LOLZLetter 314 | Running As You Age Series

With Emma, Tony, and Des

Mar 03, 2025

Welcome,

This week, we are continuing the "Running as You Age" newsletters with some friends in their 30s. As someone who is 34, I relate to these. I remember running around age 20—I could just get up and go, and that certainly is not the case now.

Like the previous series, I'll start in the 20s and then each week go up the age groups. I'll go as high as I can, so if you know of anyone who wants to participate have them send me an email at fuelebylolz at gmail dot com. I do need a few more people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, so I would love to hear from you. :-)

This week, I'm talking to Des, Tony, and Emma, all with different running journeys.

Thank you, Des, for your time! You can follow her on social media here!

Tony 2 ShooΩ from running for free beer to owning a running store:

For Tony "Tony 2 ShooΩ," running isn’t just about races, medals, or fast times... it’s about transformation. From his first 5K (lured in by the promise of free beer) to a decade of running, he's discovered just how much the sport can change a life.

How did you start running?

I've now been running for a decade. A few things led me to sign up for my first 5K... one of my best friends hyped up the free beer after the race, and I was also looking to be healthier. I had been smoking and drinking, heading down a bad path, and I started to worry about my long-term health.

Little by little, I started using free weights at home, running, and cutting out bad foods. Fast forward to today, I’m in the best shape of my life. I eat clean, I’m mostly sober, and having a supportive wife and a child to set an example for has helped a lot over the last two years.

What kind of changes have you noticed since you started running—mentally and physically?

It’s funny—when I first started, I was on the heavier side, and people I hadn’t seen in a while would ask, “Did you lose weight?” That always made me laugh because my goal wasn’t weight loss or getting super fit—I just wanted to be a little healthier.

But running has done so much more than that. It’s brought me closer to my real self, my real potential. It’s led me to successful careers and truly changed my life. I sleep better, I handle stress better, I’m more patient, more positive. It’s hard to put into words how powerful running can be when you’re in it for the right reasons.

Has working in the running industry helped or hurt your own running?

It certainly helped. Managing a run specialty store, we all were signing up for different races, sometimes the same races, and going over training, strategy, and motivating each other. It totally kept me accountable, and I learned a lot more about how personal things like “support” and “comfort” are.

I also had the absolute privilege in 2024 to review shoes for our national brand, so I was able to more accurately relate experiences to customers. That experience gave me a new appreciation for how much gear impacts performance and comfort.

Do you train for the same things as when you started?

My goals change, but I always like to stay fit enough that if I decide to jump into a half marathon, I can build up quickly and just have fun with it.

Since you work in the running industry, can you share some of your favorite products?

Oh geez, to me, running shoes are similar to how I feel about music. I think they’re all good, fine, but there are a lot that I truly love.

Here are some of my all-time favorite models and versions:

Saucony Hurricane ISO 3
ASICS Novablast 3 & 4
Diadora Atomo V7000
New Balance 1080 v14
Brooks Adrenaline 21
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Hat - Gotta be Ciele (been on that since like 2016).

For post-run and really just daily wear, the Kane Revive is top-tier in recovery.

Any advice for new or experienced runners?

Running is an individual sport... it's about being your best self on race day. And you don’t even need to race! You don’t need to run Boston, you don’t need to chase a PR every time. You can cross the finish line without any disappointment.

I encourage runners to do at least one race a year just for the experience. No need to fill your calendar with races or make every run a tempo run. Appreciate the fact that you’re alive, healthy, and making yourself a better version of you. It’s not about running your best time... it’s about having the best time!

Anything else?

Go get fitted at a local run specialty store, and be open to suggestions. Don’t pick a shoe based on color or trend... get what actually works for you!

Thank you, Tony, for your time. You can follow Tony here.

Finding Strength in Running with Emma F.

Running has been a key part of Emma F.'s life since high school, evolving from a way to stay in shape for other sports to something much more meaningful. Now 32 and based in Coronado, CA, Emma has used running to manage stress, build friendships, and challenge herself in new ways. Whether navigating a demanding job, frequent relocations, or shifting training goals, she has learned to adapt while keeping running a central part of her life.

How did your running journey begin?

I started running a few times a week in high school to stay in shape for other sports and did a season each of cross-country and indoor track. I probably never ran over 15-20 miles per week, but it was my introduction to structured training.

What motivated you to continue running beyond high school?

In college, I started running more consistently for a few reasons—partly to stay in shape for a physically demanding job, but also as a way to relieve stress. I love having a routine, and running helps me stay grounded when life gets chaotic. My job can be unpredictable, so it’s nice to have running as a constant. Plus, I’ve made so many great friends through running! I move a lot, and each new place I go, I find new running friends.

How do you balance your demanding job with your running routine?

I put all my runs for the week into my Google Calendar so I don’t have to think about them too much, and I can easily move them around if my schedule changes. If I know ahead of time that a particular day will be really busy, I make that a planned rest day or keep it as a short run. On more relaxed days, I plan for a workout or a longer run.

Something I’m still working on is balancing work stress with training stress. I’ve learned that when work gets crazy, I have to back off training a bit—or else my body will make the decision for me! Earlier in my career, my job was more physically demanding, so I’d be too tired to add extra training. Now, my job is more mentally demanding, and I’ve had to adjust my mindset to recognize that mental stress is just as taxing in a different way.

How has running influenced you mentally and physically?

I run alone about 50% of the time and without music almost 100% of the time, so running gives me a lot of time to think. Some of my best ideas come while running, and I often use that time to work through problems at work or in life.

Physically, running makes me feel strong and capable, and I hope to cherish that feeling for as long as possible!

Have your training goals evolved over time?

Definitely. In the past year, I’ve switched from training for marathons to focusing on shorter distances like the mile and 5K. Training for shorter races lets me get really fit without workouts taking over my life—unlike a three-hour weekend long run!

I also didn’t do much track or cross-country growing up, so I think my speed still has a lot of room for improvement. Plus, running fast and racing often is just fun!

What advice would you offer to fellow runners, especially as they age?

In my 30s, I’ve really noticed that I can’t get away with neglecting the little things—sleep, nutrition, strength training, and managing stress. In my 20s, I had a few injuries, but now any time I slack on recovery or life gets too stressful, a little niggle pops up and won’t go away until I address it.

I used to be stubborn about time off and ran through a lot, but now I realize that pushing through just leads to longer breaks. I wish I had worked on shifting my mindset earlier because I want to be running for as long as I can!

How has moving frequently influenced your running experiences and connections?

Even for someone in the military, I’ve moved a ton, and it does not get easier with practice! One of the first things I do when I find out I’m moving is look up local running groups.

When choosing a place to live, I consider both its proximity to work and how close it is to good running spots. Running helps reduce the anxiety around moving because most running groups are welcoming to newcomers. They’re a great way to meet people, which is huge because making friends as an adult is hard!

Moving away is tough, but the upside is that when I visit places I’ve lived before, I have running friends to catch up with. Some of my closest friendships have come through running.

Whether adapting her training to a demanding job, adjusting to frequent moves, or shifting her race goals, Emma has learned to embrace flexibility while keeping running a core part of her life. As she continues her journey, she remains focused on staying healthy, improving her speed, and enjoying the friendships running has brought her.