Runners anonymous

[LookNannyruns]

Does anyone else feel as if they belong to a secret (sh) older runners club? Only a select number of people know I run - oh apart from this forum and a couple of 100 on parkrun 😊- but you know what I mean.

I was chatting to an acquaintance at coffee yesterday who asked me in hushed tones if I still ran, she too is on the couch to 5k road . We talked quietly sharing the negativity we meet from people of our own age, the statements such as aren’t you a bit old to start that? You’ll ruin you knees, hips etc? I can walk faster than you run etc etc etc. On the upside we both feel so much better and run despite the lack of encouragement so go us.

On the other hand younger people applaude and respect our decision . This is by far the best thing I’ve started in later life so if you’re out there wondering whether to give it a go please please do. The 78 year old lady that inspired me to start did her first parkrun with me last week and was thrilled to come first in her age category 😁

[misswobble Graduate]

Take no notice of folk who bring up knees who have not a clue what they’re on about

I didn’t tell anyone I had started the programme. One lady at WW class knew as she got me sorted out with it as I’d not heard of it

I never looked back. I ran my first marathon last winter on my 60th birthday. I started racing - which you don’t know til you’ve tried it - is the most amazing fun 😁.

Who knew though? You don’t know til you’ve tried it, which is true of this programme It’s fantastic, especially for those of a certain age who have not been active enough. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s like being re-born

Start today 😃🏃‍♀️

[sallenson Graduate]

My family know. You lot know. None of my colleagues know. It's like being Freemason but without the daft regalia/trouser leg silliness. But fitter. And stronger. And probably a lot more fun and rewarding 😁

[LookNannyruns Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Oh I don’t know about the daft regalia, you should see some of my outfits!! 🤣

[sallenson Graduate]

And the "knee" thing. Oh give it a rest and come back when you know what you're talking about you silly people 😂

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I have had many different responses but it comes out when Someone asks what I do! I tell them all my different jobs including helping to look after this site. By the time I have finished telling them all the inspirational posts I read each and every day they are amazed that there are so many of us and usually tell me how healthy I look after I tell them my age, then tell me they must try it. I must admit I am terrible, I am the worlds biggest run bore take a breath for too long and I will tell you about C25k 😀 😀😀😀😀

[Funjac]

I am 53 and completed wk6 this morning. I am at the gym at 6am to complete my runs before work. This is my bit of time and works for me. I feel so much fitter and have more energy since starting c25k. I am proud of myself for embarking of this journey. I will never be a fast runner but I am most certainly not going to waste away sat on the couch.

Keep up the good work. Here's to all the ladies and gents embarking on this journey, whatever your age, BE PROUD, WE ARE ALL DOING FANTASTIC 👏👏

[oldperson47 Graduate]

I am 70. My younger daughter signed up for a 10k in July to run for a charity. I decided would join her to give support (mad I know!!). Then my elder daughter also joined us. We are running for Tamba ( Twin and Multiple Birth association) as my daughters have twins and my son has triplets; each one has a singleton as well so I have 10 grandchildren under 4.5 years. Hence I thought I had better get moving. I run first thing about 6 or 7 each morning as it is cooler. At times I think I am mad ( at other times I know it). It is interesting that my pulse rate is slowly going down, my average is lower and my maximum is lower as well which means I must be getting fitter, Trouble is I spend 3 days a week helping out with each set of multiples so spend a long time in the car and crawling around the floor. I need to be fitter to play a role in my grandchildren's lives. This is what keeps me going

[LookNannyruns Graduate]

You’ll have a running team before you know it! I can just see you and your 10 grandchildren coming over the hill in a future parkrun like Julie Andrews in the sound of music 😂

[Diamondshoes Graduate]

What a treat to read your post! I'm approaching 70 (gasp) & have always exercised but never run before. I'm about to start wk 4 but still feel embarrassed because my "running" is slower than my walking & I'm hoping nobody thinks I need a respirator!! Still I'm growing to love it. My mother spent the last years of her life in a wheelchair & I'm determined to stay fit, healthy & mobile!