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60 plus - still stormin' (and/or struggling)

63 watchers

GlennR Sep 2019 9:39am, 7 Sep 2019 44,732 posts	Quote Pin GlennR Interesting item about levels of physical activity: Strengthen muscles as well as heart to stay fit and healthy, say top doctors bbc.co.uk
steve45 Sep 2019 9:43am, 12 Sep 2019 3,431 posts	Quote Pin steve45 I think that "new" idea about older folks maintaining strength has been known for many years Glenn but I did hear/see the bbc article. The reduction in muscle power as the decades pass has been well documented which is why I began doing weights several years ago (ugh!)--if I continued doing nothing to keep my upper body strong then it seemed I would have lost ALL my muscle power!
Sharkie Sep 2019 9:52am, 12 Sep 2019 15,165 posts	Quote Pin Sharkie Agree with Steve and have been doing 'proper' weights for several years now. I'm generally better and more focused in winter and always mean to continue throughout the season (April - September for me) and always seem to let it slide.... which actually leads to a decline in athletic performance. Well it does in my case!
Sharkie Sep 2019 9:57am, 12 Sep 2019 15,166 posts	Quote Pin Sharkie I have just started a pre winter training, get fit and strong first programme. I'm pretty sure it's designed for younger women as -although I'm actually quite fit and strong for my AHEM age - I ony feel capable of the 'beginner' versions ATM. The difference in beginner, intermediate and advance in this case is the length of reps and recovs in the circuits. I'm finding it quite hard! This week I am doing a few fitness tests. Basically the number of burpees, squat jumps tricep dips, press-ups etc you can do in 45 seconds. Test again after a month!
steve45 Sep 2019 1:22pm, 13 Sep 2019 3,433 posts	Quote Pin steve45 "phew"! Sharkie. I simply do reps and not heavy weights. I'm not wholly sure about the stats one can read about percentage muscle decline because they suggest a reduction as the body ages which ultimately--if no strength work is done--would mean zero strength and which obviously is not the case when you observe the wider population. Some might be somewhat weak but certainly not slipping into "negative" no strength!
Mrs Jigs (Luverlylegs) Sep 2019 2:41pm, 25 Sep 2019 28,869 posts	Quote Pin Mrs Jigs (Luverlylegs) How’s everyone doing? I am just over 3 weeks away from my marathon now, whilst training has gone well it has bought home to me just how much I have slowed down, cannot get anywhere near the paces I used to and my endurance is also lacking, don’t know if I give in too easily or if it’s a genuine struggle, might have to revise my marathon pace as I am not convinced I can maintain 8.30mm for the distance.
LazyDaisy Sep 2019 3:54pm, 25 Sep 2019 27,878 posts	Quote Pin LazyDaisy Well obviously Mrs J I would thrilled to maintain 8:30mm over any distance but I would say, you've done the training, you're not far off tapering now so possibly a bit of training fatigue is to be expected, and on the day race adrenaline will help you find that bit extra. Trust in yourself.
oldbiddynandi Sep 2019 8:35am, 26 Sep 2019 27,529 posts	Quote Pin oldbiddynandi Mrs J, you can do it !!! Just been lurking here for ages as life gets in the way, i.e. Mum with Dementia and mobility issues living with us. However , me and annonymouse buddy have decided in a hormonal moment to enter Brighton so plans are in order to train. I've still been spinning and boxing but have just added weights and a running plan. Fingers crossed that the plan works. No pace expectations, just a finish on two feet !I also have a ton of lard to shift, so here goes.
Sharkie Oct 2019 12:22pm, 5 Oct 2019 15,233 posts	Quote Pin Sharkie Interesting observations Mrs Jigs -similar to my own feelings about a different sort of speed. I know you and your commitment to smart training - there is NO WAY you are giving in too easily. How did you arrive at your target 8:30 pace? Was it based on previous races? Did you adjust it at all in respect of (sorry!) passing years?
Sharkie Oct 2019 12:23pm, 5 Oct 2019 15,234 posts	Quote Pin Sharkie Of course I also agree with LD and biddynandi (less of the old!) - if anyone can defy time it's you. AND training fatigue of course.