Just done I my first run week one and survived!

[Flossie12]

Hi not done anything like this before! Running and writing on a forum. But everyone seems so positive and encouraging. Many people seem to be 50 which is my age. 50 is not to old to start running?

[Bristol_plodder]

Hi Flossie, good to hear from you. I'm 52 (good grief, am I really...?) and I started 3 weeks ago. You'll be absolutely fine I'm sure. Take advantage of the wonderful, encouraging and experienced people on this site, they really are a godsend and will help see you through. Keep running and keep posting, everyone will be interested to hear how you are doing and to help if you need it. Well done you for taking the plunge, keep it up and good luck!!

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Well done on starting, 50 is a good age to begin... I started c25k last October with the intention of being fitter healthier & slimmer for my 50th this November. As a graduate I am doing 3 runs a week, getting faster & stronger & weigh 3 stone 2lbs less (lots still to lose though!)

Good luck, enjoy!

[Flossie12 in reply to Poppy2010]

Hi poppy2010. Thank you for ur reply. U r doing so well with the exercise and weight lose. I would like to lose a couple of extra stones. Did u diet as well?

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to Flossie12]

Hi Flossie! I started out on c25k a couple of weeks after starting weight watchers; I found I was losing very slowly (but my shape was changing) in July I started using Myfitnesspal along with ww, & it showed I was eating lotsof calories in free fruit, so just doing mfp now, linked to runkeeper so it adds used calories automatically. I like being told each day where I should be in 5 weeks too!

[Ellie57]

Hi Flossie12. I started this back in late June but had a few weeks off with holidays and a bout of sciatica. I completed week 5 run 1 yesterday and I'm 55 years old. Never run before in my life!! (And hated all PE at school!) Make sure you have proper running shoes and follow Laura's advice by making sure you roll your feet from the heel through to the ball of your foot to prevent injury. Also, stretch your legs after running and drink lots of fluids. I did suffer from night leg cramps for a while after starting but have found stretching and drinking plenty of fluids has helped enormously. It's amazing how many people smile at you and say hello as you run past - a good start to the day whichever way you look at it!!

[Flossie12 in reply to Ellie57]

Hi ellie57. Thank u for the reply. How r u find it in general? I did my first run yesterday and the flex and stretch thing today. I found I was a bit stiff after yesterday. Strangely I seemed to walk taller today, if not a little bit stiffly!

[Beek Graduate]

Some of us are way older than you and proof that it is never too late to set out on this wonderful programme.

Welcome to this brilliant community which will give you all the encouragement and support you'll ever need to inspire you to keep on!

Well done for getting started and GOOD LUCK for your journey!

[Flossie12 in reply to Beek]

Hi beek. Thank you so much for your reply. Hopefully I will manage to become a graduate in a few weeks!

[susan22 Graduate]

Welcome Flossie12. You are certainly NOT too old to start running. I am 57 and like you totally new to this sort of exercise. But I am now on week 5 and look forward to my running sessions - and find that as long as I listen to and obey Laura, I am achieving each run. I love it when friends and work colleagues look amazed to hear that I run , and some have begun to ask advice on how to get started!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I wish I had discovered running when I was 50. I am only seven years older than that, but that is seven years in which I could have had all the pleasures of running. My wife is half way through C25k and although we both find that we are tired after running, our general level of vitality is definitely increased.

Welcome Flossie 12, to having your life changed. Keep us posted with your progress.

[Hennith Graduate]

Hi there,

I, too, am 50 and started the plan yesterday. I can't say I found it easy on my first 'run' (breathing all over the place and going too fast I think) but at least I'm over that first run hurdle and so many posters seem to say it gets easier, so bring on run 2 tomorrow!

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[annasee Graduate]

I'm 52, also hated sport at school, and haven't run since. But today did run 3 of week 7, and even managed a sprint at the end. No particular injuries to report, but I'm careful to pace myself REALLY slowly, and have almost always had the rest days in between runs. A couple of times I've had to run on successive days, because of work, but have done a morning run followed by an evening run next day, and have got away with it. Really enjoying it, I'm lucky to have a nice shady flat area a few streets away. It was built as a private estate in the late 19th century, and is perfect as the houses are a long way back, there's hardly any traffic and you don't feel watched as there are such big front gardens. As I get better and bolder I'm venturing out a bit more onto "normal" roads, but still avoiding the sun as much as possible. Flossie you will be just fine if you do what Laura says. Good luck with it all, and in no time you will be running for 20 minutes or more, and hardly able to remember what those first few weeks were like!

[katee1958 Graduate]

totally agree with everyone above, I am 55 and have never run before, and overweight. I graduated at the weekend, It is such a brilliant feeling. I also log my food on the MFP website, which I think helps, but my weight is very slow to leave me, but I think I am more toned up now.

Good Luck and keep at it x

[MrsH1969 Graduate]

I'm 49, overweight, asthmatic and never run before but I'm starting to believe in this programme. Obviously I don't think it's too old to start and in today's 24/7 lifestyle any exercise has to be good for the mind and body is how I'm approaching it....plus I want to be fitter at 50! Good luck.

[doggytail Graduate]

Wow well done you, I am 71 and just started