22 July 2011

Inspiration for getting back to running after long-term injury

July 22 - part 2
Here's a link to a podcast from marathontalk.com that contains an interview with one of the most extraordinary marathon runners who ever lived - Ed Whitlock.

http://hw.libsyn.com/p/b/d/7/bd70047ea98efbe6/EP72.mp3?sid=684c7a582158feeaed574731de065e59&l_sid=19835&l_eid=&l_mid=2579147

Never heard of him?  How about this.....

Ed Whitlock's Best Performances Since Turning 70

Event        Time    Site        Year     His Age
5,000m     18:22  Toronto   2004      73
10,000m  37:33   Toronto   2004      73
15,000m   58:55  Utica, NY 2003     72
Marathon  2:54:49 Toronto  2004     73

Google his name to see his results since turning age 70.  The most amazing thing I learned from the interview is how he's managed to come back from very long term injuries after age 70.
You will need to speed through most of the podcast to get to the interview, but its worth the effort.  His training regime is absolutely mind-boggling for an 70+ guy (now an 80+ guy).

More inspiration to not give up on running..........
Here's what my good friend and 4-time Epic Camper Andrew Charles sent me when I asked him about his return to running after a very long lay-off.  Keep in mind that he's in the 45-49 age group and doing IM's and running long have been a part of Andrew for most of his adult life.

"Prior to December '09 I went 13 months without running a single step.
I then ran once in dec 09 (7kms) and once at Epic Camp (10kms) in January '10.
I started running again regularly around May 2010.
Since then have done the following races:
2 IMs, Gold Coast marathon, 1x75km, 3x50km, coyote marathon (killer hills!), 1x35km, 1x30km, 2x25km, and 1x30km and 1 half marathon.
Not bad for a year hey...
And that's without trying to do that many.
My legs are actually handling each race better and better and recovery is quicker.
10km race on weekend only 7 days after the 75km and yet legs were good.
I don't actually run any of the races _that_ hard.
I've done most of my training over the past year in training flats which seems to have helped as well.
I've had no real injuries of note apart from the ones I get from roller hockey.
Because I'm roller blading twice a week (edit - his daughter plays roller hockey) I think my ankles are stronger but I get more elbow, hip and knee injuries from all the collisions.
The kids play rough..."
I hope you'll take away this message - There's always hope, even if we need surgery or joint replacement.  
The game may change a bit, and at times it may seem like a hell of a lot more work to stay in the game but we can still play.
Keep at it,
Scott

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Train Like a Man! Part 2

July 22
The next couple of blogs should help those of you prone to getting caught up in the P.C. bullshit that is so pervasive in the fitness industry these days find some common sense to help set you back on the right path to great fitness and health.
The knowledgable, credentialed, experienced guys at T-Nation keep coming up with first class advice.
Here's a couple more great articles I wish I wrote:

You need to read through the entire articles to fully get the messages.  Take your time!  It will be worth it.
Keep at it,
Scott

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