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The Fascinating Reason Runners Slow Down After 40

August 20, 2026 · 19 min

Show notes

The best masters runners today aren't slowing down. They're getting faster.

I'm not here to tell you the world's fastest 70-year-old is going to beat the world's fastest 30-year-old. But today's masters runners are fitter and faster than ever before.

So how is that possible? Have elite older runners found the running fountain of youth?

Let's find out.

Today, we're exploring how you can get fitter and faster, no matter what your age.

You’ll learn:

  • The traditional signs of aging

  • How to slow down the slow down,and

  • A few factors you might not even be considering that affect your speed

If you're a runner over 40, or you plan to be someday, this episode is for you.

Get the Readiness Reset for free right now. It's a 7-minute audio that combines guided visualization with cognitive conditioning, designed to train the exact response you need when running gets hard at theplantedrunner.com/reset,

Welcome to the Planted Runner. I’m Coach Claire Bartholic and my mission is to help you improve your running, your mindset, and your life with science-backed training and plant-based nutrition.

If you need more help, you can order my book The Planted Runner: Running Your Best With Plant-Based Nutrition wherever you get books or request a copy from your local library.

Don’t forget to stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode for another Mental Strength Minute. Fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less.

LINKS:

If you’d like help directly from me, you can check out my freebies, personal coaching, and sign up for my PR Team at https://www.theplantedrunner.com/link.

For my recommendations of at-home equipment and other running products I recommend, check out my curated list on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/theplantedrunner

LIQUID IV:

Just one stick of Liquid IV + 16 oz. of water hydrates better than water alone. Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://www.liquid-iv.com/ and use code PLANTED at checkout.

RECENT REVIEWS:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Claire is the best podcast host!

Coach Claire makes her topics relatable and easy to understand. Keep up the great work! BHZ”

RunForLong

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Thank you!

As a plant based marathoner, this podcast has provided me with invaluable information related to training and nutrition. Thank you, Coach Claire for your insight and wisdom! Highly recommend if your plant and/or running- curious!

HDeGveganrunner

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Great, to the point, podcast

Thanks for all the great information! I just listened to the pod on speedwork and loved the info! Would have liked more discussion about the purpose/importance of the recovery portion of interval speedwork. So much conflicting info out there. Would love to hear more!

TheGingerTre

Music Credits:

Music from Uppbeat

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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