New to Running

[FitBun]

Hi, I'm a size 18 and 55 next month, am I too old to start running?

[Overweightandunfit Graduate]

Hi I am 55 (56 next month), a size 18 - down from a 20 a couple of months ago - and have just started C25K. I have done W1R1 so far and so far so good so I would say no, go for it!

[FitBun Graduate in reply to Overweightandunfit]

Thank you will give it a go

[AH1959 in reply to Overweightandunfit]

Absolutely not! I turned 60 1st July last year at size 20. Started C5K Aug last year. Best thing I have ever done. Just take your time, I repeated weeks till I felt confident enough to move on to the next week and always make sure you rest between runs. I am now a runner. I don’t measure myself against anyone else. I do 3 runs a week, of 2 half hour runs and one longer run 1 and 1/2 hour. It had changed my life for the better in so many ways. Hope my story encourages you to keep going. 😊😊

[Hidden]

In a word NO! 😀 the hardest things are actually getting started and learning to pace yourself (ie run really slowly while you build up your stamina).

Go for it, you'll love it!

[FitBun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[Miley0909 Graduate]

If course not. I'm 59 and a bit overweight, I started 6 weeks ago and now I'm I'm into week 7. Just start nice and slow, take your time and try to relax and you'll be fine I'm sure. Give it a go you might surprise yourself 😃. Good luck 🙂

[FitBun Graduate in reply to Miley0909]

Thanks so much Miley going to give it a go

[Comfortnotspeed]

Blimey, I really hope not as that’s the age I started and I’m loving it! Go for it! There’s lots of advice and support here 🌸😊🌸

[FitBun Graduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

Thank you

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Never too old to start C25K, there are many people who have started in their 60's and 70's, a lot of people start in their 40's and 50's as well, the age record is 83, I hope you enjoy your running journey with C25K if you do wish to start the course.

[FitBun Graduate]

Thanks going to be brave and give it a go

[Bigdutch59]

60, 17 and a 1/2 stone into week 7. Its all in the mind. You either want to do it or not. I shuffle along 3 times a week, even if you just walked each stage it will help. Good luck.

[FitBun Graduate in reply to Bigdutch59]

Thank you

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

You will find mention of an 83 year old graduate in the guide.......would you really write yourself off at the mere age of 55, said the 64 year old.

Enjoy your journey.

[FitBun Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you

[Bracken2018 Graduate]

Hi FitBun,

No , your never to old is the answer your get from everyone who’s on here.😆

It’s brilliant that you have decided to make a start . You have already opened the door to your success.

I’m 69 and had ops on both my knees .

The key is - take it SLOWLY and have fun . Yes you may get hot, yes you may go red, yes you have to learn how to breath and run , yes you need good shoes, yes it is a challenge , yes you will learn so much about yourself and , best of all YES , there’s a possibility it will change your life . Remember - you can repeat any week whenever you feel its right for you before progressing on to the next week.

Your simple tell yourself - I’m going to do this today- each time you decide to go out for a jog/ run. 🏃‍♀️🐾

[FitBun Graduate]

Thank you so much for your reply

[Whippety1 Graduate]

Definitely not! I’m 54 and been up and down weight wise for my entire adult life. Did slimming world last year and lost 2 stone, now a healthy size 14. To be honest I wouldn’t have had the courage to go out there the size I was, so all credit to you for getting out there! The feeling you get afterwards is incredible! You can do it FitBun! I’ve just done w6r2, very slowly, but that’s the best way!! GO FOR IT!!😀

[FitBun Graduate in reply to Whippety1]

Thank you

[AlysP Graduate]

No!!!!!!! I will be 56 this year and have loved doing the programme. However I have had to stop at week 7 as I tried pushing it too hard and messed up my knee. Back to cycling for a while. My advice is, keep it, slow very slow. . Stretch after the runs. Do the strength exercises recommended on days off. Had I bothered to do those things I would be going into week 8 now instead of not being able to run at all. Start today, you will loooooove it!!!!

[FitBun Graduate in reply to AlysP]

Thanks Alys starting today, will take your advice, hope the knee improves

[AlysP Graduate in reply to FitBun]

Brilliant!!! You will love it!!!! Let us know how you got on 😀

[FitBun Graduate in reply to AlysP]

Thank you, bit nervous to be honest.

Haven't run for too long now.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Your not!

I was 56 and in genuinely terrible shape and condition four years ago when I started.

Now I happily shamble along and taking up this insane pastime is the best thing I've ever done for myself in my entire life

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[FitBun Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John have first run hopefully of many today

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to FitBun]

One foot in front of the other one at a time, one Running Day at a time

You'll make it

[Hidden]

No you're never too old to start!

[FitBun Graduate]

Thank you, got first one today!

[Peawee Graduate in reply to FitBun]

Iam 60 and am doing week 2 I started with walking 🚶‍♂️ every day building up to an hour then started C25K and find it such a help to the way I feel about myself so give it a go what have you got to loose?

[Hidden]

Hi there.

I’m a size 16 and 51 and on week 1 so will say you are definitely not too old.

I’ve seen posts on here from people who started running aged 60 and older!!!

I am just so glad I found this forum as it is a godsend and hearing of others tips and blips normalises every emotion you feel doing this.

Keep in touch and we can do this together.

Kim ❤️

[Diamondshoes Graduate]

No way are you too old! I'm 69 and have never run before and now I'm doing my last run in wk 8! Just get your trainers on and get out there! Perfect exercise especially during lockdown. Best of luck and enjoy!

[MMP175 Graduate]

I’m 63 and am now on week 8. Couldn’t run at all before I started. I’ve lost over a stone since I started and probably 2dress sizes( haven’t worn any dresses since lockdown started! I’m pretty sure I would fit a 14 rather than the 18s that I had been wearing over winter. We’ve been eating sensibly but not really dieting. So go for it.