At what age do injuries start popping up more frequently?

I'm 51 now, and relatively free of injuries. Of course, that could change any day. I've had piriformis issues the last couple of years, but seem to be doing okay at the moment. If I could summarize the situation as far as injuries in middle age goes, it's like this: usually when you get injured, it seems really stupid in retrospect. Why didn't I take any easy weeks? Was it really that important to keep running just as much as the week before?

So usually when I do get injured, I have this moment of clarity where I'm like, alright, next time when everything is clicking and I'm feeling good, I'm just going to make every 3rd or 4th week (or whatever) an easy week, instead of trying to make every week just as good as the one before. It's so simple. There's nothing to lose, and much to be gained from this strategy. For me, a good week is 50-65 miles, with 1-2 decent workouts. So why don't I just do 3 weeks like that, and then one week where I just do 30-40 miles, to recover and rebuild? I don't know. It's like I know what to do, but I can't quite get myself to follow my own advice. I could coach somebody else, but not myself.

Basically, I think it's good to accept that there is an addictive element to being a long-distance runner. We are slaves to our routines, and we're addicted to numbers. Once you get that into your head and accept it, maybe you can force yourself to work through these tendencies. In fact, I'm going to start by taking a rest week next week, just to practice what I'm preaching.

Mid 50s,. I run 15 minutes on grass every second day and content myself with that

Took a long time to achieve that level of wisdom and not push it anymore

When you are over 50 you have to measure the difficulty of your workouts to what, realistically, your body can handle. It's difficult to accept the fact you need to gear it down a bit. I found, though, that taking the right supplements and diet has kept me pretty healthy with minimal injuries. Doing some cross training, when the body feels stressed, is smart, too.

I am the same age as you and injuries didn't start happening for me until 2016. I was so broken in 2017 I only managed to run 740 miles. Bounced back in 2018 through 2019 [2026 & 2218 miles respectively) only to get OTS last Summer and missing the last few months of the year.

I back to rebuilding back to 55mpw but it's going to take time because I have noticed recovery is starting to take longer.

I'm just glad I have a bike if things really go south.

Best of luck.

getting old wrote:

Obviously a runner can get injured at any age, but is there a certain age where the risk of injury really jumps? I’m talking about things like PF, Achilles issues, as well as joint problems with knees and hips. I’m 41 and feel like at some point in this next decade the ish is gonna hit the fan

I don't think that you should be "expecting" this. And hell, there might be a psychosomatic downside to doing so.

I've going on 54 and have been running/training since I was in 6th grade. No obvious point when injuries became more common sticks out to me. Although I have zero doubt that I've been more prone to them when doing explosive things for a few decades, now. But as (only) a distance runner, this is awfully easy to avoid. Put away your blocks, and you might be fine!

Surely getting injured is more about knowing your body and not doing more than your body can handle, than it is about your age? For example at age 45 you'd allow more time between hard workouts than at age 25?

There is no numerical age. Lifestyle matters. Fried food, excess drinking, lack of sleep lowers testosterone and this is key to recovery. You choose how long you want to thrive

I was constantly hurt in my teens and 20s because 1) I ran every run way too hard and 2) I drank too much.

Honestly, it took some time away from running to figure it out. When I started up again overweight and slow, I just focused on running within myself and listening to my body.

I am 34 now and running relatively pain free and haven't been in this type of shape since I was 20/21. Many of my runs start with a first mile 9minutes+ but I can ease into a faster pace and feel good moving quickly when I need to.

And I quit drinking which did wonders to my ability to recover and recognize what my body is trying to tell me.