I’m new here and need your advice!

Hello, Im new here and I’d be interested to have some advice on C25K I.e at 70 am I too old. I’m fit and healthy ( please God).

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

In the guide linked to below you will find mention of an 83 year old graduate...........are you too old?

The number of times that you have been round the sun does not make you capable or incapable of learning to run........maybe we should say jog.

You could still discover the joys of strenuous physical exercise and possibly transform your life.

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.

Enjoy your journey.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, thank you. So encouraging.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

NO. NO. NO, you are not too old to start C25K, I ran run 1 of week 1 of C25K just over a month before I was 72 and graduated 3 weeks after my 72nd birthday, I did not repeat any weeks or runs, perhaps that was due to the fact that I have been a cyclist for decades and do a lot of walking as well.

Good luck for your running journey with C25K, take all the runs slowly, you can repeat any runs or week's if you want to, drink plenty of water the day before you run and some before you run, no running on consecutive days as that could cause a injury, so be young at heart and start with run 1 of week 1 as soon as possible. 😊 🏃🏾

[Hidden in reply to AlMorr]

Again, thank you, I will follow your advice.

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Go for it kf70, there are loads of mature runners on this forum, it’s well structured and gradual and more importantly it works....Good Luck 👍

[Hidden]

How lovely, such encouragement.. I’m going for it!

[Blossom- Graduate]

You'll love it! The programme is magic and you'll be surprised at what you'll achieve! I'm 66 😄 go us!💥

[Hidden in reply to Blossom-]

Thanks, can’t wait - although is very wet and miserable weather 😏

[Peter44 Graduate]

Like others have said, go for it, never too old to start, just take it slowly, follow the programme, which works so well, and post your runs on here, you'll find so many nice, helpfull, possitive people on here, good luck! 😀

[Hidden in reply to Peter44]

Thank you, I have had such encouragement!

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Hi kf70, you’re in good company here, there are many more mature runners! I’m almost 67, have never run before. I graduated in July from C25K, although I was nowhere near running 5K in 30 minutes. (I still can’t.) but I ran a half marathon this morning. You can do anything you want to! Just take it slowly. Very slowly! Best of luck, I look forward to reading about your progress! 😊

[Stentrunner Graduate]

I too am 70, and have just completed C25k. I had angioplasty and stents fitted in April. So you don’t have to be really fit! Follow advice and keep it within your capabilities. So go for it! I look forward to seeing your posts as you progress.

[RamblingMe Graduate]

And here's another mature runner to help you on your way. You will be amazed at your increasing strength and fitness as you go through the programme. The 5 minute brisk walk to start and end will help you avoid injury, so never skip them, as will taking your rest days as others have said. The programme is gradual and well structured whatever your age. You will quickly realise age is but a number, enjoy your journey!

[Hidden in reply to RamblingMe]

Thank you. I feel the support is massive within the group.

[Setters Graduate]

And another ancient runner, ran my first HM three days before my 70th, having started running 18 months previously, so of course you can, just run at your pace not at whatever other runners are doing. Good luck just know you will graduate

[WrinklyGrandad Graduate]

You are not too old. I finished C25k a week or two ago, just after my 80th birthday. Just take it slowly and do have those rest days.

[Teresafaith Graduate]

I will never, ever forget the lady that inspired me to start running. As a regular dog walker, I used to come across a lady with an amazing pair of legs and a GREAT ass running SO SLOWLY that I overtook her with my fast walking.! - When I walked past I turned to greet her and realised she must be at least 75!- incredible!I began resistant band exercises for a month before I started C25K and still use them twice a week. I graduated in November and still run slowly without pain or injury, even though I have rotten spinal disc bulges and a weak left ankle from a partial tear in a ligament a few years ago. I still see that lady out running slowly - if only I could get her to stand still I would tell her that she was my motivation. You can do this, I'll look out for your posts

👍🐌

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

Hello and welcome. I would say as long as you have no heart problems or any serious health issues you should be ok. I started this program just before my 65th birthday back in February. I think the secret is to go really slowly. It's not a race. I shuffle for 30 to 35 minutes now. I feel great afterwards. It's such a buzz. Good luck if you decide to do the program, it's great

[Speedy60 Graduate]

I'm a decade younger than you, but my advice is to read all the information in the pinned posts about how to run without injury, ignore your watch and just run as slowly as you can and leave two rest days between each run. Rest days are when your body repairs and adapts, e.i the days when you get fitter. For us senior runners I think the body takes that bit longer.Apart from that, just enjoy the transformation! Good luck.

[Gastry Graduate]

No, definitely not, you are never too old!!! I’m 66, I’ve never run, in fact never really done any exercise and I graduated a few weeks ago. Admittedly I don’t run particularly fast but I run three times a week and I feel good.Have fun and enjoy.

[Diamondshoes Graduate]

No way are you too old! I started c25k in March during the 1st lockdown. I'll be 70 in Jan. Give it a go at your own pace. Best of luck!

[9weeks2Run Graduate]

You are certainly not too old kf70. The C25K plan is amazing and it will bring you so much joy and confidence. Good luck fellow runner. I look forward to reading about your journey 👏👏🏅🏅

[Grannie49]

I started at 71 and graduated a couple of months ago. DEFINITELY not too old. Speed is not the issue. Take it slow and steady. Running is there to be enjoyed if possible. Just feel proud you are getting out in this inclement weather. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Grannie49]

Thank you and fellow runners for all encouragement received. I’ll be posting my progress.

[Grannie49]

Ps. As you will have discovered this forum is ace.

[Hidden in reply to Grannie49]

That’s for sure!

[Chickchak]

To protect yourself from injury you might need to do slightly longer warm up walks, if you’re not ready to go at the pace of the app repeat runs/weeks until are, always stretch after your run. This is my third time and post covid19 so I have taken it much more slowly as the other two times I got injured. The first time did it I 9 weeks and injured after graduation because I didn’t stretch after runs. Second time made it to week 8 and got injured as didn’t stretch. This time on week 6 and stretch religiously also been doing it since May! Injury free but much less stamina post covid19

[Hidden in reply to Chickchak]

Thank you for good advice. I intend to start this week 🏃‍♀️

[BibaBear Graduate]

Hi,I'm 71 and on the second time around (I fractured my ankle in June...not running related) and have reached week 6, which I'm repeating just to get more comfortable with the longer runs. There's great advice here... And slow is good (watch Japanese slow running) and they say that cold wet water (rain!!) On your face....it has the same effect as the wild swimming "high" that people talk about. That's what I tell myself anyway....and the warm shower after is so much more welcome!🌞

Enjoy it all.

[Hidden in reply to BibaBear]

Hello and thank you. I’m excited to start.

[BibaBear Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Go for it....👍

[Imoca]

It won't be long before you are an inspiration to us slightly younger runners as well. Good luck on your journey and enjoy every minute

[BirdersMum Graduate]

No you're definitely not too old. I'm two months shy of my 70th and started the C25K during lockdown (1). I've never run [well not since I was 12] and have asthma but completed the programme in August. I now run 3 x 30 minutes a week. The secret is to run slowly. I've never reached 5K [more like just over 3K] but that's fine with me. I'm looking forward to joining my 6 year old grandson when he resumes his junior Parkruns. As another of my grandson said " Not bad for an old lady". I think he meant it as a compliment!

[Hidden in reply to BirdersMum]

Kids, they say the loveliest of stuff, don’t they. I did my first “run” today and felt very proud of myself. I certainly had a smile on my face at the end. My stride seems very heavy and ploddy though, but I’m hoping this improves. I’m always striving for perfection, it’s one of my main downfalls in life 😏

[coolfemme Graduate]

Wow, what great company we are in. I'm 73 and on WK5 now. The program is so helpful. Just follow and repeat a run if you need to and don't worry about speed. Shorten your stride and keep upright posture looking ahead and enjoy!

[Hidden in reply to coolfemme]

Yeah, a more upright posture would help I think, although I did not too bad. Looking forward to tomorrow’s run. Thank you