This was the original title for this post. (I write them sometimes months in advance):

Thanks to Judy for providing me with more information on what I already believed (You can read the article if you are interested.)

And yes, I still believe that ST is NOT necessary to improve your running..

But, it seemed hypocritical to post about it since I have been using the machines at the gym 3x a week for the past month.

So I am going to instead post the positive and negatives of my gym experience.

It may be totally individual to me, though.

Here’s some specifics:

• I do not work out at home.
• At the gym, I have not used the bike, treadmill, any weights, the pool or run on the indoor track.
• Nor have I taken any classes.
• My membership is free until June 4, 2022.

I drink coffee, get in the car, and arrive at the gym usually by 6:30 am.  I use almost all the machines and then drive home, have breakfast and start my work day by 8 am.

Pros:

• A positive way to start the day.
• A short drive from my home.
• I work from home so I don’t have to change my clothes after.
• I can go at any time of day.
• There are a big variety of machines that work different muscles.
• I can work as hard as I choose.
• I can choose which muscle groups to work on.
• No computer screens.
• Quiet time. No talking by others 

Cons:

• If I am up early, I’d rather be outside running.
• It is time consuming wiping down the machines after each use.
• Sometimes you have to wait until a machine is available.
• You have to remember the individual settings on each machine.
• It is crowded at certain times of day.
• There is a fine line between over doing and not working hard enough.
• Gym doesn’t open until 8 am on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays (due to COVID).

I know that this is only ONE option to working out.

Many runners work out at home.  But I don’t own any equipment.

And I may be weird but I do not like REMOTE instruction…  YouTube videos, Peleton etc. I stare at a computer screen all day and the last thing I want to do is watch someone doing yoga or leading a workout. My favorite use for Peleton was for the outdoor runs…

My gym plans for the future?

I don’t think it is worth it for me to join the Y. My FREE local gym is still closed (since the pandemic) but I would love to see it open up again!! And I would go regularly, I think.

But back to my original post:

So if you don’t strength train, what things could you do to that may improve your running?

• Run more.

Consistency is key to better running.  If you are tired or sore, instead of skipping a run, just slow it down. (Remember if you walk, you are still a runner.)

• Run longer.

Running 4-5 miles every weekend will not give you speed or endurance.  You don’t have to increase it a lot (10% is recommended). If the increased mileage makes you sore or tired, go back and forth (increase then go back down, then increase again.)

• Lose weight.

Extra pounds can have a negative impact on your health and on your running especially on your joints (and knees).  You don’t have to go on an extreme diet but just be more mindful about what you eat and how active you are.

• Do Drills/Running Workouts

You know what I mean: tempo runs, hill repeats, fartleks, progression runs, intervals, etc.  They will seem challenging but may improve your running.

• Race.

The crowd support, race adrenaline, competition, etc. that can only happen in a race may improve your running.

Happy Running! Do you do a lot of strength training? Do you go to a gym? Has it improved your running? Please share.

So it’s Tuesday and I am linking up  with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner) for Tuesday Topics.

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

Several months ago, a friend posted the info below on FB.  As I approach the end of another decade, I decided that this would be as good a time as any to discuss the “old” age issue.

An extensive study in the U.S.A found that the most productive age in human life is between 60-70 years of age. The 2nd most productive stage of the human being is from 70 to 80 years of age..
The average age of NOBEL PRIZE winners is 62 years old. The average age of the presidents of prominent companies in the world is 63 years. The average age of the pastors of the 100 largest churches in the U.S.A. is 71. The average age of the Popes is 76 years.
This tells us in a way that it has been determined, that the best years of your life are between 60 and 80 years.
A study published in NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE found that at age 60, you reach the TOP of your potential and this continues into your 80s.
Therefore, if you are between 60 -70 or 70-80 you are in the BEST and 2nd level of your life. (SOURCE: N.Engl.J .Med. 70,389 (2018))

This info, of course, confirmed what I’ve believed.

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER! (And like fine wine, we get better with age! lol)

So you younger runners, do not worry that you will need to rest more, run less, go to bed earlier, sit in your rocker in the evening and drink herbal tea (unless you want to do these things…)

If you stay healthy, you do not have to slow down.

As an a runner who started running at age 55, I was afraid that I was too old to run a half marathon (and definitely too old to ever run a full marathon).

However, of the 56 half marathons that I’ve completed, only 6 were run before the age of 60! I ran the NYC Marathon at age 66.

That being said, most likely your PR days will be over, your finish times will slow down but that’s why they give out age group awards.  You should NEVER compare yourself to younger runners and especially not to your younger self.

So embrace the fact that you are still able to do something that brings you joy.

This is 68! Bring on 69!!

Happy Running! So how old do you consider “old?’  Has it changed since you started running?  Do you plan to keep running even into your 70s, 80s, 90s? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m linking up also with this link-up: