Recently I've seen a few references to performance tables compiled by the World Association of Veteran Athletes. These tables provide a method for aging runners to compare current and past performances (direct comparisons being too depressing). I couldn't find a website for WAVA but did find some calculators based on their data.
For example, my best collegiate race (age 22) was 4:01 for 1500 meters, which is approximately 4:20 for one mile. That scored an 86.3% (100% being the "baseline"). And to match that today (age 35), I would need to run a 4:24.5 mile or 4:05 for the 1500. Highly unlikely! But it gets worse - 86.3% for a 35 year old male translates to 15:05 for the 5K and 2:26:55 for the marathon. Fantastic. I already assumed that it was probably impossible to return to college-level fitness, but now I've learned that even getting to relatively similar racing condition will require a monumental effort. Unless I lose another 10 lbs?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
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I haven't seen those calculators but will check them out. There's also a semi-classic article by a Yale economist called "How Fast Do Old Men Slow Down?" that is available on the web. It can be depressing. Or inspiring if you're running fast...
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