Too Old to Run?

[Suziemun]

I am a 65 yr old woman in good health and I often see people running. I would love to do this but feel I'm too old and people will laugh at my wrinkly old body running along outside.

I do have a treadmill though.

Thoughts?

[Tasha99 Graduate]

There are octogenarians at my local parkrun. Get yourself out on the first run! I’ll be awaiting an update 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

You are NOT too old to start running with C25K, I started C25K when I was 71 and graduated three weeks after my 72th birthday, I have never had anyone laughing at me on any of my runs, in fact during some runs I have been applauded, so if you wish to start with C25K, good luck, you certainly are not too old, many people have begun the course at your age, outside or on a treadmill.

[PMcL1966 Graduate]

My mother started running at 67. She’s done nearly 100 park runs and has done a 10k. She started meeting people her own age and runs with them at least 4 times a week. She’s now 73 and is great for her age. No one will laugh at you. Do it and I promise you’ll feel great too.

[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.

In the guide you will see mentioned an 83 year old graduate.............

Don't write yourself off at 65, said the 64 year old.

Enjoy your journey.

[Suziemun in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you so much that is so encouraging

[61Lady Graduate]

Not too old at all. Hope you decide to do it - either indoors or out but don’t let the thought of people laughing at you stop you from running outdoors. They are either running themselves and more concerned with what they are doing or walking wishing they were running like you. I only ever get smiles and waves from others I see when I’m out

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Do it !

I understand those initial doubt's but just do it .

I'm 63 and started this in lockdown.

Now 2 runs into week 8 and love it .

I have a brother 5 years older that runs 3x 5k a week with a sub 30 min PB.

And over 300 park runs completed.

I say get those trainers on and start the program !

You'll love it 😬

[Hidden]

Hello Suziemun, I’m 70 at Christmas!

I ran around the block in my 20/30’s haven’t run for years. I couldn’t run for 30 seconds when I started this...yesterday week 7 I ran for 25 mins! Still can’t believe it...I bought a longline tee shirt and feel fine! Folk won’t be laughing they’ll be impressed what you are doing! Please get out there and do this plan, follow it, go slow and if it gets tough go slower! Please, please do this, I can’t wait to see your progress 😊

[Blackberrypie Graduate]

Give it a go - I doubt they'll spot the wrinkles as you whizz by, and if they do they'll only be more impressed!

[Scruff55 Graduate]

As a 65 year old female I say just do it. I hadn’t run since school days and even then only short distances. But I graduated last August and after a few hiccups along the way am now on w3 of Ju Jus magic plan to 60 minutes. You can do it. No one will laugh at you. run in what you feel comfortable in( I wear 3/4 leggings and a long t shirt.). And Get out there or step on that treadmill Good luck and happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😃😃😃😃

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate]

Please, please, please get yourself out there. It’s an amazing journey. I’m 64 and doubted myself like you. I graduated a few weeks ago and am now doing consolidation runs and really enjoying it. You will be totally surprised at what these old bodies can do. Keep us all posted on your progress and you will no doubt be offered lots of helpful tips an advice on the way. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Forgot to say take an extra day in between runs if you need to recover properly...

[Grannyasbo Graduate]

Adding my I started running at 62 and have graduated. Follow the advice be kind to yourself and enjoy it. Feels great when you graduate. Go for it. Also lots of support and advice on this forum and there are loads of us slightly older runners here as well as younger ones all rooting for each other. Good luck. 💪👍😀

[SlowMo500 Graduate]

I started C25K in lockdown and finished just before my 71st birthday. I felt very self conscious at first - but no longer do. I’m sure people aren’t laughing. You’re doing something really positive for your health and overall wellbeing. It’s wonderful running in the fresh air. Save the treadmill for the winter - by which time you will be a fully fledged runner.😀😀😀😀

[Blossom- Graduate]

Noooo you're not too old! Just to add to what everyone else has said - I'm 65, 66 in 3 weeks time. Have this morning done my 18th post grad run in the rain. Loving it. I'm slow yeah but who cares, I don't. Jdi! 😊

[Lindacarole Graduate]

Ah don’t say that! I’m 67 and started 4 weeks ago, just take it at your own pace and really don’t worry about what anyone else thinks!!! Your doing this for you ...... go go go

[Mumpark Graduate]

Definitely not to old. I’m 65 and love running don’t know what I would do without it.

No one will laugh everyone at parkrun is very supportive.

I have done 204 Parkruns and can’t wait to start back.

[ORA21 Graduate]

I can give a younger person’s perspective! I am nothing but impressed by the sight of anyone else even trying to run/jog/shuffle along, in fact it was seeing one of my neighbours (who is in his 80s) run every morning when I went to work that got me thinking about doing it myself. When I’m out running I find people either don’t notice you or are surprisingly encouraging, I urge you to give it a go in the great outdoors 😀

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to ORA21]

Thanks, you have said what I came to believe after a few weeks of doing this programme, people don't really look at you, and if they do they might be thinking, gosh if she can do it, then perhaps I can ...

[samejeans Graduate]

I second what @ORA21 said - give the outdoors a go. I always admire older runners - and find outdoor running far more satisfying than the treadmill. But maybe try both and see what you prefer?

[HelsyM Graduate]

Oh my word no one will laugh and if they do, they will be the people not running themselves as runners don't look at other people running!

I am in my 50s and since I started C25K I have become far less bothered what other people think. I used to go out in a hat, glasses (stopped short of a fake nose but you get my meaning) and very generic clothing but as I've gone through the program I have ditched the hat and glasses as I get too hot and I wear much skimpier clothing for the same reason. I'm less wrinkly but more lily white so people definitely spot me coming and I'm easily recognisable running around the local village green.

Good luck Suziemun!

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to HelsyM]

What you say is so true, I started out in black and grey, terrified the neighbours would see me in running gear, I set out very early in the morning. After a few weeks I grew in confidence and went into colours and the big break was going into cropped leggings (showing my whiter than white calves) and a bright pink top!

[limberlou Graduate]

I started running just before I retired. So I was just about 64. Go for it!! You don’t need to run fast just run as fast as you want to.

[Newbie59 Graduate]

As everyone has said, give it a go, you will surprise yourself. I've never run, although I was a keen walker so reasonably fit at 65. Thanks to lockdown I graduated at the end of June and I now enjoy two or three runs a week (very slowly). Just follow the programme and read the advice on this forum. Good Luck!

[Speedy60 Graduate]

I started running last year. I'm 60 now and it's been life changing.

A couple of things I would caution: take it slowly, really slowly and listen to your body. I think, as we grow older, our bodies take longer to adjust. I always took an extra rest day between runs, and it's only in the last few months that I've felt comfortable running every other day.

Apart from that, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good luck!