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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Too old to take up running??

87 replies

Em308 · 18/07/2021 12:58

I’m 46 (nearly 47). Very unfit. About 1.5 - 2 stone overweight. Type 2 diabetic, recently started insulin with very high insulin resistance (since starting certain meds I’ve put on a stone in 8 months, without eating more which means more fat and worse insulin resistance.) Its a vicious cycle. I eat well, low carb, but my blood sugar levels are still high. I don’t want to keep increasing the insulin as this just leads to more weigh gain! A local fb running group has just advertised a beginners group starting soon, it’s a couch to 5k thing with mental help support too, but I just don’t know if I’m too old to take up running? Will I make a total fool of myself? Is it safe to ask this of my body? Has anyone any positive stories of taking up running later in life or do I just accept it’s all downhill for me from now on?

OP posts:
Traled · 18/07/2021 13:02

I thought you were going to say you were maybe 70s or 80s.
Youre not to old, take it very slowly, have decent trainers, stretch and warm down and enjoy.

lastqueenofscotland · 18/07/2021 13:03

If course not!
Decent trainers, good sports bra and enjoy.

A friend of mine took up running in his 40s and he’s turned out to be really very good

GravityFalls · 18/07/2021 13:05

I’m 41 and the majority of people I see out running when I am are women my age or older. A couch to 5k group will be full of 40+ people coming to the same realisation as you!

OverByYer · 18/07/2021 13:06

Not too old and you will find the running community are very supportive especially of newcomers. Give it a go

ThePerfect1IThinkNot · 18/07/2021 13:07

I started at 57… best decision ever! Go for it

Fluffandbubbles · 18/07/2021 13:11

Absolutely not ! I started running at 48 and 7 years later am still running leading C25k ! Overweight , never sporty etc etc. The group is the best place to start as they’ll give you support, encouragement and advice. They should also help you learn to stretch. Get a good high impact sports bra (m&s do good ones) and a pair of trainers and you’ll be fine. No need to buy super expensive new running shoes until you’re 4-6 weeks in as prior to that you haven’t really established your running style / gait. Oh and run slow, and then slower ..it’s not school sports day !

AuntieStella · 18/07/2021 13:15

I started when I was 50

Changed my life (all for the better, I've banged on at length about it on MN so won't evangelise further here)

There are loads of veteran runners, you won't stand out in any way.

Beginner runners come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and a group to cheer you on through C25K sounds a brilliant plan. Do remember, everyone there is also a beginner and will be having much the same thoughts as you.

Also. parkrun is back this Saturday. Go along! It's absolutely fine to walk the whole way (and you won't be last) and then as your C25K so can your jogging interludes at parkrun. And one day you'll run every single step and you will feel amazing.

It might not be quick, it might not be pretty, but it's something that if you keep plugging away is achievable

Daisydoesnt · 18/07/2021 13:17

I’m 41 and the majority of people I see out running when I am are women my age or older. A couch to 5k group will be full of 40+ people coming to the same realisation as you!

This! ^^ In fact I’d be amazed if the group is made up of anyone other than 40 and 50+year olds. I’m 51 and in my running group (of about a dozen) I’m the youngest by about ten years!

Go into it with an open mind - running really is the most wonderful hobby. Cheap, sociable and really good for you Smile

StrawberrySquash · 18/07/2021 13:17

A C25k group will be full of people with the same worries as you. Ideal way to start.

tealandteal · 18/07/2021 13:17

I am part of a running club and we run a couch to 5k a few times a year. We have all ages come, up to over 60 I would guess. Certainly someone in their 40s would not look out of place. Usually a percentage of our c25k graduates join the running club after and keep running.

Divebar2021 · 18/07/2021 13:21

I’m 51 and started couch to 5k in around March. I was actually about 4 stone overweight at the time and very unfit and did end up with an injury after about week 6 of the programme ( pulled muscles up my leg and hip flexors). I reverted back to walking daily and got back in the gym when they re-opened to work on strengthening my core and leg muscles. I’ve been back running for about 3 weeks now doing a series of interval runs and sprints but I’m very cautious about injuries. I have a good pair of running shoes that I had properly fitted even though I felt like a fat fraud going in the running shop. I’ve lost about 2 stone over the months although that’s been through diet as well as exercise. I suppose what I’m saying is you’re definitely not too old but you may need to nurse yourself a little bit at the start. You’re not in a competition with anyone else. I enjoy exercising outside even though I’m not a natural and I can get it done in 30/40 minutes when a trip to the gym can take me twice that time. Give it a go - those beginners groups sound great. My sister started with one of those and can now run 10k.

QueenBee52 · 18/07/2021 13:23

I admire you ALL especially you OP.. Ive never run in my life and am seriously considering giving it a go ...

so watching with great interest 🌸

Elieza · 18/07/2021 13:24

My pal was size 24 age 52, type 2 diabetic, and she did the c25k.

She was vey dedicated and didn’t put weight on during this time, in fact she dropped a dress size (despite eating naughty things like chips) however she stopped exercising, once she went back to work in the office rather than from home, and the weight is creeping up again.

PS She invested in good quality running shoes after the first fortnight as her feet were sore in her regular trainers.

She is now back to exercising again on a daily basis even if it’s just a round the block walk if she’s been busy at work and is tired. Her weight is staying steady again. She’s turning to a walk rather than comfort eating crisps and crap.

So you can totally do it and it can totally make a difference. Just get the right shoes (and a sports bra if you have a medium to large chest) and keep it up, even a little will help.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/07/2021 13:25

I started shortly after my 50th birthday, go for it.

AuntieStella · 18/07/2021 13:26

If you're on FB Em308 have a look at this group:

m.facebook.com/groups/parkrun.for.people.living.with.diabetes/

PiggyPlumPie · 18/07/2021 13:27

Hell no!!! My mum started in her forties and is still running at 78.

gogohm · 18/07/2021 13:27

I was 44, not diabetic but ditto the rest, I gradually got better over 2 years, unfortunately let it slip over lockdown so next week I'll be struggling at park run, if I do 45 mins I'll be happy

zafferana · 18/07/2021 13:27

I don't know which option on the poll is which, but anyway, go for it!

I took up running at 45. Up until then I'd never been a runner, but I was feeling old and unfit and one day I had to run with one of my kids, because we were late, and it nearly killed me and they were laughing and I decided 'Enough is enough! I shouldn't be this bloody unfit in my mid-40s', so I did exactly what you're thinking of doing - I joined a local running group's Couch to 5k programme - and I was absolutely AMAZED 8 weeks later to do my first Parkrun and my first 5k.

Since then, I've continued to run and all through the pandemic it was my head space and my sanity. Running isn't always easy - some days it feels amazing and other days it's a slog and I just want it over with - but I never regret going for a run. I've run in pouring rain, through monster puddles, in snow and ice, baking sun (this morning in fact, although I mainly avoided it), and it's now 'my sport'. I love that I can run pretty much anywhere, any time, all I need is my running gear. It's not like taking up cycling or weight training or Zumba or something where you need specific equipment or a class - it's fab.

So give it a go and don't let your health, weight or fitness bother you. Just check it's okay with your doctor and then go for it. C25k is a great program and over 8 weeks I promise you'll be amazed by what you can achieve.

bizzylizzy99 · 18/07/2021 13:28

My mum did couch to 5k at age 63. Now runs 3 times a week and did parkrun most weeks when it was still on. Go for it!

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 18/07/2021 13:28

You are never too old, do what you want to do, it’s your life

zafferana · 18/07/2021 13:29

Re: shoes - do go and get fitted for a pair of running shoes in a proper running shop. YOU WILL NEED A SIZE BIGGER THAN YOUR REGULAR SIZE!

Muchmorethan · 18/07/2021 13:33

I have just completed week 1 of couch to 5K....

Just so you get some idea... I'm 45yrs. 4 stone overweight... and instead of completing 3 runs before moving onto week 2, l had to do it 7 times as l couldn't keep going for 60s...

Redcrayons · 18/07/2021 13:34

The biggest demographic in my running club is women 40-49. There are almost twice the number of men the same age.

I started at 40 and my life is so much better for it.

Park run is back next week, go and have a look at your local one. You’ll see people older and bigger than you.

Viviennemary · 18/07/2021 13:35

I have read that running is bad for the knee joints. I would start with brisk walking.

delilahbucket · 18/07/2021 13:36

Definitely not too old. A family member of mine started at 54. She runs for miles and has even done a half marathon!