Calling all Old Guys! Will running destroy my body?

A lot of 70+ year olds have back and knee problems, whether they were a runner or not.

The cardiovascular benefit to running outweighs the risk to the joints IMO. Probably not wise to run 100 mpw when you are in your 60s, but for now I think you’ll be just fine.

Myth

https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a20845250/heres-more-evidence-that-running-doesnt-ruin-your-knees/

look, anything can happen.

One thing I know: marathoners tend to break down as they get older more than shorter distance guys.

If longevity is the goal, don't do marathons, don't run too much, and cross train.

I think there are a couple of things you have to do to run for a long time.

1. Have a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet

2. Vary your intensity in your training and racing

3. Don't take yourself to serious

SausageKINGofCLE wrote:

I’ve never had an injury that’s sidelined me for more than a couple weeks. Plantar fasciitis has been part of my life for the last 2 years, but I run through it no problem. I think I have pretty good form and running economy.

.....

So, what say you LRC? Am I destined for knee replacement and a spine the shape of a question-mark? Or are these old-folks just stuck 70s, unaware of the advancements in shoe tech, and general knowledge of the sport.

I've run for 45 years and read dozens of books on running and even written a book on running that included chapters on running injuries. The following things end running careers. Poor form. Failure to listen to their bodies. Attempting to "run through" an injury as the OP is doing with PF. Failure to rehab properly... either getting the steps of healing out of order or trying to return to running too quickly. Failure to analyze why an injury occurred and take steps to prevent it from recurring again. Those are the biggies. There are more, (wrong shoes, failure to strength train, improper stretching, muscle/skeletal imbalances), but most everything on this list of minor problems is a failure in one of these major problems.

With this in mind, OP, PF isn't usually a career ending injury, but it's a good way to apply the steps I've just listed. you need to figure out what's causing your particular case of PF, rehab it properly, and take steps to prevent it from reoccurring.

For example, there are two radically different approaches to PF. One is to rehab and then strengthen the arch. The other is to rehab the arch and then give the arch a little support because it's flexing 10,000+ times in a long run with a force that's 2.5 times your body weight.

agip wrote:

look, anything can happen.

One thing I know: marathoners tend to break down as they get older more than shorter distance guys.

If longevity is the goal, don't do marathons, don't run too much, and cross train.

Agip is right on this. Don't do marathons as you get older.

fisky wrote:

agip wrote:

look, anything can happen.

One thing I know: marathoners tend to break down as they get older more than shorter distance guys.

If longevity is the goal, don't do marathons, don't run too much, and cross train.

Agip is right on this. Don't do marathons as you get older.

Um, ever hear of Ed Whitlock?

Ed Whitlock and Tommy Hughes are way more the exception than the norm.

If you're built like jockey, then you can likely handle higher mileage and race longer distances better and with less injuries, but most would be well served to stick with the shorter distances as they age.

I feel a ton better doing runners yoga a couple times a week. It stretches the hip/ pelvis in a way that resets the body that foam roller etc cannot.

most of this is probably genetic, but eat healthy and maintain a healthy weight and your knees should be okay.

And if they aren't who cares? Knee replacements are already pretty fantastic. Imagine where they will be in 30 years. Not to mention the possible advances in drugs and regenerative techniques.

I'm over 60, been running since I was 20. I still do 55-60mpw. The older you get, you just have to modify your approach to running ie can't do the intervals I once did or I'll be paying for it later. Also, very important is eating a good diet and taking the right combination of supplements for you. I've never had knee problems and have been taking glucosamine for 15 years (my knees began to ache, I had heard about it, began taking it and the aching disappeared)-I think it really does help prevent those issues. Also use of various amino acids which help you recover quicker and you are less prone to injury, as well. Lots of information out there, do your research and you can stay healthier than most.

Run on dirt as much as you can. Avoid asphalt and concrete. Make sure you have shoes that work for you. The most expensive shoes aren't necessarily the best. Don't run through injuries. When I was younger I ran 7 days a week. When I turned 50 I ran 5-6 days a week. When I turned 55 I only ran 4 days a week. I was able to run 30 miles a week when I was 60-72 years old then had to quit and started walking.

Look up Jack Lalanne - "The body doesn’t grow old from overuse – it grows old from lack of use"

OP, You are asking the minority of surviving runners if it's wise to keep running into their 80's (60's and 70's aren't "old"). You just need to look at the statistics for your answer. But if you have a penchant for paying close attention to overuse signals, or underuse signals, and don't have any problems so far, then you might beat the odds. If your ego weakness drives you to overdo things, you will mess yourself up. Be sensible. Accept mediocrity with grace.

But, what choice do you have? You've got to stay active, and 5k to 10k running is easy to do, while still allowing you time to do other things.

There's nothing "right" about running a marathon distance ...half marathon, ok. But full marathon is an unnecessary unhealthy strain for old folks.

Do you have a link to a routine that you could share?

1ub2run wrote:

I feel a ton better doing runners yoga a couple times a week. It stretches the hip/ pelvis in a way that resets the body that foam roller etc cannot.

You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.

No, keep running.

AGE will wreak havoc on your body, it's better to remain active. Believe me, the friends I have at 52 that are not active are in horrible shape.

Yes I have aching knees, and hurting ankles, and sore muscles, but so do they and they don't work out.

Keep trim, keep thin, keep working out.

I had really bad patellar tendinitis in both knees at 47. I thought I had ruined my knees after running consistent high mileage for about 15 years. I stopped running for about a year and a half and gradually got back to running. My knees are 100% and feel as good as ever. I also have bone spurs on my 1st met heads that cause some hallux limitus. Those are not going away and surgery is very risky. I have been able to manage that issue and it seems to be under control. So, bottom line is that soft tissue problems will heal if you give them time. But watch out for injuries that have long term implications.

I will say that there is a huge advantage to being in shape and running a lot as you go through your 40s. I see a lot of guys really let themselves go when they are in their 30s and 40s and they end up with a host of medical issue and a ton of weight that is very hard to shed as you get into your 50s.

As someone who started out a bit later in life, I got serious about running in my early-mid 30's and am months from turning 40. I feel more fit than when I was in my 20's. Sure, I had some bad habits (on and off smoker, drank heavier) but was fairly active, training in martial arts/boxing. Hard to believe that something that makes me feel 100% better than when I was supposedly in the prime of my life would be destroying my body.

Age is the real killer. And running is proven to reduce aging. Sure, maybe you injure yourself and keep running on it, then it becomes a long term problem. Is that worse than the alternative of not running at all?

The weird thing for me is that I have had 3 -what seem to have been- overuse injuries from running. I did all the usual stuff, go to the Dr, physical therapy, did all the recommended things. In the end, the thing that always made it better was running MORE, not more miles necessarily and obviously not more intensity, but more frequency. At least for me I have come to believe that inconsistency can be worse. Overdoing it may have caused the injury but I have found fixing it is not as simple as following a physical therapy protocol. I take most of that stuff with a grain of salt now. Also, I think there are far too many myths and some stuff is jut poorly understand but that poor understanding isnt emphasized enough because a lot of medical professionals love to pretend like 'the science is settled' on lots of stuff.

Anyway, my 2 cents. I am not that old yet, but plan on heading into my 40's in the best shape of my life. I have been lifting weights again (which I had stopped in my late 20's) and am nearing all of my old PR's which I plan to break before I hit 40.