If you’re the wrong side of 45 what is the longest distance you run?

I'm 54. I ran two marathons last year and I really hurt after the second one. I have no intention of doing another one! I love half marathons though - I think they are my ideal distance. The longest I run now in training is 13/14 miles.

i have a million aches and pains but they aren't going to get any better now and I just stretch after, take ibuprofen and put supports on the bits that hurt too much.

Impressive medal collection btw there @vivafrida

I do think there's something to be said like triskirun99 says about mixing it up. I know a lot of runners who have switched to cycling, either completely or just half and half to save their knees as they get older. Then there's people like dh who just run and run crazy distances and never seem to have any injuries. He does a flipping marathon every weekend, not an organised one.....just as part of his training!

I wonder if some of it has to do with body types. He's very much got a runner's physique. Whereas I never would no matter how skinny I am, I'm always going to be a bit short, and have hips and boobs.

Personal trainer once said to me "you'll never make a decent runner, you've got a body type suited to weight lifting"! .

Been running for 2.5yrs, late 40s key for me was some strength training just basic body weight exercises, Pilates, bit of cycling and swimming to mix up with the running. Done 3 HMs in last 13mths would secretly love to do a marathon but know I really need to lose 2 stone to do that sensibly for my joints.

I've been running on an undiagnosed broken leg for 7 months in loads of pain and think I've permanently fucked it. Have an appt at a new hospital in a fortnight as local one can't sort me. Seriously considering asking them to amputate if they can't find what's wrong. I'm in serious pain and can't even walk down stairs.

If it wasn't for that then yes I'd be Tempted. I tell my PT though if they do amputate I will be like Oscar Pistoris and he won't be able to keep up! 😁

@nico. Good job hubby. You not tempted?

Snap of the medals mentioned, for evidence.

Sorry, it's Skye ultra soon, 80 miles I think. Other one is next year. He's always running!

Hubby is 54 and does ultra marathons. Up mountains so rough and loads of ascent. He's doing the Cape wrath ultra soon which is 400k.

The longest I have ran it's a toss between: 73 miles, Carlisle to a Newcastle. The wall. 16 hours. Or Sevenoaks Circular 24 hours. We also covered 70 miles or so but in a longer time as there was orienteering and it was overnight.

I have ran 11 marathons and 7 ultras in 2 years after 45.

I won my first (silver) county medal for the marathon at age 46.

I have always done some running on and off but took up long distance at the young age of 43 and in 3 years I got good results.

Then I decided to do a PhD, piled up the pounds and now working towards racing/running weight again. Not sure if this time I'll do these distances but it's not a age thing, more looking at what I want to do.

Normally 'older' people are rather good at long distance

Took up "running" (jogging according to dd) a few months ago and do parkrun every Saturday. Not run any further yet but toying with a 10km for charity

I was over 45 when I did my first marathon, that’s the longest distance so far for me. I’d love to do an ultra but I’m really unsuited, physically, to endurance stuff.

Five paces in the supermarket when I see the member of staff with the yellow stickers

I'm not your target group, because I'm on the right side of 45 (I'm in my 50s)

I have run two half marathons so far this year (about one a month). I have one easy week the week following (nothing longer than 10k), then two 'training weeks' - long runs up to 2hours, plus a challenge run (hills or intervals), then a steady week ahead of the next race.

I never thought I'd want to do a marathon, but the idea is beginning to appeal!

I go for very cushioned shoes, because I used to get a lot of niggles. But they have become fewer as I became fitter. I also had a few sessions with an osteopath (because if a recurring joint issue that wasn't enough to stop me in my tracks, but was enough to interfere). It really helped straighten me out, and there was good advice on complementary exercises and how to use a foam roller. And finding out which leg is longer - helps to run with the camber!

Pilates is good for keeping everything strong and flexible too

Husband is 55 plus and runs ten miles a day.

Keep your iron levels up if you are at any risk of becoming anemic. I was happily running 10-15k once a week with some 5ks in between and I’ve pulled my Achilles. Such a pain, back to only cycling.

Where are you? I live in London zone 2-3 border but still trail run as much as I can. It isn't feasible for every run but I think getting off road is really beneficial for joints and also helps with strength etc as more hills, more uneven path to negotiate.

47 and 10k is the furthest I go. I don't really have any interest in going further.

Up to 10 miles, all is well.

More than 10 miles, there’s a definite increasing in hip & knee hurtiness, stair issues and expletives.

55 and doing the Couch to 5K so can only do about 4K. You are all super fit

I'm 55, I'm running my first and only half marathon in July. I love the 10k, but am running further than that now with the HM training. Ran 14k tonight, will try to run 16k on Friday. I do a lot of cross training and won't run more than twice a week as it's too much for my knees.

Normally have a short sharp 5k on a Monday and a 10k at some point in the week, one personal training session where I lift weights and fitness class every day including HIIT. The only reason I'm having two longer runs this week because I'm away skiing next week and my trainer is away this week.

Once the HM is out of the way I'll drop back to no more than 10k once a week and I won't care if I miss it.

10k and don’t intend to run any further