Life on the run: Meet Paula Alderman, who started running regularly at 50

Main Stories
Paula Alderman trains in Delano Park.

By Catherine Godbey | Living 50 Plus

Wearing blue jeans, Paula Alderman lined up at the starting line of the Turkey Trot 5K in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and started walking.

“My sister signed my husband John and myself up for that race in 2013. At the time we were couch potatoes, not doing anything and were really out of shape. That race was so hard because we were not active and the air is so thin. We finished, though,” Alderman said.

After participating in the Turkey Trot again in 2014, Alderman began signing up regularly for races in 2015. Their first race in 2015 was the Carnegie Carnival 5K in February.

“We were both out of shape. I couldn’t breathe and he couldn’t breathe. We walked that 5K. There was one couple that finished behind us. I made the decision then that I would sign us up for a race every month to keep us moving,” Alderman said.

Now, 13 years since that first race in Colorado Springs, the 62-year-old Alderman runs 22 miles a week and expects to participate in 20 races, including 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and the 20th annual Delano Park 12 Hour Run, this year.

Of the 70 runners who participated in the 2025 Delano Park Run, 26 were 50 years old or older. Alderman finished last year’s race with 31 miles, or a 50K.

The 20th annual Delano Park 12 Hour Run, which Alderman describes as “a moving party,” will take place March 7 at Delano Park.

“I know this sounds strange, but the 12 Hour Run is just so much fun. Now, there are some people serious about getting as many miles as they can, but some of us are there to just hang out with our friends,” Alderman said. “We set up our tents near each other and enjoy the day. It is the one time of the year I buy Oreo cookies. We run some. We walk some. We sit and talk and eat some. It is a great time.”

Alderman learned of the 12 Hour Run in 2017 when, from her house on Prospect Drive, she saw the cars wrapped around Delano Park and heard the cheers.

“John and I wandered over and met a couple of people. I did not think it was a race I could do, but the next year, there I was running on a relay team. You go around on the track and if you are feeling good, you keep going. It is a great time,” Alderman said. “This is one of my favorite races because it is one big party.”

Along with the Delano Park 12 Hour Run, Alderman enjoys the Oak Barrel Half Marathon in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

“You know how Alabama football people are? Where you are not supposed to plan anything during football games? I tell my family not to plan anything for the Oak Barrel Half Marathon or the Delano Park run,” Alderman said. “My family thinks I’m crazy. When my niece got married last year on a Friday night, we found a race to run in the next Saturday morning. It is just how we live now.”

She has also run in the Monte Sano races, in Cathedral Caverns, the Colonel Sanders race in Corbin, Kentucky, the Carnegie Frolic, the United Way Turkey Trot in downtown Decatur, the Eagle Ridge Half Marathon at Guntersville State Park, the Key West Half Marathon, 5K and 10K in Key West, Florida, and the Tick Ridge 10K in Elkton, Tennessee.

The Tick Ridge race proved challenging for Alderman.

“In half marathons, there are moments where I question my life choices, but one of the hardest points I have reached running was during the Tick Ridge 10K. There were a lot of hills and changes in elevation. I got to one-half mile from the finish line, yelled out some bad words and just stopped. I could see the finish line, but I just did not want to go any further. Then a lady came up behind me and said, ‘What are you doing? You can do this, get moving.’ That’s all I needed,” Alderman said.

While Alderman describes running as “fun” and a “party,” she also recognizes the difficulties and obstacles runners face.

“I hate to run, but I hate not running more. Running is hard. You run when it’s too hot and too cold. When you run it hurts, it’s uncomfortable and you mostly want to quit. But the times I have been too injured or too sick to run, I am grumpy,” Alderman said. “I had a horrible case of plantar fasciitis and when the doctor came in, I burst into tears and said, ‘Don’t tell me I can’t run.’”

For John and Paula Alderman, running changed their lives.

“When Paula started signing us up for races I was like, ‘Hey, I don’t want to do this. It’ss hard.’ But races motivated us to get off the couch. And getting off the couch has kept us active and heathy. And that’s what’s important,” John Alderman said.

Not only did they lose weight, get healthier and gain more energy, they also became part of a supportive and caring community.

“I would have never imagined I would be doing what I am doing. And it never dawned on me just how much fun I would have,” Paula Alderman said. “It’s fun because of the people we have met. The people I run with are like family. I’ve gone to Thanksgiving and Christmas at their homes.”

During a typical week, Alderman runs with a group at the Running Lane in Huntsville on Monday nights and with a group at Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company in downtown Decatur on Tuesday nights. On other days, Alderman, a self-described introvert, will run by herself around Old Decatur or Point Mallard Park.

“I have to run every day. Even when I am having a lazy day, it’s in the back of my mind, ‘You’ve got to get up and run.’ I even run when I’m sick. It helps me to run. It does not mean I’ll have a great run or love it, but I will feel better when I run,” Alderman said.

In 2019, when Alderman experienced a gall bladder episode on New Year’s Day, she delayed receiving surgery until after running a half marathon in February.

“My doctor agreed but told me I couldn’t eat anything good. I agreed and made sure I had nothing that tasted good that entire time. The week after I ran the half, I had my gall bladder removed,” Alderman said. “Four weeks later, I ran 20 miles at the Delano Park 12 Hour Run. I just have to run.”

Alderman offered this advice to others.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s never too late to start running,” Alderman said. “Find people. Walk with somebody, walk-run with somebody. Start easy. Do not think you have got to beat people or win races. Just get off the sofa and get moving. I see people my age using canes that can barely walk. I don’t want to be that person.”

For individuals who would like to start running, the River City Runners meet every Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at Cross-Eyed Owl, 105 First Ave. N.E., Decatur. In the summer, River City Runners host Summer Family Fun Runs on Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Point Mallard Park.

“Yes, there are fast runners, but there are also slow runners. I am a slow runner. A lot of the time, I run one minute and walk one minute. Everyone is welcome to join us,” Alderman said.

Upcoming races locally include:

  • Carnival Frolic 13.1/5K on Feb. 14 in downtown Decatur
  • River City Run 10K/5K/Fun Run on March 28 at Point Mallard Park in Decatur
  • First Priority of Greater Decatur 5K/1-mile run on April 11 at Decatur Baptist Church in Decatur
  • GoFar Forest 4-mile run on May 9 in Priceville
  • River City Pride 5K on June 6 at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur
  • Spirit of America 5 miler on June 27 at Point Mallard Park in Decatur
  • Brothers for Life 5K/1-mile run on Aug. 8 in Decatur
  • Bill J. Dukes 7@7 run on Aug. 22 at Point Mallard Park in Decatur