One thing I have found, as a older beginning runner, is that I am a bit of a "freak". I have come across a few older runners (and I am defining "older" as 60+) but mostly they have been running for decades and members of running clubs. I have come across some older people at parkrun who are beginners like me -- but any "race" that I look at and the orienteering club that I went to a couple of times ( before it got too hot here) are all young 'ens. I would like to run on bush trails - but all the clubs are made up of 20+ young ones. I mean - fair enough - what person of advanced years like me starts RUNNING on roads ??? Whenever I do an Internet search on "Seniors fitness", I see programmes for people of my age to do exercises while sitting in a rocking chair- etc!!!
I bring this up - because I did participate in a BIG race/funrun which had 80,000 entrants. It was very exciting and a lot of fun - and it was easy to "hide" in that crowd - but only yesterday I was looking at a local HM in March next year which - when I looked at their website , had pictures of the smallish number of people who participate in it (looked like around 500) and their obvious young age. Pigivi's post today about an intended HM next year caused me to look at that website and the small number and young age of entrants stood out to me also.
Of course, it is easy to run by myself locally - but a bit lonely.
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Bazza1234
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I am a bit younger than you but not that young... (51) and I feel the same when I walk up the hill that is in front of my house - (200 mt high in 1 km of forest paths, with lots of stone steps) I keep thinking that It would be great if I one day could run to the top - but the only ones I have seen doing that are in their 20's...
Maybe you could try to start a group of over 50? Even if I am sure that there are plenty of young ones that are not as fit as you are!
You're never older than the woman you feel, or however it is the saying goes
Seriously, though, being a babyface of only 47, I think it's cool that you out there running, Bazza. And even if most people around you who run are younger than you, that shouldn't stop you participating. I bet you most of them admire you for what you're doing.
Come off it Bazza, you might have been 67 when you started all this running lark, but we know damn well that you are getting younger every day and will soon be competing on a level playing field with those 22 year olds. Why not try to start a veterans running group, open to all comers, regardless of experience. Mind you, apart from the occasional parkrun, I love the solitude of running.
PS. Don't forget you're age grading. It makes it all worthwhile.
It is important to note that there are lots of overweight teenagers not half as fit as you who don't have the confidence to even try to change at this point. You could definitely start a Senior 60's Running Club yourself with like minded people near yoh. Why not put a note up at your local shop, library, swimming pool and docs and chat to your local gym perhaps?
I am 57 it was the sight of an older gentleman , i guessed around 80 , still out running that inspired me to start C25K , I will be more than happy to still be running at 60 and beyond !! Hats off to you Bazza I have learnt from this we can do what ever we put our minds to
Can i just say i see lots of older gentlemen out on runs in Santiago. Boy i mean these men are lean, mean fighting machines. I am huffing and puffing and are gliding along effortlessly. Some of the big races these guys come are there putting all us young people to shame. Plus they join in with the running clubs on saturday morning - so please don't let it put you off because i think its great! It the one thing i love about running its open to all ages!!!
Yes - there are many mean tough old runners -- but there are very very few old beginner runners Who starts running at my age??? I have worked out a way to make lots of money - I am going to ask for $1 from everybody, who when I tell them that I run , then goes on to tell me how bad it will be for my knees
Hi Bazza, I started running when I was 59. I am now 60. I am still baffled as to why I am running and not dealing with pipe and slippers. My family and friends are impressed. So far I have only done one event. I tend to run alone currently. However I have a Santa run planned next month. So I have not yet experienced the feeling of being the oldest person around. I have to say that even at my age I am getting used to being the older one so Bazza, I think you should just be proud of who you are and what you are doing and as someone else said, bask in the knowledge that there are people a fraction of your age who are incapable of doing what you (we) are up to!
I really do now know why I am running - after seeing my contemporaries on a cruiseship earlier this month. But - also because I am actually , after 12 months, starting to enjoy it!!!
Well done on enjoying it after 12 months - it took me 18 months!
hi bazza i am a mere baby at 66 started running about 3 years ago. never run in a group just on my ownsome. i enjoy the solitude granted i run at 5 am and lately in scotland its been a wee bit cold. i must admit i joined the parkrun community about 6 months ago but haven't worked up the courage to take part in a run. everyone seems so young and from the videos i have watched they all go of like rockets. i think i would always end up last and keep the stewards waiting, but i run for pleasure not for glory. just remember when you are talking to yourself on your runs you will never be wrong or get any backchat. keeep running and enjoy.
I would encourage you to participate with Parkrun -- because, although you may be one of the oldest, you won't be one of the slowest - because as others have said here, you will find there plenty of people much younger but less capable than you. So, Parkrun itself is not a lonely experience for me- I have a nice place there - even though I don't particularly like the "do your best - compete against yourself - run a PB " style ethos.
Edinburgh parkrun looks idyllic would love to run it. They do seem to be a young bunch as i noticed only one lady over 70 ran it last week. At my local parkrun we have a couple of regulars who are 80+. Enjoy the run start slow and get slower. You will be amazed at how much quicker you do tend to run at a parkrun than going solo. The support is always very encouraging.
Wee haggis you must run at the Parkrun - in Edinburgh we get lots of older people running in our Parkrun and I am one of them - slow I might be but at least I am out there giving it my best!
Well let me tell you this for a story, my Dad is almost 69 and my Mum is almost 70.
My Dad is a 4th degree black-belt in kungfu, and goes to the gym every other morning. My Mum goes swimming every day and does 50+ lengths!
They are both as fit as fleas and I look at them in awe, and hope that I'm as fit and healthy as them when I get to their age. I am so proud of them!
You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You might be out of the ordinary but so what?! It's a good thing!! And us "younger folk" don't bite, you know?
Seriously Bazza? You've just realised you're a freak? Any of us could have told you that ages ago!! Kidding aside, you might like to examine why you chose running instead of any other sport... is it because you are a solitary sort of person? It didn't occur to me until I had been running for sometime that yet again I had chosen a solitary pastime. Among my other hobbies over the years are crosswords, reading, sodoku, walking, swimming...all things done alone. Frankly, I have rarely felt so alone and lonely as when on my horrible park run....I have the best company possible, (BaldyBoy aside) when I run alone...
Well - yes, I am and have always been a bit of a loner. - but seriously, don't think this had any bearing on me starting to run. There is a saying that "all good ideas have their time" - and , when I started rediscovering "exercising" 12 months ago , (I had always exercised in my younger years - been fit and strong) - but NEVER could run. Why was that??? I found the answer to that question on the Internet :)- and my new journey started. ( a bit late , I guess) .
In fact, as I age , I am probably less of a loner than before - and hence I would like to join with a running group ( that has more on their mind than just race times and PB's - eg trail runners) -- but they are even younger runners than are "normal" road joggers
I agree - there are a good few older runners in my local Parkrun but nearly all of them have been running for years. There is another guy with me who graduated to Parkrun from the local Councils Couch 2 5K programme who is in his fifties. Some of the older people in out Parkrun get some brilliant times though!
Tell me about it!! I have come across those in their mid-70's who run 22 minutes for the 5K!! But that in itself doesn't worry me - except insofar as I can not really part of that "group" equally as much as not really being able to be part of the 20+ group
I understand, I'm the same - I go to Parkrun but just run on my own there - I'm not really part of a 'group' - except maybe the half dozen C25K people who still chat before running the Parkrun - the rest of the time I run on my own. Their is a running club in the town but I don't see any reason to join it when I am just doing 5Ks (at the moment)
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Whenever I do an Internet search on "Seniors fitness", I see programmes for people of my age to do exercises while sitting in a rocking chair- etc!!! 
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