why does running get harder as you age

Running is one of the few sports that people of almost any age can take up and enjoy. It’s a low-impact sport and is a great workout for the mind, body, and soul. Running releases endorphins improves mental endurance and helps fight depression. I’m sure every runner out there has an inspiring story about how running has changed their life.

Should You Run After 50 Or is it Unsafe?

Running after the age of 50 can be a great way to improve your overall health and fitness. Although it may be difficult to start running if you have not been active for some time, there are a few tips that can help you get started.

First, it is important to consult with your doctor to make sure that running is safe for you. Once you have the green light from your doctor, you can start by gradually adding running to your weekly routine.

Start with a few minutes of running, and then slowly increase your time as you become more comfortable. Additionally, make sure to warm up before you start running, and cool down afterward.

Finally, it is important to listen to your body and take breaks when you need to. With a little bit of effort, you can start running and improve your health at any age.

Verdict From Senior Runner

“I started working out at 53 years old. I started slowly with bodyweight exercises then moved on to free weights. I was never into running. But this year, at age 54 I started to do some running. Every day I walk to and from work. So what I do is run hard for about a minute then continue walking, then run hard for a minute, then walk again. I am working my way up to running hard for 2 or 3 minutes at a stretch. Kind of my way of getting HIIT training in.

You can do anything at any age if you are in the right frame of mind. If you say you are too old, then you are. If you believe you can do it then you can and will. Just don’t try to go out and do 5 miles on your best try. Build your body slowly to get into shape.

Get into the right frame of mind and then pursue your goal. Never too old”

Why Running get hard as you age

There are a few reasons why running gets harder as you age. First, your body composition changes and you tend to lose muscle mass and bone density as you get older.

This can make it harder to generate the same level of power and force that you could when you were younger. Additionally, your joints and connective tissues become less elastic and more prone to injury as you age.

This can make it harder to run with the same level of agility and speed. Finally, your cardiovascular system isn’t as efficient as it used to be, which can make it harder to sustain a high level of aerobic activity. All of these factors can make running feel harder as you age.

Tips For Senior Runners

• Wear shoes that fit comfortably. No need to have thick or big soles. Modern scientists are of the opinion that thick soles shield the body from getting the correct sensory input on ground conditions. Thus it results in inadequate preparation of the body parts like joints and bones for running.
• Don’t run on very hard surfaces like cement concrete roads. The impact of running is severe and a hard surface makes it worse.
• Ensure that you don’t heel-strike when you run. Both your forefoot and heel should strike the ground simultaneously so that the arch of your foot takes the impact of your body weight in running. Heel-strike running puts you at risk of knee and ankle injuries and also may lead to lower back pain.
• If you are a heel striker runner make sure you buy shoes that have a higher heel-to-toe drop. A higher heel allows to land heel at first where cushioning and the gel is ready to absorb the impact of stress.
• Practice your run in such a way that your running makes the least noise. It should be very light. There should not be any thumping. Such light running is soft on your knees and other joints.
• If you are overweight, consider reducing your weight first, with proper calorie restrictions combined with exercises like walking, cycling, and swimming which are light on your joints.”

Final Thoughts

Running after 50 isn’t anything like what it was when you were younger. You’ll find that your body is slowing down and starting to feel aches and pains. However, you should still be able to continue running for years to come. You just need to change your training to adapt to your body and the natural changes that take place as you age.

It is a common misconception that as you age, you can’t run as far or as fast as you did in your 20s and 30s. However, a recent study found that there’s no reason why seniors shouldn’t be able to run the same distance at the same pace as they did in their younger years.

We hope you enjoyed our post about running. Running is a great way to exercise and stay fit, and for many people, it is an activity that is done for fun. Whether you are a runner or not, if you have any questions about running we encourage you to contact us at any time. Thank you for reading!­­­­­­