Am I too old?

Hello, are there any Ladies in their 60s out there doing the Couch to 5K as beginner runners?

[Jaxxf]

Hi, I'm 56 and have just started -onto week4 now. I also have problems with joint pain so was very wary but am finding it ok.

My advice would be give it a go, don't beat yourself up if you have a day when you don't achieve but keep trying. Any run is better than none.

My go said everyone can run as long as they listen to their body.

I will say I always feel nervous beforehand but proud after -that's a great feeling to have about yourself at any age. My hubby began to run last year aged 57 and now runs 5-8k with ease ( I can't achieve at his pace but I aim to achieve 5k before the winter comes!)

Be brave, go for it, don't forget the rest days and increased water intake and I think you'll be glad u did -eventually😬

[Bolton57]

I am 60 and started running after a small stroke. It has taken me almost a couple of years to get to 5k, I took it slowly and experience a few joint problems and thought I would never get there but after my son bought me a watch in February I found it a great help. I am now running 5k twice a week. Take it easy but don't give up.

[Hidden]

Im a fat old chap, 64, overweight, diabetes, raised blood pressure and never run before. I've had some really bad days but I'm determined, I will do it. Im now on week 6,

One of the mentors in our running group has only started running recently through C25k and now doing 10k's she is in her early 70's so come on lass slow and steady let's show them how it's done 👍

[Fboy]

Hi AnnyFanny I'm 65 and I'm at the end of week 3. I walk a lot but my nurse said I needed to get out of breath and as my son and husband have taken up running I though I ought to join them! Going ok so far.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

How many fingers have you got?? There are loads of us! I am 67.. started at 65!

Welcome to this amazing group

You just need to download the podcasts... and start

Slow, steady and enjoying. Take your rest days, mote if you need to and listen to your body. It is quite normal for it to protest a bit at first!

Non impact exercise on rest days is useful too, for building up stamina and strength... yoga, cycling, swimming or walking... even a day's housework or gardening can be beneficial!

Try to real, take each run as it comes... and keep posting too

[Stumbleandfall]

Hello AnnyFanny, I am 65 and just started today. I have never been able to run (even when young) and hated sport at school. Over the years have tried a gym but not really enjoyed it. So decided last week to give this a go and Day 1 today was quite enjoyable even though it was raining and I felt self-conscious to begin with. I hope I have the mental strength to see it through to the end although at this stage can't imagine I'll ever be able to manage running for longer than the 60 second bursts called for today! If I do, then I will be thrilled but if not I've had a go and as Jaxxf said 'any run is better than none '. So go on, have a go!

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Stumbleandfall]

Hello AnnyFanny and Stumbleandfall, I am 64 and today was my Week1Run2! I have never run in my life but have been doing yoga for the last three years or so. Day 1 was ok but today was more difficult as I felt tired right from the start. I really want to complete the programme but think I might need more time. No matter: I think the most important thing is to get out there and practise, even if it takes longer than 9 weeks. I'm apprehensive. Like you Stumbleandfall, I can't imagine I'll ever be able to do it! But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Good luck to you both.

[Hidden]

You're never too old. And there's lots of 60+ folk on here. That's the beauty of the plan and the forum. Age here really is just a number.

[rolysmate Graduate]

There you go lass, plenty of "mature" ladies and gentlemen on here showing the world that your never to old, get your running gear on and get yourself out there

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you want to run, do it.

Some people are half dead on their sofas by the time they reach 60.

Others, in their seventies, eighties and older are out there living life to the full.

It's up to you.

[Gretandra]

Hi there. I was 70 in February of this year and had never run before in my life (only for a bus now and again). I decided to set myself a challenge in celebration of reaching 3 score years and 10 in reasonably good health. I started the couch25k in January and managed to run in my first 5k in June in 26 degrees! I have now registered to attempt a 10k in November. Age is just a number. As long as you take your time and don't try to break any records (or bones!) I am sure that you will begin to enjoy it. Go for it!

[misswobble Graduate]

Yes, loads! There are lots of white haired ladies out there running up a storm 💪🙂🏃‍♀️✔️👍

When I started racing (yep you heard me 😉) I was amazed at how many there were. I find it reassuring that I can keep running and racing til I pop my clogs.

I am sixty in November and had never run before couch to 5k. It's the bees knees I reckon 🙂

[davelinks Graduate]

I did it at 60, wife did it at 61, never too old, was recently chatting at Parkrun with a gent in his early 80s he's now done 365 Parkruns! and told me he now only picks Parkrun courses that are flat, how's that for motivation..😊

[Rowville]

Hi I'm 68 and started this running malarkey 8 weeks ago and it's amazing. I have rather damaged knees from too much badminton in my youth, but with proper shoes and a quick rub with voltarol they are fine and moving is the best thing. I tend to have two rest days rather than one , walk the dog do a bit of rowing and weights. At the moment I run on a treadmill but I am hoping to venture to the great outdoors when I graduate on the treadmill.

I be really enjoyed it and feel so much more energised and pleased with myself. Do start you will really benefit physically and mentally !

[Hidden]

Thankyou for your wonderful, motivating comments. I am thrilled at the response. I will take on board all the really useful advice from you all and get going !

[Duddles Graduate]

I am 71 and just finishing Week 5 this time around. I have got to Week 9 a couple of times in recent years, but let it slip and have started again. Very lucky to have no problems - helped by staying active over the years with race walking and a bit of football.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I am on my way to 71 - started C25k about 4 years ago at age 67. I have lost count of the number of people who have come here over those years to start (and finish) C25K in their late 50's 60's and 70's. I haven't run for 3 months now as I had a bit of an accident - but if/when my fractured foot repairs itself, I am intending to restart with a version of C25K . I did a fastish 2.5K walk with a 65YO friend a few days ago - he huffed and puffed the whole way. I didn't even after a 3 months break ( and a bit of a head cold) so I was well pleased with that.

[ruralfrance Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Hope you're soon back on the road, Bazza. I'm 64 and had never run before I started the programme in August. This morning I did week 6 run 3, VERY SLOWLY, and am feeling pleased with myself. More important, I feel less tired and more fit than before. Good luck with your recovery.

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to ruralfrance]

I hope you enjoy your new life as much as I enjoyed mine - I think I am close to restarting soon. I can balance on my sore foot one -footed now .

[GrannyHelen57 Graduate]

I was 60 at the beginning of August and it was my challenge to be able to run 5K by my 60th birthday, and enter Race for Life in Bournemouth where I live. I achieved both. Yes go for it , slow and steady , don't feel you've failed if it takes a bit of time to 'get there' . I find reading all the posts on here so motivating. Weather permitting I now run 3 x5K a week. Very slowly 40 - 46 minutes depending on how I feel but so proud of myself afterwards. You to will feel the same -

[scotinexile Graduate]

Hi, I did w1r1 yesterday. I'm 72 next birthday. A bit stiff and sore today but I will go out tomorrow for run 2. Good luck, just follow all the really good advice on here.

[Gillma Graduate]

I started this April aged 66, motivated by birth of first grandchild. I got to week 9 in July and ran (v slowly) a 5k Parkrun about two weeks later. Now I've started C25k again with my husband who is 71 and recovering from an auto-immune disease which attacks muscles. When we run we feel like teenagers! I've occasionally (not recently) felt extremely tired but mostly I have extra energy. I am getting faster but I like slow. It's quite soothing to joggle along - even at slower than walking (now). Don't be a stranger- the community is 'real' and here for you.

[sheps Graduate]

There certainly are. Note the graduate badge. If I can do it so can you. Keep checking in here for inspiration and support through the tricky times. You'll be amazed at what you will achieve.

[MagsE Graduate]

You are definitely not too old. In fact you are practically a baby compared to some beginners. I'm 60 and I graduated just a couple of months ago having been unable to run a hundred yards before I started the programme. Now I run three times a week, various distances but at least one 5 k I've completed my first Parkrun (it was fab). I'm slimmer and masses fitter. Running has impacted not only on my physical but also my mental well being. Don't waste another day. Go for it. Good luck

[JaneM21 Graduate]

Hi there. Just to add to all the wonderful comments below - I'm 63, and have never run before in my life. A bit of Zumba once a week, and that's been my lot. I had a hip replacement 2 years ago, which I thought might be an issue, but it hasn't been - I was obviously just using that as an excuse!! I have just started Wk3. Yes, I find the first run of each week a bit tough, but it will be. Runs 2 and 3 always seem to go better. At the start of Wk1, with all my new running gear, I felt such a complete plonker that I had to go somewhere where nobody recognised me! I'm getting slightly better about that, but still have a way to go before I can tell all and sundry that I'm doing this! Once I'm running respectably, rather than 'joffling' (love that word!) I'll be a bit more brazen about it. 😆

[Hidden in reply to JaneM21]

Glad you responded. I too have a hip replacement so that is reassuring to hear. We are moving shortly to an area where I can start to walk ( more rural) so am concentrating on the strength building exercises on the website for now. Going to post when I start the walking/running programme

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Wowzers??!!! I hope I'm still running in my sixties...you are all fab-u-lous!!!! Very inspiring....admiration through the roof!!!

[Limawhite Graduate]

Hello, I'm sure you can do it if you take it at a pace that suits you.

I did Couch to 5K this year, and I'm 63. I finished it in the standard nine weeks and then carried on repeating the 30 minute runs of week 9. However, I've been away on holiday and also had a virus this summer, so feel I've lost a bit of fitness. I am currently doing 20 minute runs (week 5 run 3 is the one I'm doing) and I will build up again over weeks 6-9 to get back to where I was.

I was trying to push for more distance/speed after I finished Couch to 5K, using the Stepping Stones podcasts but I stopped enjoying the running as much. Once I am back to 30 minute runs, I will go back to trying to build up beyond that again.

[LJER]

Hello, have just started, am 65 and, like you maybe, wondering if I'm a bit too old. However, I had a health check at the GP surgery last week and they said go for it! I've done the first 3 runs, going OK so far. How about you?

[Beginnings Graduate]

Yes I have just started after reading these comments

[PurpleCat87 Graduate]

Never too old AnnyFanny! I’m 61 and feeling good - running is great for your heart and lungs, so got for it! I take my inspiration from Jarra Jim of Britain’s Greatest Generation fame - he was still doing marathons in his 90s! He said he started running in his 60s. So anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Good luck! x

[Roxdog Graduate]

You are not too old. I started just before my 60th birthday and have finished the programme, injury free apart from a few niggles. So absolutely get started! Lots of us on the forum are no spring chickens!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Lots! Plenty of octogenarians at my parkrun!