Can You Conquer Running in Your Forties, Fifties or When Even Older?

[mrrun]

''I certainly think so. When you were a child you simply ran without thinking. It was effortless fun chasing the ball or being chased by your mates. Then a few years or decades later most of us didn’t run any longer. Sometimes some of us would play some tennis, maybe take a short run to catch a bus or run away from a dog and then gasp for air. You see other people running but that’s other people and you are in your fifties, running is not for you. Or is it? Can you summon up courage and silence your doubts? Can a middle-aged beginner runner burn some serious rubber?''

I was part of the 'sceptical' sect. Not open to that free offer, unwilling to listen, unable to give it a go because I didn't want to chage my lifestyle. What an......I was only 4 years ago.

Now I've turned into a preacher, pushing my dear wife out to run, making 'proper running posture' the main dinner topic (our poor guests must be relieved that they cannot currently visit us), writing my own blog about running as well as shouting about correct daily hydration perched on a beer crate at Speakers' Corner while being challenged by anti-runners sceaming anti-running slogans. OK, without the last bit but with me you never know how things will change and where they'll go.

You can continue to read the extended article from the beginning of my post on my new blog page

runmrrun.com/can-you-conque...

or simply visit me on runmrrun.com and say a virtual hello.

For those who are secretly hoping that I will go and permanently live there and leave you alone, you are badly mistaken. I'm not going anywhere, you'll continue to find my comments sprayed around this forum, probably the best and most helpful forum of this kind in the world!

[Hidden]

Brilliant mrrun (autocorrection just turned you into a meringue)

I ran out yesterday morning, a crisp blue, life affirming day. I live in rural north Yorkshire and it is beautiful. Quiet because of the lockdown but the birds were making a racket. A few fellow travellers walking, running and on horseback. Even the Lycra clad cyclists managed to crack a smile 😊

Up hill and down dale at a steady but unimpressive pace. However 12k complete. At the end Spotify played me the Specials ‘enjoy yourself (it’s later than you think)’ and I had to agree!

56 when I started running and 58 now. Never ever thought I would be able to do this. Thank you for your help and advice and keep on posting!

I’ll look at the blog😊

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You are making the right point and this is exactly why we are doing this (the ones who are young but not so young any more).

My journey is never to far off a sitcom and Speakers' Corner idea has given me some thoughts. 😉

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

When I got up I re-read your post and pictured the scenery that you described with the Specials soundtrack. That somehow felt awesome. One of perfect gifts for any us, late bloomers, in this game. I somehow don't think l would have appreciate all this some 30 years ago, my mind was so different.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Great post and lovely blog. I can’t wait to get out again. I haven’t run for nearly 5 weeks now. Been on the cross trainer most days keeping fit, like running that is taking some building up on the endurance side of things but I am pleased I have it, I am so looking forward to my next run. Happy running and stay safe. Rfc x

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thank you! I'm sure you'll enjoy it even more once you finally get out and run in fresh air, hopefully soon. I'm running like a man obsessed at the moment. Haven't been to any parks but have discovered loads of routes in sarf Landan as a result of this unfortunate situation. By the time this is finished I'll probably end up with some kind of A to Z for London running routes. 😉

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Now that is a topic for a blog post, when I’m back up to scratch I could work at ticking them all off 😀.

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I'm working on them! 😉

[roseabi]

I have certainly burnt some serious rubber since I took up running at the age of 45! 5-odd years on, and rubber's looking pretty scarce... 😊

[mrrun Graduate in reply to roseabi]

I've figured out that being middle aged I'm in the middle of my life hence I've got another 50 or so years of running left in me which is a lot of burnt rubber. Hope you carry on the same! 😀👍

[roseabi in reply to mrrun]

That is the plan! 😊😊😊