with slow music

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I receive a weekly schedule from my coach, so my runs are planned and with goals and purpose. What is not planned is the route I take, I walk out my front door and then decide on a direction which might change while I am out running. I track my distance and speed on my garmin

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If I’m training I have some sort of structured plan, but I also leave with a good better best, in case it’s just not going the way I planned I can still feel accomplished. If I am not training for a race, then I let me legs and body guide me. I compare similar distances performances with the same distances from a year ago to see if my casual and training runs are keeping up or improving to a year ago.

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I thrive on setting goals so I plan out every run if training for a race, but I can get a little intense with the planning and dissecting of the data-run pace, time, mileage when training so I make sure I have at least one of my weekly shorter runs where I just "wing it". Run for the pure joy of it and no gadgets. It helps keep balance.

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I used to follow a training plan but I faced setbacks with overuse injuries for every half marathon. Now I only run 3 times a week, 4-5 miles twice plus one long run — pyramid up to 10 miles then scale down. On the off days I practice yoga — yin, hatha or hot vinyasa. I trained this way for a half this past March that I wasn’t able to run because I picked up the chikungunya virus in Thailand (which led to 3 additional months on the sideline with chikungunya arthritis). However, the fact that I fully trained without suffering an overuse injury was a breakthrough accomplishment for me. I felt amazing one week out from race day till I got the virus. It took me a while to appreciate this fact but this community helped me to realize and appreciate that underlying success so thank you all for sharing your journeys! Now I’m back in the same training mode for a half in early December and filled with gratitude to be running again!

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I wish I could more often wing it. I think it would be really good for me. But I am of the other, more structured using the Hal Higdon training schedule. I was all set to run the Fox Cities half marathon last Sunday, but all events for that day were cancelled an hour before the start due to lightening that accompanied the storms in the area at the time. I was disappointed but I felt mentally okay about it until early afternoon that day and the biggest feeling of inadequacy came over me. About that time is when I would normally begin feeling like a human again with the adrenaline levels returning to baseline. The whole day felt like a waste. That feeling lasted until Tuesday evening when I learned from a friend at my gym that 3 organizations that I am loosely affiliated with joined together to plan to have a turn- by-turn course with water, Gatorade and some fruit stops for THIS Sunday! Fox Cities has indicated that runners could do a virtual run, then provide the verification that you did the run and they will award you the medal. So I am back! All I did since Sunday was a strength and cardio warrior class on M, ran 3 T, yoga boot camp W, and a 30-minute youtube yoga session at home last night. I am excited for Sunday!

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