I have started running at 54!

[crispsinasandwich]

Just that really - anyone else started late and actually enjoyed it snd carried on.

I have joined a beginners ladies group locally. Did my first run yesterday.

@SkiRun0077

To help speed and injury avoidance try building in a few times a week some squats and lunges body weight exercises. Every time you put the kettle on do 10 squats etc. plus a daily 1min plank. These will really help strengthen your legs which helps with speed as well as avoid injury issues. RunDX lady on Instagram has lots of tips on how to run well Good luck enjoy the freedom running brings, I started in my mid/40s. and locally to us there’s always ladies on the C25K group who ‘graduate’ after 8wks by running parkrun with lots of support.

Can't find the RunDX lady on Instagram - could it be called something else?

@SkiRun0077

Vaseline or sudacream under bra straps and round feet/toes avoids sore bits on longer runs.

Thank you for the tip

@JumpLeadsForTwo

I've joined a lovely 0-5km women's group and it is fab. Lots of encouragement so keep going. I think I started roughly at the same time as you and feeling a bit stronger. Love that feeling when you have done a run. Have you got a good pair of trainers?

I have just bought new trainers - they might be a bit big as I am 5.5 but these particular trainers don't do half sizes - but they were the ones recommended for me in the runner's world shop after checking my gait.

@Indoctro - thank you - I will try this on my next run

@crispsinasandwich

Well I did my second run today with the group and I was rubbish. I'm always at the back anyway – which I have no problem with – but I was a long way behind. But the other ladies in the group are absolutely lovely and I will go back. Wish me luck

In all the running groups I've been in, the faster people loop back every so often so no-one is left behind - they should be doing that so that you're never left on your own.

Sorry it’s runRX

www.instagram.com/runrx/

Thank you

52 here and training for my first half marathon having started running in spring this year. I love it but have definitely decided that a regular 5k is great, 10k now and again is doable but I really don’t have any desire to run further. I’m finding running for longer than an hour is really very hard on my feet and actually quite boring.

I would recommend that you buy your trainers in a size larger than you’d normally take and if you can buy two pairs so you can alternate.

I use the free Strava app just for my own records, following a challenge or two has kept me on track even when I haven’t felt like running.

Running has been fantastic for my health both mental and physical and I have no intention of stopping any time soon.

Did my run with Group today.

I am still the slowest but that is not a problem.

The other ladies are lovely and turned back round so that I could catch up.

Did 3 x 10 minutes - I know it doesn't sound much but it's a lot to me.

Hope you ladies are all well.Enjoy the weekend

@Okbutnotgreat

52 here and training for my first half marathon having started running in spring this year. I love it but have definitely decided that a regular 5k is great, 10k now and again is doable but I really don’t have any desire to run further. I’m finding running for longer than an hour is really very hard on my feet and actually quite boring.

I would recommend that you buy your trainers in a size larger than you’d normally take and if you can buy two pairs so you can alternate.

I use the free Strava app just for my own records, following a challenge or two has kept me on track even when I haven’t felt like running.

Running has been fantastic for my health both mental and physical and I have no intention of stopping any time soon.

Good luck with the training. I too like the sides of running 5k on a regular basis. Not sure I could manage 10!

Well done running 3x10mins is fab you are nearly there. Most folk don’t realise initially that it’s hard to run 5k in 30mins especially if your a older woman, so don’t be disheartened if it’s 40mins+. You can get faster if you want to over time but it’s hard to achieve it in that initial 8wk block.
I was mid 40s when I did C25K it took me 38mins I think the early 5ks and then took me 18mths to get down to 30mins by which point I’d started training for a half marathon and found longer slow runs were my thing. I’m not built for speed my comfy pace is 34mins now.

I didn't start running until I was in my 50s. It was the best thing I ever did. Firstly it's free and secondly it was and is great for my mental health. I started at a particularly bad period of my life. I joined a lovely, supportive, free female running group. There's no pressure and faster ladies loop back for any of the slower runners. I sometimes do Parkrun (it took me a little while to like it). I use Strava which I like look at to see my own pace, distances etc (the free version and you can set it to private if you want). There is a great running community on Twitter. Also the RunMummyRun Facebook group. And if you find running too much try jeffing - it's a walk/run method (again there's a Girls That Jeff group on Facebook). Two weeks ago I did the virtual London marathon which was a major achievement for me (at the age of 57) - I jeffed it. Don't worry about speed or distance - just go out and enjoy it. If you can't find anyone to run with, get yourself some Afterhokz headphones and listen to podcasts whilst you run. Good luck with your progress.

I started at 50 and run 5 days a week now. My bladder can be problematic too (weak pelvic floor I’m trying to fix), so I go first thing. I find after I empty my bladder I’m usually fine. I have a glass of water before I set off but that seems to be used up during the run.

I did C25k initially, but run 10K most days with a longer run at the weekend. I am quite slow though which is fine. It takes time to build cardiovascular fitness and you are less likely to get injured.

Good for you! Loads of great options with running.

I started trail jogging around age 40, had previously done up to 5k on treadmills as part of gym workout. Mainly did group fitness but moved somewhere with nice countryside, changed jobs and increased work hours and running was convenient.

Never worried about speed, started by jog/walking when got tired, built up stamina and distance.

Now run 8-10k as my usual run and have done and enjoyed a couple of half marathons.

Do have one injury - preceded the running - and continuing running lots probably hasn’t helped! And v tight hips and quads. Think I should’ve done some flexibility and strength, not just running, so am making some changes there.

Also, buying running gear is addictive

Oh, like Dentistlakes says, running can put pressure on the pelvic floor etc, that’s another thing I need to work on

I would also say that running 5k in under 30 minutes is pretty damn hard when you’re older. At a comfortable pace I come in at around 31-32 min, but have to really push it to go under 30. I don’t find doing that much fun so slow and steady is much more my thing. Better for your heart too.

@Dentistlakes any other tips? I have tried improving my pelvic floor, and find that going out 1st thing is ok, but any later in the day and I struggle.

@JumpLeadsForTwo you could see a private physio who specialise in womens health if your GP can’t help. It is a topic mentioned regularly on the run mummy run FB group if you do a search there maybe some good tips.

Thanks @SkiRun0077 i'll have a look at those

[quote JumpLeadsForTwo]**@Dentistlakes any other tips? I have tried improving my pelvic floor, and find that going out 1st thing is ok, but any later in the day and I struggle. [/quote]
I referred myself to an NHS physio to see if I was doing pelvic floor exercises properly. I use the Sqeezy app. A private physio might be quicker.

Have just done my first half marathon having started running in the spring of this year, at the age of 52. I was nowhere near the oldest, the range of runners was huge. I can honestly say that I had a fantastic day, the atmosphere was incredible and I found it much easier than I expected. For various reasons I never did a training plan but had run lots of 5ks consistently and seem to have built good endurance levels that way. Running has been a lifesaver this year mentally and physically and I am definitely not going to stop.

One more week of my course - next week is 5k! Eek!

Could I please ask a question of experienced runners?

I am still the slowest in the group - by quite a long way. There is the opportunity to move on to a development group. The other ladies are and will be much fitter and faster than me. Would it be better to carry on on my own, trying to get fitter and faster, or should I put my pride aside and be the slowest in the development group.

I am not really interested in running any further than 5k at the moment.

Thank you x

Well done. I started when I was 44, and did my first (and last) marathon last month.

I wasn’t a sporty child, I was more the ‘note from my mum’ kind of girl.

You’re too slow - I bet you’re not really. Is there a parkrun near you? The last person at mine comes in around 50 minutes and it’s considered a fast course.
I’d say join the group, it’s much easier when you’ve got company. Before I joined my club I’d practically go into hibernation from October to March but It’s colder, darker and bit more miserable. I never miss a session because I love the social side of it.

@Redcrayons

Well done. I started when I was 44, and did my first (and last) marathon last month. I wasn’t a sporty child, I was more the ‘note from my mum’ kind of girl.

You’re too slow - I bet you’re not really. Is there a parkrun near you? The last person at mine comes in around 50 minutes and it’s considered a fast course.
I’d say join the group, it’s much easier when you’ve got company. Before I joined my club I’d practically go into hibernation from October to March but It’s colder, darker and bit more miserable. I never miss a session because I love the social side of it.

I am also very much not an outdoors type - running is really not like me. But I am really enjoying its

Well done on the marathon!