🏃How to Start Running After 40

Plus: How Long Does It Take to Walk a Half or Full Marathon?

October 22, 2025

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Hi and welcome to our latest newsletter!

Thinking about starting to run after 40—or getting back into it after a long break? We’ve got a step-by-step guide to help you build consistency, avoid injuries, and enjoy the process.

Planning to walk a half or full marathon? In this issue, you'll find a practical breakdown of realistic paces and finish times to help you set goals and take part in the race at your own rhythm.

And if you’re already an experienced runner, forward this email to someone who’s ready to take their first steps into running or scroll down anyway—you might just find something new to share.

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MUST READ

How to Start Running After 40: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Running after 40 is becoming increasingly common. At many road races—especially marathons—runners in their 40s and 50s make up a large share of finishers. Still, plenty of newcomers wonder whether it’s “too late.”

Here’s why starting now can work in your favor: you’re old enough to know what consistency and discipline look like, and wise enough to value injury-free progress over chasing numbers. With that mindset, running can extend healthy years while lowering cardiovascular risk and supporting brain health—even without high mileage.

What does change after 40—and what you should be aware of—is how the body responds to training stress. Recovery takes longer, muscle mass declines faster, and small aches need quicker attention. But with a well-structured training program and regular strength work, running will be safe and effective, improving overall health, mood, sleep, and fitness.

This guide gives you clear next steps: what to check before you begin, how to structure your first weeks, how to reduce injury risk, and when to aim for your first race.

POPULAR

How Long Does It Take to Walk a Half or Full Marathon?

Let’s find out what realistic paces and finish times look like if you’re walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles.

Read on →

The Real Reason You’re Not Burning Belly Fat While Running

If running alone was the key to a flat stomach, every marathoner would have six-pack abs. But fat loss—especially around the belly—isn’t just about putting in more miles. It’s about how you train, how you eat, how you recover, and how you manage stress.

Read full story →

Is It Better to Run Harder or Longer?

Intensity vs. volume: what matters more? Here’s how to decide when to run harder, when to go longer, and what each approach does to your body.

Find out more →

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