I started running about 15 months ago and just turned 40. Before that I was generally active, but I wasn't a runner.
I'm now training for my first marathon (NYC this November), running 4x/week and currently around 41–42 MPW during build weeks. I ran a ~1:45 half within my first year, and recently did a 17-mile long run with the final 7.5 miles around 8:19/mi. I'm targeting sub-4 for NYC.

One thing I've noticed through this training cycle is that my aerobic fitness seems to be developing faster than my body's durability. Cardiovascularly I can feel fantastic while my hips/back/feet/etc. occasionally remind me that I've only been doing this for 15 months.

It has me really curious about people who started running in their late 30s or 40s rather than people who've been running since high school or college:

What changed for you between year 1 and years 2–4?

Did you keep getting substantially faster? Did durability improve more than speed? Did there come a point where your body seemed to "catch up" with your aerobic fitness? And how much did increasing mileage versus simply spending more time consistently running contribute?

I'd especially love to hear what your weekly mileage and half/marathon times looked like in year 1 versus a few years later.

I'm obviously focused on getting through my first marathon healthy right now, but I'm fascinated by what another 2–3 years of consistent training might actually do.

I turned 40 last year, and part of my mid life crisis is breaking a 20min 5k (much cheaper than a convertible and hair plugs). I’m currently running a 5k in the 23:00 range without really focusing on speed work. Just like…running. I’m going to incorporate some new training methods w/ speed work and try to break into the sub20 range. Anyone out there have a midlife PR crisis? What was it? Did you make it? Should I just buy the convertible?

Hello Runners :)

I am somewhat new to running and have signed up for the Manchester marathon as its something i've always wanted to do and it will help me get fit again. I am using Runna to build my plan.

For reference, I have always been sporty but since getting an office job, wanting to do anything when I get home after a commute has been a challenge and due to this I have gain some weight and lost lots of motivation.

So my question is - How do you stay motivated? What drives you to get out on a run after work?

Thanks so much !

Back once again for everything you wanted to know about running but were afraid to ask.

Rules of the Road:

This is inspired by eric_twinge's fine work in r/fitness .

Upvote either good or stupid questions. Sort questions by new so that they get some love.

To the more experienced runnitors, if something is a good question or answer, add it to the FAQ.

Post your question - stupid or otherwise - here to get an answer - stupid or otherwise. Anyone can post a question and the community as a whole is invited and encouraged to provide an answer. Many questions get submitted late each week that don't get a lot of action, so if your question didn't get answered, feel free to post it again.

As always, be sure to read the FAQ first. Also, there's a handy-dandy search bar to your right, and if you didn't know, you can also use Google to search runnit by using the limiter "site:reddit.com r/running ".

Be sure to check back often as questions get posted throughout the day. Sort comments by "new" to be sure the newer questions get some love as well.

[Posting on behalf of u/Percinho who is currently busy crushing V2s on the rock wall for cross training]

Rules of the Road

1) Anyone is welcome to participate and share your ideas, plans, diet, and nutrition plans.

2) Promote good discussion. Simply downvoting because you disagree with someone's ideas is BAD. Instead, let them know why you disagree with them.

3) Provide sources if possible. However, anecdotes and "broscience" can lead to good discussion, and are welcome here as long as they are labeled as such.

4) Feel free to talk about anything diet or nutrition related.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

Shoes are a big topic in this sub, so in an effort to condense and collect some of these posts, we're introducing Shoesday Tuesday! Similar to Wednesday's gear thread, but focusing on shoes.

What’ve you been wearing on your feet? Anything fun added to the rotation? Got a review of a new release? Questions about a pair that’s caught your eye? Here's the place to discuss.

NOTE: For you Runnitors looking to sell/trade any running gear (as well as bib transfers), head over to /r/therunningrack.

Haaaaaapppy Monday! And happy last day of August! Can someone please explain how we are already to 'ber season??

And how was the weekend? What's good this week? Who's putting their halloween decorations out?!! Tell us everything

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

The Li’l Race Report Thread is for writing a short report on a recent race or a run in a new place. If your race doesn’t really need its own thread but you still want to talk about it, then post it here! Both your good and bad races are welcome.

Didn't run a race, but had an interesting run to talk about. Post it here as well!

So get to it, Runnit! In a paragraph or two, where’d you run and how’d it go?

With over 4,200,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

With over 4,200,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Post your training for this past week. Provide any context you find helpful like what you're training for and what your previous weeks have been like. Feel free to comment on other people's training.

(This is not the Achievement thread).

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

With over 4,200,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Enforcing Rule 3 (no self-promotion, social media links) is a must with a large sub such as this, but we do realize that it filters out some truly useful content that is relative to the sub. In an effort to allow that content in, we thought we'd have a weekly post to give a spot for the useful content. So...

Here's you chance!

Got a project you've been working on (video, programming, etc.), share it here!

Want to promote a business or service, share it here!

Trying to get more Instagram followers, share it here!

Found any great running content online, share it here!

The one caveat I have is that whatever is shared should be fitness related, please.

Training for my first 10K at the moment. I've mostly been doing 5Ks, around 3-4 runs a week.Still new to running so I'm not really chasing a time yet. Just want to actually finish the 10K without feeling completely dead at the end .Some weeks have been easier than others. Getting myself out the door is probably harder than the actual run sometimes.

What about you guys? 5K? Half? Full? Or just trying to stay consistent?

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

Good morning, Runnit! Another weekend of races is approaching, so let's take a minute to see if any other Runnitors will be laying down those miles with us!

If you're racing this weekend, put a top-level comment below with the race details to help find other members of the community. See a race mentioned that looks interesting? Ask questions! Running your favorite race of the year? Tell us what makes it so awesome!

This thread is just an easy way to help Runnitors find each other in some sort of organized manner and help cheer each other on!

Another week is coming to a close!

What’s good this weekend? Who’s running, racing, tapering, recovering, hiking, camping, cheering, volunteering, kayaking, swimming, knitting, baking, reading, sleeping, .. ? Tell us everything.

With over 4,200,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

How’s your week of running going? Got any Complaints? Anything to add as a Confession? How about any Uncomplaints?

I'm an older runner and have developed arthritis in my left foot, likely due to a crush fracture in my early 20s and later metatarsal stress fracture. My doctor (who runs, yay) recommended squishy shoes - I had been running in Mizuno Elixir and then Inspire, which had become painful, and switching to their Neo Zen, which has a huge squishy sole, was a game changer.

However for HM and shorter races, and for track work, I have been using Saucony Kinvara shoes, which are now a bit painful to run in - not too bad for a few miles at the track, but I can't imagine running a half in them. Are there any squishy shoes that are suitable for workouts/races?