For those of us who are seasoned endurance runners in their 50s and early 60s, collagen has the potential to play a real role in our bodies performance and recovery. It supports soft tissue durability, can help to speed up recovery, and contribute to keeping your joints agile mile after mile.
Collagen: A Brief Guide To Why It Matters
Did you know collagen makes up roughly 30% of your total body protein? That’s not just fluff. It’s reported by the Cleveland Clinic and explains why connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, bones, cartilage, and skin rely on collagen for strength and integrity. The bottom line: collagen is foundational.
Why It Matters for us Runners 50+
As our mileage climbs and seasons stack, connective tissues face compounding wear as we age. Supply chains shift, recovery slows, and collagen production naturally declines with age. That can translate into niggles, stiffness, or flare ups that sidelined you before. Supplementing collagen helps support the “scaffolding” that keeps you running, especially when we pair it with consistent training and smart nutrition.
What Research Actually Supports
A 2021 review of collagen peptide supplementation found clear benefits for joint function and post-exercise recovery, especially in active adults. Some improvements in body composition and strength were noted too. For high intensity or long distance athletes, collagen peptides have been shown to have the potential to reduce muscle damage markers and support strength recovery helping you bounce back faster between training runs.
Timing and Tips to Make Collagen your Daily Ally
Think of collagen not as a quick fix, but as your daily scaffold, quietly, steadily reinforcing joints and connective tissues behind the scenes. Focus on integrating collagen as your steadfast wellness companion.
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Consistency is your superpower. Collagen works best when it’s part of your daily rhythm, day in, day out, for a few months. Over time, your connective tissues respond: recovery gets smoother, joint mobility sharpens, and that post-run bounce comes back.
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Find your sweet spot. Whether you stir it into your morning coffee, swirl it into a smoothie, or blend it into your post-run snack, make collagen a seamless part of your ritual. Stick to your groove, morning or evening, it’s the habit that counts.
Tune in to your body’s rhythm. After a few weeks, you’ll start noticing the subtle shift: stiffness softens, stride feels more fluid, and recovery starts feeling a bit kinder.