40 year old and up runners

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  • I started running in June of this year, turned 57 in August & completed my first 10K on Sept 28 (It was hard but wonderful!). Am planning on a 2nd 10K on Dec 2. I never ran or did any sports before & now I wake up & the first thing I think is, "Do I get to run today?"
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    I started running at 36. I'm now 41. Have run numerous half marathons and 10K's...and also a few full marathons since.
    When I started running I weighed 325 pounds and within the span of 11 months lost 65 pounds and completed a full marathon.

    It is never too late to start and age doesn't mean you need to quit either... I know a lady named Hortense... who is 88 this year. She completed the Manitoba Marathon Half Marathon in 2:39 this year.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I started running last year for the first time in my life, just after my 45th birthday. Prior to that, I always said the only way you'd see me running is if something were chasing me!

    Since that fateful day, I've run in numerous 5K - 10K races, a 15K and 3 half marathons, the last one in San Diego in early June. The next race season hasn't quite kicked off here yet since it's still pretty warm. I have another half marathon on the 21st of this month and two more scheduled for Dec and January. I'm sure I'll squeeze in a few more races before the end of the race season in March.

    Feel free to add me. I have quite a few runners amongst my friends and love encouraging them all.
  • sdereski
    sdereski Posts: 3,406 Member
    I've run for many years now, but really got serious 3 years ago when I decided to run 5 marathons for my 50th year.
    I think runners are some of the coolest folk, so add me if you wish. :happy:
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I started late too - ran my fist 5K in September 2009 when I was 53 and am training for my 4th half-marathon in January 2013 (I've signed up for my first marathon next May). It's never too late to get started.......
  • lyfurlong
    lyfurlong Posts: 31 Member
    I have always run over the years but doing more now than ever and I finally get the love for it! I ran one 16k race a few years ago but would like to register for an 11 k race in nov.
  • juliec33
    juliec33 Posts: 238 Member
    Hi All, I'm 43 and started running only about 2 years ago. My very first race was the 5K TurkeyTrot on Thanksgiving 2010. I've run 5 or so 5K's, an 8 miler, a 10K, a 15K and one half marathon. Training for my 2nd half in December. Who knows, maybe I'll get the crazy notion one day to run a marathon...could happen, nothing is impossible. Three years ago I would have told you that my ever running a half marathon was about as likely to happen as an asteroid hitting the earth but.......look at me know :happy:
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    VERY VERY late bloomer started at 58. Will be running my second half marathon in Miami this January with my four kids! I'll be 61 we are doing this for my birthday!! Never too late I run 6 miles 6 days a week! When I'm training for half I do one 10-13 mile plus every week. If can do it anyone can. Never ran before in my life.

    That sounds like a good plan to me, and we're the same age. I'll be 61 in January, too. I don't plan to run a half until March, however. It will be my first half marathon! I'm excited and wasn't sure how to train. I try not to run my 6 miles two days in a row, but I wondered how often I should make the longer run. I like to run 3 days a week and bike 3 days a week, and take Sundays off, unless I have to make up a day for weather, etc.

    It's great that your kids will be running with you! I'd be thrilled if one of my four kids was running with me.
  • Off10h8ed
    Off10h8ed Posts: 282 Member
    I am 40 and just started today. :) I bought a Garmin HRM with a shoe tag and I LOVE it! Only thing is, it doesn't have the training chart like the Nike runner has. Does anyone know where I can find that information?
  • Happylady123
    Happylady123 Posts: 166 Member
    I am 40 and just started today. :) I bought a Garmin HRM with a shoe tag and I LOVE it! Only thing is, it doesn't have the training chart like the Nike runner has. Does anyone know where I can find that information?
    You can google it and get free training guides. That is where I got mine. Good luck!
  • Masq
    Masq Posts: 191 Member
    Yeah, I started 'running' right before I turned 40 last year. I was always the kid in gym class that did anything to skip going to the track to run in high school. :ohwell:

    Last year I did three sprint triathlons that were a 5K run and this year I have just been running on my own. I did my first 10K around our neighborhood at the end of July and I've taken 14 minutes off that first time. :happy:

    I just signed up today with a running club that is coached. I hope to learn some things to help improve my form and time. I would like to run for longer intervals and still be able to breath.

    Happy training!
  • reggie2run
    reggie2run Posts: 477 Member
    I'm a late bloomer to running too...started when I was 37 (6 years ago). Since then I've run 5 /8 /10/ 16km races, 10 mille races and a half marathon.

    Welcome to MFP.
    Feel free to add me if you'd like. :smile:
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I hated running all my life. Switched from basketball to volleyball in high school for less running and staying on my own side of the court. :tongue:

    At the age of 43 in January this year, something clicked in my brain and said, give it a shot. I challenged myself to try the c25k program. My husband was shocked, so was I, honestly! LOL But I wanted the challenge, and knew if I did manage it, it was something I could do almost anywhere.

    Finished the program in the nine weeks and I'm still running. No great distances, haven't made it to 10k yet, but I enjoy getting out there for a good 3 mile run. I've run three 5k races so far, and have a few more on the horizon - racing is a blast!
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    That sounds like a good plan to me, and we're the same age. I'll be 61 in January, too. I don't plan to run a half until March, however. It will be my first half marathon! I'm excited and wasn't sure how to train. I try not to run my 6 miles two days in a row, but I wondered how often I should make the longer run. I like to run 3 days a week and bike 3 days a week, and take Sundays off, unless I have to make up a day for weather, etc.

    It's great that your kids will be running with you! I'd be thrilled if one of my four kids was running with me.
    I still don't run two days in a row unless they are very short runs. There are lots of training plans out there. The one I follow has increasingly longer runs every other weekend. I only run Saturday or Sunday depending on my schedule. The weekends in between I run 6 miles. It goes something like:

    Weekend 1 - 6 miles
    Weekend 2 - 7 miles
    Weekend 3 - 6 miles
    Weekend 4 - 8 miles
    Weekend 5 - 6 miles
    Weekend 6 - 9 miles
    Weekend 7 - 6 miles
    Weekend 8 - 10 miles
    Weekend 9 - 6 miles
    Weekend 10 - 11 miles
    Weekend 11 - 6 miles
    Weekend 12 - RACE!

    Two or three weekdays each week I'll run one or two more 6 milers at slow pace and/or one or two shorter, faster runs, usually around 5K at race pace.
  • jparks341
    jparks341 Posts: 216 Member
    I'm 54, ran a couple 5k's and continue to run them also did a duathlon (2mile run, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run) 2 weeks ago. Also training to run a 10k and a longer duathlon. I also signed for a tough mudder 2013 to put my body to the test. Feel free to add me as MFP buddy.