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Original poster

41 years old, have not ran in years, what are my chances of growing to love running?

42 replies

carries · 28/02/2016 10:27

I'm 41, about 2 stone over weight and I want/need to start an exercise regime. Running is the most convienent and cheapest option but I've not ran since before having my kids so about 13 years ago. I'm planning to start 0-5k and want to love running not just tolerate it! I was a very half hearted jogger before.

Anyone else been there and now love running?

OP posts:
MattDillonsPants · 28/02/2016 10:35

Well I know a man who hadn't run for years and started at 48. Within a year he was in the London Marathon and is addicted but he wasn't overweight. I honestly think that running is not the best way to get exercise. It's really hard on your joints especially if you're overweight. I'm 43 and decided to cycle in order to lose weight...along with a very healthy diet.

Cycling, if you cover enough miles is excellent.

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 28/02/2016 10:39

I wouldn't say I love running, but I went from hating it to enjoying it most of the time but only when it's going well. In my experience when you start out it's horrible but as you improve you enjoy it more and more and start to look forward to going out and making progress.

You are right that it is one of the cheapest and easiest types of exercise to fit around your life - so go for it I say!

Mumof2twoboys · 28/02/2016 10:47

I'd say go for it

I run. I think it gives you a great sense of achievement. Even if you have had an awful week, feel stressed, have loads of housework to do

Going for a run helps your mind forget about those in a way that only high intensity exercise can

One thing I would say is get good trainers and a music playlist to keep you going

Quite often when I'm running and feeling tired I say to myself just til the end of this song. Then the next song. It helps break up the time when your lungs are burning

suzannecaravaggio · 28/02/2016 10:51

Just do it

chutneypig · 28/02/2016 12:13

I did the c25k without ever having run before and I really enjoyed it, right from the start. I'm pretty much addicted now, I'm not very fast but I do enjoy it. I got very twitchy today when it looked like my family were disrupting my running plans for the afternoon.

The key thing is to take it gently at the start and I agree about getting some trainers suitable for running from the start and a good sports bra.

lljkk · 28/02/2016 12:57

Me. I dunnit. I was 47 :). Endorphin highs are fab :).

Trick is to jog regularly. Once a week running feels horrid. Every other day it's a workout but you don't spend every moment wishing you could stop.

Claybury · 28/02/2016 15:20

I started at 40. That was more than 5 years ago. I was reasonably fit when I started though and not overweight.
I have run competitively ever since, and now do triathlon. It is a major part of my life.
Running is a great form of exercise for mental and physical health.
It is wrong to say it is bad for your joints. People love to say this as a reason to not run. Running strengthens your joints. Being overweight is bad for your joints. And running helps keep your weight down.
I would say start very gently, a walk / walk regime ( a few times a week) might be better at first. Or even brisk walking for the first few weeks / months.
Cycling is great but not every one lives somewhere where cycling is accessible.
Good luck !

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 28/02/2016 15:25

Do it! Smile

I am 40 (seems to be a bit of a theme!), have never run before and am currently on Week 6 of C25K.

I love it! I'm an absolute running convert. Well, when I say "I love it", I love the feeling of achievement I get after I've completed each run Grin.

Six weeks ago, I really struggled with the 60 second runs in Week 1 Day 1 - this morning I ran for 25 minutes without a break. Stick with it, it definitely gets easier!

Good luck.

Honeyandfizz · 28/02/2016 15:26

Can you join a club/group? That's what I did when I first started m. I'm 39 and have been a regular runner for around 10 years, mainly because it's free & easily accessible. Even now I don't love it but it's ingrained in me, it's habit, I feel so much better after a run. It's never too late to start & there are all shapes and sizes out running so don't let that put you off.

PurpleWithRed · 28/02/2016 15:31

i think C25K is a great introduction/reintroduction to running because it's so manageable and gives you a great sense of achievement. Give it a go.

CMOTDibbler · 28/02/2016 15:32

I was 41 and had never run (well, as in I thought I couldn't, had never been for a run unless forced and hated it) when I did c25k 3 years ago. I've run ever since, currently training for my first marathon and I do triathlon.
I love how running makes me feel, and even though I'm not fast I love participating in events.

ItIsHowItIsx · 28/02/2016 15:46

Take it slowly, don't push yourself. If it hurts you will put yourself off very quickly. Once you start to get fit and start running instead of plodding you will probably start to love it. Do you have someone to go with? It may help you stay motivated.

Saz12 · 28/02/2016 22:23

Start a Cto 5K programme once you can walk very briskly for 35 mins, 3 times a week.

It's great - I love the achievement of meeting a tough but d0-able goal. I also love the sense of exploration - I'm really spoilt where I live in that there are loads of very quiet trails etc to explore. It's v time efficient - a good workout, door-to-door will just take 30mins or so; no faffing about.
Build up slowly to get your joints and ligaments used to the impact, get decent shoes, try to run on softer surfaces when you can (ie avoid pavements for some runs) and you'll definitely not do yourself anything but good. I was 41 when I started, but not particularly to loose weight, having been very unsporty up till then.

suzannecaravaggio · 28/02/2016 23:15

I started running mid/late 40's
now (at 50)I have a 40+ mile a week habit
I've always had a pretty hardcore exercise addiction thoughWink

Original poster
carries · 29/02/2016 16:54

Wow! Lots of "late starters" - that is really encouraging! Claybury - I agree that running isn't bad for your joints. I'm a physio and extra weight does more damage to your joints that running. Also joints like impact & motion, but poor technique or "bad" biomechanics can cause joint damage.

Thank you everyone for replies - I will invest in good trainers and a sports bra 😀

OP posts:
FreshHorizons · 29/02/2016 16:56

I started at 59 yrs and ran half marathons 3 yrs later so go for it!

Limerish · 29/02/2016 16:58

I'm struggling with similar at the mo (2 stone, 40+).

The thing I'm starting to love is the effect it has on my hips/thighs - I'm starting to feel in control of those areas for the first time in a LONG time. Haven't quite cracked loving the actual running yet, but maybe that will come!

TheVeryThing · 29/02/2016 17:03

I second the advice to join a group, if possible.
I did some jogging several years ago (up to 5K) but nothing since. I'm 41 overweight, and I recently signed up for a C25K type programme with my local club.
I am the least athletic person you could meet but I'm really enjoying this, and the support from other members helps massively.
The participants from last year also join us to give encouragement and 5 weeks in i feel a real sense of achievement and am starting to feel a need to exercise and be outdoors.

FreshHorizons · 29/02/2016 17:11

I didn't mention that I started with a running course- it really got me going.

suzannecaravaggio · 29/02/2016 18:11

Also joints like impact & motion
thats interesting, you obviously know far more about this than us laypeople:o
would you elaborate a little...it is to do with the bone & ligament strengthening effects of impact?

I know that the residual swelling and soreness from my sprained ankle only seemed to finally clear when I started running, so that joint certainly seemed to like the impact.

Running is notorious for injuries if you dont build up gradually though so I guess it can very easily tip over into being more impact and motion than the joints would ideally like?

Anglaise1 · 29/02/2016 20:29

Never enjoyed running before, took it up at age 48 and did a marathon before I was 50 last November. I joined a club, it is much more motivating to run with other people. Running outside is my drug of choice, I just put on my trainers and go out of the door. Good luck with whatever you choose, there are so many helpful running plans available on the internet now, but finding a running buddy (or two) will really help you keep motivated.

CoteDAzur · 01/03/2016 09:56

Your chances of enjoying it and physically benefiting from running are high.

Unfortunately, your chances of injuring yourself are also high.

Make sure you have your gait analysed in a running shop and buy the trainers your feet need before you start running. It would also help to watch some YouTube videos on running form.

stairway · 01/03/2016 10:00

Running is good for the bones.. Makes them stronger strangely and obviously good for the heart and lungs.
Its bad for the pelvic floor though so bare this in mind.

suzannecaravaggio · 01/03/2016 10:04

Isn't that only if you have pre existing pelvic floor problems though Stairway?
I do a fair bit of running and I've never had issues

suzannecaravaggio · 01/03/2016 10:06

Also never been to a running shop, had gait analysis or made conscious adjustment to my running form

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