What makes masters running different from being an open runner? Similar to the answer to most running-related questions, “It depends.” One’s career as a masters athlete has a lot to do with one’s running history. Which of these three profiles do you most relate to? THE “GRIZZLED VET” If you were a competitive runner in high…
Masters runners must work hard to maintain their speed, stride length, flexibility, and strength if they want to stay competitive. Most runners who’ve been training and racing competitively for a number of years know that at some point mainlining the miles like you did in your 20s doesn’t work anymore. You need more recovery after…
TWO THOUSAND ZERO, ZERO, PARTY OVER, OOPS OUT OF TIME Unlike your average person, most runners look forward to turning forty because Masters competition can provide a new lease on one’s running life. Racing in my late 30’s, I was competing against women closer to my daughter’s age than my own. With my 40th birthday…
Confusion abounds about optimal training for masters runners. That’s because they get into the sport in different ways. Thus, training for one master has to be different from that for another. Here’s the 411 on training for runners over 40, based on the type of runner they are: FULL-SPECTRUM MASTERS This type of masters runner…