Anyone started running at 40?

I started after 40 and have had no issues. Just go slow, wear the right shoes, stretch and listen to your body.

I started Couch-to-5K when I was 41. I had never really run before that, and on the rare occasions I had tried I hated it and thought it was physically impossible for me. Well, I stuck with c25k and then went on to "bridge to 10K" and less than a year later ran a half marathon. It is totally possible to start running in your 40s! Just make sure to get properly fitted for shoes at a running specialty store (at least the first time) and get a good bra.

Good Luck!

My mom started running at 64 and she lost a lot of weight. I asked her why and she said, "I didn't want to be a fat 65-year-old." She ran slowly, but she kept it up for years.

I am so glad you asked this question and was very encouraged by all the great examples posted. I am 41 and just signed up for five 5km trail runs between May and September of this year.

I had been trying to calorie count and do moderate exercise around my sedentary full time job and that was getting me nowhere, so I joined a boot camp and I LOVE it. In just 2 weeks I could do 10+ push ups on toes. I couldn't believe it because I am at least 60 lbs overweight and could never do push ups on my toes, even when I was young and super skinny. When I doubt that this new strength is real, I get on the floor and do 10 more. Who knew all this time I needed something harder and more challenging!

Between boot camp days I wanted to do more cardio and decided my long walks weren't helping me lose weight so I decided to step it up. That's when I shifted my goal from weight loss to training for my first 5k in May. That's when all this exercise and calorie counting became fun for me, and not just a pain in the butt at the end of a long day.

bump

I will be 47 this year. I have done one 5k, where I came in officially last - I'm ready to move it on up a notch....

I started running at 46. I'll be 49 in about three weeks. Ran my first 50k (yes, 50) last December and running second one in April. Haters gonna hate regardless. Do what you want, be smart about training and enjoy! For my 50th birthday I'll be running a 50 miler!

Hi, wonderful people...anyone started running at 40. I am about to start a training session and a lot of people are scaring the hell out of me, that I will bust my knees or have a heart problem and all kinds of really morbid warnings. Is there anything I should keep in mind? I have never run, but I do yoga and till last year was in kettle bell training. I have been into some form of exercise most of my life. TIA any encouraging message would be wonderful

I started at 45 years old and 280 lbs. I'm 170 now 18 months later and knocking on the door of my second marathon.

what are you waiting for?

Oh yeah..I also suffer from chronic pain and cervical spondyolosis.

I started at age 45. Take it slow, don't increase your mileage too fast. Make sure you have proper shoes. Get fitted at a real running store where they can analyze your stride, etc. Google "Runner's World: Build a Better Knee" and follow the exercises in there for strengthening. Don't blow off cross training. Your muscles protect your tendons and your joints. Don't neglect stretching. Fuel your activity with appropriate food intake. Get plenty of rest. Buy a foam roller and make friends with it. And enjoy! Running is awesome. Most of all, listen to your body. Pain is a message that you're doing something wrong. Don't try to "run through" or "tough it out". Listen to the signals. As with any exercise, doing it with crap form will lead to injury quicker than doing it with proper form.

I am 50 and started jogging for the first time in my life at 49 years old. I do have bad knees. I try to jog indoors or on dirt mostly, But I have jogged some on concrete. If it starts hurting I walk. I am able to jog 3 miles in 36 minutes with out stopping. No real heart problems just a low heart rate sometimes. Good Luck on your journey. Don't limit yourself. Try new things.

I started running at 50 1/2 yrs old. It has not killed me yet

Not me personally, but my sister did. She doesn't run a ton but has done a few 5k and finishes quite well for her age group. She's never had a running injury. She had knee surgery a long time ago and her knees don't bother her. The only thing that does rarely is her lower back.

I just started and Im 48. Run slow, be consistent, and you'll be great!

Well I am 39 and I started jogging 3years ago do to a bad knee for right now all I do is job but I try to jog 5miles 3times a week it took me a while but I manage but I do spoil myself I get a massage at least once a month and I go to a coed spa dont let no one discourage you everyone's body is completely different

Just reading all your posts is such an inspiration, I did my first two days already and I feel quite good, already feel stronger :laugh:

WTG!