If you are 50+ and run, share your motivational stories please!

[Fazackerley]

I am obsessed with running. My dh does it, my dd does it. I love checking their times and watching running on tv. Only problem is, I don't run myself. I want to. I really want to go to park run and run the entire way happily. I keep trying couch to 5k and giving up. I'm 52, menopausal and a good stone overweight. I'd love to hear some motivational running stories!

Watching with interest. I'm also 52 and decided I need to start running (very slowly). I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer (recovering from surgery now) and have decided that once my treatment is over and I've kicked it in the arse, I'm giving it a go!

harry I'm sorry to hear that. Yes, definitely give it a go once the bastard cancer has bogged off.

Last year, aged 59, I joined a local walk to run group. After a couple of months I was regularly running sub 40 minute 5k distances.

I shall do it again this year. I admit that I don't really enjoy running, but it is good for me. I won't do more than 5k though as running isn't very good for knee joints.

I am petrified of joining a group. Not sure if there's any near me anyway.

tapas I'd love to be able to regularly run a sub 40 5k

I started running in my fifties.

I began with C25K, when I was nearly at target weight and realised I needed to tone up as well, and just carried on. I now run half marathons. Someing that if you had told me back in 2016 I'd be postingI'd have laughed at you as I was a flabby non-runner then

What helped:
a) sticking with it, even (or should that be especially) in the early days when I didn't like it.

b) Parkrun - wish I'd started much earlier. It really doesn't matter if you walk parts of it, or even all of it, and the sense of community really helps
c) try to ditch 'imposter syndrome' ie thinking that everyone else is a real runner and you're just pretending. I've found it's the most welcoming community and even my young fit fiends (from a running club - an organisation I never thought I'd join) who win events, are genuinely pleased when I scrape a PB. It didn't look like that from the outside, and I'm so glad I jumped in anyhow and found all those lovely people.

Oh, and although running doesn't really do anything much for most of your body, I have brilliantly toned legs!

The group was brilliant for me as it motivated me. The fitness range was very wide, and there were loads of people who were overweight and much less fitter than me (and I wasn't fit at all).

I'm not very good at groups. Wish I was.

I am not over 50,am mid 40s but a slow and tenacious runner. And I mean properly slow like walking pace.

I have a bad knee so can't run at any kind of pace. However I love being outside, expending energy and just the general feeling of release (ran for an hour on Saturday and it was glorious)

I picked up some info on niko niko running from the exercise board and that got me back into it after thinking my knee would never allow me to do it again. Maybe take a look?

I have stopped to some extent over winter but I am 50s, overweight and jog by myself, I hate the thought of doing it in a group, parkrun etc. I find having rhe right gear helps both practically and paychologically, when I'm in my running clothes I look and feel like a runner and I'm comfortable.

This is all very interesting thank you. I agree about having the right gear ledge. I didn't feel I deserved good running gear but I've just bought a lovely comfy pair of expensive trainers. I need decent leggings next, good non see thru high waist with good sixes phone pocket. And a non clingy long sleeve top!

I use a little belt pouch thing for my phone and key, I tried an armband but it felt awkward. I sometimes go out without my phone, it feels liberating and I don't track time, only distance for new routes. Decathlon or Sports Direct are good for accessories. I particularly like wicking socks as cotton get damp.

Fatpats - I was on the Nico Nico thread last year, I go very slowly but keep going, no walking breaks (I didn't get on well with C25K because of the walking/running aspect). I haven't mastered the forefoot strike but keep my stride very low and gentle.

Ledge I'm the same! I don't like running/walking either, just prefer the constant slow run. I can do the foot strike if I really focus on it. I love it as a method I really do. Only way o can sustain it with my knee.

Have a look at the run mummy runfacebook page....great for inspiration

Yes find equipment that you feel comfortable with! The minute I got a running belt and didn’t have to footer around with an armband it meant one less thing to niggle me when trying to run.
I’m easily distracted so it’s essential to listen to music or podcasts I like otherwise I’ll stop to change it and it’s so hard to get back into a running rhythm from there.
Agree that a good running group could help if you like being around people. I know ultra runners and they’ll be among the first to congratulate you on a personal best even if it’s ‘just’ a 5k.

I can't listen to anything while I run, I find earphones annoying and don't like the feeling of being shut off from the world. Also it's one less thing to think about before setting off, I do find that the easier it is to get out the door the better, so I put my clothes out the night before, trainers by the front door, accessories in a basket on the hall table.

Please could someone recommend good running shoes?

olga it really depends on your feet. I have Brooks Ariel which are very supportive and cushioned, they'd probably be far too much padding for a normal person but I have suffered with foot problems a lot.

I like listening to plays or podcasts, or if I do listen to music it has to be random. I quite like the 6 music playlist. I like the stop start aspect of Couch to 5k because I love the bit when I push myself to go fast right at the end and the bit when Michael Johnson says he knows I found it hard

Do you have access to countryside or trails? Even in my less fit days - like at the moment, following a bereavement and suffering several viruses in a row - I like to run/walk over the fields around our village. There are lots of handy gates and stiles that I have to stop at which enable me to have a sneaky rest before carrying on.

I love running along the footpaths between fields of crops, through pretty meadows and past the horses and alpacas. I think it does my mental and physical health as much good as the exercise does. Obviously it's nicer in spring sunshine than winter wind and mud, but even that has its appeal.

I wear running tights with a pocket on the back. There's room for my phone and doorkey in there so I can keep my hands free.

Hi AnnPerkins - yes I do, it's all a bit muddy but there is a park nearby which has a very nice flat running track through woods with a cafe at the end

I definitely need running tights with a back pocket. Off to investigate Decathlon.

I am 50+ and started running two years ago. The Couch to 5K app may help you. I also do 'jeffing' which is a run/walk/run style of running on longer runs. So I run for 60 seconds and then walk for 30 seconds and repeat throughout the run.

I would recommend getting fitted for trainers at a running shop, to avoid injuries. You will spend around £100, but it is worth it. Decathlon is great for kit although I now have a wardrobe of more expensive kit as I do so much running!

I wear a running belt/pouch which holds my phone, keys, tissues and some money/credit card as I run on my own and sometimes stop partway through for a coffee. I also wear proper running socks to avoid blisters and a good sports bra. I also wear headphones as I find that a running playlist helps me. Some people listen to audio books or podcasts but I like music when I run.

I have always kept fit at the gym but had never run outside until 2 years ago. I just got the urge to try it and have been hooked ever since. My advice would be to run at your own pace, not worry about how fast others run, or what they look like, and find a distance that you enjoy doing. It might be 2k, 5k or 10k, it really doesn't matter.

I started out by running round the block and I am now doing the London Landmarks Half Marathon next week. But don't compare yourself to others, you may be happy running round the block twice a week, and there is nothing wrong with that.

In my mind I look like a slightly older version of Jessica Ennis-Hill but in fact I am pretty certain I look like a rather overweight middle aged woman stomping around the street, but I have stopped being self conscious.

I'm the same age as you and doing C25K. Also overweight. Doing it very slowly!
I can't make Park run (DCs have Sat activities) and the mid week club is at an inconvenient time so I just go on my own.

Just finished week 3 run 1 and found it very easy I actually think i quite enjoyed it. Took ds who shot off and then met me on the way back.