Decent thread...as there are a lot of very talented old farts in our sport...
I would say Bryan has the best plan...Stay constistent and realistic with both your goals and your time commitments...I've managed to poke my nose at the front of at least a few races every year for almost 30 years...some years were banner...maybe a dozen or more wins...some not so much, maybe just one or two...I have had one or two injuries (IT band issues in college...and a torn meniscus from a mountain bike crash a few years ago)...but I've been pretty damn durable other than that.
Consistency is the key...You will slow down as you age...but, you can minimize downtime by staying consistent and listening to your body...bailing on the last 800 during a track workout when you feel the slight calf twinge...or bagging the last set of 50s when that shoulder feels worked...is far better than losing 2-3 weeks to a real injury.
I don't stretch much...I don't do yoga...I don't rub special stuff on my legs...I don't eat some special diet..I don't take a multi-vitamin.
There's no secret...just be consistent, listen to your body and do the work.
I would say Bryan has the best plan...Stay constistent and realistic with both your goals and your time commitments...I've managed to poke my nose at the front of at least a few races every year for almost 30 years...some years were banner...maybe a dozen or more wins...some not so much, maybe just one or two...I have had one or two injuries (IT band issues in college...and a torn meniscus from a mountain bike crash a few years ago)...but I've been pretty damn durable other than that.
Consistency is the key...You will slow down as you age...but, you can minimize downtime by staying consistent and listening to your body...bailing on the last 800 during a track workout when you feel the slight calf twinge...or bagging the last set of 50s when that shoulder feels worked...is far better than losing 2-3 weeks to a real injury.
I don't stretch much...I don't do yoga...I don't rub special stuff on my legs...I don't eat some special diet..I don't take a multi-vitamin.
There's no secret...just be consistent, listen to your body and do the work.