Over 50, Running, and Not Done Yet
- Mai Smith-Trau
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
I’m over 50 and taking up running and walking.
I hear all the time how “cool” it is that we’re sharing our adventures. People tell me they wish they could do it too. And every single time I say the same thing:
If I can do it, you absolutely can too.
We’re all in different stages of life. Our why is different. Some of us want to lose weight. Some are recovering from addiction. Some want to be able to move at 80. Some of us are quietly trying to outrun our own mortality.
Whatever your why is—that’s your fuel. That’s your motivation. Hold onto it.
The Pain I Thought Was “Just Aging”
There was a time when I was in pain every single day.
People would watch me stand up from a chair and see me rock side to side just to get my hip to stabilize. I assumed it was because I was overweight. Or out of shape. Or just “getting older.”
Turns out? It was none of those things.
After prioritizing my health, I realized years of desk work had slowly deteriorated my muscles. My quads were weak. My glutes were asleep. My calves were barely participating. My legs were basically on strike.
Running helped. It strengthened things up. But it wasn’t enough. I was still popping and clicking like an old clock every time I moved.
That’s when I got serious about structure and started using Runna and Strava.
Structure Saved Me
Runna set me up with a training program that worked not only for my “old self,” but for my actual life. I could choose how many days I would commit to my health. I could schedule around work. I could plug in my “big” goals—Wine & Dine, Dopey, Big Pecker, Little Rock Marathon—and train with intention.
And here’s what I love: the workouts are fluid. Life happens. Things shift. Some days I move workouts. Some days I double up. But the difference now?
My health is the priority.
I had to get honest with myself. I had to be ACCOUNTABLE.I had to be COMMITTED.I had to be DEDICATED.
Nobody was coming to save me. I had to show up for myself.
Yes, I’m on a GLP-1
Let’s address it.
Yes, I’m taking a GLP-1.
Before anyone says it’s cheating or that I’ll gain it all back someday—maybe. That’s possible. But here’s what I know:
Running is free.
All you need is your feet and a plan.
Now, if you scroll my posts you’ll see I have a ridiculous number of shoes (yes, I have a shoe problem) and plenty of cute outfits. I prioritize those. I save for them. They don’t make me faster—they just make me look like a RunDisney poster child.
The GLP-1 helped kickstart my weight loss. But more importantly, it forced me to confront something bigger: I still have to do the foundational work.
I’ve done this rodeo before. I know the process. I just had to stop making excuses about why I couldn’t do the work—and just do it.
(Nike said it best.)
This Is Your Journey
If you’ve made it this far through my “rant,” here’s the point:
This is your journey.
Your pace.
Your body.
Your story.
Your why.
I’m not here to judge. I’m here to cheer you on.
I love hearing that you started. I love hearing your why. I love seeing your trail photos, your sweaty selfies, your “I didn’t quit today” moments.
Send the picture. Join us for a run. Meet us at a race. We are all doing this together.
And please—for the love of your hips—add strength training.
We’ll talk about that later. 😉
Your journey begins the moment you decide you’re worth the effort.
We’ve got this—together.
See you at the next run. 🏃♀️✨🏅
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