🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan7.152811.1@iowa.physics.uiowa.edu>, theisen@iowa.physics.uiowa.edu writes:
> 
> 	
> 	I just turned 30 and have a question for older runners, or anyone
> who might know.
> 
> 	  At what age will my body start falling apart?
> 	  (this is assuming i maintain a good level of fitness until i die)
> 

There seems to be some evidence that endurance declines at a slower
rate than raw speed. For that reason you will see world-class
marathoners competing in their late 30's and even early 40's.
Certainly there are males in their 40's who have turned in marathon
times which are good enough to go to the Olympic trials. However,
you do not see sprinters (to my knowledge) competing at that
'lofty' age.

For your reference, here are the world records, by age group, for
the 5K and 10K distance. (My source is 'Peak Running Performance',
which has a rather interesting article about the effects of aging on
running performance. July-August 1992 issue)  These are men's records.

        Open    35-39  40-44  45-49  50-54  55-59   60-64    65+

5K      12:58   13:16  13:46  14:24  14:56  15:53   16:33   16:39

10K     27:08   27:17  28:33  30:03  31:02  33:01   34:15   34:42


BTW, it will be interesting to see if Eamonn Coghlan becomes the
first 'master' to crack the 4 minute mile. He seems to have a real
shot at doing it this year.
-- 
  Terry Linhardt                ...!wupost!jgaltstl!terry 
                                terry%jgaltstl.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu