Why I Started Running in My 40s
Running was never on my radar. I didn’t think of it as a fun activity, and it certainly wasn’t my idea of a good workout. It was something we did at school to warm up for PE Class, 2 laps of the pitch (which usually meant running as far from the outline as possible to reduce the distance we actually had to run). I liked classes where someone told me what to do. I showed up, followed the plan, sweated it out for an hour and left feeling like I had worked hard. I went from step aerobics to boxercise to circuits, whatever was going at the time and I would be there two or three days a week. Outside of that, I did very little exercise, not that I am lazy by any means, I’m one of those people who can’t sit still for long, but classes were the thing that made me feel good and suited me.
Life Got Busy
Then came children. One, then two, then three, then four. My free time for classes disappeared. Consistency was impossible what with kids bedtime routines, illnesses and child care it just became so much harder to get to classes. One week, I might get there once, then miss the next two. I hated missing them. And as happens so easily, when we feel down, we comfort eat and that becomes the norm. I felt my fitness slipping, my weight steadily rising along with my stress levels. I had lost that hour of stress relief and the chance for a bit of me-time.
When the kids got older, it did not get easier. Now we had all the extracurricular activities to contend with, never mind the daily school runs. I felt like most parents do with young children, wishing I could clone myself just to be everywhere at once. It was a juggling act with both of us running between pickups and drop offs. Add in work stress and the fitness and mental wellbeing took a nose dive.
Starting Running in my 40s
That was when I started thinking about running. I had just turned 40 and I realised running was something I could do on my own terms. No class times, just lace up, step outside and go. I could fit it in early in the morning before the kids woke up. I could squeeze in forty minutes while waiting outside a dance class or football session. Due to our rural location it generally did not make sense to go home and back again, and like I said, I am not one for sitting still so hanging out in the car for an hour wasn’t for me. And, did I mention that I didn’t have much patience. I could have walked but I wanted more bang for my time. That’s where running just seemed to be the right thing for me at that point in time.
Learning to go Slow
The funny part is that I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I had never heard of Couch to 5K. I did not have the gear people talk about. I had old trainers, cotton tops and whatever mismatched shorts I found in the drawer. But I started anyway. I walked, jogged, walked again. I started to run too fast, got breathless, stopped, got frustrated, tried again. Eventually, I learned the lesson every new runner has to learn. Slow down. And then slow down again. Running slowly felt counterintuitive, but it was the thing that changed everything. It allowed me to keep going for longer and it allowed me to build confidence. I started to believe that maybe I could do this.
Each week I added a little more. Five minutes. Ten minutes. A little extra distance. The loop around my local lake, (which was very quiet and a great place to hide,) was 2.3 miles. When I started, I stopped five times to catch my breath. Over time, those stops went from five to four to two to none. The first time I ran the entire loop without stopping felt like magic. It was not fast and it was not pretty, but I did it.
When I Ran Faster Than John!
Somewhere along the way, I persuaded my husband to join me. Yes, the same husband who is now a running coach, running author and who has run a sub 2:54 marathon. There was a time when I was faster than him. He used to struggle behind me (we have since switched places). I even have documented proof that at one point in time, I could run faster than him. I beat him in our first 5K race and I still remind him of it. ( Clones 2010 to be precise!)
The Benefits Started to Show
As I grew more confident with running, everything else began to shift. My clothes fit better. My body changed shape. I slept better and had more energy and patience. Running gave the headspace which was very much needed at that time in my life.
As we became Runners, we met other runners. Amazing people who cheered us on, shared tips, invited us to join their group runs and made the whole experience more enjoyable. Many of these people are still close friends today, more than fifteen years later. Running connected us with a community we never knew we needed. It reshaped our family life too. Our kids joined in, ran with us, and found their own love for the sport.
Now It is Your Turn
So why am I telling you all this? Because running has most definitely transformed my life and our family life, and it could do the same for you. We were not heading in a positive direction with our physical or mental health. We were stressed, and stretched in every way possible. Starting to run helped us get back on track. It gave us a healthier routine. It gave us space to clear our heads. It helped us build habits that supported our wellbeing.
We know, I know, what it is like to feel unfit, overwhelmed and unsure where to start, what it is like to think running is for other people. Over the years, we have coached many beginners and there is nothing more rewarding than watching someone discover that spark again. Running is not about becoming elite, although some people surprise themselves and go on to achieve incredible things even after starting later in life. Age is not a barrier. Fitness level is not a barrier. The only real barrier is that you think you can’t.
If you take anything from my story, let it be this. You can start. You can change. You can build something new for yourself, even if life feels busy, chaotic or overwhelming. Running is not about perfection. It is about progress, building confidence and belief in yourself.
We started Achieve Running Club to help promote this life changing sport to everyday people. I started in my 40s with no gear and no clue. If I can become a runner, you can too. If you are reading this now and are feeling the pull to start, please get in touch. We have free plans to get you started and are more than willing to support you on your way.
Join us today and see your life start to transform.
For more running tips and advice see our range of books.
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