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I will be 70 next birthday, I have at present 148 medals for road running including several marathons. I have been out of training for 12 months due to illness, now I live in the North West I would like to try fell running I have done some cross country in the past, any advice will be welcome.:)
We have Mick ward at our club and he is well into his 70's,he still enjoys running and does all kinds of races including fell.Some of his times are incredible (2.54 marathon M60,3.26 marathon M70) The reason i mention these times are to prove that you can still enjoy running for the experience and not just for glory or times.I can understand how people can feel dejected with slowing times due to age.I think you will find many adrenaline junkies as opposed to heartrate monitor wearng stopwatch staring runners in the fell scene and you will be welcomed with open arms to share fell stories and experiences...Enjoy !
There are a few V70's in the area competing, take a look at some of the results. We also have a Mr Running Fox on the forum who is into his 70's and knocking out 7.5 min miles on the road (well, last year anyway). Drop him a PM, not sure what he's up to in the fells.
I suppose the 'Junior Member' under your sign-in name is a good example of an oxymoron (off thread I know!).
In answer to the thread title, "Your never too old" You obviously have been a good runner in the past, get some off road/ hill training in, see how you feel and give it a go. Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must- just never give up. Pinched that from a book i'm reading at the mo, you still have that fire burning in you, the desire to to live, not just exist.Quote:
Originally Posted by cooinda
Best wishes, good health, take it steady and good luck;)
Success in fell running is not measured by the number of medals.Quote:
Originally Posted by cooinda
Very few fell races award medals, although some of the classic events do give all finishers a certificate with important information such as the date, our time and finishing position, Some certificates also give your age category and finishing position. These certificates are more valuable and informative than any road running medal.
The most important benefits of completing a fell race are the sense of achievement, the enjoyment of the location and the camaradieship with the other nutters athletes. Issues such as personal best times are largely irrelevant.
There is not compulsion about actually running. Most athletes, including the best, will walk part of the course if the terrain is too steep.
Thanks X Runner, perhaps I did'nt explain myself properly.
I am not looking for any more medals, that reference was simply to show that I am not a novice runner, my question was really about whether or not at my age it was possible to come back after a long lay off and learn to fell run.;)
Yes! You obviously have the background/fitness. Give it a go, there is nothing to lose. We all need new challenges and what could be more inspiring than the fells. If the enthusism is there the rest will follow! While there are not so many over 70's racing at the moment there is a big contingent of 50 and 60 year olds so there is a little doubt there will be a lot more in the future. We are right behind you! Good luck!
You are only as old as the girl you feel! So get a young bird and get out running!
It's not an essential pre - requisite though...:rolleyes:
Just get out there and enjoy:)Quote:
Originally Posted by cooinda
The only thing I can say to you is RESPECT, I hope I'm still out there at that age.
Q, has any one every done a 70 at 70? ;)
I can genuinely say it's people like you that inspire me.
Years ago, me and a bunch of mates were going to Coed-y-Brenin mountain biking. One lad said, "I'll bring me Dad, he'll love it".
I thought to myself, 'Are you having a laugh?', but obviously said nothing.
The day arrives and the fella turns up with his Dad in tow... great blokes, the pair 'em, and the Dad was 63. Now in my naivety, but in the full knowledge that I am no athlete (I have NEVER been under ANY illusions about that), I didn't expect Colin to go the distance.
It soon became apparent that this bloke had the aerobic whipping of the best of us (and the best of us was a pretty quick lad!).
I thought to myself then and still do, I hope I'm going at these things when I am that sort of age...
At the time, Colin was running circuit training classes but since he retired has let that go... he's now in his 70's by a comfortable margin.
All I am saying is, if you have a good degree of aerobic fitness (and I don't what the illness that you are referring to is) and you fancy it, dip a toe in the water... (and it usually involves water of some kind!).
You're obviously experienced enough to know what's daft and what isn't, so give it a try.
Good luck
My dad has decided to come and do his first fell race with me in the autumn. he's 63. And a lot bloody fitter than me :eek: Has the advantage that he can get straight in the pub and get a round in before I get back
You are certainly never too old.
Although my dad doesn't race these days, apart from the occasional orienteering event he's probably doing more miles 'training' than me at 76.
Talking of orienteering if you do feel that you are too slow to race over the fells you've got plenty of years ahead of you in that sport- I came across the results from the World Masters Orienteering Champs the other day where they had Over 90's age races with the oldest competitor born in 1914.:cool:
Never too old, we have had a 69 year old on the Navigation Course one year and he was not, out of it or left behind by any means, give it a go and enjoy:)it's the best sport in the world.
Joss Naylor did it last year. Or was it the year before...? And I'm only 56:eek: I usually congratulate myself if I'm not last, but I get a real buzz when I finish a race and some smooth headed 30 something comes in after me:DQuote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
At Burton Leonard trail 10K yesterday the last finisher was 80+. Praise him with all praise 86 minutes and going strong. Was he a loser? No way!
By the way Harold Dobson (V70) of Knavesmire Harriers does 10 miles in 64 minutes and Peter Lambert (V70) of Valley Striders beat me on the Wharfedale Off road half marathon. I watched him pulling away from me up Mastiles Lane and I could not catch him though I ran the whole lot:rolleyes:
Pete Norman (70 year old of Wrexham AC) ran 5 fell races in three days over Christmas!
dead is too old, other than that i suppose we all look to the old stalwarts who keep going! Joe Garbarino in our club is around 72
The oldest to complete the 42 mile Lyke Wake Race this year was 75 years young!
NOt sure where in the NW you live?
George Arnold in our club Preston is a vet 70 and we have a number of vet 60s, come and join them
Nice to see Peter Lambert still going, I remember him doing the Reeth fell race, about 1/4 mile from the end you had to cross the river Swale, for most of us it was waist deep, Peter is not very tall so it was up to his chest and he can't swim:eek:
Just get out there and enjoy it in your own way. You might even meet LMH if you are really really slow!
Got to go, seen some sheep.........
Baa, Grrr
A BIG BIG thank you to all for your replies, I have not been ignoring you,
unfortunately had to go into hospital again. It might be awhile before I can do any training. Good Luck to all on your runs.
Good luck to you in your recovery, Best Wishes ML;)Quote:
Originally Posted by cooinda
Yeah good luck mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by cooinda
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooinda
yes and good luck to you too, hope you are back on your feet again soon, and when you are if you fancy being at the back of a BM/CS race then I will see you there :D
My first forum...well done me!:) As a keen 'hill' runner.....by hills I mean regular undulations.....I want to get into Fells :eek:...where?what? & when?..help please!:confused:
First off where do you live? When I lived in the Chilterns :rolleyes: down south I always ran off road and they, the Chilterns, constituted beech tree laden fells to me at the time. I now of course realise that they weren't but they were still hilly, muddy and beautiful which I think are the three most important factors.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jgirl
Go to your back door and, if you can see a hill, run up and down it. And then call it a fell :D and you're off and running. Step two is to go to an actual fell.
if you have to walk up it its a fell, if you can run up it, its a hill :D
If you fall down it, it is a fell; if you can run down it, it is a hill:D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Calf
:confused: why do i seem to fall over on the uphill bits as well?
Hope you're getting better Cooinda. Take it easy making a comeback, act in haste repent at leisure is very true when building the runner within.
Gravity makes you fall down.Quote:
Originally Posted by OneHillWonder
Therefore it must be anti-gravity forces that make you fall on the uphill bits.:eek:
:eek: possibly xrunner
or maybe my big feet :o
Cloppy is the word your after:oQuote:
Originally Posted by OneHillWonder
Good luck at notts half.
:o cloppy and big dazzaroo, what is your shoe size dazza?
size 9 kazza, size 9 :pQuote:
Originally Posted by OneHillWonder
Noticed in the results from the World Masters this year (sent the wife who came 6th in the W45s, so the results pages are at home) that they have finally had to create a V80 category.
Those guys and girls have to be seen to be believed.
Onwards and upwards (for ever)!
According to the "compass sport" magazine a brit won the catagory for ladies aged 90 and over at the world masters orienteering - respect!