Five Tips To Start Running After 50: How To Take Up Running Later In Life

[@deesheffrin5967]

Yes, I learnt the hard way. I'm 63, was a runner for 20 years and continued intermittently but focused on competitive swimming. With covid restrictions started up again gradually. Was doing regular 5km 3x week but then stupidly got cocky and jumped to 8 then 10km. Now back to 2km with knee & hamstring injury and weekly physio. I'm building very slowly.

[@cresk]

I can confirm that the #1 tip is very important and it works. I started walking between 10k and 20k steps a day for the first few weeks or even a few months, before I gradually got into running. Now I’m running 5 - 8 km at a decent pace. Great tips, thank you.

[@barryalexander2909]

Over 50, have been following Matt Fitzgerald's 80/20 running since January and feel amazing. I have opted not to do the cross training as I knew that my body could handle the mileage. I run in 20 day blocks. Last year I was running in 3 day blocks, but was working too hard in all sessions and got fatigued. Now I know to do periodisation, polarisation and include an easy week every third week. Have run 50km this week and today I ran 10 miles for the first time in 12 years. Two years ago I thought I was dying when I ran the first 60 second section of my first couch to 5k run! Never want to stop running!

[@DevRunner]

Well done! I started at 42, but I'm 51 now - so I'm learning plenty here!

[@peterwhite7428]

Good advice. I’m 76, I love to run, I run slowly for longer and longer times. I train for 10ks. I started in my 60s. I believe in cross training.

[@karshenamccain]

This is the best video I have found on the subject! Thank you❤

[@transientsoles180]

easy to follow run walk advise for beginners of any starting point is invaluable.

[@ravichouhan9215]

Thank you very much for advice I'm 53 year old I use to walk 6 km in 45 minutes in evening from last one month now I want to start running good advice thanks

[@gregorypetka8799]

very good list, at 61 and 310pounds started exactly a year ago thanksgiving, and lost 100 pounds walking with a diet of 1800 calories, and last month started running and intermitant fasting, i am taking slower than others because i was a smoker for 10 years a decade ago, and my lungs are bad, but every other day running i can run a little bit further with out stopping, and allowing my sore knees and hips to rest, by walking 4 miles on the other alternate days.

[@stubowie8760]

I started running at 49 . I've been active and fit ever since leaving school competing in all sorts of sports at a competitive level. I finished with my 11th Argus, and went stright into running. My 1st year was just building up milage. I ran my 1st comrades at 50, ( up run ) and finished in 10:34. I went onto 2 down runs of sub 10 hrs, and my 4th, an up run sub 11hrs. I still run today at 66, so one is never to old to run.

[@sirravi]

Thanks for the valuable tips

[@HIIHTONIILO1]

I am 58 cyclist and make practical forest work and xc skiing, but I started now run more 50K I ran max, but I made on track 3x1K and find something odd with my leg. So I must rest wait to start agn. But actually i started walked first 25k aand 41K summer time. Running is time saving.

[@rebeccaford6940]

I started running at 49 and was very slowly making progress. In about 3 months took my 2 miles run from 30:00 min to 25:58. But then I sustained a lower back injury pulling up an okra plant. Yep. That was embarrassing. The injury was about 5 months ago, but when I run even 1/4 of a mile, my lower back starts hurting. I'm I just done for and have to stick to walking forever???

[@bluemeaford]

I also started running at 49. And with chronic lower back pain. I found strength training and core exercises made a huge difference. Gave me ability to run with less pain and it’s been improving. So if you’re not doing either I highly recommend both. And regular long Z2 walks and biking (indoor or out) :)

[@leenestle]

Find a good physical therapist, it took some time but with some daily stretching and core strengthening, I’m back to running again. I “hurt” my back tying my 5 year olds shoe, so share your embarrassment :).

[@ilanamcgrath2792]

I'd love to get the downloads strength training, but do not see a link??

[@poulsondavid1]

They give it at the end of the video.

[@abitofeverythin3535]

Only excersize I do is a walk along the beach in the morning as had slipped disc 2 years ago and only just started being able to walk more than a mile I have very tight hamstring and constant slight lower back pain .. so I'll only be doing the running as there are no gyms near me either so cant do any of the other excersizes mentioned really .. 😏

[@MarieDiaz-s9g]

Cannot find the weight training link.

[@drrozalyn2020]

Where is the link?

[@MHPPJdeida]

Great video. Would love to hear about heart rate zones and beta blockers. I am 57 and figuring out my zones is like a guessing game and this affect all my running trainings. Any thoughts on that! Hanna

[@heart2hearter]

Why not stay with a mix of walking and running? As I've seen advocated elsewhere.

[@okantichrist]

Jeff Galloway

[@heart2hearter]

@@okantichrist yes -- wondering about the logic for working toward nonstop running in this program vs approaches with walk breaks, which seem good for older runners or anyone looking to reduce injury

[@BunnyKramer]

"twilight years"??? "advanced years"?? damn! I'm 67 ... not exactly one foot in the grave! LOL And a downloadable strength training plan is supposed to be here?

[@ryanjohnston8237]

I don't think anyone over 50 can go from walking to running 5k in 12 weeks.

[@mopinla]

Well, I started running in July and ran a half marathon in October. BUT I was a cyclist for a couple years prior, so I had the cardio fitness, I just had to build up the structural fitness for running. My first run ("Hey, lemme just try this out and see how far I can run!"), I ran for 4 miles without running out of breath, but it absolutely demolished my leg muscles for the week. I found out what DOMS is the hard way.

[@ryanjohnston8237]

@@mopinla Nice one! I'm fit in rock climbing and weights. I've been running for six months. I still can't run a mile. I've always been in poor cardio condition.