Starting running at age 57 - advice and encouragement please?

[CrazyWater]

Hi everyone

I think of myself as a young 57 - 5'9" tall, 11st, size 12-14.
I swim for 30 mins 3 times a week, walk a lot, eat reasonably well, don't smoke, drink moderately.
I'd just like to be that bit fitter, that bit more toned and leaner - I've just got that little bit more solid round the middle lately.

My son is a runner and I'm impressed by his progress.
I've done - power walked - a Race for Life and wished I could have run it.

I would like to be able to run!!!
BUT at my age I am self conscious, I don't have any friends locally who would be interested in doing it with me, DP isn't interested either.
I don't want to join a group but I would quite like to do a Parkrun sometime - there are three local to me.

That's the background. I am now on holiday in the Canaries, so this morning WENT FOR A RUN.

I say run, it was part run, walk and jog for about 30 mins. I lived to tell the tale and felt great about myself.

I realise I need a better sports bra and to swap heavy trainers for proper running shoes.
I feel quite alone with all this though! Any advice from you more senior ladies out there please?

Is C25K the only way forward or have you used other plans?

Any motivation tips?

I haven't a fitbit but have an iPhone so could use an app.

Sorry this is long but am sure there's someone out there who could help.

Or please feel free to direct me to any MN threads you've found useful.

I plan to run again on Sunday.

Many thanks in advance

CW

Ah that's a pity crazy - though maybe when I'm next up visiting rellies near Driffield, I'll drive over!

Ha - I was the swotty girl but with short legs ( I'm only 5'1") and was rubbish at all sports at school. But always liked hill walking, and then much later watersports - 'real' activities in the open air rather than 'sports'. The sort of running I do (or attempt) fits with that.

Thanks for starting this thread, crazy, it really is encouraging to me too!

It took me decades to get over school games lessons - I hated them!
It is never too late to start- if your health is good.
I started running because I gave up on the gym as being boring.

You can get stability trail shoes - Asics do them - I have a pair for cliff runs etc which Sweatshop fitted for me - my physio advised on the model though. I needed them because I have a neutral foot but a pronating gait - may well be different for someone with a pronating foot and a neutral gait? Probably just goes to show that you need to get your shoes sorted out at a specialist running shop...

I have just taken up running in my 50s, starting mid-way through C25K after having, a bit like you CrazyWater discovering after a couple of runs on holiday how far I could go and feel reasonable.

I've got a new bra and went to a running shop and have a neutral trainer after my first entanglement with a treadmill. I went for their lower end shoe (about £90 - eek) and will probably spend more if I'm still running regularly by about Christmas.

I've got some problems with a complaining ankle. If it doesn't settle properly soon I'll take the advice here and hunt down a physio. It hadn't actually occurred to me to do that, and I've just been popping the brufen.

Just off out now with family for day - but happy to report I did my run round the block this morning - again a mix of run jog walk but it felt GOOD
all your encouragement so valuable
Will post in full later
Endorphins flowing!
You all have a good day! Xx

Well I managed the two circuits round the block again this morning. It seemed very slightly easier even though I would say the weather was warmer. I found it easier looking up rather than at my feet and even managed to keep going for two lampposts instead of one. Again it was a mixture of running walking and jogging. We later drove the circuit and it is 2km, so that is roughly 4 km done.

On my return DH had pumped up the tyres on a bike so I got on meaning just to go to the end of the street and back but actually did the 2km circuit.

I later had a quick swim so we have been laughing about my "triathlon".

I'm excited to find out how things might improve when I get a proper bra and shoes! Also for me, music makes a huge difference so I plan to put a new playlist or two on my iPod.

So I think I've made a good start - hugely helped by all your comments and advice so thanks yet again.

Hard part is thinking where to run at home as the area I live in is hilly. I have a couple of parks in mind and a little back road and path near my house.

Such a boost to my self esteem though to realise I have made a start. So glad I braved the forum and asked for advice. Once home I can mix the running with swimming and use the treadmill in the gym if the weather is awful.

I'll leave it there for now as I don't want to become a total bore. May post again before the end of my hols.

Big thanks again.

Your friend CW

Believe me CW, runners never get bored talking about running. Non-runners do though, as many of my non-running friends remind me

PS so pleased that you're enjoying it and feeling the benefits already. Keep it up and let us know how you're getting on!

Will do SJ - yep the hard bit will be keeping it going at home. Here I know no one will see me, it's warm and sunny etc. But I do feel very motivated, I think because I thought I'd give it a try and it would be an unqualified disaster. I will report back, promise.

If people see you they either won't care or they'll be impressed. Older runners outnumber younger ones IME.

If you're looking for flat paths in hilly areas, paths on old train lines and canal towpaths are good, if you have any nearby.

I'm 55 andstarted running in February this year. I have never run before but always thought of myself as fit through exercise. Turns out I wasn't fit just toned!
I really enjoy running although I am still rubbish. I do a mixture of running and walking although I want to stop the walking. I use strava so I can see how far I run and my progress-I have actually improved.
When I started I bought myself a good bra,decent shoes and the rest from Primark.
When I started I only ran in the dark because I was worried about being seen but now I don't care and have even been wearing shorts!!!
Good Luck CW

Thanks for commenting!

Managed another run yesterday and rest day today - just a nice swim as it is very hot.

Making plans for when I get home - think it will be combination of my usual 3 swims a week and a couple of runs to begin with. DH only works part time now and may distract me by asking me to do things with him and go on errands so I need to be strict and write down exercise sessions in my diary - and of course stick to them.

How do you all cope willpower wise? It's easy to exercise on holiday as there is no housework and domestic trivia to distract me. Once home I know it will be harder. Whilst I'm not in paid work I volunteer a fair bit and have a busy social diary, so something will have to give.

Also, how many times a week do you ladies in my age group run, please?

I try to run 3 time a week normally. I have a route that takes 30 mins from my front door and back so there is no excuse/faffing around to get out there. I try to run with someone else at least once a week as that is easier to stick to.

OP - have just skimmed as heading out of house, so sorry if repeating, but my experience if it helps:-

I started running at just over 50, about 2 years ago.

I hadn't done any exercise since school, although I have dogs and I am a keen walker.

I did c25 with the aim of parkrunning without walking.

I achieved it!

(After about 3 months of c25!)

I ran twice a week then the parkrun on Saturday.

At first it was HUGE; very very excited I had achieved this. I couldn't believe that I could run for one whole minute without stopping. But 35? Wow.

Then it got a bit boring, and luckily for me a friend asked me to join a running group. I'm making huge steps forward now as running with others is so much easier than running by yourself. It forces you to turn up, you run further without noticing, and you make lots of new friends. My group ranges from 32 to me at 52. I just love it.

My point of posting is, really, join a running group if you have one nearby. It works miracles.......And stops the need for willpower.

Hope that helps?

Really helpful Through, thank you. I'm in awe of you, and others earlier on the thread as I'm currently thinking I will never run for 5 minutes, let alone more.

I will follow the C25K when I get home as like you, I would eventually like to do a Parkrun.

London that sounds good, I think 3 x 30 mins is doable alongside my swimming. There is a not too public circuit of paths I can do from home plus some other paths e.g. one round a lake not too far away.

I hope you don't all think I'm hopelessly over-thinking this whole thing - it just feels like a big thing to be starting at my age - and I am a bit of a planner and organiser. Hope I don't come across as neurotic.

I did read a thread on MN a while back about women runners being shouted at by drivers and having things thrown at them which rather spooked me!

Crazywater, please don't worry about your age. I am 55 and I am in a running club and run with lots of people in their 50s, 60s, 70s. And not everyone has been running for donkeys years either. Many have only started recently. Is there a club local to you that does beginners courses? We do a 12 week one throughout the year which has a park run as a finale. You will make friends and motivate each other and feel great. It's really worth it!