Browse by category
You can also browse all blogs by category.
I am 71 years of age and trying to return to running after more than twenty years of inactivity. In 1985 I completed five marathons and just failed to finish a sixth when my right hip suddenly failed, leaving me in agony. I was unable even to walk immediately after this event. I then gave up all training and always regretted it.
This year I made use of a Daily Telegraph offer to secure an entry in the Great North Run which takes place in October. I decided to use the opportunity to raise funds for an Orphanage in Kenya. I once worked in Africa for fourteen years and found the people exceptionally friendly and dignified often despite extreme poverty or other hardship.
Our local paper, the North Devon Journal, agreed to support my campaign and they have already printed four half-page articles which I wrote for the purpose.
I also have my own blog at the following address:
http://greatnorthrun.sclera.co.uk
I have not yet started jogging. Wanting to start my training gently I took several very brisk walks—each about seven miles over very hilly terrain. I timed myself at 1,000 good paces every eight minutes. Suddenly I found myself suffering from severe pain in my lower back. It might have been connected with lifting some fairly heavy objects or it might have resulted from the brisk walks.
For the last couple of weeks I have given up my walks and am planning to start again when I feel my back is a bit better. Does anyone have any advice for me please?
Michael
 | Author: | mgn2000 (mgn2000's profile, mgn2000's blog) |
 | Posted On: | Wed, 2008-03-12 23:08 |
 | Tags: | marathon training, running, distance running, training programs, overtraining, veterans, training, exercise, fitness and injury |
 | Comments: | 3 comments, go to comments |
Comments
back pain
I strongly recommend going to see a local Chartered Physiotherapist for an assessment. The way you have started training is ideal, and from experience I would guess that it was the heavy lifting and due to excessive use of muscles on the walk it became "the straw that broke the camels back" (sorry :-)) Paying out to see a professional may not be ideal but hopefully they can put your mind to rest and give you some ideas on exercises / stretches to reduce the risk of this happening again. Just please make sure it's a CHARTERED or STATE REGISTERED Physiotherapist. hope that helps and good luck
I would recommend easing
I would recommend easing into your training. Its recommended to not increase your mileage by more than 10% each week... I would say you'd even want to be cautious with that much of an increase each week. At your age, you are much more likely to be hit with running related injuries during training with the natural aging process and wear and tear of the joints. Your body won't recover as quickly as it used to and therefore you really need to factor in plenty of rest and just keep an eye on how you feel. Run as little as possible to achieve the results you're looking for. Cross-training (elliptical, swimming, aqua jogging, cycling) will help increase your fitness level and endurance while avoiding the high impact of running.
Best of luck to you!!
Get Back Into Training
I, too, got back into running after a long break. The biggest problem I faced was aching knees & stiff joints. A sports trainer I worked with recommended compressive support therapy garments. The very best ones I found were at www.thermomedic.com because they also use thermal therapy to warm stiff & sore joints. I wear my knee supports to bed at night which I find is great for eliminating that horrible stiffness in the morning. I hope this info helps as I know how hard it can be to get your fitness back after a long break