Exercise slows the aging process and keeps you feeling strong, but without a definitive goal, it is easy to lose enthusiasm for exercise. Keep yourself motivated by registering for an upcoming 5K (3.1 mile) race in your area. Running a 5K race is a realistic goal that can motivate you and provide a clear objective for your exercise plan.
Why Seniors Should Run
Maintaining excellent health becomes harder with age, but running has been shown to slow the aging process, allowing you to lead a more independent lifestyle. We have on-site fitness facilities and personal trainers to assist you in your goals. Preserve your autonomy while reaping these additional benefits of continuous exercise:
- Lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes
- Control weight and steady metabolism
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Increase mobility and coordination
- Strengthen muscles, bones and joints
- Improve coordination to lower your risk of a dangerous fall
- Build cardiovascular health
- Prevent cognitive decline
- Sleep more soundly
Not sure you have what it takes to run a 5K yet? It is important as a senior to know your limits and not push yourself too hard or too fast. Here are a few tips that can help you get in shape the right way for your first 5K.
Walk Before You Run
Start slowly when you begin your training. Pushing too hard can be counterproductive and lead to injury and frustration. Begin by walking around your neighborhood for about 30 minutes, three times a week. Once you are comfortable walking, slowly increase the difficulty of your workout by adding periodic jogging throughout your walks. Over time, increase the periods of jogging relative to walking.
Gradually working toward your goal builds muscle and bone density, making you a stronger runner. Running a full 5K without stopping for breaks takes time, and pushing yourself too hard too fast is a good way to end up on the sideline.
Mix It Up
Keep your fitness routine interesting by mixing it up. Alternate days of running with other cross-training activities, such as swimming and biking. Because swimming and biking are low-impact exercises, they can provide needed rest and recuperative time for your bones, joints, and muscles. Incorporate at least two weekly exercise sessions that focus on building muscle, such as light weightlifting or organized fitness classes like Pilates. Exercising the same way every day gets old fast, causing you to lose interest in your workouts. Switching it up keeps things fun and challenging.
Understand Your Limits
Make your workout plan sustainable by adding periodic rest days. Allowing your body to rest completely between workouts gives your muscles time to recover. A good rule of thumb is two days on, one day off. Overexerting yourself may show short-term results but cause later injury or dissuade you from continuing with your exercise plan.
Before beginning each workout, take time to warm up and stretch. Preface your run with a brisk walk around the block, pausing to stretch as you go. End your run the same way to cool down and reduce the chance of pulling a muscle.
You are never too old to start running, and running is safe for most seniors in relatively good shape without pre-existing medical conditions. Still, seniors over the age of fifty should meet with their physician to discuss their workout plans before beginning any physical exercise. Doctors may discourage older patients with heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure from running, as it could further compromise their health. However, there are plenty of safe exercise alternatives for these seniors that a doctor can suggest.
Adjust Your Lifestyle Habits Accordingly
When practicing a vigorous workout plan, it is important to maintain a healthy diet. Eat a light snack one to two hours before exercising, focusing on easily digestible foods high in simple carbohydrates, which your body can break down quickly. These energy-boosting snacks will help you feel invigorated during your exercise and fuel your workouts without weighing you down.
Another important aspect of dietary health when working out is hydration. Drink more water throughout the day and during your workout breaks. Staying hydrated prevents muscles from being pulled or seizing up during workouts. To replenish electrolytes lost during exercise, consider drinking a sports drink after your workout. A 50/50 mix of sports drinks with water is one of the best ways to rehydrate without taking in too much unnecessary sugar.
Find a Running Buddy
Make running more interesting by finding a friend to join you. Seniors that run with a buddy are more likely to stay motivated and stick with their exercise plans. Older adults often enjoy the social aspect of running with another person. Many runners get bored with the monotony of running alone; having a training partner prevents abandonment of your daily runs in favor of sitting on the couch.
Seniors also benefit from increased safety when running with a partner. A sprained ankle or health emergency in the wrong place can be extremely dangerous. If you do not have a runner partner, consider carrying a medical alert device with you when running. These small electronics ensure a quick response by emergency personnel in case of an accident.
Maintain Motivation
Inspire yourself by using motivational methods in your workouts. Adopt a mantra as your “words of power.” Repeating this phrase over and over again in your mind gets you through those particularly difficult workouts. Choose a short refrain that has personal significance to you. If you have trouble thinking up your own phrase, try out something more generic, like “One more step” or “I feel healthier”. The sayings will renew your energy and act as an internal cheerleader.
Another helpful motivational tactic is listening to music during your workouts. Listening to music that fits the pace of your exercise pumps you up and improves endurance. If you start feeling as though you cannot keep running, try pushing yourself to continue until the end of the current song. While you do not want to push your body too hard, sometimes a little extra motivation gets you to the next level. Create a playlist with your favorite upbeat songs to set a great running pace.
Tracking your progress builds focus and emphasizes your achievements. After each fitness session, write down your time and distance, as well as how you felt before, during, and after the run. Celebrate improvements and do not let slow days discourage you. Not every day will bring a successful, energetic workout, but seeing how you improve over the long term encourages you to keep training. Reward yourself when you reach your goals with treats like a nice dinner out or new item of clothing.
Start Running at Any Age
Although getting in shape to run a 5K may take some seniors longer than others, a balanced diet and slow increase in exercise can assist you in reaching your goal. When considering the health benefits from running against the risk of possible injury, you find that leading an active lifestyle is the best way to stay healthy. Avoiding exercise because you fear an injury actually increases your chances of future harm. Instead, consult your doctor and work with a certified trainer to create a personalized plan for you. By setting reasonable goals and monitoring the body’s response to exercise, every active senior can safely train for a 5K.