Running Compliment

[Upsidaisy]

When my husband (70) and I (68) were running yesterday we passed a young man, who was probably in his early 20s, walking his dog. He gave us a big smile and a thumbs up and said that he too was a runner, and hoped he would be as fit as us when he when he was our age. It just goes to show that advancing years in itself is no barrier to being a runner, and Couch 2 5k has enabled us to achieve that. It took me 2 years to graduate with a few setbacks along the way but I was determined to do it and am so glad that I did. That little encounter gave us a real boost and fuelled our determination to keep on running for as long as we are able.

[Frenc Graduate]

What a lovely thing to say 😊. I agree, these little interactions we get when running can really make our day! Here’s to many more years of it 🏃🏻‍♀️😁.

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Frenc]

Thank you, still smiling about it now!🙂

[MrsLydiaWickham Graduate]

Love this!!

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to MrsLydiaWickham]

Thank you!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

It is nice when people we encounter on our runs offer a bit of encouragement. I am coming up to 5 years running and am now aged 71. In all that time I have only a couple of adverse comments, when I was deliberately running slowly, and in both cases the female companions of the blokes concerned shut them up as in “he is moving much faster than you ever do!” Other than those isolated incidents, the only comments I have actually heard have been really encouraging. Mind you, my hearing isn’t what it was!🙂 Happy running!

[Upsidaisy Graduate]

Glad to hear those ladies came to your defence and you’ve had mostly positive comments. Happy running to you too! ☺️

[XenaZelda Graduate]

Thats lovely, i was jogging past a couple of young kids on one of my runs and they looked up at me and said "happy running lady" and gave me the thumbs up they were about 10 years old. i have had some "experienced" runners raise their hand and nod at me as they wizzed past me, its brilliant

[Upsidaisy Graduate]

It certainly is - a little kindness goes a long way!🤗

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

That’s such a nice compliment to get. I agree with him too! ❤️❤️❤️

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you 😊

[Teresa1632 Graduate]

That's brilliant, keep running and smiling 😀. I'm a mere youngster at 66, and run half marathons for the craic. Often at the start line, I look round and there is hardly anyone my age there. I'm hoping that the numbers come in my favour one day and I get the age graded podium 😉. A friend is 75 and ran her first marathon at 70.Keep going and enjoy every minute 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Teresa1632]

Thank you, I will!😊

What an inspiration to hear of you and your friend’s achievements! The main thing is that we keep active and enjoy what we do, whatever our level.

[MatthewR Graduate]

that’s wonderful! Well done both!

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to MatthewR]

Thank you so much 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

That is super.... well done BOTH of you!

I am in my 8th+ year of running... 73 a week on Monday.... I of course run so quickly that I am unable to hear any comments... ha ha !!

I love it when we runners all wave and smile at each other.... and the only comments I have had about my age were very recently, when I was having a conversation with one of the High school girls I see regularly on my runs in the morning. She told me she couldn't do what I was doing, now, wished me luck on my race in April, told me that I would be brilliant.. all with a huge friendly smile. I believed her... because as we know, believing you can, you are half way there

So good to read this and i hope a great many more seasoned runners read it... we are capable of so much, as you say, of we take it in our own time and do it our way

[Voyager1 in reply to Oldfloss]

You have inspired me to get off the couch and have another go at getting fitter. I have tried c25k but could not run for 30 seconds and felt exhausted after 30 mins brisk walking, then winter set in and I gave up. . I feel I am sinking into old age before I am ready (I am 69, diabetic and had a heart attack 12 years ago)) After reading your post I have decided that I need to turn things around, and I have decided to gradually increase my walking until I feel able to start jogging again, and perhaps a bit of stretching and light weight training. Thanks for the inspiration, and much needed kick up the a**e

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Voyager1]

That’s wonderful Voyager 1, it sounds like you’ve thought it through and will take things slowly as I did and listen to your body as Oldfloss advises. As you will have seen in my post, it took me 2 years to get there and I repeated many of the runs multiple times until I could do them relatively comfortably. There really is no rush to complete the programme in a set time, so try not to put pressure on yourself. I’ve never managed to do 5k but that really doesn’t matter, and I don’t always run for 30 minutes. Whatever you can manage will be beneficial. Really good luck to you and best wishes

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Voyager1]

I am so glad... and well done you !!

You have just come along at the right time too, because I am about to put up a post all about running when we are older... !

There are a fair few of us here... so, I thought not only will it support some of our new runners who are a tad more seasoned... but will, also, inspire our new younger runners and show them where their running my eventually take them!

Watch out for that post and I and we shall watch out for yours too, when you take those first running steps.. maybe in the meantime, pop across to our Active 10 walking site... there a lot of folk on here, on there too... lots going on, and lots to keep us moving!

healthunlocked.com/active10

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to Voyager1]

I would suggest that you start by going out for a brisk walk and see how long you can keep up that pace. When you can go out and comfortably brisk walk for 30 minutes you will be ready to start C25k! Good Luck

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss, so glad you had a positive encounter too. It really does give a lovely boost and a warm glow and makes us even more determined to ‘keep running, keep smiling’ ☺️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Upsidaisy]

So true... and the post I am about to put up that I mentioned to Voyager1 ... I shall be popping a link to your post here if I may? It will encourage so many older runners and those who fear that age or illness means a stop sign ! x

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss, if it inspires just one more person to start their running journey, that would be amazing.

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

That’s fantastic! What a lovely thing to say. Well done that young man. See, you’re an inspiration! Well done you. 👍😊

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Many thanks for your lovely comment too! 🙂

[CH951]

Well done,u don't no if u don't try, it's better than sitting in the house all day, keep up the good running 👍

[Upsidaisy Graduate in reply to CH951]

Thank you 👍