Topic: Runner's high my a$$!!!

[Cvillechopper]

OK.  I've not been posting much lately for several reasons, none of them too exciting.  One thing I've been trying to do all year since the wreck in the spring and close-following ankle mishap is to get back in shape to run a few distance races.  We're not talking marathons.  5Ks and 1 4-miler.  5K times starting getting better and I slacked off training (read running on the treadmill in the basement watching Cash Cab) so the 4-miler wasn't going to be a great time but I'm not a competitive runner, just like to beat my own times and it's for a good cause (prostate cancer research).  The day of the run comes and it's 23 freakin' degrees when we start.  Not much warmer by the time we finish and my johnson is frozen to my leg from the sweat-cold air mixture.  Note to self, pockets warmers in a jock strap next time...

So I finished 4th in my age group, 66th out of 300+ over all with a time of 29:20.  I wasn't upset at all by that but started to really look at the times of the guys in the top 20.  None of them had times over 22 minutes and the first place finisher was done in 20 min flat.  I couldn't keep that pace up for more than a 1/4 mile any more (I've tried). 

Not only were these guys joking around afterward with each other, some of them jogged another mile to cool down.  I was lying across the back seat of my truck, gasping for breath and trying to thaw out parts of my body that should NEVER get that cold.  Luckily it only lasted for a few days...

I ran for most of my younger life and never thought twice about the "Runners High" but really didn't feel bad after 3-5 miles.  Now that I'm trying to get back into shape i can't figure out why the pain just keeps coming. 
So here's my question.  Anyone been through the "getting back into former shape" routine and know how long before the horrible turns into the tolerable or am I just dreaming?

Oh, yeh.  I forgot to mention that MANY of the guys that finished before me were much older than my age group.  Seems the 30-34 age bracket is a bunch of slackers.  We had the slowest top finisher of any group except for the 80+. 

[dusterdude]

damn that is f**kin funny,reminds me of my time in the corps.sorry james,dont mean to laugh at ya.merry christmas

[CBGhia]

I tried to get back into running a few years ago.  It never stopped hurting so I stpped running. 

[Cvillechopper]

damn that is f**kin funny,reminds me of my time in the corps.sorry james,dont mean to laugh at ya.merry christmas

It's all good.  I've been laughing at myself since the run (well since I thawed out).

[dusterdude]

i hear ya

[TwoTired]

... and as you age, the recovery time gets longer... for less exertion expended.  Blood thinners make the pain more intense and longer lasting, too.

I suppose masochism is it's own reward.  You learn to love it, as the alternative is a feared lack of feeling altogether?

I remember Arnie S. talking about the "pump" from over exertion muscle burn during training.  He compared it to having an orgasm.  And, he wanted as many per day as he could get. 

Yeah, right.

Certainly exercise is better than the lack of it.  But, like many things, moderation is key.  Competition is NOT moderation.  We should tax the over achievers for their excess.

Cheers,

[nickjtc]

Anyone been through the "getting back into former shape" routine and know how long before the horrible turns into the tolerable or am I just dreaming?

Dream on! What the others said, ditto. In my experience, if you have lots of miles 'in the bank' historically, then your body will remember the effort that is involved. The problem is that similar effort now will not produce the same results that you used to get, even after a relatively short time. Ah, the joys of the passing years!

In my 'type-A' fit days 15 years ago, or so, I was able to do 10k in around 40 minutes. Nowadays I am ecstatic if I can break the hour. It still feels like the same effort, though.

Good luck with the progression....but set the bar a bit lower than what you remember.

[sparty]

I ran for years.  I wrestled and played soccer for Penn State both which required ridiculous amounts of running.  Then I graduated and ran both 5 and 10Ks.  I tore up my ankle playing adult league soccer (broke it in three places and tore ligaments and nerves).  I keep running 5Ks after that only to have knee and hip problems from all of the pounding.  I had knee surgery in April and now the other knee is going south.  I miss running but not the pain I must endure with each step.  I use to get a good runner's high and felt like I could run forever on certain days.  My ortho told me that if I keep trying to run, I will, in the future, be looking at a hip replacement and possibly a new left knee within the next 10 years.  If I stop running, I may not need anything.  So, now I just ride my mt. bike.  But I do miss running.

As for getting back into running condition, I would estimate a year.  But the our old joints will suffer.  My wife runs 1/2 marathons, but now she is also starting to get injuries (34 yrs old).  Some peoples bodies can take it, most can't past 35 yrs. old.

be careful.

Sparty

[mick750F]

  Getting back into "runners shape" is relative to a number of things. Your running history, your current conditioning, your age, past injuries, your running program and maybe most importantly...your genetic makeup. I've run on and off for close to 40 years. As much as I like to be in top condition as far as running goes, I know there is much wear and tear on the body to stay in that shape....so I run seriously for 2/3 years and then take some time off. In my off running time I do a lot of hiking/jogging on the same trails I run on. When I start running again I'm on familiar turf and I've been working my legs all along though in a different manner. It pains me to say that it takes me a bit longer to obtain the "runner's high" every time I start running again...but it's worth it to get there. I've never done any real competitive running...my mind is my best competition, but I run on trails frequented by the local high school cross-country team and the last time I was out there I could still give some of them a run for the money. Get them all worked up because some "old" guy was pacing them. Then again, age and experience more than compensate for youthful enthusiasm.

   Right now I'm starting to run again after my longest hiatus...4 years...and I have to tell you that at age 54 it's not quite as easy as it used to be. But I know that "high" is out there...gotta go for it.

Mike

[Bikebuff]

Some peoples bodies can take it, most can't past 35 yrs. old.

be careful.

Sparty

+1 to what Sparty said.  I'm a late bloomer to running, although I ran track in high school before other injuries forced me to stop.  I'm 36 and have been running semi-regularly for the last 5 years but within the last 2 years have made it more structured and regimented, as it does my body and my mental health a lot of good.  However, I've been working on my 5K times and 10K times but I know that I have to listen to my body-I've severely torn some muscles before and there are times where you shouldn't play through the pain.  And that runner's high for me is elusive-it doesn't always seem to be noticeable on a consistent basis.   Anyhow, I think its good you're out there getting exercise and running for your own reasons-it's better than sitting on the couch.  I'm doing a 5K on New Year's Eve and its supposed to be about 16 degrees.  But it'll be fun and hey, free beer afterwards can't be bad, can it?

Happy New Year!

[fastbroshi]

  OOOrah, Dusterdude.  The best shape of my life was gained running in formation while stationed in 29 Palms.  Damn it was hell at first because of the heat, but damn was it fun near the end.  I think I probably got that runner's high last 5 times we went out!!  Makes you feel like you can run forever, the sky never looked so blue, and in the mornings, the air never tasted so crisp.
  There's something to be said for yelling a cadence while running, it really helped me get into a groove.

[ieism]

Look at it this way:
The top guys only ran for 20 minutes, you did 29 minutes! No wonder they are not even out of breath, and you are coughing your lungs out.

I have much repect for you guys. I probably couldn't run for more than 10 minutes.

[Cvillechopper]

Look at it this way:
The top guys only ran for 20 minutes, you did 29 minutes! No wonder they are not even out of breath, and you are coughing your lungs out.

I like it.  They are really the slackers...

[74cb750]

After many years of not running I'm back at it so I can ref soccer games w/o looking rediculous. But there is no way I will do the races/marathon thing as I now have arthrititus. 
oh well,
peace,
michel

[rbmgf7]

Some peoples bodies can take it, most can't past 35 yrs. old.

be careful.

Sparty

our previous professor or military science (rotc) was a lt. colonel just about to retire after 20+ years as an armor officer. he was in his mid 40's but was just a huge PT buff. when he wasn't working at school or at home with his family, he was in the gym pushing around iron or running. he could effortlessly keep pace with our runners who could run 12 minute-2 miles while carrying on a conversation. he just amazed me how someone his age could be so fit. even after he retired you could see him in the weight room at 0530 working out and running.