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

[carries]

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?

Some people have very strong pelvic floors so they are OK with doing a lot of Hugh impact exercise like yourself Suzanne but if there us any weakness it can make it worse apparently which is why I stay clear.
Gussie grips says every stride puts 3x bodyweight onto the pelvic floor.

You are one of the lucky ones. Many people I know (myself included) have had joint injuries due to running.

In hindsight, I should have built up slowly to running (having started it in my late-30s) and only after getting adapted trainers. After knee & hip injuries, it turned out that something was slightly out-of-line which meant one leg was shorter than the other. And I was pronating.

Sorted out the shorter leg and got running shoes made for pronators, which stopped further injuries. But those that already happened remain weak points.

I like to think that having 20 plus years of strength training under my belt when i started running helped Cote
But maybe it was just luck

every stride puts 3x bodyweight onto the pelvic floor
That's what I've heard, I'm quite light @ just under 50kg so I guess that helps

suzanne - I didn't know about your 30+ year strength training. Yes, of course that would have helped keep you injury-free.

My recommendation was to OP who isn't coming from such a background, and neither was I. For people like us who start running in middle age without a consistent long-term training program to count on, it is extremely important to get gait checked and start with trainers adopted to one's gait. Our muscles may not be supporting our joints properly and any imperfection in our gait puts enormous strain on joints which frequently erupts in injury.

Yes, there are lucky people in our situation who have gone from couch-to-5K without an injury, but those are rare.

suzannecaravaggio very interested to hear about your ankle as it was getting back into running that finally killed off a year of knee pain. OP if you're worried about your joints definitely get your gait analysed and proper trainers (altho they are £££) as they can really make a difference to post run aches and pains. Plus spending so much gives you an incentive to keep doing it A lot of the time as well I think that your mental attitude counts for as much as your fitness levels, so if you have done something once you need to believe you can do it again regardless of what your legs and lungs are telling you. There will be the odd occasion where you just can't do it and it's ok to accept that you've had a bad run, as long as you keep getting out there. A bad run is always better than no run!

it was getting back into running that finally killed off a year of knee pain
it seems counter-intuitive doesn't it!

I have one theory that the repeated small impact increases blood flow to ligaments (I hear they tend to heal slowly because of low blood supply?) and this led to a faster healing process

even so I've had a few bad sprains so I suppose there will be some scar tissue and one ankle will always be vulnerable

I used to do sport until I was mid twenties (rowing mostly) but then just did a lot of walking until taking up running. I never had a gait analysis either. I think as long as you build up your mileage gradually then you are less likely to have injuries. Also varying the training can help between intervals, tempo, long slow runs as you use different muscle fibres. Core body strength work alongside plus stretching can also reduce the risk of injury. I started off running 5k x 5 a week, and have recently been doing 75+miles a week 2 years after without too much problem except tendonitis in the bum which doesn't stop me running, just makes sitting down uncomfortable! Also a torn meniscus but I run through it without problem once warmed up. Running does help strengthen your joints. But I'm 58kgs for 5'8" so not that heavy either, if you are heavier there is obviously an extra weight impact on your joints which might be problematic.

suzannacaravaggio I wondered if it might also be to do with strengthening the muscles around the joint? So they work harder and take pressure off the joint. Anyway, definitely an unexpected positive!

possibly mrsvillier although I was doing a fair amount of strength training and other endurance work (swimming, cycling) before I took up running.

Running seemed to do something 'special' my ankle had been enlarged (compared to the other one) for several months after the sprain and seemed to then go down very quickly with the running

...mind you afaik strengthening the quads can be a factor in knee pain where the pain is to do with weakness in the quads causing the knee to not track properly.

I think it's to do with the 'Q angle'
www.physio-pedia.com/'Q'_Angle

That sounds really weird! But obviously positive outcome . My knee came about because of an ankle injury actually. Ankle cleared up but knee pain started and continued for a year. Unless it was muscle memory reminding the knee what to do when it wasn't compensating for knackered ankle!

I totally agree with the need for gait analysis! One of the other reason I want to start running is that I see a lot of runners in the clinic I work in. They are inspiring me too! Yes it can cause injury especially if you have weak inner quads &/or weak gluts &/or over-pronated ankles hence the need for gait analysis.

I would like to run with a group but the time needs to be flexible some days mornings suit others mid afternoon.

You folks are inspiring me!

I started at 42 with the Couch to 5k app. Two years later I'm still running and mostly love it. Do get good trainers tho and check out Running Bug for motivation and inspiration.

I started at 40 and ran a half Marathon 8 months later, and am planning / hoping to manage a full marathon later this year. I've not injured myself running, though I did twist my ankle at work then made it worse by running on it too soon afterwards - stupidity rather than a running injury! I just don't think injury is inevitable - and I'm not sporty so no history of good strength etc.

Oh as for the pelvic floor - I've 3 DD .....

I have been running for 2 years and not got an injury. I did get tight calves when I started doing more speed work and a sore hip when I was doing something every day. But as long as I am sensible its fine.

I do HIIT and other exercises too so not just focused on running.