Late starter

[LateRunner63]

I've just started running at the age of 63 with the aim of running Race for Life with my granddaughter in June. Week 2 almost done - yay!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

You’re not a late starter at all-what to you say to that Instructor57 ? 63 is a great age to begin! Wishing you lots of luck!

There’s a brilliant little guide to the programme here with lots of helpful hints and tips.  Well worth a read.  Most important is keeping it slow and steady at a pace where you can talk in full sentences without gasping.  Most of us go too fast! Recovery days between runs are absolutely essential too.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Can’t wait to hear about how you get on. It’s a lovely aim to want to run with your granddaughter. We’re all ready to cheer you on to get there!

[LateRunner63 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Ah thank you for your lovely words and encouragement xDuring week 1 I made the mistake of running too fast and thought I'd have a coronary! Week 2 I slowed it down and it went much better .

Seems like a nice bunch of people here- looking forward to seeing how we all progress.

My granddaughter and I have raised over £200 so far for our run for cancer research with another month to go 😀

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to LateRunner63]

I think we’ve all done that! You’re a faster learner than me-I didn’t nail that comfortable pace until after graduating! It’s so nice to run with a cause in mind. I did some fundraising for one of my runs and people were just so supportive. Well done for your total so far and good luck with the final amount. It’ll be so well appreciated by the charity. ❤️

[LateRunner63 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Fund raising is a great motivator, I find. I'll keep you posted on how we do. My granddaughter is a natural runner so she'll be competitive on the day. She has promised though to run back to me so we can go over the finish line together!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Great age to start running 😁

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done on starting the program!I also started at 63 having never run before in my life , that is 3 years ago now.

Do have a good read of the programme guide linked to by MissUnderstanding .

It's packed with really helpful information to guide you through the programme.

Keep your runs slow, make sure you are well hydrated and remember at least 1 non run day between runs.

Most of all , Enjoy the journey!

[LateRunner63 in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated 🙏

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done you...join the wonderful runners here and hold your head high , ( I started at 65! and am 73 now) !

Glorious goal to run with your granddaughter... I keep running, so I may keep up with mine... at 6 and a half, they move quickly!

Check out that link and as  MissUnderstanding says,... slow and steady is the mantra... believe me, it works, it really does.

Keep posting too for great support all the way to that Race!

[Never-too-old-run Graduate]

Hi, LateRunner63! I was 64 and graduated last September so age isn't really a factor. My biggest tip is not to go too fast and once you find your rhythm you eventually begin to believe that you could actually go on for the full 30! I never would have believed it when I first started. Good luck!

[Gthants]

Brilliant! I have just finished week 5 and am 61 in a few days time. A great time to start! The pacing is SO important - it's way better to do the time than to try to sprint. It's the combination of walking & running that's building your fitness & stamina, not the pace you run at. Good luck!

[suegrace Graduate]

Hiya me to I started the couch25k at 60 I'm still running now at 66. Well done you I find it helps with my mental health. Good luck with your granddaughter. Keep it up for the over 60sxx

[Slowanddetermined]

Well done you… I am only ten years behind you, starting this crazy running thing. I started today. Love that you are doing this with your grand daughter… all the best to you both making great memories together. x

[LateRunner63 in reply to Slowanddetermined]

Thank you so much. Good luck - I'm sure you'll smash it ! 💪 🏃‍♀️❤

[Sighthoundfan]

Well done, I was just a few weeks short of 63 when I started too. I now run 2 to 3 times a week and love it. The thing which surprised me most was the running community. All ages and abilities are very supportive. Keep it up, you will do it.

[Zula2022 Graduate]

Hi. You're not old! I've just completed week 5 and really enjoying it. I'm 71 so if I can do it so can you. Have never run before! Good luck - it's all about pace.

[LateRunner63 in reply to Zula2022]

Amazing 👏 well done. Start of week 3 tomorrow- bring it on!!