Ultimately, I do it for health, both mental and physical, but competition is what gets me out the door each day. It's a game inside a game.
A different take might be that in the post-pandemic era, when anyone past 50 is almost certainly going to face multiple Covid strains and infections as they become increasingly at risk for the disease, you'd have to be crazy to not stay thin and develop your oxygen-carrying capacity as well as resistance to infection.
Perhaps the most positive, affirmative thread that I've even seen here. I'm a late 50's male who started running nearly 13 years ago. Got fairly fast fairly quickly, so I thought that I might have untapped talent. That turned out to be false, but my enthusiasm for the endeavor remains undimmed. Not much to add to previous posters - I run primarily for health benefits (both physical and mental) and to feed competitive fires. I average about 6 miles a day, 6 days a week. Breaks up my work day (weekdays I run about noontime) and helps me to deal with the stresses of the job. On weekends, I venture out wherever the spirit takes me. Still enjoy workouts and the challenge of race day, but only as a means of testing myself - don't care about age group placing or medals. Age grading sure helps in that regard. I hope to continue running into my 70s, and perhaps beyond, so I typically incorporate 100 meters of walking when running my 2K weekday loop (I like to stay close to my home office in case any work-related fires arise), attempting to take the long-term view to achieve that objective. Fortunate to have remained injury-free all these years, which I chalk up to good genetics and a willingness to listen to my body. Best of luck to all, like myself, who hope to run into - and through - old age!
Used to run because I'm very competitive. However, over the last 5-6 years my knees have been giving me issues that the 3 Docs (so far) can't diagnose, so now the little I run (10-20 mpw) is for fitness.
I'm 75. I was "dis-athletic" as a kid, hated to sweat. I started going to the gym and jogging in my 50s to control my weight. Ran my first 5k when I was 65. Over the past 5 years I've become more and more committed, now averaging 40 mpw. A benefit of my late start is that I don't yet have to admit that I'll never be able to run as fast as I used to. It's good exercise, I get to eat a lot, I sleep better than ever, and the training provides a huge stress relief. I'm a little shocked to discover that I'm also weirdly competitive. I'll never beat the young folk, but age grading allows me to continue to pretend that I'm getting better.
57. Run slowly a few days a week, stationary bike a few hours, lift weights three or four times. All for health and vanity now. Goal is to not have any more joint surgeries going forward. After lifting for the last six months I can see that I have way more natural talent in strength training than I do in running, but I don't like seeing the number on the scale going up as a result.
I am a 56-year old woman. Adult onset runner - started 3 years ago. Running is my vehicle for deeply understanding how my body works so I can keep it strong and healthy for years to come. I've also got to the point where it's so meditative so the mental health component is important to me too. I am competitive with myself, wanting to get faster and stronger each training cycle (half marathons and marathons).
This is a great question and I have enjoyed reading the responses. I recall a relative of mine, who's response to this question was "because not everybody does it!"
I am 54, and probably run 4-5 days a week. I strength train 2-3 days a week, with full body lifts. I would like to run more, but that amount of time and load is my sweet spot. Nothing more than an hour, but I do some uptempo stuff a couple days a week in those 4-5 days. I spent a career in the Army and it was part of my job to be fit, and also a lifestyle thing for me. The last thing I competed for was to train/qualify for Boston, back in 2009-10. It was a great experience. Now, I continue to run for my physical health/longevity, and some mental health. I'm a dad to 5 kids and I have had to find creative ways to exercise, and I am content to get up very early and run on my own. In fact, I prefer that. Lastly, I think I set a positive example for my kids who are all athletes at college and high school ages. I'd like to think it puts me way ahead of the "curve" when I see others my age who do not exercise, and do not take care of themselves. Keep on, keeping on......
I'm 56. I run and race because I enjoy it and it keeps me healthy. I run different types of events to challenge myself. For instance, I just ran the USATF XC Master's Championship 8K. I hadn't run XC since high school 38 years ago. I was rusty and slow, but I didn't care, I had fun and that's all I can ask for. There was no way I wasn't getting lapped by Ben Bruce, I just wanted to get as far as possible before he did it. I got past 4K before he got me.
That’s awesome! How was the experience? That’s funny about the experience of trying not to get lapped! Good job!
Thanks. The experience was amazing. Everyone was there to compete and have fun. Some were more competitive than others but at the end of the day we were all supportive of each other and cheering. I hope I can do some more USATF master's events. There's also the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh this year for people 50 and over. It's one of the only games where you have to qualify at your state games.
One of my favorite things at 67 is weekly speed work, which I always do on the treadmill. 6 x 800 today in 3:12-3:07. Feels so good afterward. Prepping for Boston. Never give up!
That’s awesome! How was the experience? That’s funny about the experience of trying not to get lapped! Good job!
Thanks. The experience was amazing. Everyone was there to compete and have fun. Some were more competitive than others but at the end of the day we were all supportive of each other and cheering. I hope I can do some more USATF master's events. There's also the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh this year for people 50 and over. It's one of the only games where you have to qualify at your state games.
Great to hear! The comaraderie is one of the greatest things I’ve enjoyed about the running community over the 4+ decades I’ve been involved. It’s the most meaningful.
Do you workout everyday to be a better runner? Working through all you problems that come up with your legs or feet, with the goal of being the best runner you can be or do you just run to stay healthy? Are you like Rocky at 60, working though all your health problems to go another round? Is your goal just to keep the pounds off at 48,52,62,72,82 or whatever age you are?
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.
Yes - the key is to love the process more than the results. Well put!
For me it’s “ full circle” nearing the end of my running career. maybe I should have quit awhile back.
The last two years, I started using notebooks again for a log thinking, “ yep this year will be my last” only to keep going.
The online log that used from 96-2019”?…kept including entries like “ felt awful”..” terrible” ha.. so, I went back to using notebooks like from 1977-96. ( Jim Fixx, John Jerome, Marty Jerome)….
57, started running 15 yrs ago to lower weight and blood pressure. 15 yrs and 50 pounds later, I am addicted to competition. 6 time Boston marathoner, run 5-6 marathons a year, generally 3:10 to 3:20 and just received my 2nd invitation to the age group world championships. I want to ride this as long as possible!
I can totally relate to you - I’m in my late 50’s (female), and run because it keeps me in shape and vibrant. I always notice women my age out in public who look like they’ve been up all night and physically appear quite frumpy. I’ve kept up my figure through running and lifting light weights since I was in middle school (on and off) and have dealt with a whole host of injuries from running, but have always returned to it because it makes me feel healthy and energized as well as reducing stress. I work at a middle school and know I can run circles around most kids there. I’ll be running in the Boston Marathon for the second time this spring and feel quite lucky to be doing so. I realize running is not for everyone, but it’s definitely for me and I will run as long as I can.
63 and run for fitness. Was a 2:31 Boston guy 40 years ago. My joints actually do ache if I do not run/walk for a few days. But I do feel real good if I PR a favorite trail
15 miles per week? When you are over 55 it often takes 3 or 4 miles just to warm up and feel fluid. Why run the worst part and quit just before you get the shifter into overdrive? Besides many of the world's problem I solve during my runs take longer than 30 minutes to work out.
„Ultimately, I do it for health, both mental and physical, but competition is what gets me out the door each day. It's a game inside a game“
that‘s me as well. i started running at 39 to be fit in my forties and beyond. at the same time i love competition. it‘s what motivates me to stay consistent