Been running 3 times a week for a while now? These are not my best times, but what ha think for a 47 year old?

Like some people set a goal of doing a half marathon or a full marathon in all 50 states. I’m trying to see what unique races are out there. Recently I ran a 5k on a race track and next year there’s a 5k on an airport tarmac

Started running about 2 years ago and finally did my first half in September, around Lake Annecy. Probably the most beautiful course I could have picked for a first one.

Training went really well, but on race day I messed up my hydration and cramps kicked in during the second half. The last few km were pure survival, but I held on and finished in 1:40. Really proud of the training block and of not giving up.

Lesson learned: practice your race-day drinking on long runs, not just your pace 💧

What’s the hardest lesson your first half taught you?

I ran my first marathon May 31st (Stockholm Marathon), and it was great! Followed a normal ramping prep plan, the race itself felt fine, and I even ran a 6km 2 days after and 4 days after the race.

Then I felt like shit for a bit and took a break, and got this crazy pain in the right Achilles. Went to a physio, they got me into eccentric heel raises, I didn't do them so diligently.

I haven't run since June because I thought it would make this worse.

This sucks because I really got into running during all this training, it transitioned from having to drag myself out to do it, and hating the first 5 minutes, to just loving a nice 10 km from start to finish.

I just now read the Alfredson paper, and it's clear to me that I just have to actually do those exercises daily more or less forever, but if they work it also means I'll be running again by Christmas.

But I have 2 questions,

1. Can I actually not run? The literature seems to say it's not an injury really, no inflammation, and more a nerve/pain issue and the need to reorganise the collagen which takes time and loading.

And I find it's most painful after sitting for a while, but once I go out for a longer walk the pain goes away.

So does it mean I can go back to some short runs? My shortest run is a hilly 6k trail run, so it seems like the kind of running that would put the Achilles under a lot of heavy, slow loads.

Or is this stupid? Should I rest the leg until after the 12 weeks of Alfredson exercises?

1. Seeing as it's good to load the heel, thought it might be a good idea to do one a progressive strength routine to get to a single leg squat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85YE86ipw_w

Or again, should it be resting until the pain is gone, or until after the 12 week Alfredson protocol?

I like running a 5k usually twice a week - mid week and weekend. I also wanted to increase my weekend run to a 10k long run. I did that a few days ago - but my knees - kinda hurt when I bend them - like they are become tight to bend. Any advice on any exercise or a remedy that will help, please 🥹

As a runner and someone who likes to write about running, I am always interested in hearing what other runners think about running questions. There are no right or wrong answers, so feel free to share whatever comes to mind. I'm simply interested in your perspective.

So, what makes someone a serious runner? Is it about how often or how far they run, their commitment to running, what they achieve, or something else entirely? I'm interested in what being a serious runner means to you.

so the other day I was finishing a run and when I ended (I was sprinting) I started to hyperventilate and started to cry all of the sudden! I couldn't even breathe.

Has this happen to you? I think I have never experienced a panic attack but it felt like one, and I don't understand what triggered it? It felt like a thing that happened to me 4 years ago, I was playing soccer and I got a red card, causing a penalty, I couldn't even breathe because I made my team lose :(

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the kind comments and questions on my last post, so I wanted to share another one.

I’m a runner, and I make and sell these figures from race photos. This one was sculpted from the finish photo, 3D printed, and painted by hand, with the race, distance, and finish time on the base.

I'll leave the link in the comments for anyone interested. Happy to answer any questions.

I’m thinking of incorporating weighted running into my easy runs. I can run a 10K in 53 minutes, but I feel like I’ve hit a plateau and want to improve further. My thinking is that running with weights might make me faster when I switch back to running without them. What are your thoughts?

Man, I used to be 210 pounds, smoked 2 packs of cigarettes every day, smoked 10+ bong rips every day and I drank a good bit from 21 to 31. If you told me I would be running every day let alone 30 minutes straight I wouldn’t believe it for a second.

I’ve been very hard on myself (my therapist hates it lol) so this is a reminder to myself how much progress I’ve made and a much needed pat on the back. Been dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety lately and running is my escape and my confidence builder.

My next goal is to run for 1 hour straight no stopping. You all inspire me 💪🏻

Been dealing with pain here everytime after I. For the past 5 months , did everything rest , therapy etc . MRI shows nothing as well as 3 specialist don't know what could it be . Pain only flares when I plantar flex.