running confused - how old is too old?

nminden
nminden Posts: 55 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'd love to hear some general thoughts and specific experiences regarding running as a senior. I did hurt my neck twice over the last four years and had to stop running both times. I have some degenerated discs as do the majority of people my age. Nevertheless, I've built back my neck and throracic back over the last year - very slowly. I focus on posture primarily and I've healed well. It's daily work. I've started to run on days that I'm feeling rested and strong. I built up VERY slowly and am up to a 20 minute run. Satisfied to not increase it by much. I try for 2-3 times a week and every other day I'm walking hills, on the elliptical and have started back slowly doing resistance training.
People are quick with generalized opinions and comments about older people not running. I don't buy it but I'm happy to hear the opinions of others. I think it's a very individual thing.
Thoughts?

Replies

  • bagge72
    bagge72 Posts: 1,377 Member
    If you are healthy, and can do it then there is no age limit. One of the guys you saw a ton of pictures of falling down at the boston marathon bombing is 78 years old, and he was going to cross the finish line just over 4 hours! Tons of people would love to get that time.
  • OkieTink
    OkieTink Posts: 285 Member
    At my very first 5k I talked with a man who was 82. Both of his knees were wrapped, as well as his ankles. I was excited, told him it was my first 5k, how I hoped I would do well, etc. He told me the 5k was his warm up, he was really there for the 10k which was right after the 5k.

    He beat me in the 5k.
  • actlc
    actlc Posts: 84
    Fauja Singh. is 102 years young.
    Finished his very last race in Hong Kong in Feb, 2013.
    While he retired from racing, he said he will still run 8+ miles everyday for pleasure...
  • dondimitri
    dondimitri Posts: 245 Member
    I'm 63 (closer to 64) and do a small amount of jogging. I plan (hope) on doing more as time/energy/body allows. At the moment I feel I'm pushing my knees to the limit with the amount of elliptical/stairmaster/walking and squats/deadlifts/leg extensions I'm doing. When I feel like I'm a little more stable I hope to do a little more jogging.

    I think it comes down to statistics. The older we get the more likely we are to have issues when we attempt to do physical things. Does that mean we are going to have problems? No. Does that mean we can't overcome physical problems if they develop? No.

    It just means we aren't 20 anymore. Or 30, or 40. Personally I'm not going to stop doing stuff until the doctor sits me down and says "you will be crippled or die if you continue...".

    If you have medical clearance to do something then I'd give it a try. Also: I wouldn't necessarily rely on the old family doc to give me feedback. A visit to a sports medicine specialist would be worth it to me.

    Good luck.
  • mikeatmichael
    mikeatmichael Posts: 92 Member
    From the title of your post I thought maybe it was an alzheimer issue. If you're confused you might need to stop running before you get hopelessly lost. :laugh:

    All kidding aside, it sounds like your doing it right. With your back and neck issues I would try to do some core body exercises and make sure I did a lot of stretching. There's no reason to not do as much as you can. Just slowly keep pushing the limits.
  • ZenInTexas
    ZenInTexas Posts: 781 Member
    When I go for my runs on the weekends about 75 percent of the other people I see out running are over 50. And every race I've ever done I get beat soundly by several seniors. As long as you're healthy age should not be a factor.

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