I need to start over from scratch

[hot dog eating face off]

I used to run. A lot. And race. It was my dearest hobby and about 75% of my social life. But after scratching out of 3 marathons due to injury, I got pissed off and frustrated and decided to stop training for races. So I ran for "fun", but it wasn't that much fun. Then I was interrupted by a medium-term illness (now fully recovered) and icky Florida weather, and osteoporosis, and various aches/pains, and getting older and realizing I'll never run fast again and...I just gave it up altogether. Now I walk and listen to podcasts. A lot, like 2.5 hours a day if I have time. I love the podcasts (ha!) but walking just doesn't help me feel fit or strong. I miss the way running made me feel, and the good things it did for me physically.

Can I start running again? Here are things I need to be mindful of

• age (I'm 56)
• osteoporosis, which makes me terrified of falling. I've fallen while walking and it was not pretty. Even tripping and catching myself is scary
• poor eyesight, which makes me susceptible to falling :-)
• I have bad feet that tend to get injured easily

Last year I started swimming and really enjoyed it, but now that I'm back in college I just don't have time to get to a pool. Can I run, even a little? How much? I have no idea how to start over, how much is too little, how much is enough.

TIA

[Coyote Mas Loco]

Have fun!
Start with a little bit and see how that goes.
Keep having fun!

[hot dog eating face off]

well, today I added teeny tiny little jogs every so often to my morning walk. So far so good :-)

[diablita]

I'm glad the little jogs went ok

[Arrojo]

Great to see you posting here again!  Maybe little jogs in the woods? If you fall it’s not as bad as if you fall on the road?

[hot dog eating face off]

I'm glad the little jogs went ok

Thanks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[hot dog eating face off]

Great to see you posting here again!  Maybe little jogs in the woods? If you fall it’s not as bad as if you fall on the road?

No woods anywhere near (this is Florida after all), but there is a park with grass. I'll try that sometime.

[SnarlyMarly]

Great to see you posting here again!  Maybe little jogs in the woods? If you fall it’s not as bad as if you fall on the road?

Maybe, but the likelihood, at least for me, of falling increases A LOT!    I live across the street from a beautiful arboretum but have many of the same issue.   Bad feet, bones don’t heal, inflexible ankles. 😒
Part of the loop is pea gravel and so I do get some of the woods in.   Bring back cinder tracks!!!! (Some of us know what I mean)

[Arrojo]

Maybe, but the likelihood, at least for me, of falling increases A LOT!    I live across the street from a beautiful arboretum but have many of the same issue.   Bad feet, bones don’t heal, inflexible ankles. 😒
Part of the loop is pea gravel and so I do get some of the woods in.   Bring back cinder tracks!!!! (Some of us know what I mean)

I ran on cinder tracks!

We have this great rail trail in town that is basically a very wide dirt path. It’s flat and very easy to run on and safe to fall on as well! Rail trails are cool if you can find one.

[radial]

I ran on cinder tracks!

We have this great rail trail in town that is basically a very wide dirt path. It’s flat and very easy to run on and safe to fall on as well! Rail trails are cool if you can find one.

Me too.  When I ran xc in HS my school have a cinder track.   

[Rochey]

Hi!  Welcome back!

[Handsome Jack]

 

Good to see you posting here again HDFO.