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Post by monklady123 on Oct 17, 2015 13:57:54 GMT
I was walking my dog this morning, lovely -- LOVELY -- weather, that crisp sunny breezy Fall type of weather, when suddenly a friend came up behind me. She told me that she's started jogging "to celebrate my 55th birthday". She said she was jogging about ten seconds, then walking till she recovered, then jogging ten more seconds, walking, etc. Her goal was to increase the jogging time little by little. She said she felt "weird" going out "dressed in this" -- and "this" were those just below the knee stretch yoga-type pants. She made a comment about her extra pounds showing too much. But I told her to forget about that, at least she was out there DOING it which was a whole lot more than I was doing. To my mind she gets a LOT of extra credit for even attempting to jog.
I've always toyed with the idea of jogging, especially on these lovely days when I'll see someone effortlessly (well, it looks effortless, lol) sail by me. Then I change my mind when I'll see another jogger who looks like they're in pain every step of the way. lol. Or when I see the crazy people jogging at noon when it's 90+ degrees and high humidity. I can tell you right now that that would never ever be me.
So I just wondered how many people have successfully taken up jogging after a certain again, like 50. Or older. I've been thinking that I might just go out walking without my dog and do a really brisk almost-jog thing, but it won't actually be jogging, just to see how I feel.
And yes, I know I need better shoes. Mine are Adidas but not anywhere near top-of-the-line. I think I bought them at Costco and they're probably lower-quality Adidas than what I'd buy in a running store. And they're old which probably explains why my feet have been hurting after I get back from walking.
Anyway, just wondered....
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:35:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2015 14:03:35 GMT
Good for her! That is awesome. And I will be following this thread. I have always wanted to be a runner and have tried but my chest always hurts SO bad. I have tried since I was in my 20s (now 50). Hubby has been a runner since before we met over 29 years ago. He is 52 and is one of those amazing, crazy runners. I just haven't been successful. Maybe some of you will have tips for us.  |
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Post by kckckc on Oct 17, 2015 14:17:50 GMT
I started jogging when I was 54. I hadn't run since high school PE class (and I ran as little as possible even then). My goal was to run a 5K (without walking) while I was 55. I got the Couch-to-5K app and just started. I made my goal and ran in my first 5K a couple of months before I turned 56. I ran the entire race (albeit very slowly). I am almost 58 now and I still run 2-4 miles a couple of times a week. On a good day I will average 5mph, so I am pretty much the slowest runner out there - and it certainly isn't effortless for me; I probably look like one of those runners who is in pain every step, but I am enjoying it nevertheless  When I started, I just wore clothes and shoes I already had - shorts, t-shirt, and some bargain priced New Balance shoes that I got at Shoe Carnival. I just wasn't willing to invest money, because I wasn't sure I would stick with it. I was run/walking 30 minutes or less three times a week and for me the shoes were fine for that. I suggest you give it a try - it might be something you grow to enjoy! |
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Post by sbartist on Oct 17, 2015 15:18:01 GMT
I did not start running until I was in my late 40's. Hated running in HS PE. I started walking on my lunch hours for some exercise and got bored and opted to run instead. I do enjoy it now. At one point I was running 3x's a day. I do not do that now. My husband and I go for our longer runs on the weekend, like we will be this morning. I always make sure to run where there are bathrooms because I generally have stomach issues. I would not run if it were not for my iPod, have to have tunes.
We have our 3rd Honolulu Marathon coming up in December. Will I finish it, yes. Will I beat my time by at least one second from the year before, that is my goal Ü Do I run the entire way, heck no. Will I be sore the next day, probably.
If it is something you enjoy, go for it!!!
I also enjoy scrapping our running adventures. |
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Oct 17, 2015 15:29:42 GMT
My SIL started after 50. And she's trying to talk me into it. She started by walking for one minute then jogging for one minute. She does 10K, and half marathon at least once per month.
I walk really fast, so she thinks I could add a little hop in my step and wouldn't notice too much.
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,524
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Oct 17, 2015 15:40:44 GMT
I personally haven't, but in April I met a woman while running a 50 mile endurance run. She was in her 80's and it was her 30th time doing that particular endurance run...she didn't start running until she was in her 50's. She was my hero. I want to be her when I grow up!
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,039 
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Post by Nanner on Oct 17, 2015 16:42:45 GMT
I started when I was 49. I used Couch to 5K. Then I had a bad injury and couldn't get back into it. I really enjoyed it when I was doing it, Now I've gained a lot of weight over the last 4 years, that I can't even imagine trying to run.
Maybe I'll try again, doing what your friend is doing - 10 seconds at a time, and increasing. Because I need to do something and I enjoyed running. I'm 55 now.
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Post by cath4k on Oct 17, 2015 17:04:58 GMT
I am starting at age 48! I have been sick for over four years and am finally at a point where I can do something again. I have been surprised at how much I am enjoying it. I will be posting a general re-starting exercise post later today (I will post it here when I get it up, if you want) and I plan on writing one about running for beginners soon (experiential post as opposed to expert post.)
Here's what helped me start (once I was healthy enough TO start):
*well-fitted shoes
*proper form (feet running on a "center line", landing the outside of the midfoot, rolling to the inside, head up only looking down with eyes, and back straight with relaxed, rounded shoulders)
*slow, relaxed breathing with an OPEN mouth (I thought slow, relaxed breathing meant in through the nose out through the mouth - wrong for running)
*running slower with good form rather than faster sloppily
*setting reasonable goals where I can feel good about meeting them and even exceeding them
*using a Fitbit which is a really easy way for me to see both distance and time.
I don't run to music yet, because I want to concentrate on form and goals. I also like to think. Focusing on form and goals really occupies my mind a lot right now though because I am brand new. I'm sure one day I won't have to think about that so much. I have only been doing it a couple weeks and am going 2 1/2 miles. I walk more than I run, but I work up a great sweat and feel great about what I am doing and see progress every time I go out.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Oct 17, 2015 17:20:07 GMT
I was in the military and had to run. I've never enjoyed it. I think some bodies are naturally built for running, some not. I'm gonna say I'm a not. I tried to pick it back up at 47, but my knees had other ideas. Instead, I'm a walker. I can walk the hell out of my neighborhood. I have two nice hills that get my heart rate going good. Right now, my son and I are walking over 5 miles 6 days a week. My blood sugar and blood pressure have been fabulous, I feel better and I can even throw in a few jogging sections now without completely shredding my knees. ETA: I turned 50 this year.
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Post by anniefb on Oct 17, 2015 17:51:48 GMT
Good for her! I didn't start running til I was 46 and now I run marathons  I hadn't run since high school PE, though I did other exercise like cycling and swimming. I started running short distances for a mini triathlon challenge we did through work - swim 400m, cycle 10k, run 4k and just increased from there. I'm just about to do my 6th marathon and think I feel fitter and healthier in my 50s (I'm 52) than I did in my 20s and 30s. I say go for it! |
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Post by birukitty on Oct 17, 2015 20:24:12 GMT
I haven't yet, but plan to start a running program this fall. I'm 55 and don't exercise but realize how vitally important it is in our lives and want to start. I'm still recovering from surgery for a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder along with frozen shoulder this past June 24th and have been going to physical therapy 3 times a week. My physical therapist says I can start walking and very slowly increase to jogging and then see how my shoulder takes it. Anyway, I adore swimming and would have normally chosen that exercise but my shoulder can't take it at this time.
Folks here and my friends keep talking about the "running high" and how much they love running, so I thought why not give it a try? There are so many reasons it would fit me. 1-I'm an introvert, and I don't mind exercising or being alone, plus I love being outdoors vs. being in a sweaty gym. 2. It's cheaper than paying gym fees or for classes like Zumba. 3. I have an amazing park .06 miles from my house that costs an entrance fee of $20.00 a year, with 340 acres of park land and 6 miles of paved trails. I'm very lucky to have that park so nearby. So running seems to fit very well-I hope it works for me.
I'm planning to start slow and build up from there. I'm at a good weight because I lost a lot of weight changing my diet over the last 3 years, but now I want to get strong. I believe it is never too late to start exercising. My father is 75 and exercises every day riding his bike for miles. He is my inspiration.
Debbie in MD.
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Post by Zee on Oct 17, 2015 22:01:34 GMT
I just got done running. I have loved running all my life, since I was a kid, but my ITband had me sidelined for almost two years. I'll never be particularly fast and I can't really do more than 5k at a time anymore, but I love it. Give it a try--you won't know until you do it! I walk a lot too, plus do other workouts, but running just makes me feel alive.
My favorite shoes are Asics, but everyone is different.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:35:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2015 23:41:32 GMT
My kids (ages 14, 10 and 9) completed their first 5K today. I felt pretty bad that I couldn't participate due to my back problems. I think I would like to try jogging and maybe aim to do more by the time I'm 50 (which is 3.5 short years away).
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Post by littlefish on Oct 18, 2015 0:55:36 GMT
My dad started running in his mid-30's. He's now 70 and has run over 350 marathons.
FWIW, my mom is 67. She doesn't run marathons but she walks half-marathons.
They're both in Illinois this weekend for another race.
I was pretty much raised to believe you're never too old to take up anything. Why not?
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I hadn't run since high school PE, though I did other exercise like cycling and swimming. I started running short distances for a mini triathlon challenge we did through work - swim 400m, cycle 10k, run 4k and just increased from there. I'm just about to do my 6th marathon and think I feel fitter and healthier in my 50s (I'm 52) than I did in my 20s and 30s. I say go for it!
