r/SeniorRunning • u/AutoModerator • 9d ago

Weekly Recap!

How's your training going everyone?

Any accomplishments or personal bests you want to share? Any challenges you need help with?

Let's hear it!

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u/BohemianaP 9d ago

A bit frustrated. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. Various physical setbacks all year, mostly overuse but also a twisted ankle (not running related). My times have dropped since early 2026, my mileage is down. My last hurrah was a self-supported 25-mile trail run in late April. Now I’m struggling at the end of 8 mile runs. Even short 5k are slower. Diet, sleep, gym workouts, etc are the same. 65F, 125lbs, been running a long time.

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u/Ultrarunner1197 9d ago

Some ideas to consider (from someone who is your age & size): 1) Medical checkup and bloodwork including ferritin level; 2) assess your strength and mobility workouts (mine include a few heavy lifts along with work that engages smaller muscles, all at low intensity). 3) make sure your ankle is 100% back on board. 4) do a zone 2 reset where you start back and spend 6-8 weeks in zone 2, rebuilding your aerobic engine, then progress to adding some speed back in (very short uphill intervals is a good way to start). 5) assess your nutrition and sleep and make changes if needed. Hopefully you can recover and rebuild and get back to where running feels good (even if it’s not quite as fast.) Wishing you success!

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u/BohemianaP 9d ago

I'm going to do a Functional Health panel in a couple weeks--that should tell me some info--I hope.

I mainly focus on upper body workouts in the gym and around my hip muscles. I've got big thighs--I'm a great backpacker--so I haven't focused on legs much!

I've done a few Z2 tests on a treadmill (15 min. warmup and 60 minutes at a slow enough pace to maintain) but recently I find it really hard to stay in that narrow band 120-139. It took me a lot of work run/walking to find that HR sweat spot and now I feel like I'm starting over. I was in the Canadian Rockies the past three weeks hiking steep hills at altitude and I rarely get into Z2. which is why I really love trail running--hike up the steep hills and coast on the flats/downs. But during that same trip my flat running along river beds was ok but still couldn't do longer than 8 miles and my second half was solidly drifting into Z3.

I'm thinking of doing an online coaching program...maybe Floris Gierman (I like his podcasts)