Anonymous wrote:It’s terrible for your joints.

False. But thanks for repeating an old myth.

I'm 51 and running used to be so easy for me but it's gotten so much harder in the last 3-4 years. I went from doing marathons to doing halfs to 10-milers and now I'm really only doing about 10k distance and I have no desire to race. I dread doing the run and it often feels like a slog but I'm always happy I did it. I really thought I'd be one of those old ladies still running but now I question that. I don't really know what to replace it, though, to stay in shape.

If you want to keep running, definitely just do shorter runs! I’m really into the 3-4 mile run. Longer runs just make me slow and hungry.

But if you don’t want to run, don’t! Your identity shouldn’t be tied to running—as there will be a day you can longer run. Then what? Your goal should just be “person who gets daily exercise / stays active for the health benefits” (unless you are injured).

Walking in great exercise too. But I really think a mix of movement + strength training is much better than long repetitive running, which is hard on the body.

I so relate, OP! I'm 49 and have been running since I was 26. At my best (20 years ago, ha!), I was trained enough to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon, but I am a far way away from that now. It's way tougher to find the motivation. I take months long breaks from running, where I focus on other things (water aerobics, ice hockey). The summer heat kills me! I've been trying to get back into it. Finding new playlist helped, as did focusing on shorter distances (3 miles), and also running with a group. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:It’s terrible for your joints.

Yes, running shoes should be outlawed!

Is it dumb to run while 40 pounds overweight on concrete sidewalks? Yes. Otherwise if you are not an idiot, don’t have genetic disposition to problems, and don’t run five ultras a year, you’ll be fine.

It’s terrible for your joints.

I get 40 miles per month. After that, I'm cut off. This has enabled me to cross train better and take breaks from running. I switch to cycling once I hit my 40 miles of running. I do weights throughout the month also.

Your body will do a lot better if you cross train.

Anonymous wrote:I came to cycling through triathlon which I came to from running. If you are comfortable on a bike, cycling is pretty rad. I do some gravel riding and there are some women in their 60s that join the A group (which is honestly not that crazy). That one is about 30 miles and maybe 2000 feet of elevation over the course of 3 hours usually.

You can also get a smart trainer and hook your bike up to that and do zwift, trainer road, etc..when the weather is trash. Like this weekend, for example.

I still run a lot, as much as 40-50 mpw but there is a ton of cycling in there. It very much translates for me and I haven’t had a running injury other than tearing up my feet/toenails in a long long time. Cycling can also introduce injuries but those are avoidable with good fit and strength training. A thought for a mix alternative where you see a ton of billy goat like older people on their bikes tearing up the youngins.

What group is this? I’m OP and I love gravel rides but don’t like riding solo.

I appreciate the “just keep it to 3 miles” philosophy some offered. I think getting out of the “longer is better” mentality would help me.

I started to feel like you OP and I switched to daily 3 mile runs. I used to hate short/medium runs like that because it felt like I wouldn't even really warm up until mile 2! But I started to get so bored on 5+ mile runs and I started to worry about wear and tear on my feet. The switch has really helped and I now enjoy running again. I also take breaks occasionally to walk with weights and that helps keep me from being bored with running. After a couple of weeks, I get bored of walking and the itch to run kicks in.

I’m a lifetime runner now 53. I go every morning unless the weather is awful. I don’t push my pace unless I’m feeling great (a rarity as I’m in menopause I think). Most of the time I do 10-11 min miles. I go for about 30 min. I love my runmix and spend lots of time adding and deleting songs. I love the routine, and getting outside in the morning. In the winter, I love feeling warm once I get going. When I skip even one day, my body acts like I haven’t run in a month. So I prefer not to miss days.
I used to do 5 or more miles/run - I’ve let that distance go.
I think about entering a race for fun, but I don’t think my bladder could handle it. I have to be sure a pee RIGHT before I run. A shuttle ride plus standing around at the starting line would not fly. Ah well