We started running at 40 with no background in the sport, no experience, and no real idea of how to do it. There was no “getting back into running” story here, because there was nothing to go back to. We simply decided, at 40, that we were going to run a marathon one day.
Looking back, that decision to start running at 40 completely changed what we thought was possible, and it’s the reason I find it so surprising when people still believe it’s too late to begin.
This post may be a bit of a rant today, but I felt compelled to talk about age and running, because it’s something I feel strongly about. Starting to run at 40 is not too late, and age isn’t a barrier in the way people think it is. In fact, 40 can be a very good place to begin.
Starting to Run at 40 From Scratch
There was nothing impressive about our early running days. It was a mix of walking and running, figuring things out as we went along and learning how to keep going when we all we wanted to do was stop. It was a massive learning curve for us but the more we trained the more we truly believed we could actually do this.
That’s how most people start, whether they’re 25 or 45. The difference is that when you’re starting running at 40, you tend to be a bit more patient and more aware that rushing things won’t end well. We quickly learned that we had to go slower to go further, and by giving ourselves permission to run at an easier pace, we started to see steady progress without the frustration.
Why People Think It’s Too Late to Start Running
We’ve spent a lot of time around younger runners recently, and one thing that stands out is how surprised they are when they hear we only started at 40.
It’s not said in a bad way, but there’s a genuine assumption there that running is something you begin earlier in life. If you didn’t start in your 20s, it can feel like you’ve missed the opportunity.
That belief is more common than people realise, and it stops a lot of people in their 40s and 50s from even trying. From the outside, running can look like a younger person’s game, and that perception is enough to put people off before they’ve even taken the first step.
Running is Just For Younger People
Right now, running appears to be dominated by younger athletes, but that doesn’t mean it belongs to them. Maybe, just maybe, it is just a sign that I am getting older as everyone seems younger, the doctors, professionals, teachers so it is easy to start thinking running is the same.
However, fitness is not an unattainable goal when you hit 40. In many ways, it becomes something you can build more effectively because you approach it differently. You’re more likely to be consistent, less likely to chase short-term results, and more willing to play the long game.
That mindset matters far more than age.
Starting to Run at 40 or Later
When we started running, the progress wasn’t instant, but it was steady.
Over time, we went from complete beginners to running consistently, 5k to 10k, then to half marathons and eventually to marathons. None of that happened quickly, but it did happen.
Since then, we’ve run races including marathons in better times than some runners in their 20s. That’s not about comparison, or being boastful but it’s simply concrete proof that starting later doesn’t limit what you can achieve.
Can you Run a Marathon if You Start Running at 40?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is yes, you absolutely can run a marathon even if you started running at 40 or later for that matter.
As for any age, training for a marathon requires means building a base first, training consistently and allowing time to build fitness and confidence.
For most people, that will mean:
- Building consistency over the first few months
- Progressing to 5K and 10K distances
- Moving towards a half marathon
- Then training specifically for a marathon
The Importance of Exercise as You get Older
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you should slow down as you get older. In reality, that is far from the truth, staying active becomes more important. Use it or lose it as the saying goes.
Research from organisations like the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health consistently shows that regular physical activity is linked to a longer life and better overall health.
The exact numbers vary, but the direction is clear. The more consistently you move, the more you benefit.
When you look at it like that, the idea that it’s too late to start running doesn’t really make sense. If anything, your 40s and 50s are the time when it matters most.
The Perspective Shift Around Age
When you’re in your 20s, 40 can seem old. That perspective shapes how people view what’s possible, including running.
But once you get there, you realise you’re not “old” in any meaningful sense. You’re simply at a different stage, with more experience, more patience, and often a better mindset for long-term progress.
There’s a saying that life begins at 40, and while it might sound like a cliché, there’s a lot of truth in it. By that point, you tend to have a better understanding of yourself, more discipline, and a clearer idea of what you actually want to do.
Running can begin at that point as well.
Not as something you’re trying to catch up on, but as something you’re starting with purpose. You’re not rushing to prove anything, and you’re not trying to keep up with anyone else. You’re simply building something for yourself, in a way that works for you.
That shift in perspective changes everything.
Want to Start Running at 40?
If you’re in your 40s or 50s and thinking about starting running, the most important thing is not to talk yourself out of it based on your age or let anyone else talk you out of it.
You don’t need a background in running. You don’t need to have done it before. You just need a starting point and a willingness to build from there.
We didn’t start early. We started when we were ready, and that turned out to be enough.
Start Now. Age is only a number
I suppose I still find it surprising how much it surprises younger runners when they hear we only started at 40. And it’s hard not to feel frustrated when people say they’re too old to start, because that belief stops them before they’ve even given themselves a chance.
Forty isn’t old. It only looks that way until you get there, and then you realise how much is still in front of you.
If we hadn’t started in our 40s, we would have missed out on more than just running. We’ve met some amazing people, gone to places we would never have experienced otherwise, both locally and further afield, and built a level of confidence and resilience that carries into everything else.
Now, as we head into towards our 60s, we’ve no intention of stopping anytime soon.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think it’s too old to start running, or have you started later in life yourself? Let me know when you began, I’d love to hear your experience.
If you’re thinking about starting to run at 40, take that as your sign to begin. Inside Achieve Running Club, we’ll show you how to build safely, stay consistent, and work towards goals you might not think are possible right now. We have made this journey and would love to help you too.
And if you want to hear some more information on our running story, which did come with a few bumps along the way, check out, A Heart For Running.
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