Older Runners - Anyone start late in life and have success?

I am forty and just started running 2 years ago. My older brother is 54 and he started running when he was 42 and now runs 2-3 marathons a year as well as countless 5k, 10k, 15k and half marathons. He is who got me into running.

I am 44 and have done C25K a couple times in the past few years, and plan to do it again starting in spring with the hopes of doing a marathon one day! I have an awesome co-worker who told me that she has done 5 marathons since she started running after 50! Super inspiring.

I started when I was 45, and am now 50. So far, no major disasters that weren't self-inflicted (as in crashing into a road sign while I was fussing at my running buddy...). I've run a total of about a dozen 5k's but mainly just put in the miles for stress relief and because its fun for me.

I am 45 and started running almost a year ago. I have run my first 1/2 marathon and many 5ks, and 10k races. I am feeling great and maintaining a level weight. It had been nearly 20 years since i last ran more than to not get wet from the rain.

Check out Perry Newburn if you want to see successful runners who started running later in life: http://m.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11355483

"Late in life" makes me think 70's! I'm 56 and just started jogging (because I don't think I'm fast enough for it to be called running) three weeks ago? I jogged/ran 2 12-minute miles this morning before work without stopping. No aches or pains. I'm actually enjoying myself.

I'm 48. About a year and a half ago, I started running for the first time since I was in my early 30's. Back then, I never went further than 3 or 4 miles, and that was only for a very short time. I was never really a runner.

Until now.

Last Spring I did a 15K and finished in the middle of the crowd. I did several 5ks as well. While training for a 1/2 marathon, I tried to push too hard too fast and had a knee injury that sidelined me for a couple of months. I tried again and lost another month due to injury in my other knee. Now, I'm back at it and TAKING IT SLOW and am back up to 3 mile runs 4 days a week. I'm training for a half marathon in the spring. The knees are holding up well; I'm just having to be super careful not to succumb to another overuse injury. That is probably the biggest problem with running when you are older. Injuries happen far more easily.

But the rewards! The rewards are amazing! I am honestly in the best shape of my entire life. I think I could run circles around my 20 year old self. .... and not even get winded!

I love running and hope to do it another 20 years.

I recently bought a new pair of running shoes to train for a triathlon next summer. Of course, then I broke my leg, riding my bike. But I wasn't going to start until the spring anyway. I ran in my 40s until I fell a couple of times, then switched to lower impact, but I think the Brooks shoes I bought will help me.

You're pretty young, so I doubt if you'll have problems

I'm 53 and started running last year. At first it was just because my daughter ran and she challenged me to run a 5K with her. Then a few months back I joined the running challenges on here and suddenly went from 30 miles a month to about 140 miles a month. Just did my first 10K a few weeks back in under an hour and I'm signed up for my first HM in the Spring and have never felt better. Before this the only time I ran was in high school when I played sports and it was punishment or from the police, but that's another topic entirely.

Welcome back to running.

Started running to burn cals at 63. I have done two 5K'sand the Denver Rugged Maniac Mud/Obstacle course 5K and do 12 minute miles. Old and slow but they know I am there. Signed up for the Rugged Maniac again next August. I compete with myself!

You should google Margaret Haggerty. She is my inspiration. She went to a stop smoking seminar at age 64, was told to put down the cigarettes and get off the couch. She started running. She just completed the NYC Marathon and is now 91 years old. YES, 91. She is in Guinness Book of world records as the oldest person to have run a marathon on every continent. I've had to privilege to run races with her and she is amazing - a tiny lady with white hair, amazing blue eyes and a megawatt smile. If she can do it - so can you! (and me)

40, started when i was 38ish, Had never run more than a few steps to get to the table before that. Old... depends on perspective i suppose. I think running like all sports can be started at any time as long as you have realistic goals. If your looking to set a world sprint record... maybe not so possible. If your looking to run a 5k, 10 k, what ever at a respectable time for your age bracket etc then yes, absolutely its possible. Set small, measurable, OBTAINABLE, goals and reset as you achieve them. Only you can set your goals, go try a run or a walk or a combination and time it, set a goal to beat it slightly, by a minute, or two minutes, what ever and work towards that.



old me



first half after about 2 years of running starting on a treadmill walking to a half under 2 hours.

Good luck

craigmc1960 wrote: »

I was 109kg late June last year. I ran a marathon by mid October. 14 weeks training and 14 kg lighter I ran my first marathon at age 53.

You're going to make me cry!!

My mom started walking in her late 30s after her doctor tried to put her on meds for low bone density. After a year of walking her bones were above average. She got bored with walking and started running in her early 40's. She started with 5ks and has now done multiple 10ks and 2 half marathons! She loves running. A side note, she had a hysterectomy in her 30's, I know it's not *quite* the same as menopause but still thought I'd mention it. It is NEVER too late! The human body is capable of adapting and changing drastically