Peeps aged 50+ who run

I'm 55 and I can run faster than I could in my 30s. (All my personal bests are from my early 40s.) How fast can I run for 15 minutes? I ran around 17:58 5k and a 37:47 10k a couple years ago (as a 50+). I am also one of the slowest guys on my competitive 50+ team!

The trouble is that I get hurt easier and recover more slowly. Right now I would struggle to get under 40 for 10k. Give me a few months of good health and who knows what could happen!

It takes about a year of legit training to reach your potential. It might take a couple years to build the capacity to do the training. Be patient, but don't sell yourself short.

But as spiriteagle99 said, it's not about other people. It's about you. I still enjoy running and appreciate the fact that I can still do this stuff at my advanced age! Even if I can't even sniff the times I was running 10 years ago.

You'll get a variety of answers here as the over 50's gouger consist of people that have been running since forever to people that started last week (on jan 1st) Speed varies greatly with intensity, ability and weight as well as medical issues and simply height. Lastly the 50+ group is 50 to 100 that is a lot of years I am not joking I know and 84 year old that still runs regularly (and faster than poor 50 year old me)
If you go through the runners threads you'll find a lot of decent information.

I'm 54 and have been running on and off for about 10 years. Today's run: 5.03 miles in 49 minutes 17 seconds. That was outdoors with some incline, but nothing crazy.

I agree to “run for you.” I have a friend who told me “I’m a really slow runner. I only run a ten minute mile.” That made me feel really insecure because it took me long time to build up to a ten minute mile.

By for your reference, I am 50 years old. I haven’t run for over a year but I have lost 29 pounds. Last week while in Texas at sea level Tbis past week I started running again. My best time was 10:15 in the first mile. But I’ve been doing 30 minute runs that are consistently 11:30 minute mile over all. Also, I’ve learned over the years that it’s okay to jog one or two times a week. I also do yoga, walk, and ride my stationary bike.

The takeaway; even on my “worst” runs I’m increasing my heart rate, stamina, strength, and endurance. And I’m wirkinv hard to beat my personal best. So who really cares how other people run?

enter some fun 5K FUN RUNS. You will be able to see how your time compares
to others in the 50-54 age group. It will also motivate you to run more and get a little faster. Everyone no matter the speed will be doing their best and that is more than most of the fat guys sitting in the local sports bar talking about their good old days and what athletes they used to be can say.

I'm 50, I don't remember how long it took me to work up to 15 minutes when I started 5 years ago. I didn't follow any running plan running just happened. I walked a ton early in weight loss, before I knew it my walking turned into walk/run intervals then it got to where I was running a mile without stopping.

I don't post my running times, comparing times with another person doesn't matter, it can even set me up for disappointment if I am trying to out do others speed or distances. OP if you enjoy running or working up to be a runner, you do it your way in your own time.

OP, I took a 30 year break from running, then resumed it when I was 54 years old as I lost weight. It took a number of months for me to build up my endurance, but I wasn't focused on distance or speed at that time.
Eventually, my speed and endurance increased and I entered a number of races.

As others have said, consistency is the key to success, and to be consistent, avoiding injuries is important. I've learned that the hard way, but at 61 years old, I still enjoy running.