Running as you Get Older

Running is great exercise and is a great thing to continue doing as you get older. However, as we age, our joints and muscles change and need to be properly taken care of to stay healthy. So, while continuing to run, keep the following health procedure in mind to keep your body, muscles and joints healthy.

• Know Your Limits
• When you are younger, you may be able to push through tough workouts better than when you get older.  Know when your body is telling you to rest or take it easy instead of pushing through when something is sore or tired.
• Properly Warm-Up
• While warming up is always important, it is even more important when you start to get older. Take the extra time to do some dynamic stretches or walking before you start your run. 
• Accept Your Pace
• Accept the fact that your pace and race times will be slower. It is still good to push yourself to be the best you can, but accept the fact that your 5K pace will not be the same as it was when you were 18.
• Walk, Don't Run
• If running no longer feels good, or you are new to running, walking as a workout is still great exercise and can be just as challenging as running. You can gain major benefits from walking and hiking, just like you can from running. 
• Take Care of You
• Taking care of yourself and properly fueling your body is crucial as you age and even more important if you are still running. Make sure you are eating whole, real foods and getting plenty of protein and water into your diet. On another level, getting regular sports massages or seeing a physical therapist when you have a nagging pain will help prevent injuries and keep you healthy. 
• Add Strength
• Adding strength training, mobility and yoga in your routine will help keep you an injury-free runner.
• Take a Day Off
• In order to stay healthy and able to run, your body needs rest time in order for your muscles to recover. So, schedule in a rest day into your training schedule and take rest days as needed if you are feeling tired or sore.