men and women in your late 40s to 60 plus do you run to keep healthy or because you are competitive

63 year old female, 48 years running. I generally only compete in one season, cross country, but run almost every day. Cross country keeps me motivated to do harder workouts and stay fit and I like being on a team. But I also really want to be outside running every day - it helps me de-stress from my job and I love running on the trails in the forest, especially if it's light outside. But I'll run loops in the dark on a grass field, or go out on the road if necessary because I'd rather run than not. My times are definitely slower, but on the trail I can feel strong and fast. Keeping a consistent age-grade score is also a goal. Overall it makes me happy.

For those who can’t get their heads around the fact that some of us are quite happy with the minimal amount of running just for general health…without the need to race or post fast times…

May I remind you that even the man who started it all with the book “Aerobics”, Dr Kenneth Cooper, later went back on many of his recommendations and was quoted as saying that if you were doing more than fifteen miles a week, then you were doing it for reasons other than health. This was after his observations led him to have concerns about the safety of doing too much. He kept those revised recommendations also.

At 56, I run to stay healthy physically and mentally. It provided structure and goals I needed after retiring at 42 and moving to a new country. I joined a group of locals I saw everyday at the park while I was cycling. I started training every day after my first run and had intentions of being faster. For many years running was the most important thing I did most days. Eventually stopped because of chronic injuries and went back to cycling but in 2016 I started running again.
The last few years running is no longer the driving force in my life but I still have dreams of being faster next year and experiment with my training to keep it interesting. Last year I ran a 2:46:40 marathon and think I can still run faster and hope to get back to sub 2:44.35 I ran before Covid.
We all need to strive for something that isn't easy IMO. Running tests a persons resolve and it can be painful. These are things that most would benefit from doing on a regular basis.

Says it all especially the like to run part. That's why I ran when I was younger but enjoyed pushing hard in training and racing when it occasionally went well! Well actually I would hit form then run well for a few months usually in summer

I only go a couple of times per wk more in summer. Does not really keep me slim like going every day but get injured if do more and bit lazy on strength work.

Went fishing last weekend on a river with my son that keeps you fit scambling around the muddy banks and catching big trees!

On the younger end of the group, but I’ll be 45 in two weeks.

Goal A is simply to stay healthy and have an hour or so to decompress by myself outside with some good music. I don’t stay consistent unless I have a goal race on the calendar. The marathon is the only distance that keeps me somewhat honest, otherwise I’ll make excuses to skip runs more than I already do with a family of 4 and a 50 hour work week.

It leads to the competitive side, when I get humbled by 50 year old females and 60+ year old males in big races and makes me want to get faster.

I started as an athlete (swimmer) when I was 10 years old. At 67, I have now racked up over 135000 miles of running, 100000 miles of biking and 10000 miles of swimming. I have run over 100 marathons with a 2:25 best run in waffle trainers.

This winter, as I recovered from A-Flutter and a major rebuild of my shoulder while waiting to have my left hip replaced, I rebuilt the front end of my triathlon race bike to make it more aero. I guess this would put me in the - I do it to be competitive and not for my health group.

I do however have 6 grandkids now and want to be able to healthy enough to chase them around the playground and pool……

I’m 62 and run every day; but I don’t even think about it. It’s just something I do, like brushing your teeth. I lift four days a week and enjoy doing that. When a group of my friends get together instead of going out for drinks we go for a run. I have enjoyed the sport of track and field as a competitor, coach, official, and meet director. The best thing is that I enjoy being around like minded people, I consider myself a high energy person and like others that are passionate about our sport.

66 years old - Running for 52 years- Most noble sport/ undertaking in the universe- keeps me grounded, helps me meet healthy people, helps me stay healthy, (had five colds in the past 24 years) helped me survive back surgery, cancer, and hip resurfacing. Nothing like it. Look younger than the folks half my age at the workplace. Nothing like running.

72 this year - been buying running shoes since ‘78. Still run ~20-40 weekly. Honestly, I’ve logged 70+ thru my 50s, but most days I’m just not interested in “mileage” anymore; 3-6 w/ the dog is fine. I feel blessed, however, cause my coros pace tells me I can still hold a low 5 min pace for 100 meters or so w/no problem. Maybe I should stoke the competitive fires again, but again, interest is waning.

Awesome! Did you run @ USATF?

I just run because it’s the most fun and satisfying activity I’ve ever done and I not only don’t want to quit, I don’t know what I’d do if I did.

started in 1977, still at it and have a hard time walking when I get out of bed… never was that great ( 17:06/35:57/58:42 -10 mile, 1:19.59 half.. )

2600-3000 miles a year… I don’t know what I’d do when that time comes to quit.. but I sure am pitiful now ha

I'm 63. I run (and/or bike or ski) every day because I enjoy it. I usually win my age group except in big, competitive races, because there's such a drop-off as people age and either get injured or just lose interest and move on to other things. I train more and harder since I retired. I ran 3,300 miles last year and raced at distances from 5k to 6-day, on roads and trails. I placed 3rd in M60-64 at CIM last month in 3:02:34, and will run 4 marathons this year: Boston, Big Sur, Chicago, and CIM. My next race is the USATF masters 5k road race in Atlanta. I train much as I did when I was younger, but a lot slower. Long runs, progression tempos to marathon pace, 400s, 800, and mile reps on a bike trail, and lots of slow running and dog walks. I do a little strength work with light dumbbells and body weight exercises. I stretch my calves, Achilles tendons and hamstrings in a hot shower after running so I don't get plantar fasciitis. I hope to keep running and racing, albeit slower, for a long time to come, but who knows, my parents didn't live that long. I definitely want to do some track racing too, 1500m, 5000m, steeplechase, as long as I can. They set the barriers lower in the older age groups. I love traveling to races, but I also get a good feeling from my daily slow runs, listening to music and podcasts. I feel very lucky to be healthy and relatively injury free.

Age 48 and I am definitely in the category of running to be a better runner and working through all the problems that come up. I currently average about 60 mpw with 2 faster workouts each week.

I have thought for a long time that breaking 5 in the mile at age 50 is a good goal, so I will likely try that. Aside from that, I have no goals other than to keep doing what I'm doing as long as I can. If that means doing more cross training (e.g. elliptical, stationary bike, ElliptiGo) as I get older, then I am prepared to do that. Like another poster, I am semi-retired so I have plenty of time to train and work on rehab/prehab, which for me is a 6-7 day per week endeavor.

I think the key is to love the process the more than the results. If you enjoy the process, then none of this will feel like a burden. Another poster asked why risk injury at this age, again if you love what you're doing, you can easily tolerate the highs and lows that come with it.

I'm 83 and long ago discovered the wonderful world of vanity age-group competition, age grades and adjustments, and find myself better than ever by these felicitous measures. I ran some thirty races last year, from 5Ks to half marathons. Will be off soon to Torun, Poland for the World Masters, where I will do three events. It all keeps me going. I find doing cross country nordic in the winter and lots of hills, helps keep me intact.

Both. As you age, you start understanding your own mortality more clearly and want to stay healthy. For me, it is a great stress reliever as well. On the competitive side, I love to challenge myself to see how good I can be and what levels I can accomplish, just for personal satisfaction and to always keep striving to be my best. In my opinion, once you stop striving and saying ‘what’s next?’ that’s the moment life stops. My next marathon in a few months, I will be 56 and am now training for a mid 2:40s result and very confident I will hit it. To me it’s scary when I hear 30-somethings talking about how old they are and their best days are over. Might as well climb in the grave now…

It’s funny what pride has done even at the level where I’m now at

ive actually tried to make sure I run after dark so nobody can see me.

but quit? Never.

I once read an Ed Whitlock interview where he indicated that one of the reasons he ran in the cemetery was because fewer people would see him and he could just ran his own comfortable pace without any pressure. He mentioned that whenever he would run a route through Toronto, he would start to pickup the pace when he felt like people were watching him run.

Just turned 59. Run nearly every day. I now use the Galloway run walk method. I just ran a 1/2 marathon in a lifetime worst 1 hour 53 minutes and could not care less. I'm maintaining a healthy weight and the activity is so important to me mentally. It just makes me feel better.

I was very self-conscious when I stepped onto the track for a few taster sprint-sessions, more so when I then started training by myself (explanation in sprint thread). Wobbling along, overweight, slow, clumsy, around a track full of impossibly quick young people.

A full season on I feel at home again and increasingly have the company of other vets getting back into the sport.