Running at 50+

[paterson]

Hi all

Any other women taken up running like at the age of 58? I am now on Week 8 run 2. Hated sport at school

[Indi57 Graduate]

I'm 57, I finished wk9 last week and it felt great. I was never one for sports at school either. I've always kept fit by doing other activities over the years but thought I'd give this a try. Never thought I could run for 30 minutes and I have thanks to Laura. I love this site it keeps me motivated, I was awake early this morning and thought sod it can't do this, but hey once I got up and away it was ok. You'll soon be graduating good luck for wk9

[paterson in reply to Indi57]

Thank you for reply. Isn't it amazing how sport at school can put you off it for life and it is only later on that you realise you can keep fit without having to do team games which loads of people hate.

[Maturelady Graduate]

I am 58 and have just started. I too never did distance running at school I did speed running so I am quite amazed at it being a little bit easier than what I expected. I know I have a long way to go though, but taking 1 week at a time. Good luck.

[Martuo]

Hi, Another 50+, I'm 56 at least for the next 3 weeks. Did a lot of running in my 30s but haven't run for 20 years. Done some fairly long walks but that takes up a lot of time so decided to try running again. Only starting week 3 now but I've set myself a goal of doing a half marathon somewhere around May next year.

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

i was fine with the program -- see my blogs -- at 58 until I tripped over myself at home and broke my wrist -- but i'll be back running asap. Age is just a number.

[cazzania]

I'm 59 and started running with C25K for the first time. Now on week 6. Only did short sprints at school, was hopeless at distance running but this programme is wonderful. I'm out walking our dogs every day so incorporate a run into one of the walks 3-4 times a week. My 65 year old hubbie is about to start it too. Keep running and blog so we can see hgow you get on.

[paterson in reply to cazzania]

will keep blogging. Hoping to sign up for a 5k soon.

[cazzania in reply to paterson]

My son-in-law is trying to convince me to sign up for a run, may try Park Run first. Good luck?

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I was 3 weeks short of my 61st birthday when I started the programme. I can now 3 days short of my 62nd birthday run 10K in 1:06 minutes, before I started this I missed my bus because I couldn't run for it, not even 100 yards!! I'm asthmatic, had a weight problem, don't any longer and I'm fitter and healthier now than I was in my 30-40's. If anyone has health problems I would advise they check with their doctor first, but if given the OK then go for it, life is too short but getting off the couch and running could just make it longer for you.

[paterson in reply to Oldgirl]

I was delighted to read this. 10k in just over an hour is brilliant.

[Grannylynne Graduate]

I'm 57. Now doing the speed podcasts and finding them ok. Just been diagnosed with coeliac disease now need to run to stop getting osteoporosis. Also my gp is starting couch 25k this week on my recommendation.

[Vivwestie Graduate in reply to Grannylynne]

That's brilliant!

[gdeann Graduate]

I have to jump in here and say all of you are a great inspiration booster for this 49 year old! GREAT JOB!!

[Hidden]

I was just 63 when I started the programme in February this year. I completed it in the 9 weeks and now run across the fields for 30+ minutes 3 times a week. My husband was so impressed that I am still running that he bought me 2 pair of Nike running shoes last month. One pair are bright red and the other luminous yellow. Brilliant.

[daystogo Graduate]

Hi

I started C25K 3 weeks before my 58th birthday. Hadn't done any real exercise since highschool . . . a long time! My son ran the Brighton marathon this year and I was so inspired I promised him I would run a 5K before the year was out. Thanks to Laura and this great programme I am now able to keep my promise and will be running my first 5K in October. After that I think I'll start aiming for a 10K – never thought I'd ever hear myself saying something like that!!

[boudicca Graduate]

62, never done any sport since leaving school (and didn't do much then as was a whizz at hiding in the changing rooms until the lesson was almost over). Totally failed W4R1 last week but nailed it tonight, and feel so proud of myself.

[Sugar2 Graduate]

Oh brilliant, so pleased to read all these comments, it means i'm not alone. I'm 58, and today I ran W7R1. I never actually believed it was possible, but decided to give the programme a go for as long as possible. And here I am with only three weeks until completing, and i'm daring to believe that it is actually possible, and that I may well graduate! I was never sporty at school, doing much the same as boudicca, and have always had a weight problem, but I am enjoying the running, and also working out at the gym a couple of times a week. I have lost just over one stone so far, and this time my body shape is changing too - I have bones, and muscles, and my confidence is growing too - its amazing watching this new person emerging.

[paterson in reply to Sugar2]

Delighted to read this. Well done on losing a stone

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Just a thought for the older GIRLS on here. Have you lost your waist, I did many years ago, have not gone in at the middle for 20 years!!! That is until I started running, lost 3 stone and bought a weighted hula hoop. Its great fun, 20 minutes to my favourite music tracks in the bedroom 2-3 times a week. Wow what a difference its made

[Grammadog1947 Graduate]

I started C25K at 64...I'll be 65 in a couple weeks, and ran my first 10k yesterday. I've lost weight (tho' I still have a way to go-see my blog today) and had my share of ups and downs just like everyone else...but I'm sticking to it and hope to continue running well into my 70's.

[paterson in reply to Grammadog1947]

Tks Grammadog. an inspiration

[cazzania in reply to Grammadog1947]

That is fantastic! Just done wk6 run3, amazed I managed to get to end of run. Contemplating trying Park Run and train for charity run. Can't stop now!

[64andrunning in reply to Grammadog1947]

I too am 64 and I've just done W3D2 of C25K. I got a slow start as I strained my hamstring in August but I'm on the road again. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me. I can do this!!!!!

[notsporty]

As I think you can tell from my user name, I have never really been into sport and was very self conscious about the idea of running in public. In fact I had never run and I am 54 .Just did a 28 minute run (Week 8 Run 1 ) this morning! Can't quite believe it...

[paterson in reply to notsporty]

Sounds like me and I have now completed Week 8 run 3. Still very slow and I was gasping for breath when I finished run yesterday evening. May think about doing a parkrun in a few weeks time.

[sbhoa]

I'll be 56 on October first and am 2 runs into week 2. Waiting for it to get easier but sticking with it. My workout has to be 5-10 minutes longer than the podcast as it's quite an uphill stretch to get home and I keep the running on the flat. It can be a bit tough when Laura says I'm done (and I'd like to be) but I still have over half a mile uphill to get home.

[magster Graduate]

Hi, I started running this year age 58 having never run further than 100yds at school. Ran 4 miles this week and enjoyed every minute of it. Have lost 1 1/2 stone dropped 2 dress sizes and feel absolutely great. I am not fast but have concentrated on my stamina with the help of the podcasts and when I can I take part in the park runs.

[cazzania]

It would be nice to have a group for all us "fit oldies". Anyone know if it's possible to do on here?

[paterson in reply to cazzania]

Good idea but don't know how it would be set up. Maybe we could tag every blog or question with a title "fiftyplusandfit" or something much better. Can't think of anything else at the moment

[cazzania in reply to paterson]

hadn't thought about the use of tags, good thinking!!! What about just "fiftypluss" as I'm sure most people still think of themselves as unfit despite having started the programme?

[Mitts Graduate]

I'm 55, started the programme 8 weeks ago because I was so horribly unfit after years of back problems which I've more or less - touch wood - got on top of now. Today I did W9R1 and ran just over 5K and if anyone had told me that 8 weeks ago I would NOT have believed them. I couldn't run to save myself before.

This is such a good programme and such a great forum, I'm sure I'd have given up along the way if it hadn't been for the help and support here.

[OldNed Graduate]

I started at 61 & graduated on my 62nd birthday, not having run since school (45 yrs previously). I'm now running 10K. You can do it too. Attagirl !!

[carolinew Graduate]

Im 52 and earlier this year I was 8 stone overweight! I've lost half of that and tomorrow will do W8R3 - unbelievable!! I'm finding week 8 easier than week 7, which I really struggled with. My aim is to start park runs after I graduate and then continue training up to 10k - infact I've already downloaded the podcasts lol. I can't believe that this is really me, typing these things, but I'm loving it and can't wait for Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings to arrive. I'm going to initially concentrate on the stamina and speed podcasts, with a longer run on a weekend and then start the B210k!!

We're all runners!!

[paterson in reply to carolinew]

TThis has motivated me to keep running as I was struggling last week with Week 7 and I nowhere near running the whole 5k on a time of 30 mins. Would take me about 45 mins.

[udoit]

I'm 53 years old. It is great to read all of the comments! Over 50's can do this C25K programme! I loved sport til my late twenties then worked shift work for some years. That broke my routines . Then i worked in places overseas where it was not possible to exercise outside and so stopped any regular exercise. I still travel a lot for work...lots of jetlag and so thinking that walking and running are more suited for any climate and most cultures. I also recently realised that i had a choice..... I could reach old age as a sick old overweight woman or as a person leading a healthy active life. This C25k has been good for me to see I can break that old cycle. I also have a Fitbit which records my steps per day and I am working at 10000 steps a day . That means my rest days are walking only days .

I am in week 4 ... It is not easy for me but hearing of others in my age bracket doing so well has encouraged me. I can complete this programme! Now I need to find a 5 km to run before Christmas!

[64andrunning]

What wonderful inspiration from all of you. I am 64 and am on Week 3. I had a knee problem at first but with stretches am doing much better. I am so glad to hear of others over 60 who are doing this program. Thanks for the encouragement!

[64andrunning]

I'm 64 and graduated today!!

[Jackie1952]

I have just decided to start...............I'm 62 and very unfit.

Is that too old?

[Cherryclass]

i ran couch to 5k at 46 and now doing it again at 51, 18 months after breaking my talus bone... i have to be much more careful now and having completed the program i am not really near 5k as i run too slowly...i am carrying on with the 10k program to increase my distance and stamina.I have no real plans to run a 5k anyway... just want to run to keep fit

[Aine_P]

I'm very inspired! Very lazy 56 year old here, putting on weight, getting a bit creaky and stiff...I need to do something....looking at Couch to 5k

[Fireflier]

Have just done 3rd run of week 2. Still finding very hard. Just started strength comdition and couch to 5k after yesrs of inactivity and a couple of injuries that i have to train around. Never been a runner! Can’t imagine getting past the 3 minute runs of week three! Please tell

Me it gets easier. Am 55 and female!

[waltwitty]

Congratulations to you on week 8. I'm 58 and about to start week 1. I ran for fitness regularly and slowly until four years ago when life became too much. Time to take back my 'me time'. I know it's going to be a challenge but I'm looking forward to it.

[Sammyknight]

I'm 51 and starting wk2r1, I just hope I get though the 9 weeks, I'm going from zero exercise, but I'm feeling good about giving it ago, that first run was terrible but felt good I completed it.....so nervous about the weeks to come