Beginner at 60

[Lizzy57]

Hi I’m Lizzy57, Just turned 60 and Just trying to start to run for the first time in my life, hoping to up my fitness. I am walking, with a little jogging, my local park run at Upton, Poole. I am accompanied by my little dog Charlie, shown below, after our first park run. Any advice eagerly accepted from fellow aged 😀😀 runners.

[Languid_Lil Graduate]

Hi Lizzy57! I'm 55 and on week 3 (just done W3R2). Too much of a beginner to give you any tips except go for it and keep at it!

[RedT Graduate]

Hi Lizzy, I did my first walk/jog at Upton Park this week too! Just about to start week 3. Good luck and may see you next week.

[Lizzy57 in reply to RedT]

Hi RedT, you won’t see me this week as I have a prior engagement, but hoping to be there the week after. I’ll have the small spaniel with me.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Hi fellow aged runner.... !

Aged runner? We are seasoned strollers

I started this at 65... and still here, ( slightly battered in occasions..not running related... ) and still running three times a week and half way through Half Marathon training! There are some awesome runners of the more seasoned variety on here...

Check the link out.. and ready the advice, it is priceless...

The mantra..which I am famous or infamous for, is slow and steady.... simple as that.

Keep posting for terrific support and encouragement... and of course... Enjoy!!

[MandiV]

Hi Lizzy - 57 in 4 weeks and enjoying the programme - it works from a standing start I can vouch for it!

[Pippayoungart Graduate]

Congratulations on starting! If you are anything like me it will probably change your life. I have just had my 60th biirthday (still can’t believe i’m saying that) and my birthday treat for myself was to run 5k after never doing sport since leaving school. I started w1r1 back in the cold snap and graduated about 10 weeks later. I wasn’t making 5k at that point - only about 10% do. At the end of the programme you will be running 30 mins non-stop.

My tips are:

Run slower than you think possible to begin with (you can always up your pace later). Its more of a slow jog than a run.

Banish your mental gremlins. If you follow the programme, you CAN do it.

Make yourself a good running playlist, or listen to a good podcast - it helps with motivation, and stops you focussing on your breathing.

Good luck!

[Peanut52]

Hi Lizzy,I started at 57 ,my goal to just be able to ‘go for a run’ for 30 minutes.Having never run before,I thought it was an unlikely expectation, but....By sticking to the programme it worked! I can now run for 45 minutes without stopping and what is more really enjoy it!I don’t run 3times a week any more,just the once, but for me, it is the pleasure of the run and knowing that I have gained a new skill.So, my advice is to keep going through the good and bad runs and you WILL achieve that goal.Very best of luck to you,

[Agelesslass]

Lizzy, I’m 64, started this programme beginning of June, now running 5 miles non stop. Slow and steady, that’s my advice. It’s such a great app to follow. Good luck. PS, love Charlie, he is gorgeous.

[Nannalyn53 Graduate]

Hi Lizzy I started in Jan just before my 65th birthday, not having run for 50 years. Graduated in March. I’m pleased that I’ve had no injuries touch wood and put that down to luck, but also to following the advice about keeping it slow, doing the post run stretches every time, and doing a little bit of knee strengthening (videos online). I’m sure my years of yoga have helped too in making me much more aware of how my body connects and works - or doesn’t! But most important is the psychological aspect. Having run for 30 mins/ 50 mins/ 5k, all of which I’ve done, I still doubt sometimes that I can do whatever I intend for that run on that day. So pushing the mental gremlins aside is a biggie for many of us. All the best and enjoy all the benefits!

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Not there yet Lizzy, but there’s many of us who start running at an older age in the forum and I’m one of them too. I just wanted to welcome you. I’m sure you will enjoy the experience too! ❤️

[RedT Graduate]

Hi Lizzy, how’s it going? May see you at park run later this morning?

[Lizzy57 in reply to RedT]

I haven’t registered because I’ve not done much for a couple of weeks but we’ll be there