What is the cutoff weight/age for running?

NYCNika
NYCNika Posts: 611 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
It really works for me (though I'm having some pain in the part where my foot is connected to my leg). But it does wanders for weight loss and fitness.

But, would it be a good idea for my mom who is 57 and probably close to 200lb.

I know that running is great, but it can't be for everyone -- if someone is 400lb, they joints probably won't be able to support it without significant wear or increased risk of injury.

Replies

  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    Has she been cleared by her doctor? Can she walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes? If they answer to either of those questions is not, then she needs to do both. Once that's been accomplished, I don't see why she couldn't run so long as she starts slow.
  • VeeBethTris
    VeeBethTris Posts: 301 Member
    I would think it has a lot to do with her level of activity, her health, and her desire. I'm 50, 195, 5-7, and started the C25K app 7 weeks ago. I am up to running 25 minutes at a time and have done a 5k, 3.1 miles, on the treadmill, without much trouble. Once you determine those things, the answers will come. Good luck to her :) And if running isn't for her, walking is ALWAYS an option. I walked for 7 months prior to starting to run and lost a ton of weight.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,659 Member
    It really works for me (though I'm having some pain in the part where my foot is connected to my leg). But it does wanders for weight loss and fitness.

    But, would it be a good idea for my mom who is 57 and probably close to 200lb.

    I know that running is great, but it can't be for everyone -- if someone is 400lb, they joints probably won't be able to support it without significant wear or increased risk of injury.

    Has she trained in running before? If not, I would highly suggest she takes it very easy.

    People talk about the c25k, that is a great start for your mum, I would take the advice of somebody who said she should seek the advice of her doctor first though.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    There is no cutoff age for running. I am 53 and run an average of 7 to 10 miles nearly every day.

    Ed Whitlock is 80 and runs faster marathons than the vast majority of people running.
  • PurpleTina
    PurpleTina Posts: 390 Member
    I run with a couple of 72 year old ladies, both of whom took up running in their mid 50's. Unfortunately they are both faster than me :laugh:

    I still weigh over 200 and run 15-17 miles a week, I just built up to it sensibly.
  • dondimitri
    dondimitri Posts: 245 Member
    I think it likely depends upon the person. I have two sisters. One is 59 yo and the other is 57 yo. 59 has been running all her life and her knees, although not what they used to be, still allow her 5 mile runs. 57 has never done any running at all and her knees are shot. Go figure.

    They do have two different body types and fitness history.

    59 is about 5'5" and probably 130ish. She has been a fitness freak her whole life. She has had knee issues over the years that have kept her from running but more recently she says her knees have been working better and she is running more. She has done some serious weight lifting over the past several years and feels that has helped her knees a great deal.

    57 is about 5'11" and has been overweight much of her life. She has never run or worked out much and will probably be a double total knee replacement candidate at some point.

    (Edited to add: All that is a bit tangential to your question but I started typing and that's what came out! I'll leave it in. lol!)

    It would obviously be less stress on your mom's body (knees) if she lost a bit of weight before she really started pounding the pavement.

    Perhaps she would consider a regimented walking program first. Let her body get used to that, lose some weight along the way, and then decide if jogging/running is something she wants to do. She may decide that an aggressive walking program is giving her the results she wants without the stress of running.

    Walking is great exercise in it's own right. It shouldn't be considered a poor sister to running.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I read about a guy in his 50s that just ran like 45 marathons in 50 something days, I also read about a guy that was a 101 and finished the London Marathon last year.

    You just start slow, and work your way up to it. It took me a year to finish C25K. I am almost 55. This weekend, I am running a 1/2 marathon. Yes, it was hard, I had three surgeries, but I did it - and so can just about anyone else.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I started running at 53 by doing C25K. Lots of "older" people run!
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    I would recommend she do some brisk walking and see how it goes. But, older people run all the time. My mother-in-law who is in her mid-70s runs regularly. And, the famous Billy Kelly ran the Boston Marathon 61 times, his last when he was 84 years old. He only quit, I recall, because it was just taking him too long.
  • tbresina
    tbresina Posts: 558 Member
    No limitations..................ever, just start slow and listen to your body!
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    There is no cutoff age for running. I am 53 and run an average of 7 to 10 miles nearly every day.

    Thats awesome! You're kicking my butt for sure!
  • Erica262
    Erica262 Posts: 226 Member
    There's no cut off age or weight! Just make sure she clears it with her doctor and gets fitted for proper shoes at a running store. Good shoes can make a big difference.
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    If joint issues are the problem, I suggest swimming. You'll get the cardio without the stress on your joints.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Age? 101, it seems: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/01/24/worlds-oldest-marathon-runner-to-retire-after-one-final-race/

    :)
  • babyshme
    babyshme Posts: 310 Member
    They just announced on the radio, a man who is 102 who is running is last race this year. I don't believe there is an age cut off.

    Oh and yes, I said 102.
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    You need to be at least 1-2 years old before you can start running. That is where I draw the line. I know thats hard to accept but... you need to walk before you can run. :tongue:

    I have coached beginning runners for years. Last year I had the beautiful experience of coaching a 77 year old lady to completing her first 10 Km race. She finished ahead of her expectations. She completed a 10 Km Fun run in 1:28.
    She is a runner because she is in her mind a runner. Nothing else counts.

    I know another lady who is 88 years old (Hortense... You rock girl!) who routinely runs half marathons and usuallycompletes them in the 2:30 to 2:45 range.

    If you have the health to run, if you have the ambition to run.... then run. Just be sure if you have any health doubts... to get clearance from your doctor.

    Good Luck! I'll be happy to cheer you on!
  • mhotch
    mhotch Posts: 901 Member
    I am 53, and was running a 5K in November. While I was making an attempt to sprint to the finish line, a man who had at least 20 years on me, easily passed me.
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    No cutoff age for running. Just clear with her doctor before starting. My husband runs marathons with the Students Run Los Angeles program and there is a man that runs with him that is 95 years old!!! This dude runs all the races including the marathon.
  • NakeshiaB
    NakeshiaB Posts: 250 Member
    The cutoff age is dead. As for weight, if you are in the severly overweight/obese range (there is not shame in this, you can still be overweight and fit, running will just increase your fitness and do wonders for your health) then I'd recommend consulting a doctor first. Possibly even look into getting a few professional lessons.

    One thing to not scrimp on is running shoes, get your running style analysed and get a decent pair of shoes that suit your foot. Personally I'm a fan of minimalist shoes but these aren't ideal for everyone. I've always run more efficiently barefoot and minimalist shoes give me the freedom to run on rough surfaces such as rough gravel or sharp rock. I've taken a break from running and switched to biking, but I'm starting up again when the weather cools down. Good luck!
  • prdavies1949
    prdavies1949 Posts: 323 Member
    I must say that I agree with the other posters who say there is no cut off for starting to run. I started running last October at the age of 63 and 309lbs. I checked with my doc first then started with short walks, then longer walks, then a few minutes jogging. I moved steadily onto a bit more then a bit more till by January 20th I ran a 10k race very slowly.
  • NYCNika
    NYCNika Posts: 611 Member
    A couple of people mentioned C25K. I checked out the website and the presentation kept leading you on as if it is going to tell you something great, and went on and on, and than turns out you have to buy the thing to hear "the secrets". It being an infomercial completely turned me off.

    Can anyone tell me what he is selling? Is it the obvious truths such as "processed foods bad" natural foods and running is good, eat in moderation and other previously unknown things?

    What are the "7 principles" and what exactly do you need to "cleanse your liver" of unspecified toxins?
    I am "cleansing" it by not eating crap, running and loosing weight. If there is a more efficient way, I'm curious.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    We had several 80+ folks running the half-marathon this last weekend in Arizona.

    ANYONE can run, but it might take some patients and abay steps before getting there.
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    The cut-off age is when you are dead. Rigor mortis makes running a bit difficult.

    In a 4 mile cross country race back in January, I only finished a few seconds ahead of an 82 year old man. :embarassed:
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    ∞
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    A couple of people mentioned C25K. I checked out the website and the presentation kept leading you on as if it is going to tell you something great, and went on and on, and than turns out you have to buy the thing to hear "the secrets". It being an infomercial completely turned me off.

    Can anyone tell me what he is selling? Is it the obvious truths such as "processed foods bad" natural foods and running is good, eat in moderation and other previously unknown things?

    What are the "7 principles" and what exactly do you need to "cleanse your liver" of unspecified toxins?
    I am "cleansing" it by not eating crap, running and loosing weight. If there is a more efficient way, I'm curious.
    What presentation? C25K is basically a running programme that is based on the concept of interval training. Each week, the intervals of walking get shorter and the running intervals get longer until in week 9 you are running 30+ minutes.
  • PurpleTina
    PurpleTina Posts: 390 Member
    ....and couch to 5k is free, you don't have to pay for it.
  • NakeshiaB
    NakeshiaB Posts: 250 Member
    I'm not sure what C25K you checked out but this is one of the most popular:

    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    You can also download pod casts that tell you when to run and when to walk, much easier than carrying a timer!
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Check out the Couch to 5k group on MFP. There are people of all ages and sizes working through the program.

    I got the Radiant Tap app for my iphone but the NHS has a series of free podcasts. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/running-podcast.aspx
  • shellsrenee01
    shellsrenee01 Posts: 357 Member
    I ran my first 5K at 267 lbs. It just takes the right mindset and patience during training.

    Is 267 still a low number for weight? Need something bigger?

    Check out Chris Davis' story: http://blog.spartanrace.com/my-journey-to-sparta-chris-davis/

    He inspired me to take on Spartan Racing (of which I have completed two so far...AROO!) He started at 696lbs. Amazing.

    If your mom has got the drive inside that is telling her she needs to be running, let her go for it. Tell her to listen to her body, stop when she needs a break, and that there is no shame in walking when needed. :bigsmile:

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