For a long time, I trained like most age-group runners: I followed the plan, logged the miles, and hoped the math would work itself out. But as a masters runner, I needed more than a one-size-fits-all approach.
That’s when I discovered Training Peaks for masters runners — a tool that tailors training and brings confidence back to my running journey.
“220 minus age” told me my max heart rate. The tempo runs were… hopefully tempo? And my recovery runs? Well, they felt easy — most of the time.
But the deeper I got into this running journey, the more I realized something wasn’t adding up. The effort didn’t always match the data, and the data didn’t always tell the full story. So I made a change.
At 66, I moved my training over to Training Peaks — and I haven’t looked back.
Why I Switched
Let’s face it: getting older doesn’t mean slowing down — but it does mean we need to train smarter.
I’d just completed a lactate threshold test at Body Insight Canada, and the results were both affirming and surprising. My Zone 2 range topped out at 147 bpm, which is higher than most age-based formulas would dare suggest. Turns out, I’ve got a strong aerobic engine — and I needed a system that recognized that.
Enter: TrainingPeaks.
TrainingPeaks: More Than Just a Logbook
This platform doesn’t just record what I did — it interprets it.
With metrics like:
- TSS (Training Stress Score)
- CTL (Chronic Training Load)
- ATL (Acute Training Load)
- and TSB (Training Stress Balance)
I can now see how my body is responding over time. Not just “Did I run today?” but “What did that run do to me — and for me?”
My structured plan (shoutout to Phil Mosley’s Masters Marathon Plan) now lives inside TrainingPeaks. And every session? Tailored to my actual threshold numbers, not a generic age group estimate.
The Payoff So Far
It’s early days, but already I’ve noticed:
- Confidence in my zones — no more guessing if I’m going too hard on easy days
- Recovery windows I can trust — knowing when to push, when to pull back
- A sense of progress — not just physically, but intellectually and emotionally
I’ve gone from simply logging my workouts to truly training with intent.
Why Training Peaks for Masters Runners Works
We’re not just looking to finish the race. We’re looking to thrive in training, stay healthy, and keep showing up.
Training Peaks gives me:
- Visibility into my fitness trends
- Accountability to my long-term goals
- Freedom to adjust intelligently as life — and age — happen
It’s not about chasing PRs blindly. It’s about making sure the work I’m doing is the right work.
Closing Strides
This shift feels like more than just a tech upgrade — it’s a philosophical one.
I’m not just running anymore. I’m training. With purpose. With clarity. With joy.
And with Training Peaks for masters runners, I feel like I’m really in control of my training.
So here’s to the build ahead, the miles to come, and the metrics that help me run not just faster, but longer — and happier.