Running after 60 became one of the best decisions I made for my health and fitness. Here is my story: how and when I started running 15 years ago, when I laced up my running shoes and took my first uncertain steps beside my daughter-in-law, a professional triathlete and Ironman. At that moment, I wasn’t sure I could keep up. But I made myself a promise: Just try.
Remarkably, that one choice changed everything
I stayed beside her the whole run. The distance doesn’t matter now. What I remember is the quiet confidence that settled into my bones when we finished. That feeling whispered: You’re capable of more than you know.
What Helped Me Stay Consistent
This photo takes me back to a half-marathon in Toronto in 2010. The next ones capture moments from this year in Ottawa. Although the cities and seasons of life are different, I still feel the same fire in my chest, the same joy pulsing through my veins with every stride.
Running has never been just an exercise for me. It is my moving meditation, my chance to breathe and reconnect with myself. Sometimes I run fast; sometimes I am slow; sometimes it feels easy; and sometimes it feels like a struggle. But there’s always something to take away from it. I’ve learned to pace myself, to push through when things get tough, and maybe most importantly, to keep showing up even when my bed feels way more appealing than my running shoes. Looking back, running is not just about speed; it was about consistency.
What started with uncertainty beside my daughter-in-law has become one of the great gifts of my life. Now I share it with my grandsons. I want them to see that age is not a limit. Age is not a barrier. We are never too old to start something, to continue something, or to return to something that brings us joy.
Why I Run: More Than Just Exercise
Whenever I start running, something shifts deep inside me.
In fact, stress evaporates with my sweat. The mental noise cluttering my day softens to a whisper. The weight of responsibilities—deadlines, decisions, demands—becomes lighter with every step. That steady rhythm creates an unexpected sanctuary, a pocket of peace in the chaos.
Running grounds me when life feels overwhelming. It reminds me that I am capable. I am strong. I can do hard things—not just on the trail, but in every corner of my life.
Running as My Moving Meditation
For me, running is more than exercise. Indeed, it’s my moving meditation, my chance to breathe deeply and reconnect with who I am beneath all the daily roles I play.
Some days I fly. Other days, I struggle. Nevertheless, every run, good or tough, teaches me something valuable.
What Running Has Taught Me
First, pace yourself. Life isn’t a sprint. Steady progress beats burnout every time.
Next, push through. Discomfort builds strength. The moments when you want to quit are exactly when you grow the most.
Most importantly, show up. The most important lesson: consistency matters more than intensity. Even when my bed feels infinitely more appealing than my running shoes, I lace up anyway.
f you’re curious about running after 60, start small, stay consistent, and let it build.
Sharing the Gift with My Grandsons
Age is just a number, not a limitation
What started with uncertainty beside my daughter-in-law has become one of life’s greatest gifts. Now I share it with my grandsons.
I want them to witness that age is just a number, not a limitation. We’re never too old to start something new, continue something meaningful, or return to something that once brought us joy.
Running has carried me through so many seasons: heartbreak and celebration, doubt and triumph, loss and renewal.
And I’m still out there. Still learning, still improving, still loving every single step.
One step at a time. One year after another.
Your Turn
Here’s to moving our bodies, to those small routines that keep us balanced, and to the simple practices that bring us back to ourselves. For more about my background and approach, visit my About Azar page.
If you want evidence-based guidelines to begin movement safely, the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines are a helpful starting point.