Just found this amazing site and very keen to start some form of exercise, but at 56 am I too ancient to run?

[Lazzzeee]

Also I've not exercised for years even though I've got gym membership!! Busy mum who works full time......any tips please? Thank you.

[Mitts Graduate]

I started last July aged 55, and there are lots of people even more ancient here! Just get yourself a decent pair of trainers, maybe with gait analysis which they do to a greater or lesser extent at every sports shop, and off you go!

Stick to the programme, don't do too much, and let us know how you get on!

Enjoy!

[Lazzzeee in reply to Mitts]

Thank you, that's so encouraging, I'm determined to succeed as running has always evaded me and its something I've always aspired to! Watch out neighbourhood doggies!

[NikkiJayne]

Try it and you'll soon see!

But seriously, of course not! No one is too old to get fit, even if you can't run as fast as you hoped. Good luck! =)

[gdeann Graduate]

Just do it! I can think of every excuse in the book, but once I actually do it, I feel great! You will never regret joining C25K and this Community is awesome!! WELCOME!! Gayle

[Norni Graduate]

I'm 57 and on week three. So far so good. It's not a race, no one's watching and you are doing it for yourself!

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much it energises you and definitely produces endorphins to give good feelings. You may end up feeling younger -but perhaps not when actually doing the running! Start slowly and build up.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

Are you heck!!!!

I'm 54,overweight, work fulltime and haven't exercised, apart from walking ever!

I graduated recently but thought at the start that it was something for other people and not for me.

Today I ran for 45 minutes! I have to keep saying that sorry. 45 mins!

Get yourself out there.....eventually you'll love it!

[greenlegs Graduate]

Come on in, the water's lovely! I'm 53, hated school PE, and I don't think I'd ever run for 3 minutes before I started this before Christmas. It took me 4 or 5 attempts to do the first week 1 day one session, even though I'd done quite a bit of brisk walking before - the first time it was a struggle to run for 60 seconds just four times, then I had to walk the rest.

Five weeks later, and I can now run a whole kilometer in one go - very slowly, but it's still running. And I feel so much fitter already.

And this community is really lovely too (it's very easy to spend more time on here than running).

[parkbirdy Graduate]

Absolutely not - my running buddy who has done this at the same time as me - but running on our own, is older than you. Just take it at a nice steady pace.

If in doubt go really slowly - as long as you're not walking in the running bits that is fine.

And you don't have to do it in 9 weeks if that feels like pushing it too much. I repeated the middle weeks 2 or 3 times to build stamina and confidence and because I really wanted to avoid injury. When I got home from my last week 9 runs I burst into tears - it is a fantastic feeling and you can do it.

I've never thought I could be a runner - but I am now thanks to these podcasts. I'm not fast, but I am enjoying running 30 minutes and I can feel how much fitter I am.

[Pat184 Graduate]

Definitely not, I am 74 in 2 weeks time, graduated in September lazy over Christmas and new year, but been back out the last few weeks. It's a great programme do what Laura says and you will be fine ,take it slow - pat

[wilmacgh Graduate]

I did it last year when I was 56. Like you I work full time in a pretty demanding job and have 2 student sons.

One of the best things I've ever done.

Go for it. You'll get plenty support on this site. Sometimes you'll find it hard but you'll get there.

[blacklab]

I am a 50 yr old female, Work full time in a pressured job. Have a family and a very busy social life. I hated sports of any description at school. Then I realised I needed to do something at my age to get fit and lose weight.

I graduated last week, having started the plan early October. It has been a wonderful journey, tough, but really rewarding.I get very red faced, very hot but 30 minutes of running, with my dog alondside me is great.

I was very disappointed however to realise I had only run 3.82km in 30 minutes. I need to work on this. Also my weight loss is minimal, 4 lbs at the moment.

Go ahead - you can do it if I can...

[OldNed Graduate]

At 56 you are a mere youngster! I started a year ago, at 61, and graduated in March on my 62nd birthday (not having run since school 46 years previously). I'm still running and did 10K on Friday. You can do this too. This is a fabulous programme; just follow Laura and you'll be fine. Go, girl, Go.

[Pearsey]

You're a youngster lazzzee-there is a lady who is 72 on the blogs, and I am 63. Age is a condition of the mind. If you think you cannot do it (because of your age) then you won't-simple.

Have a positive attitude and an open mind-and stop counting the years.

Good luck-and Keep on Running

[Hidden]

I started in February 2 days before I turned 63. Graduated in April and now run 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes unless I am doing intervals.

I hated running when I was younger and thought people were mad to run just for fun. Now I am one of them. The best bit is you tone uo and can eat what you want without putting on weight and if you watch what you eat the weight will fall off. I dropped 2 dress sizes and lost 7 Kgs.

Just get out there and enjoy

[petka001]

Yes! 50 here, I'm taking it slow (its not a race-- it's life). I got to week 3 the first time, but injured my ankle and discovered the value of proper shoes. Healed, then started again and made it to week 8 with some repeated week 5 in there --oh so close! Then had upheaval--a job change, move, stress-- and lost my groove. So back at it again, third time's the charm I think!

There is a woman, in her 70s I'd guess, that I see chugging along my route. She gives everyone a smile and thumbs up when she passes. Love it!