I'm "slightly" less old - I turn 45 next month - but am starting to relate.

I came to running late in life - Tuesday is my second anniversary of my first day of C25K... before that no running since high school gym class.

The biggest challenge for me is scheduling... and i'm overcoming that mostly by running my mid-week runs before anyone else wakes up. My alarm is set for 4:45AM and I can get my mid week 4 - 6 miles in, get home, showered and changed eat breakfast by 7.

I'm not sure what I'll do when my marathon training plan has me scheduled for 8, 9, 10 miles on Wednesdays. I might have to do those as two-a-days, splitting the mileage between the morning and evening.

Ah I'm way too old, I didn't start running till I was well into my 60's. Though I am going to do a sub 2hr half in March.

I have always found that things physical do not change for me on the decade. It is usually a year or two afterwards -- 42 years, not 40 years; 52-53 years not 50 years. So, don't push the panic button yet!
When you do hit 50-plus years, however, I think recovery becomes much more of an issue than it ever did when you were younger. It has for me, anyway.

Hi, I am 51. Sigh. I have run two marathons, the last one being the Boston in 2009, several 1/2's, and many other, shorter distances. Took a new job, more sedentary, and gained weight/got out of shape. Now, I'm back in the swing, considering running a 1/2 next month. Ran 10.2 yesterday, very easy pace. Felt great after. I have noticed I need to really work on core strength and balance. I don't know if that's from being out of shape or being old. Ha.

Turned 66 yesterday and I have only been running about 2 years before that walk/jog walk and nothing in that order. I am still enjoying PRs and increasing my distances. I find that my improvements and additions in speed and distance come slowly and I don't bounce back from strains and pulls nearly as fast anymore.
On a great note being 66 I no longer have any scheduling issues since I am semi retired and I can go when and where I want so if its a weekday and I decide to enjoy my long run because the weather is great or I just feel like it out the door I go.
My suggestion is focus on how young you are and let the rest take care of it self. The good health you will enjoy for the rest of your life being fit and running is well worth the scheduling. I have never done 2 a day but have spoken to people that utiliize that as a way to get longer runs into a schedule with work.
Good luck and good health
Ken

69, running at 11 to 12 minutes mile. 19 miles per week. Helps weight loss and feels good.

I think Dave is right: Many of the top performers at the local 5K's are in their 40's and 50's. Of course the little teenage boys also do quite well, also. For some reason the 20's and 30's age groups seem to be slacking.

I'm turning 47 in less than a week and I won my first ever overall victory in a 5K road race just a few months ago. 40s and 50s are prime running years!

I think Dave is right: Many of the top performers at the local 5K's are in their 40's and 50's. Of course the little teenage boys also do quite well, also. For some reason the 20's and 30's age groups seem to be slacking.

I've seen this phenomenon too and I chalk it up to many of those runners being parents of small children. Once the kids are a little older, they have more time to train. This is why the 40+ age groups are so competitive.

I think Dave is right: Many of the top performers at the local 5K's are in their 40's and 50's. Of course the little teenage boys also do quite well, also. For some reason the 20's and 30's age groups seem to be slacking.

I've seen this phenomenon too and I chalk it up to many of those runners being parents of small children. Once the kids are a little older, they have more time to train. This is why the 40+ age groups are so competitive.

That was absolutely the case for me. I got serious about running when my kids were old enough to drive themselves to their various activities. Now they are both out of the home and the sky is the limit.

I just gotta say: That is WAY cool, Dave. Congrats.

Thanks!

I am going to be 51 this year and I started running when I was 46. Wow, just saying that I can't believe that was 5 years ago because it feels like yesterday. I typically do trail ultras. The 40's age bracket in my area is really competitive although I've noticed a fall off because I've been hitting the podium in races of late. And it's not because I'm fast, it's because I showed up. Heck, there were only two of us (that finished at least) at North Face in December which is weird to me because that race is huge. I've been calling these age group awards my "Still Standing and Breathing" awards.