Why I Started Running in My 50s

I didn’t start running because I wanted to become a runner.

One run at a time

For a while, Saturday mornings were usually a time for me to meet some friends for coffee and conversation. I enjoyed those mornings, but after entering my 50s, I started thinking more seriously about my health.

I realized that if I wanted to stay healthy and active for years to come, I needed to start doing something now. Maybe I was a little late, but waiting even longer wasn’t going to help.

So I made a change.

I stopped going to the Saturday morning coffee gatherings and decided to use that time for exercise instead.

At first, I went to the gym. After doing that for a while, I thought it might be nice to exercise outdoors too, so I started running outside occasionally.

Nothing serious. I would just go out and run.

Then, in spring 2025, I decided to make it a regular habit.

Saturday morning became my running time — usually an hour, sometimes longer. I also started running two or three mornings during the week for about 30 to 45 minutes.

That’s really how running became part of my life.

Learning how to keep going

I found out pretty quickly that running alone all the time wasn’t easy.

It could get a little lonely, and staying consistent was harder than I expected. So I found one person to run with. I jokingly think of that as my running crew of one.

Having someone to run with from time to time helped a lot.

I still do many of my runs alone, but I’ve learned that I don’t have to do every run by myself. Sometimes running with someone else is enough to make the routine feel fresh again.

I also knew almost nothing about running shoes when I started.

At first, I just ran in shoes I already had at home. Later, I bought my first real pair of running shoes, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 32.

I didn’t even know it was a stability shoe.

Looking back, I think I got lucky. I spent about three months doing easy jogging in the Kayano, and it was comfortable and stable while my body was getting used to running.

Even after I started using other running shoes, I kept the Kayano in my rotation for recovery runs, especially after a long run. Eventually, I got curious about trying different shoes and bought another pair for my recovery runs. The Kayano gradually became my walking shoe instead.

I still wear it, especially later in the day after a long run or on the following day.

It also taught me one of my first lessons about running: shoes matter more than I thought they did.

What running means to me now

Today, I think running is one of the best forms of exercise I can do.

But I’ve also learned that running can be difficult to keep doing for years if it becomes something you always have to do alone.

That’s why I like having someone to run with occasionally. I also think it would be great to share some running with a spouse if possible.

You don’t have to run at the same pace or do every workout together. Even slow jogging together once in a while can be enough.

Most of my running can still be done alone. But mixing in runs with a friend, a small running crew, or a spouse can make it easier to keep going.

Races can help with that too.

When I started running, I wasn’t thinking about 5Ks, 10Ks, or half marathons. Now I enjoy having races on my calendar, but I try not to make finishing times the main reason I race.

For me, a race is something to look forward to.

Most training happens on ordinary mornings, often by myself. Then race morning comes, and suddenly I’m surrounded by hundreds of runners I’ve never met. We may not know each other, but for a little while we’re all out there doing the same thing.

I really enjoy that energy.

And when the race is over, I go back to my regular morning runs with a little more motivation.

How I want to keep running

My goal now is pretty simple.

I’d like to run a half marathon in the spring or fall, and maybe both, with an occasional 5K or 10K in between.

I’m not planning to run a full marathon for the time being. It’s just not part of my running goals right now.

Part of me wonders whether the training would put more stress on my body than I want at this point. My bigger goal is to keep running without a major injury, so I don’t want to chase a marathon just because it seems like the next thing a runner is supposed to do.

Maybe I’ll change my mind someday.

If my body becomes strong enough and I feel ready for the training, I can think about it again.

For now, I’d rather keep running.

Why Miles After Fifty

That’s also why I started Miles After Fifty.

I’m still learning how to train, when to push a little, when to back off, which shoes work for me, how to prepare for races, and how to stay healthy enough to keep doing this.

I’ll probably get some things wrong along the way.

That’s okay.

I started running later than many people, but that doesn’t bother me much anymore. I’m more interested in seeing how long I can keep going.

If I can stay healthy, keep running, and continue enjoying it for years to come, I’ll consider that a pretty good result.

And if you started running later in life too — or you’re thinking about starting — maybe some of what I learn along the way will be useful to you.

See you on the road.