About RunYoung50

My reason for starting this blog was that I wanted to share and give value to the stories of older female runners. Having turned 50, I was aware that I had reached an age where women are less valued by society and can seem to become invisible. They are generally not expected to be physically active, and active older women rarely appear in the media. When they do, the narrative often focuses on them as exceptions to the rule and casts them as “supergrans”. Exceptional stories can alienate us, as we may feel that we can never aspire to the same level of achievement. I believe that “ordinary” stories hold just as much value and we can learn just as much, if not more, from them.

My running story
I started running in 2011, aged 47, to raise funds for the charity where I was a trustee.  I had promised I would run a leg in the Robin Hood Marathon relay.  Once I had said I would do it I had to carry it through and by the time I’d done the training for the event seven months later I was hooked on running.  That five mile relay leg felt like a huge achievement and it was great fun! I enjoy running and racing and that motivates me to continue.  I celebrated my 50th birthday in 2013 with the feeling that running was making me younger as I am fitter now than I was at 40.

Since I started this blog in 2014 I’ve done several things that I never thought I would, including competing in cross country races, track races and a 24-hour running event. I’ve found lots of new paths and places to run and become part of a running community, through my club and my local parkrun. Like many other people who take up a sport in middle age, I’ve been surprised by what I can achieve and I’m looking forward to what comes next.