The Ultimate Guide to Running Faster as You Age

TLDRMaintaining a high mileage, doing faster intervals, high intensity cross training, strength training, and plyometrics are key to running faster as you age. Polarizing your training and focusing on recovery methods are also crucial. Follow this comprehensive checklist to improve your running performance and preserve it for years to come.

Key insights

🏃‍♂️Maintaining a high mileage can significantly slow down the decline in VO2 max and muscle strength as you age.

⏱️Doing shorter and faster intervals challenges your heart, lungs, muscles, and tendons, promoting running faster.

🔄Adding high intensity cross training, like spin classes or group fitness classes, helps prevent running injuries and improves overall fitness.

🏋️‍♀️Incorporating slow and heavy strength training, focusing on calves, helps build muscle mass, preserve bone density, and enhance running performance.

🔥Including plyometrics, like jump rope exercises, enhances tendon stiffness, running economy, and injury prevention.

Q&A

How can maintaining a high mileage help with running faster as you age?

Maintaining a high mileage can significantly slow down the decline in VO2 max and muscle strength, which are crucial for running faster.

Why are shorter and faster intervals important for improving running speed?

Shorter and faster intervals challenge the heart, lungs, muscles, and tendons in a way that slow, easy running cannot, leading to improved running speed.

What are the benefits of high intensity cross training for runners?

High intensity cross training, like spin classes or group fitness classes, helps prevent running injuries, improves overall fitness, and complements running training.

Why is strength training important for aging runners?

Strength training helps build muscle mass, preserve bone density, enhance running performance, recharge metabolism, reduce body fat, and resist the effects of diabetes.

How do plyometrics contribute to running faster as you age?

Plyometrics, like jump rope exercises, enhance tendon stiffness, running economy, and injury prevention, making you a faster and more efficient runner.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The video discusses how to run faster as you age and sustain your performance for years.

01:18Maintaining a high mileage can slow down the decline in VO2 max and muscle strength.

03:59Shorter and faster intervals challenge the heart, lungs, muscles, and tendons, improving running speed.

06:45High intensity cross training, like spin classes, helps prevent injuries and improves overall fitness.

08:32Slow and heavy strength training builds muscle mass, preserves bone density, and enhances running performance.

11:03Plyometrics, like jump rope exercises, enhance tendon stiffness and running economy.

12:27Focusing on recovery methods is important for preserving and improving running performance.