I turn 50 this year and want to start running.

[ilovedolphins]

I have been wanting to start running for the past several years but always told myself I didn't have time or some other excuse.

I turn 50 next month and have decided I want to start. I have been walking on the treadmill on and off for about 6 months. Once in a while I would run for about 5 minutes on it. I was self conscience about looking silly running.

So today I timed myself and I can run 1 mile in 15 minutes. Compared to the other runners there it was like I was standing still. But I have to start somewhere.

When I started walking on the treadmill I could only walk about 15 minutes before my legs wobbled when I got off. So I think I have come a ways since then.

I just don't know if I have the courage to sign up for a 5K run. I would love to. If you tire before the end can you walk or do you have to run the whole way?

[ilovedolphins]

Forgot to mention, today I walked for 5 minutes then did the 1 mile (15 min) run then walked for 10 minutes then did another 1 mile run and then walked for 7 minutes. So I am happy with myself for the progress I have made.

Now, I may not be able to walk tomorrow but we will deal with that then. ;D

[thyme4change]

You can walk. I've seen a lot of people who have no business being out there running 5K's (and 10k's and marathons.) If you are too slow the sweeper will come by and get you.

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2012 12:16:25 GMT -5 ilovedolphins said:

I have been wanting to start running for the past several years but always told myself I didn't have time or some other excuse.

I turn 50 next month and have decided I want to start. I have been walking on the treadmill on and off for about 6 months. Once in a while I would run for about 5 minutes on it. I was self conscience about looking silly running.

So today I timed myself and I can run 1 mile in 15 minutes. Compared to the other runners there it was like I was standing still. But I have to start somewhere.

When I started walking on the treadmill I could only walk about 15 minutes before my legs wobbled when I got off. So I think I have come a ways since then.

I just don't know if I have the courage to sign up for a 5K run. I would love to. If you tire before the end can you walk or do you have to run the whole way?

There are plenty of people that walk in a 5k. You should find a 5k in your area and go watch it. That will take any mystery out of it and get you all amped up for training.

[ilovedolphins]

Since I ran today should I run tomorrow or just walk or take the day off. I need to research the training manuals.

[ilovedolphins]

Thanks. I had been working out on the ellipitical before Christmas. I will get back to working on it also.

[steph08]

I recommend The Runner's Handbook by Bob Glover. I am currently following the plan to up my mileage from 15 miles to 20 miles a week. I have 2 days off a week, though in a lighter plan, you have 3, even 4 days off. I run Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and have off Sundays and Thursdays (sometimes I run M-Thu and Saturday depending on what days I work from home).

One of my high school friend's mom started running in her late 40s and has done a few half marathons and a full one, so it can be done. Though if you haven't done a lot of exercising in your younger years, it might be hard to build up the strength and stamina necessary to run a lot. Though a 5k is definitely doable.

I have been running off and on for a while and got serious again in January. Since I live in PA, the weather is never predictable so I have been running exclusively on the treadmill. While I prefer running outside, it isn't too bad if I DVR some of my shows and watch them while running (that way I can skip through the commercials and I am not as tempted to look how much longer/further I have to go). I even ran 8 miles on the treadmill on Saturday without too much trouble.

[steph08]

And if you are serious about running, I highly, highly recommend a good pair of running shoes (and not the kind you buy at a shoe store that say "Running"). I went to a dedicated running store, got my gait analyzed, foot measured, shoes picked out for my running and foot type, etc. The shoes are awesome and I can definitely feel the difference.

[thyme4change]

I just hate running around during the winter and the tread mill makes me feel like a mouse.

Try it on just 2 legs.

[ilovedolphins]

I woke up this morning with my calves hurting a little but I thought I would go and try to run the mile again today. I ran 1 1/2 miles without stopping so I feel that is my starting point. Although the time was the same but I hope each week to up the mph by a point. I hope to run tomorrow and then take Thursday off since I go back to work then.

[ilovedolphins]

Well, here it is about 1 1/2 months after I started this thread. I have continued to run but not as often as I want to. I have found that I love to run but I can't do it everyday and probably shouldn't. When I started out the treadmill was set on 3.8 mph, now I have it up to 4.2 mph. So I am getting better. But I still haven't convinced myself to sign up for a 5K yet.