If you’re the wrong side of 45 what is the longest distance you run?

[IRun4Me]

Did a Marathon last year and really suffered during it with painful hips and knee. Recovered fine. Did a half marathon yesterday and could feel the twinges starting again. Had a few twinges whilst training for it once over 10 miles. I run regularly and did RED January with no problems.
I enjoy the half marathon distance but am wondering if I need to start thinking about shorter distance? Or just start running a bit slower? I did it in a similar time to my first one about 7 years ago.
I don’t want to give up running or become ‘old’ but don’t want to injure myself. In my head I’m about 19
I was just wondering what distances others fast approaching/or over 50 run??

Hubby is 54 and does ultra marathons. Up mountains so rough and loads of ascent. He's doing the Cape wrath ultra soon which is 400k.

Sorry, it's Skye ultra soon, 80 miles I think. Other one is next year. He's always running!

Snap of the medals mentioned, for evidence.

@nico. Good job hubby. You not tempted?

I've been running on an undiagnosed broken leg for 7 months in loads of pain and think I've permanently fucked it. Have an appt at a new hospital in a fortnight as local one can't sort me. Seriously considering asking them to amputate if they can't find what's wrong. I'm in serious pain and can't even walk down stairs.

If it wasn't for that then yes I'd be Tempted. I tell my PT though if they do amputate I will be like Oscar Pistoris and he won't be able to keep up! 😁

Been running for 2.5yrs, late 40s key for me was some strength training just basic body weight exercises, Pilates, bit of cycling and swimming to mix up with the running. Done 3 HMs in last 13mths would secretly love to do a marathon but know I really need to lose 2 stone to do that sensibly for my joints.

Impressive medal collection btw there @vivafrida

I do think there's something to be said like triskirun99 says about mixing it up. I know a lot of runners who have switched to cycling, either completely or just half and half to save their knees as they get older. Then there's people like dh who just run and run crazy distances and never seem to have any injuries. He does a flipping marathon every weekend, not an organised one.....just as part of his training!

I wonder if some of it has to do with body types. He's very much got a runner's physique. Whereas I never would no matter how skinny I am, I'm always going to be a bit short, and have hips and boobs.

Personal trainer once said to me "you'll never make a decent runner, you've got a body type suited to weight lifting"! .

Wow Viva that’s so impressive.
Hope the leg gets sorted Nico I don’t think I have a runners physique either. I saw a photo of me doing my half and said do my husband- my hips are big. He replied well you’ve always had big hips so what you worrying about.
All the posts have inspired me that I can keep at it. I’m a regular on the running thread but never know if everyone else on there is a sprightly 25 year old something. It is a good to see some names from there on here and that us runners are all doing great whatever our age or distance.
I think I was feeling tired, aching hips and suffering with a poorly back and cold - feeling sorry for myself. Feeling brighter today and ready to get back to it .... tomorrow

I'm 54. I ran two marathons last year and I really hurt after the second one. I have no intention of doing another one! I love half marathons though - I think they are my ideal distance. The longest I run now in training is 13/14 miles.

i have a million aches and pains but they aren't going to get any better now and I just stretch after, take ibuprofen and put supports on the bits that hurt too much.