.. for runners who started later in life...

So i am 37 (ouch) years old and i can NOT for the life of me run... i have tried the couch to 5K (treadmill KILLS my knees) i have tried to jog at a slow pace.. i cannot seem to get into it or see to be able to run without feeling like i am going to pass out.

yet.... i can do Zumba for 2 hours and feel totally amazing!

am i doing something wrong, or is running not for everyone.. i would love to run and add some change into my workouts.. esp once the weather starts to get nice again... but i can't seem to do it...

so for those who weren't runner their entire lives, how did you do it?

i know answers will differ.. but just trying to get an idea.. on where to start or how to actually continue.. if that makes sense.. thanks.

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

I started running 2 years ago using the c25k. I had to stop for over a year because of my knees. I started again about 2 months ago thanks to the advice that I found here that my knee pain could be IT band syndrome. I bought a foam roller and have not had any problems since!

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

I started running 2 years ago. I honestly just did my own thing- I jogged/walked alot. I took it a little at a time (first one mile, then a mile and a half etc). Soon I was easily running 10 miles! The first year I started running I ran 2 half marathons.

January 1st the next year (2011) I hurt my knee. Two orthopedists and physical therapy and it's still messed up.

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

I started running last year at 43 I did the couch to 5k. It wasn't easy. I really had to push, and I repeated a few of the weeks bc I felt there was no way in hell I was going to be able to complete the following week.

I am now 44, and although I am still running, I am having a hard time trying to up my distance. It seems that 3 miles or so is it for me

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

I started last year, at 38. I have a friend who's husband had a heart attack around the same age so I was overly concerned about overdoing it.

I bought a heartrate monitor and only worked as hard as my target heartrate dictated. It embarrassed me at first, that so little exercise could make my heart race, but it prevented me from doing too much too soon.

Even now, I'm just jog/walking. I'll jog till I reach and sustain my maximum heartrate for a little while, then I walk till I recover. Repeat. I've never really had trouble with joints, even at my heaviest, but I did it really slowly too and made sure I had great shoes, and great form.

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

I think the key is to just start. But also do a lot of walking in there too so it doesn't make you too tired.

I personally hate the treadmill and love running out side. Is there a route you can choose that has a lot of change in scenery? When I run I start in a neighborhood, go into town, run on a golf course, on the board walk at the beach, and in a cross country trail. The change really helps keep you motivated.

Do you have someone you can run with? I started running because my dad is a runner and I wanted something to do with him. Sometimes we run in silence but most of the time we are talking and all of a sudden you are almost done cause you get into the converstation.

This also helps me is finding something to run to... as in a see a blue car up ahead, I say to myself run to that car and then see what happens. If I feel good after that I pick something else. If I feel tired I slow down and wait a few minutes to pick something else.

Also whatever you do- run, jog, walk, or a combination of all three- be really proud of yourself.

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

Use the run/walk method, it's not as difficult as sustained running. You'll be able to make it further that way, and maybe over time your body will get used to it & you'll be able to increase the length of your running intervals.

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

thanks everyone.. i think this spring or at least when the weather starts to warm up ill start doing some scenic running and see how that goes...

maybe i am just not destined to be a runner, but i will try once again.. i only hear how great it makes you feel...

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

Figure out your "Why" to run. You don't have to run. There are so many activites you can do and love to do, like Zumba. Some people want immediate results and stop of they don't get 6 pack abs in a week. It's a gradual process.

My suggestion is to write down you goal, post it some so that you can see it all the time. Tell as many people about it and draw a line in the sand if it's really important

I would like to share with you my running journey and I hope you like it
Here is the link to my marathon journey video http://youtu.be/jUu9Af3brNo
and please share!

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...

Re: .. for runners who started later in life...