Filed in New to Running, Running Goals, Running Mindset
Running in Your 50s: Letting Go of Old Expectations
How to Train With Confidence and Clarity
Running in your 50s can be deeply fulfilling – but only if you allow it to look different from the running you did before.
One of the biggest challenges isn’t physical. It’s mental.
Running in Your 50s: The Trap of Comparison
Many runners in their 50s carry an invisible weight: memories of what they used to be able to do.
Comparing today’s body to a younger version of yourself is a fast way to drain joy from running.
Instead, ask:
- What does my body need now?
- What kind of runner do I want to be in this season of life?
Redefining Success When Running in Your 50s
Success in running doesn’t have to mean PBs or podiums.
It might mean:
- Feeling strong and capable
- Using running as stress relief
- Maintaining health and independence
- Reconnecting with a sense of identity
All of these are valid – and powerful – reasons to run.
Building a Sustainable Runner Identity
Running in your 50s works best when it’s aligned with your life, not competing with it.
That means:
- Training with flexibility
- Listening to fatigue signals
- Allowing goals to evolve
When you let go of outdated expectations, running often becomes more enjoyable than ever.
If you’re new to running in your 50s, start with Running Over 50: Why It’s Never Too Late to Start for a complete overview.
Meet Coach G
I was the kid that would do anything to skip PE class at school, then one day, I set myself a goal that took me from zero movement to running a half-marathon in less than 6 months.
That one goal led me to becoming a certified coach.
I bloody love supporting runners of all levels — from zero to ultrarunner — in believing in their dreams and achieving them!
