It’s one of my favorite fun days of the year - National Running Day! A day that I would never have celebrated for the first 53 years of my life. I celebrated this morning with a 5k at 6am this morning with a local women’s group.
This is not meant to be another D/E/W thread - just a thread to celebrate the activity of running. I notice on a couple of threads lately that MANY people mention taking a run as a regular activity.
What’s your running story? Did you run as a youth? Is it a more recent activity? Do you road, trail or treadmill run? Do you run alone? With a group? What does running do for you?
My life history has little athleticism in it. 
I did synchronized swimming in high school and as a young adult would walk, ride bikes, play a little tennis here and there - but that’s about it. I’ve always admired runners. Drove by and just loved watching - are they floating like the wind? Struggling? Are they wearing all the cute running clothes? 
Finally decided at age 53 to start the Couch to 5K app. Did it at my own pace so it took me more like 12 weeks than the prescribed 9 or so. I repeated some days just because I felt some days needed a redo. Now at age 59 I’m a recreational runner. Not into races (though I’ll do one here or there), like running alone just me and my headphones, run 3ish times a week, 3-4 mile runs being typical.
My purpose. Mostly because I proved to myself that I can. Also, it helps burn some calories because I enjoy food. I love being outside and only run on a treadmill if it’s too cold or treacherous outside. I also walk a lot on other days and if one day I can’t/don’t want to run anymore, brisk walking will become my activity of choice.
So runners, what’s your story?
I am pretty much on the opposite side of the running spectrum from you. Ran track starting about 8 and began long distance at 11-12. Ran cross country in HS and college. Have run ever since and race occassionally, with some periods of my life being more active than others. However, post 50 the mileage on my legs is catching up to me and I can’t train hard or race consistently without a myriad of nagging injuries. So I cross train, and don’t run as much as I’d like. I miss being really into running, and I miss running well. I run about 2-3 days a week, 4-6 miles at a time. I tend to run alone, listening to music. I love running on trails when I travel, but where I live the best options are typically paved paths or the street.
^^ I sometimes wonder if it is sort of an advantage to not having trashed my knees/legs prior to age 50! Time will tell!
I’ve been running since 1976 when a friend and I took off from the steps of our Chicago law school to try “jogging”. We did not go in a safe direction and ran back quite fast! I became a top regional runner in the 80s and 90s, and still race (not as much) and can usually win or place in my age group. I’m very much older and slower. I ran a 50 miles and a 100K (62 miles) in the 80s and at the time my times were age records. They have since been broken. Running is my therapy and it is, simply, what I do. I run every day, which I would not recommend for most people. My longest streak was 1045 days which ended with a high hamstring injury (not from running every day). I met my husband when we both ran on the same corporate team in Dallas and won nationals in California. Both our kids run - one more than the other- and one was a recruited college runner. I run about 35-40 miles a week now, in my mid-60s. I have my own treadmill for bad weather days or when I just can’t face the dark. I love running shoes and have way too many. Running has brought so many people into my life and so many experiences. I’ve run over 40 marathons, which is probably my best distance, but right now I’m not wanting to do the mileage that distance requires. I don’t like large races and prefer the smaller “cult” races- even if they are more difficult. I like Hoka shoes the best right now, but have some fast Nikes and some cute Brooks as well. In the 80s I had a sponsorship from the Texas Rangers baseball team and a few years ago I had a low level (moneywise) shoe company sponsorship. Currently I am a brand ambassador for a women’s running company which I love. I’ve had injuries- some lasted quite awhile and I had to swim, cycle, do hot yoga or elliptical. I want to run!
I do think your legs sort of wear out over the years. I work just as hard today as I did many years ago and the times are much, much slower. RUN ON!!
I ran track as a kid, sprint distances, but then decided to play sports in HS and college. I was never much of a long distance runner and now mostly run 5K’s and 10K’s. I have run a couple 1/2’s, but that’s about all the boredom that my mind can take. Running is boring to me, but necessary, so I run most days, distances vary. There’s are baylands nearby and I enjoy going up and down the steep trails.
Sometimes I’ll run with a sandbag or weighted vest. Why? For races, I do more obstacle course racing (OCR) nowadays and have run many Spartan’s and Tough Mudders. I prefer the “run a 1/2 mile or mile and do an obstacle” kinda methodology. Breaks up the boredom of running. Also, I’m an average runner, but when I run an OCR, I can typically finish in the Top 5-10%.
I’m more of a Mud Run person anyway. Trail running is more exciting and I enjoy the tremendous camaraderie and the youth are inspiring. Like MoWC, I love athletic shoes.
We have some pretty accomplished runners! I also want to hear from the casual runner. The short distance runner. The slow but steady runner. The late to life runners!
I’m in between. Definitely not moWC caliber. I was a swimmer growing up who ran XC/Track my last couple of HS years after being recruited by my gym coach. I would have been a star where I live now. Up in the DC area, I was a nobody. Ran my first marathon at 18 as a college freshman on 6 weeks of training. I didn’t even know how far it was before that. Why? My sister (college senior and a NON runner/athlete) wanted to go on road trip and saw a flyer and thought it would be great fun if I ran it. LOL. I actually won my AG and qualified for Boston and that was that. I’ve been running ever since. But after 30+ years and averaging 50ish mpw, injuries have definitely taken their toll. I have a love/hate relationship with racing, as I put WAY too much pressure on myself. I thought about quitting and almost did - and then I tore my meniscus and needed surgery. I decided maybe I wasn’t ready to quit. I still haven’t raced much in the last few years. Did a mediocre paced half close to the 1 year anniversary of my surgery, but that’s it. racing and fun just don’t go together in my book. I still run ~55-60mpw just to have the time to myself and because I can. But I am also weird that I prefer the dark. I hate running daylight. I want to be incognito.
^^^ I am a basket case about racing as well- even when it does not matter at ALL how I do! It has ruined it for me to a large extent because I just get too stressed about it- and then I love it all once I cross the finish line! If I can’t solve that I need to stop racing. I have cut back a lot.
I used to enjoy trail running and participated in events hosted at mountain resorts, but have switched over to mountain/road cycling. My knees are wrecked from years of activity, and cycling seems to help them.
I currently enjoy watching HS track meets though, and look forward to watching some college track and field in the years to come.
I started running in earnest about 10-11 years ago & I’ve run a number of half marathons and one full.
About 3-4 years ago, I ended up in the wrong shoes while I undertrained for a race and I developed some pain in my left foot and ankle. This stopped my running while I had PT and got orthotics.
I’m a slow and steady runner - you will never see me win a race, but I always finish.
In honor of national running day, I did a slow jog while on my walk this morning. My plan is to increase the time running (again).
Currently wearing New Balance. I have a high arch, am wide across the instep, and over supinate. Cute running shoes will never be in my closet. Sigh.
I ran track and a little XC in high school and D3 college. I took some time off to raise kids, but I’m back at it, averaging about 35 miles/week. This seems to be my sweet spot, no injuries and very little fatigue. I do need to be better about stretching, though. The great thing about Texas is that I can run outside year round. I just need to be on the road before 6am June-August.
Interestingly enough, my son’s friend holds the World Record for the mile while juggling @ 4:43.2.
I grew up as an unathletic, uncoordinated kid. No HS sports ( title 9 arrived my senior year). But 3 years ago I signed up for a women’s training program- as I was turning 59. That changed my life! I now run 5 days a week. I also coach in the program I started in. Have run several races 10k and shorter and plan to run a 10 miler this fall. I run early mornings ( hate running in the dark, I like to see where I’m going) and join with the best group of women ( and a few men) on Saturday mornings.
I ran 7 miles this morning. Not lightning fast ( I’m not!) but only a few short walk breaks. This was something I never thought was possible:)
I started running at age 11. I did track for one year, then quit, but just kept running. I like to run alone with music. It has always been my sanity. My standard has always been 5 miles. Sometimes I run 9 minute miles. Sometimes 11. I never do races. I usually run three days a week. I also enjoy trail running.
I got cancer in 2017 and had to get chemo. I did some running during but it was difficult. After chemo and then radiation I was so weak and running was painful and I got depressed. It was such a huge part of my being, which may sound silly to some, but it was like an itch I couldn’t scratch not being able to go out and run.
My husband could see I was struggling, so he suggested spin classes. I have always been anti indoor work outs - but I said yes.
I love it!! This spring I’ve just started cycling outside again and mountain biking.
I plan to do my first run in a long time this weekend - I’m excited and scared and emotional.
I’ve missed it but I think I’m ready!
^^^ While I don’t like the cancer misstep in your life, I love the “come back” with spin story. We are cheering for you this weekend!!!
I also almost always run with music. It’s a huge motivator for me. And since I’m running by myself why not?! Didn’t have it for this mornings run though and I survived - actually had to talk a little to others - I’m so expanding myself!
I am a casual but pretty regular runner. I played high school sports with only moderate skills but that’s when I learned to run. I struggle with keeping my weight in normal range and over my lifetime it has always been running that helps keep it in check. Currently at age 57 I generally run 3 days per week, 2-3 miles. My jogging pace is 10.5 - 11 minute miles. Last night I ran my first 5k in 6 years. Time was 31.24/10:10 pace. It was hilly and a bit of a struggle because I have been away a lot over the past few weeks and couldn’t train as much as I should have. But I beat my goal time and am looking forward to improving upon those results! I doubt I will ever run a longer race, not sure I want to put that much strain on my body at this age.
With summer here now I will up the length, duration and intensity of my runs. I love to go for a run (outside) and do not wear earbuds. I hate the treadmill so my consistency slacks off in winter when I am forced to go to Planet Fitness. I do listen to music on the treadmill. My cross-training activities are walking, weightlifting, and yoga. I feel yucky when I don’t get my runs in and will miss it a lot when my body says it’s time to give it up. For now, the knees are feeling pretty good. I always run alone but have thought about seeking out a group or club to join up with.
Raising my hand! Was a HS 5k runner and then let it go, got back in when I was in my forties, even ran a few races, including that madhouse race in Boston. I am on hiatus from regular running (long story), but as soon as I can, I will jump back in!
Casual runner here. Always active as a kid, first with gymnastics then soccer. In college and before kids, I ran for exercise but usually just 3 Miles, both outside and on a treadmill, in addition to taking classes at the gym. About eight years ago, some friends made a bet to run a very popular local 10 mile race so started a little training group that met after we dropped our kids at school. I wasn’t part of the bet and didn’t run that particular race but it jumpstarted my real enjoyment of running. I ended up running several half marathons and 10 milers, including the race that was part of the original bet. I discovered I hated every minute of the last three miles of those half marathons and that 10 miles was my happy distance. My running group eventually disbanded as several moved, some went back to work FT, and others moved on to different types of exercise. I discovered that I really need the camaraderie to motivate me, and thankfully still have one friend able to run with me. My mileage and speed has dropped way down and I can’t seem to comfortably get past 4 miles. I haven’t run a race in a couple of years but am planning to sign up for a few 10Ks this fall.
One of my kids was part of his middle school’s inaugural cross country team. It turned out he was pretty talented and by 8th grade was the top runner on his team and ended up coming in second place in the league championship. Alas his desire to continue playing soccer won out in high school so he gave up on cross country, much to the dismay of his middle school coach. My other kids, all who play sports, hate running. I hope that changes when they are adults and they no longer play team sports.
@4kids4us - there is hope! My non-runner kid is now know for stealing my running shoes! She does occasional triathlons and runs for fun.
I was a swimmer growing up, maybe starting around age 10. Once in high school, I had a best friend, also a swimmer and we were the diehards who hadn’t given up swimming competively like most of the other kids in our neighborhood who started when we did at 10. She and I expanded our swimming together to cross country skiing and running for fun. We weren’t in track, just loved jogging around the neighborhood. I tried to take up running on my own on and off for years unsuccessfully after. When my daughter was about three or four I took it up with a goal to lose that last 5 lbs of pregnancy weight that I hadn’t been able to shed. I did a Galloway walk run approach and over a year or so worked my way up to being able to run some 10K events. I ran regularly for several years then heavy increasingly frequent menstrual bleeding sidelined me for a few years until I had a uterine fibroid embolization got me squared away. After that I really worked at it and for a few years ran 10-12 or more 10K events a year.
For the past several years I have maintained my ability to run 10K events but now only do my four favorites each year. I am not very fast, my 10K is about one hour plus or minus. After my last 10K in February I developed pain on the crest of my right hip. So I am on a break at the moment because after a few tries after what I thought was a long enough rest the pain came back. About a month ago I started walking daily without any pain. I’m going to keep walking ang gradually, very gradually do a walk run build up. I hope to be able to get back to 10K by one of my favorite events in November. I agree, at 58 the pains are more of a concern. I’ve been blessed to be mostly injury free.
I enjoy races, not that I have ever been competitive. After I ran the Beach to Beacon the first time I told a fairly elite runner acquaintance that I came in 2333rd (or whatever it was). His response was, “Well you know, you came in first for women over 40 who live in Asia and is rent a summer house in Damariscotta.” Made me realize that you are always in your own race and just doing it is a win.
I like to run by myself, no music because I hate headphones. Most of the year it’s urbanish sidewalks, but in the summer it’s a traffic free country road in the Maine woods. I love the smells, sights, and sounds of just running.