Began running at 62

[Catspaws10]

I started running 2 years ago at 62 havning been told by a physio I shouldn't run due to my gait. I did Couch 25k in 6 weeks, loved it and carried on doing my first 10k race 8 months later. Have done 2 more since then.. Took time out for an injury this summer (not running related), and I'm back going out again. Keep going you can do it. Best decision I've ever made!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate]

Fantastic! Hope you like it here, you may also enjoy the Bridge to 10k group

[Catspaws10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks I will join up if I can work out how to!

[CBDB Graduate]

this post might help with finding all of our sister forums 🙂 . It also resides in the pinned section. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Feel free to explore all or any of our sister forums!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you... you have done well.

We do, here in the forum obviously, encourage our new runners to follow the plan here, which of course is a nine week one We do know other plans are shorter or longer

Here is the link for the Bridge to 10K !

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto10k

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Well done. Glad to hear from someone else that has discovered the joy of running. Good for the mind and the body.

[HealthyD23]

WOW That's amazing well done. And it gives me some hope and positivity to run one day again. Got about 5 stone to lose, but riddled with arthritis and fybromyalgia stenosis in spine doctor told me don't even try to run, I use to run for our county at school Cross Country and 1500 metres always won both, now I couldn't run to catch a bus 🤣 but I'm not gonna give up. Lost 3 stone already sure that doesn't help. But WELL DONE x

[Catspaws10 in reply to HealthyD23]

That's what I hoped it would inspire others ... be cautious with stenosis though. Like the other poster said get a second opinion. Nice to get responses on here. I didn't think what I'd managed to do was anything special. I was inspired by another friend who has been running for 30 years .. same age as me and loves it.

[GM11 Graduate]

9Amazing. I restarted running at 60. I feel so much better.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Very impressive!

What made you go against the advice of your physio?

[Catspaws10 in reply to John_W]

Stubbornness!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Catspaws10]

It can get us into trouble sometimes, but clearly not on this occasion. Very good that you sought out a 2nd opinion. Good for you!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Congratulations and welcome! I think it’s important to say that personally, I’d always encourage any poster thinking of ignoring their real life health professional’s advice to seek a second opinion from another suitably qualified person experienced in working with runners and go from there.

I’m really glad it’s worked out well for you and wish you well on your running journey! Plenty of posters here have used couch to 5k as a way to return after a break, although you could just build your distance slowly over time if you’d prefer. My usual comebacks have been 15 minute runs, adding a few minutes slowly as appropriate. Keep us posted and we’ll cheer you on!

[Catspaws10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yes I understand that. I worked on my ankle flexibility first... I didn't want to be held back... I also saw a second physio sports therapist who I saw when I had a knee niggle and they saw no reason why not.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Catspaws10]

Brilliant-that wasn’t clear from your first post. Sounds like that second opinion was just what you needed to get out and running. Some physios are much more sympathetic towards runners than others and having one in your corner who can support you is such a great asset.

We’re just very cautious when we see posters saying they’re going against the advice of their doctor/physio without having a supportive second opinion. I hope that makes sense!