Are there any other 65+ runners on the Couch25K programme ?

[turnturtle]

I started off treating my age as irrelevant but after Week 5 run 1 my aches and pains are now suggesting otherwise. Any advice on maybe moderating the programme would be welcome.

[emsworthian]

I am 66. Just starting week 8, tomorrow. I am very surprised not to have suffered much in the way of aches and pains (or not more than the usual crop) up to now - the gradual nature of the programme helps, obviously. I did stop for a week with a chest infection.

What particular aches and pains do you have? What kind of ground are you running on?

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to emsworthian]

I had an ACL replacement twelve years ago and keyhole arthroscopy on the same knee six years ago but surprisingly that knee seems to feel a lot less clunkey since I started running. My hips are the main problem-my left hip aches quite a bit when I jog and afterwards. I think I need to pay more attention to stretching before and after a run. I'm taking chondroitin and glucosamine and am wondering whether to add ibuprofen to the mix, or would that be asking for trouble? I run mainly on the rough stone or mud tracks but think I may revert to a treadmill for the winter which might be gentler on my joints.

[Beek Graduate]

I am 66 also. Age is only a number, albeit a bigger number now! More important is how you feel. The programme is a gentle enough progression and I feel if you have any doubts then discuss them with your GP. I think that as long as you are taking notice of your body, as all runners should be, then just go for it! When I started the programme I did it in conjunction with Strength and Flexibility and I am certain that it helped to keep pain at bay. I feel that as long as you are listening to your body and take care not to bash on regardless of the twinges - back off if you are causing strain - all will be well.

Stretching afterwards is VITAL to prevent muscle pain.

I think you need to have a talk with your GP, who knows your medical history. He will probably be very pleased you are taking it on and will encourage you I'm sure!

[turnturtle Graduate]

Thanks to you both. I don't feel quite such an oddity now! I've been googling and discovered men and women in their eighties who are running marathons, so I'm encouraged. Did anyone see the TV programme 'Fashionistas' recently, about women over 70 who were living and dressing the way they wanted to , rather than being the little grey-haired old ladies society expected them to be ? It was SO inspiring. I want to join them!

[emsworthian in reply to turnturtle]

I have a friend, same age as me, who can't run because of hip problems - she has osteoarthritis of the hip. Your doctor could advise whether you should carry on, or not. I started Couch to 5 km having never run before. I ski a lot, and last winter I broke my pelvis in a fall. The follow up showed that although I don't have osteoarthritis I do have osteopenia - a lesser loss of bone. The medication prescribed for that had bad side effects and with my doc's agreement I gave it up, but I am trying to do more weight bearing exercise, which is good for bones. Previously my main exercise is cycling, which is excellent in terms of cardio-vascular fitness and much more gentle on your joints. but no good for bones.

So it's a bit of a quandary. Exercise which puts weight on the bones (and is good for them) is also likely to put the joints, particularly hips and knees, under greater strain.

Very glad to hear your knee has responded well to the running - that must be a great relief.

I wouldn't start taking ibuprofen on a regular basis without a doctor's advice, though I take it occasionally for specific twinges.

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to emsworthian]

Thanks for that emsworthian. My ACL replacement was the result of skiing. Running seems a lot safer. I am a bit of a doctorphobe but I am consulting my daughter who is a vet, and will follow her advice. Until she suggests putting me down!

[swanscot Graduate in reply to turnturtle]

You're not an oddity at all; in fact are still a youngster compared to some other runners I know/have met.

I've taken my son to hill running events over the years and seen many runners who look to be 70+

A few weeks ago I had a woman drop into my workplace (a visitor centre) and she told me she was visiting the area to participate in the Loch Ness marathon. She told me that next year's marathon will be her 17th and she plans that to be her last as she will be 70.

I follow a running blog written by a 80+ year old runner. He started running when he was 54 and has won age categories for age 70+ and 75+. He's currently not racing but runs off road runs a few times a week.

[samifaltas]

I'm only 63, but on the other hand, I'm 102 kilos. So perhaps you'll let me into the club. The great thing about the programme is that you can moderate it very easily. One, run slowly. Two, don't move to the next stage until you can do the runs of the current stage easily. Three, if necessary, go back to an earlier stage. And as Laura keeps saying, it's not about speed, but about distance and hence stamina. Make sure you have good trainers that fit you, and try to run on soft surfaces like grass or sand when you're outdoors. I've completed the programme, and I think you will too. Thanks to NHS and Laura for this good programme. If only the music were not so horrible.

[lycranotlikely Graduate]

I'm 66 and my husband is 72. We both graduated together earlier this year though he ran much farther than me. He now has done several parkruns (5K) and his PB is 32.29 which I think is amazing for someone of his age who has never run since he played rugby at secondary school. I on the other hand haven't run since I was in primary school and was so pathetic that I was mocked so never did it again!! The furthest I've run so far is 4.25K in 45 minutes!

I think you'll find that the oldest graduate here is Pat 174.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I'm not sure it is vital to stretch after a run. At any rate I don't and would never have started if I had thought it was essential. I do some stretching activities as part of my overall 'programme' but not in conjunction with running. (The only time I'll stretch post-run is when I haven't done a walk at the end for some reason - and then I do feel the need)

And I don't think there's any need to do more than completing the prescribed sessions, easily or not, before moving on. I'd also be wary of treadmills personally as I have the impression reading here that although they have the merit of being safe and dry for the winter, it isn't so easy to go at your *own* pace.

Had to laugh at consulting your vet daughter - she may not advise euthanasia but she might suggest not breeding from you if you have a dodgy hip score!

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Far too late for that warning. My dodgy hip genes are already distributed

over both hemispheres!