Runnning does not slow the ageing process

A lot of it has to do with exposure to sunlight. A runner or anyone else who spends a lot of time outside during the day without sunsceen or a hat to protect the face will definitely age more quickly in terms of how their face looks.

that's strange. a couple of friends of mine from europe recently joined our running club. the one thing they commented on was how everybody looks 5-10 years younger than they really are. we get that all the time.

dont look at a photo from the end of a race. take the runner and the non-runner and put them next to each other in a casual setting. the runner looks younger.

But Wejo looks older than Rojo...

pot, kettle, black wrote:

that's strange. a couple of friends of mine from europe recently joined our running club. the one thing they commented on was how everybody looks 5-10 years younger than they really are. we get that all the time.

dont look at a photo from the end of a race. take the runner and the non-runner and put them next to each other in a casual setting. the runner looks younger.

Ive noticed it depends on what stage of training im in.

early summer when i soften up a bit, people think im very young.

BUT, by the end of XC, when im very lean, people think i look older.

The only problem with Nick Rose is that he needs a haircut! I was standing a few feet away, waiting to run my leg, when he crossed the line and I can assure he looks bloody good for a 52 year old.

I was at a school reunion a couple of years ago and everyone told me how well I looked for my age. For starters being slim (not skinny) makes you look younger than you are.

Joan Benoit Samuelson looks well over 60.

I can't believe no one's mentioned Webb here. His hairline is down to his back shoulders by now

I would bet that most of the aging effect is from constanly grimacing with effort and squinting against the sun rather than the actual damaging effect of the sun rays. I know some people who only run at night and work indoors and their faces show wrinkles as well. Our various expressions shape our faces much more than the sun.

And men generally age better than women in the facial department . It is a hormone thing.

Geb could easily pass for a chum in his mid 60's.

For a long time, I've said that "runners have old skin and young bodies." The sun exposure that usually goes along with running prematurely ages the skin. The weight control, flexibility and strength that running brings, keeps your body moving like a younger person. So, it's a mixed blessing.

ruthless wrote:

I can't believe no one's mentioned Webb here. His hairline is down to his back shoulders by now

that has nothing to do with his running, you a$$

Bazza, ghost, or other UK guys who might know,

On the subject of ageing British runners, do any of you know what's up with Ron Hill? I ask because I know that last December was the 40th anniversary of his running streak. I thought there's be something made of that, but I never saw any mention anywhere. And I would periodically read updates of his quest to race in 100 countries before he is 70 years old. Those don't seem to turn up anymore either.

We're not discussing his running, we're discussing how old runners look and he looks well beyond his early twenties.

What about the runners in their 40's and 50's who hobble around like their in their 80's? All of the pounding seems to take it's toll on muscles, joints and bones.

Earl wrote:

What about the runners in their 40's and 50's who hobble around like their in their 80's? All of the pounding seems to take it's toll on muscles, joints and bones.

Exactly.....yeh, I know there are exceptions, but the reality of it is, most of us on here will be ailing more than most as we hobble around in our 50's and 60's wishing we could just "walk" a mile or two.

ghost wrote:

A recent photo in 'Athletics Weekly' (UK) showed Nick Rose (age 52) to look considerably older than his chronological age (52). A quick survey among friends who are not runners revealed that they thought his age varied from 60 - 70!

Keep in mind that the photo of Rose was taken in the last stages of a race, so his facial expression was strained, to say the least.

So you think the reason Rose the "Nose" looks old is because of his "running habit". That is funny.

Ron Hill is 66 now and 'participates' in races....at a very low speed. He is not competitive any more - even in his age group, which goes to show that his excessive obsession to run twice a day for 40 years straight was not smart....

Some runners in their forties and fifties do indeed 'hobble around' and have a multitude of tendon and arthritic problems. Payback time for excessive mileage on roads.

With the ageing process, some runners who have really pushed it in their prime age quickly, while others who took a more casual approach appear to age more gently. This is nature's way of compensating, and of course there is cause and effect in every endeavour we are involved in. This is why Ron Hill can no longer run fast, and looks his age.

A lot of ageing is also the result of stress, and how we handle and perceive stress (it is in the mind). Diet also plays a part. Have you noticed how many orientals (Chinese/Japanese) look far younger than their age. This might be the result of eating a diet which contains ample quantities of vegetables, and low fat and sugar consumption. I have encountered orientals in their sixties with full heads of black hair....and no they did not dye their hair...natural.

The same could be said for Ed. Whitlock, the Candadian/Brit. who clocked a 2:54 marathon at age 73 in Toronto last year. He definetely could pass for 75-80 years old, but he is very fit, and does not carry any extra weight on his body. Outwardly - he looks 'old' but inside he is very fit.

In many countries like Italy/France/Spain - when former elite runners give up their sport, they tend to put on a lot of weight and look older than their age. Carlos Lopes comes to mind...especially with regard to his girth.

The problem for many runners as they age, is that they don't reduce their calorie intake, resulting in weight gain. When runners get older their metabolism slows down and they are generally less active.

In my case, when at my peak (in 1978) I weighed 66 kilos (145/10 stone) - and now some 27 years later, my weight is generally around 80-83 kilos (176-183/13 stone)...the weight just came on after age 42, despite being active and jogging 30 minutes 4 times a week.

Regular exercise slows an aging brain's decline

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-09-21-walking-usat_x.htm

I've often thought this...when you lower your training, you seem to put a bit more weight back on in the face, making your appearance less gaunt.

I think Frank Shorter looks younger now than he did winning the gold in the 72 Oly Marathon.