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Starting To Run After Age 50?

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I could not be more proud of my mom.

At the age of 53, she has signed up for her first 5k. She is doing it with my sister, who just had a baby seven weeks ago. It will be her first 5k as well. Which 5k did they choose?

Yep. While I was at Disney running the Princess Half Marathon, they caught the bug and decided to sign up for their own runDisney race – the Expedition Everest Challenge. This race looks like SO much fun!

Here’s the catch. This isn’t your typical 5k race. There are obstacles (which apparently you can skip without penalty), the race starts at 9:30pm and there is a time limit.

That’s right. They have to maintain a 16 minute mile pace for the 5k. That means they have to complete the race in 49:43.

They both started training a few weeks ago but my mom is starting to get worried about the race. A little background on my mom – like me, she has always loved the idea of running, but has never been a runner. She considers herself a confirmed couch potato and is about 30 pounds overweight. She is also 53 years old. She also claims that “other than getting your dad I have never done anything I set my mind to”.

I can’t even imagine the sense of accomplishment she will feel crossing that finish line!

But we have to get her there.

She ran/walked two miles last night and it took her 38 minutes. That’s a 19 minute mile – not fast enough to avoid getting picked up by the Disney “sweepers”. Not to mention she would have to add another 1.1 miles to that distance.

The race is on May 5. That’s six and a half weeks.  46 days.

I believe she has enough time to get ready. She wanted me to get input from all of you. Here are some of her questions:

  • How often should she be running?
  • Is it better to train on the treadmill or outside? Could she combine both?
  • How long should she wait to run after she eats?

FYI – I’ve encouraged her to try Couch to 5k, but she has trouble keeping track of the intervals. She doesn’t have a smart phone so an app wouldn’t work for her. Any other suggestions for how to make that work?

Do you know anyone who started running after age 50? Do you have any advice or encouragement to give her? 


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