Why I Started Running at 50

Proof that it’s never too late to start something new.

I used to think running was for other people. You know the ones—high ponytail, perfect stride, 5Ks before breakfast. I wasn’t one of them. At 50, I’d never run more than a block to catch a bus. So when I told my daughter I was thinking about taking up running, she blinked and said, “Are you serious?”

I was. Kind of.

It started with a New Year’s resolution I hadn’t told anyone about: to feel better in my own body. I’d been feeling sluggish for a while; mentally, physically, emotionally. I didn’t need to run a marathon. I just wanted to move.

So I bought a pair of running shoes. I Googled things like “Can I start jogging at 50?” and “best way to start running at 50.” I found a beginner plan that started with 60 seconds of running at a time. That felt manageable. On a chilly January morning, I headed to the park. I jogged for exactly 45 seconds before I had to stop. My heart was pounding. My face was beet red. But I felt… alive. I went back the next day.

Three months later, I ran my first full mile without stopping. I nearly cried.

A Mindset Shift at Midlife

Running at 50 isn’t like running at 20. Your body is different. You recover more slowly. But you also care less: about how you look, what other people think, how fast you’re going. You do it for yourself.

For me, the goal was never weight loss or speed. It was about proving to myself that I could start something new. That I hadn’t missed my window. And honestly? I’ve never felt more connected to my body. I’m sleeping better. I have more energy. I’m even eating differently—more protein, more greens, more water. I’ve started paying attention in a way I didn’t before.

I’m not going to pretend it’s been easy. There were weeks when I didn’t run at all. There were days I wanted to quit. But I kept coming back because I liked how I felt after. Stronger. Calmer. Clearer.

What I Tell Anyone Who Asks

• Start slow. There’s no shame in walk breaks. I still take them sometimes.

• Invest in decent shoes. It makes a world of difference.

• Track how you feel, not just how far you go. Some of my shortest runs left me feeling the proudest.

• Fuel properly. A little protein after a run goes a long way. I usually have something quick and balanced, like a shake, bar, or smoothie.

And most importantly: don’t let your age scare you. You are not too old. You are not too late. If anything, you’re right on time.

The Finish Line (Sort Of)

This past spring, I ran a 5K. I didn’t break any records. But I ran the whole thing, and my daughter was waiting at the finish line with a poster that said, “Go, Mom!” It’s one of my favorite memories.

Now, I run three times a week. Sometimes in the park, sometimes just around the block. It’s become part of how I take care of myself. Not because I’m chasing a specific time, but because I finally understand what people mean when they say running is a gift.

As told to the Huel Digest team