Any people over 40 here go running/jogging?

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,578
1,741
126
I switched from the treadmill to the elliptical because the wear on the ankles and knees are much less than running. You also get a very good workout using the elliptical and IMO its suuperior than running.

I know too many older people who ran for years and now they have joint issues in the knees and ankle issues. Also, hydolauronic acid is great for the joints. I take 2 small pills a day.
 

[DHT]Osiris

Lifer
Dec 15, 2015
14,102
12,209
146
Just hit 40, I don't run specifically due to joints being fucked from a combination of the military and being overweight for most of my life, but my SO and I work out 4-6x a week, weight training, cardio, pilates, yoga, whatever strikes our fancy.

Exercise and an appropriate diet are incredibly important after 30-35.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ch33zw1z

GodisanAtheist

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2006
6,812
7,166
136
I used to love running in my teens all the way through my mid-30's. I remember getting home from college and my dog trying to contain his excitement cause it meant late night runs all over the neighborhood for the whole break.

But in the late 30's I've backed off running almost entirely and have replaced with walking (lunch) and cycling (afternoon). Failing that, 30 minutes in an elliptical just to get the blood pumping.

Leg injury from my childhood combined with age and a lot of chair time just means running seems to cause more harm than good at this point.
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
37,765
18,045
146
I hate to plug certain things, but us older farts (I’m 42) should check out kneesovertoes. That has been pretty effective to combat my knee pain.

Knee pain typically comes from above or below the knee. When I was in therapy (one of the times) for knee pain, we focused on hips and ankles.

For cardio, I stick with biking, in-line skating, and now sled push / pulling (both at a field and at a gym, much different between the two), and hiking (but haven’t done that at all this year)

Running probably isn’t in my plans, but I ran a ton in my young life for sports
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,505
8,102
136
I was an avid runner until I was 42 or so, it was my major form of exercise. At that time I'd run most days, more than 5 miles. I suddenly came up with plantar fasciitis in my left foot that was quite painful and I had to stop cold. A year later, still couldn't run. I'd gone to a sports clinic for a single visit, was diagnosed and the receptionist suggested I take up swimming, which I promptly did. 10 years later and I was the most dedicated swimmer at my YMCA (2 miles every single day, as fast as I could stand) and developed considerable shoulder pain in left shoulder that came on suddenly (at least to the extent that it forced me to give up swimming), that again, even a year later, prevented me from my regimen.

I suggest looking into exercises and stretches, also looking to make sure your shoes are appropriate for you. I'd neglected those things when running. Also, as taught me by a collegiate cross country runner with whom I was friendly at age 19, try to run on forgiving surfaces. Best is grass, next comes dirt. Asphalt is to be avoided, and worst is concrete! Best of luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: igor_kavinski
Jul 27, 2020
16,288
10,328
106

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,505
8,102
136
I was an avid runner until I was 42 or so, it was my major form of exercise. At that time I'd run most days, more than 5 miles. I suddenly came up with plantar fasciitis in my left foot that was quite painful and I had to stop cold. A year later, still couldn't run. I'd gone to a sports clinic for a single visit, was diagnosed and the receptionist suggested I take up swimming, which I promptly did. 10 years later and I was the most dedicated swimmer at my YMCA (2 miles every single day, as fast as I could stand) and developed considerable shoulder pain in left shoulder that came on suddenly (at least to the extent that it forced me to give up swimming), that again, even a year later, prevented me from my regimen.

I suggest looking into exercises and stretches, also looking to make sure your shoes are appropriate for you. I'd neglected those things when running. Also, as taught me by a collegiate cross country runner with whom I was friendly at age 19, try to run on forgiving surfaces. Best is grass, next comes dirt. Asphalt is to be avoided, and worst is concrete! Best of luck!
Oh, and I seem to have quit running because of plantar fasciitis, but some years later had serious case of Morton's Neuroma in the same (left) foot, 2 at once, which is not common. I had them both removed surgically in the same outpatient procedure almost 20 years after I stopped running. I figure I had those neuromas from the running, though. Don't know how I could have gotten them by virtue of later activity, which was a ton of swimming (2 miles a day every day for 10 years), some bicycling and golf. It had to be the running. Again, pay attention to your shoes. Good idea to seek competent foot specialist if you have any foot issues. In my experience, they are not typically competent. I saw probably 1/2 dozen before I found the guy who did my surgery.
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
37,765
18,045
146
Oh, and I seem to have quit running because of plantar fasciitis, but some years later had serious case of Morton's Neuroma in the same (left) foot, 2 at once, which is not common. I had them both removed surgically in the same outpatient procedure almost 20 years after I stopped running. I figure I had those neuromas from the running, though. Don't know how I could have gotten them by virtue of later activity, which was a ton of swimming (2 miles a day every day for 10 years), some bicycling and golf. It had to be the running. Again, pay attention to your shoes. Good idea to seek competent foot specialist if you have any foot issues. In my experience, they are not typically competent. I saw probably 1/2 dozen before I found the guy who did my surgery.
Was the specialist a podiatrist or orthopedic?
 
  • Like
Reactions: igor_kavinski

Ajay

Lifer
Jan 8, 2001
15,451
7,861
136
@mikeymikec It's already been said, I'm sure, but if you are having pain running, it's best to switch to something else. Good low impact cardio exercises are swimming, cycling, ellipticals and inline skating (and of course, walking). Just depends on whether you want to be outside or are okay with exercising indoors. I switched to cycling till a back injury ended that. Did allot of walking, but need to do more intense cardio - might go with an elliptical myself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: highland145

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,505
8,102
136
@mikeymikec It's already been said, I'm sure, but if you are having pain running, it's best to switch to something else. Good low impact cardio exercises are swimming, cycling, ellipticals and inline skating (and of course, walking). Just depends on whether you want to be outside or are okay with exercising indoors. I switched to cycling till a back injury ended that. Did allot of walking, but need to do more intense cardio - might go with an elliptical myself.
I quad skated 10 mi/day every day during most of the pandemic on a smooth street, wearing a heart rate monitor. Now (until rains come), golf 2x/week walking very hilly course + 3x/week in the gym, which I bicycle to (it's 5 miles away). When rains come, take up skating that street again when it's dry, a few days a week, plus the gym.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,505
8,102
136
I quad skated 10 mi/day every day during most of the pandemic on a smooth street, wearing a heart rate monitor. Now (until rains come), golf 2x/week walking very hilly course + 3x/week in the gym, which I bicycle to (it's 5 miles away). When rains come, take up skating that street again when it's dry, a few days a week, plus the gym.
During pandemic I bought a Concept2 Model D rowing machine (around $1000). When it's raining and I can't quad skate the street, I can get on that for cardio. It's also low impact, is actually a lot safer than skating. I'm very accomplished at street skating but I had my skate break a couple times during the pandemic and am still suffering from the injuries. They are better but still. I have skated since 1989 but all my skating injuries have been because something broke or came off one of my skates. Bicycles are safer. Indoor aerobic equipment, safer still. Skating is pretty fun, though, and it can be exhilarating being outdoors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: igor_kavinski

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,505
8,102
136
What about the roof of your house? Maybe you could move an exercise bike up there for fresh air aerobic exercise?
No, it's not being outside, it's skating the street. It's a wild freedom. I have an exercise bike setup, but stopped using it when I got my Concept2 rower. That allowed me to start bicycling in the city again.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
58,144
12,318
136
@mikeymikec It's already been said, I'm sure, but if you are having pain running, it's best to switch to something else. Good low impact cardio exercises are swimming, cycling, ellipticals and inline skating (and of course, walking). Just depends on whether you want to be outside or are okay with exercising indoors. I switched to cycling till a back injury ended that. Did allot of walking, but need to do more intense cardio - might go with an elliptical myself.
If you've got the terrain for it, hiking can be pretty intense cardio.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Muse and Ajay

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,505
8,102
136
If you've got the terrain for it, hiking can be pretty intense cardio.
Yeah, I wore my heart rate monitor playing golf one round on my home course, which is rather hillier than most. I use a push cart. In the 3 1/2 - 4 hour round I burned off 2500 calories, it said. I've played around 40 rounds like that this summer, i.e. since July. Gotten stronger and stronger. And it's fun. And it's a very beautiful course. And I've restored my game, say, 80%. Don't use a motorized cart like the sissies.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
58,144
12,318
136
From my one hour, forty-two minute hike on Sunday, I did 7 miles, 1,200' of elevation gain, heart rate over 156 for 14 minutes, 139-156 for 28 minutes, 122-138 for 38 minutes. Was a pretty good session.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,505
8,102
136
From my one hour, forty-two minute hike on Sunday, I did 7 miles, 1,200' of elevation gain, heart rate over 156 for 14 minutes, 139-156 for 28 minutes, 122-138 for 38 minutes. Was a pretty good session.
Killer. I couldn't do that but I'd like to try. Maybe I could almost reach those parameters. Or maybe I could. I need to know where to go and when. I don't know the hiking areas near me. I have the shoes and I'm in pretty good shape now.