Anyone started running in their 50s and unfit?

[WilburIsSomePig]

Did you start off very short distances? How soon before you could build up to longer distances?

Did lose weight/get fitter? The big one - did it change your life?
Sorry - so many questions!

I started in May with my DH. Both in our 50s both overweight, both unfit. We did the NHS C25k on our phones. Went from not being able to run for even a minute, to running for 20 minutes non stop! We've now bought bikes too, so do running 2x weekly and ride every other day.
I even go to the local Park Run!
My advice, don't do it on your own, use the C25K app and get a buddy who is a true the same level as you. It will be really hard but the feeling you get when you achieve a longer run time is amazing!
I've lost a bit of weight but have seen my legs get firmer, and my stamina improve massively.

I'll struggle with a running app as I can't wear ear buds (I wear hearing aids) and when I tried with over ear ones they kept falling off as I ran!

I was thinking of trying to run for a minute/walk for a minute to see how I go? I'm steadily losing weight anyway but i need to focus on getting fitter. DH is Mr Fit who runs every day so I can't go with him and none of my friends want to start!

I do and then totally buggered up my knee

Have since been advised that fast walking is much much easier on the joints, and as long as you get your heart rate up, it's just as healthy as running.

I started about 3 years ago (I'm now 57). I wasn't overweight but was very unfit. (I had been severely anaemic for years due to heavy bleeding and fibroids and started running when I hit the menopause.) The first couple of months I walked to our nearest park, then went round the park alternating running and walking. I was very stiff and didn't enjoy it but my husband, who was a serious runner, was very encouraging.

I now run round the park for 30 minutes and feel great afterwards! I'm not a natural runner and still wouldn't go as far as to say I enjoy it, but I do love the feeling after a run and feel so much better overall. I've even been getting up at 6 o'clock this summer to run before it got too hot, which I could never have imagined doing - it just gets a bit addictive!

Unlike Bezm, I much prefer to run by myself. I guess it's just a question of finding what suits you. The hardest part is getting started. Good luck.

wilbur dd has a similar issue. She spent a rather tedious half hour on the c25k app while sat on the sofa and got used to what it's doing - don't know if they are all the same but the one we use vibrates when it changes from walk to run or back. So once she knew the pattern she just counts runs and feels for vibrations. Would that work or be a ball ache?

wilburissomepig there are a fair few ppl in my running club who started in their 50’s and are now great runners.

You don’t have to do the app- I followed a training plan from a book I got in a charity shop. If you google couch to 5k training plan you’ll get some written training plans in your results.

Many running clubs regularly put on couch to 5k groups for complete beginners, so it’s worthwhile finding what is in your local area.

Does your DH have a running watch that you can borrow, or an old one you can have? Some of them you can set up intervals on (run 1min, walk 1min etc) and they vibrate when you have to change from one to the other which is helpful if you don’t want to spend your time staring at a watch!

This is all so helpful! If I'm honest, I feel embarrassed to run with someone else. I live in a small village which seems to be full of incredibly fit women who spend their days either running or going to boot camp and I'm a bit intimidated by them. (They're lovely, it's not them it's me).

I do like the idea of a running watch that I can set to vibrate, I think that would really help so I'll look into that. I do want to do this. I need to find the confidence from somewhere.

I started a coup,e of years ago, with C25K. I now run regularly, including the odd Hald Marathin.

And I completely get what tiy're saying about all the Lycra clad whippets making one feel like an imposter. But I've found the running community to be terribly friendly, and so many of us started off runningas we were unfit and overweight. You are not an imposter, you are a novice runner.

As DH's 'coach voice' on Runkeeper says 'you run like a hippo.....and they're fast'

'you run like a hippo.....and they're fast'

Ha ha maybe I should make this my motto. Thanks Stella.

I am the same, I am trying to do the C25K but am not consistent enough. My friend lost a tin of weight took up running and is about to do her 2nd 1/2 marathon.
I am trying to get out on Fri and do week 3!
'you run like a hippo.....and they're fast' - I am going to take that motto as well.
Good luck!

The c25k app doesn't need headphones. It just beeps at you to tell you when to start and stop. It also has the counter on the screen so you can check that if you think you've missed it. A watch us a good idea.

I began running in my 50s but in the gym. I hadn't the nerve to run outside as very unfit. I love running now. Makes me feel young again . Of course when l start l think ..Oh l can't do this but you get into a rhythm..its brilliant.
In work when all the young fit people talk about gyms/ runs etc it makes me feel so good and my dc are seriously impressed.
So go for it!!

I've just ordered a cheapy running tracker so I've no excuse now! I'm so encouraged to hear I'm not the only one and I really appreciate the support.

You need to learn the tricky difference between ‘niggly’ pains you can run through and ones you definitely shouldn’t. Don’t increase pace or distance too fast.

I have also bust my knee like a pp.

I’m 58 and I did C25K last year with a running club. Included in my group were people aged 67 and 59 (along with much younger and fitter people). It has been the best thing I have ever done. We were made so welcome and never made to feel a nuisance at going so slowly.

A year and a half on I still run slowly but my stamina is increasing. I have done 40 parkruns, a few 10ks, led the slow group for two new intakes of C25K and most weeks lead a slow group on running club evenings.

Running with friends is just the best thing. It has changed my life.