Encouragement for the oldies.

[theoldfellow]

I haven't posted for a bit, so I thought I ought to let everyone know I'm still here, still running, still reading all the reports.

Over the last 2 weeks I ran Keswick Parkrun at 32 minutes for the 5.25Km course, a 7.5Km mountain road run, and four 3 to 5Km training jogs, so I'm still on top of it.

I started C25K in April 2018 at 68 years, having spent the previous 55 years sitting on a comfy chair. I hated running at school, and gave it up, and all other forms of exercise save only walking, at age 16. So you could say C25K changed my life.

It seems to me that you can never be to old to start running. It may well be that you will never run fast, or never run very far (I am in awe of Marathoners), but if I can manage 7.5Km (with over 200meters of ascent twice in that distance,) then no-one should use age as an excuse not to try a slow jog for 30 minutes.

But I remember my first C25K run. The girl said the run was 8 repetitions of 60 seconds running followed by 90 seconds brisk walk. I managed (just) 2 of the running bits, and walked the rest listening to Laura rabbiting on about how good I wasn't doing! Ha ha ha! I did try again 2 days later, and managed 5 of the runs, which cheered me somewhat. And the next week I started week one over again and completed it all. The rest, without a rest, is history...

I'll never run a Marathon, I'm not motivated to run a Half-Marathon either, distance and speed are not the objectives. The main aim is to stay fit and out of the clutches of the medical profession and not a consumer of pharmaceuticals, and on that front I am ahead of the game - thanks to C25K. And the encouragement I get here.

Happy Running!

TOF.

[Katnap Graduate]

Here, here!

[GreenLizard Graduate]

Wow! What a story. You must have seen some changes in your body and overall health since you started running what are the highlights? I am still at W5R1 today.

[theoldfellow in reply to GreenLizard]

I lost 6 Kgm, and moved a lot of fat into muscle (which is heavier). I feel so much fitter, and happier too - not seen the Doctor for a year, and that was to check my lowish pulse was okay.

My wife pushes me out to run, 'cos she likes me better afterwards!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Brilliant post and it does show that no matter how old you are if you have the determination anything can be achieved. So keep going and keep posting. Well done you 😊😊👏👏

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Happy running to you TOF, yes memories of week 1 of C25K with Laura, you have been doing very well indeed, especially at Keswick Parkrun, did you notice at yesterday's run that we both got the EXACT same time 32.01, it was my 5th parkrun at Dunfermline yesterday, I agree with you regarding marathons, not for me either, I have now graduated to Graduate10 as I ran my first full 10K two weeks ago and intend to run another 10k this week.

Keep well and keep on running. 😊 🏃

[Monnie41 Graduate]

You are amazing love your enthusiasm it's inspirational 😁

[Skeg Graduate]

Fantastic achievement well done. I started about 13 weeks back at 73 now 74. Seem to be doing ok. Your post encourages me to stick at it - thanks. On the pills I'm confident its helped me get of 3 off them.

[theoldfellow in reply to Skeg]

I still keep a stock of Ibuprofen and some ibuprofen gel - sometimes I overdo it. An occasional hay-fever pill too. But the only thing on my recurring prescription list is shampoo for seborrhaic dermatitis - which ain't going to kill me, nor the NHS budget!

[Skeg Graduate in reply to theoldfellow]

I reckon the fitter I stay the more likely remission stays so win for me and win for NHS purse.

[theoldfellow in reply to Skeg]

That's the whole point, the fitter we are the more NHS there is for everyone else. Good for us, and good for those who need it.

[Skeg Graduate in reply to theoldfellow]

Re: your profile interesting gut comment. The 3 pills I'm now off were all gut related. I pass on how running aided my determination to come off them but really do think it has. Possibly an added bonus to those thinking about getting fit: at cancer diagnosis, many years back, it was said just look at how fit you're so symptoms can't be anything else but cancer. So let's test again- bingo the aggressive kind hopefully caught in time.

[theoldfellow in reply to Skeg]

It was lying on the hospital table having the gut 'examined' (in my case with a happy outcome) that I decided I had to take control of the health. It helped to watch a young close relative who had just come out of alcohol and substance addiction finish the London Marathon a few weeks later. Sometimes it takes these things to shake us out of our lethargy.

So glad you are in remission, and in my prayers now.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Never, ever too late to make a positive change! 👍🏻😁

[GreenLizard Graduate]

That’s great. Loving the posts 😁

[Dexy5 Graduate]

When are people declared as old? At 61, I certainly don’t feel it yet. Thanks to c25k I don’t think I ever will. We know that your real name is theyoungfellow.

[theoldfellow in reply to Dexy5]

Na. 61 is late teens...

People are only old when they think they ought to be. This piece is meant as encouragement to those, maybe even younger than you sweet Dexy, who are thinking 'this running stuff is for the youngsters, not me'.

But WE know it's for everyone!

P.S. I am entitled to call myself 'old' due to extreme wisdom. 😄

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to theoldfellow]

That’s true.....you are very wise. There’s no doubt about it , it’s never too late to start this runny stuff.

[Irish-John Graduate]

You might be an Oldie - but when it comes to running and inspiring - you are certainly a Goodie

Well done Sir!