LOLZLetter 315 | Running as You Age Series
With Veronica, Joel, and Michael
Welcome,
As requested a mini life update. A week ago, I ran the Napa Valley Half Marathon and it went pretty well. Then the following Monday I woke up with the stomach flu. While I feel better life wise, I'm obvious a little nervous to run the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday :O (Feeling ok to move around and live life is very different than feeling ok to run a marathon?). I'm taking it a day at a time and this is the steepest taper I've ever done for a marathon trying to just *feel better*. Right now, I have that nasty post sickness congestion that makes it hard to breathe. Can I finish a marathon? Yes. Will it be what I trained for? Who knows, but it seems unlikely. So we will see. Thanks to everyone that asked. :-)
This week, we are continuing the "Running as You Age" newsletters with some friends in their 40s. I am interviewing a total of 5 people have three for you today and two more for a mini newsletter on Thursday.
If you are new this week,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. :-)
In case you missed it:
This week, I'm talking to Veronica, Joel, and Michael. Now, let's get into it!
Veronica’s Running Journey: From Recovery to Lifelong Passion
Running is often a deeply personal journey, shaped by experiences, challenges, and self-discovery. For Veronica, 43, from San Diego, running became more than just a workout...it turned into a way to feel strong, free, and connected to herself. Through setbacks and growth, she has embraced the sport on her own terms, proving that you don’t need the latest gear or an intense mindset to be a runner.
How long have you been running?
Officially...about 15-16 years. I say “officially” because before that I’d do the odd treadmill HIIT workout, or head out in the neighborhood for a “jog” without really having a goal or a purpose. There was a point where I had a mental breakthrough and realized I COULD run longer distances and actually enjoy it as more of an outdoor adventure than a prescribed workout.
How did you start running?
In my late 20s, I experienced this truly crappy chain of events that involved getting really hurt in a motor scooter accident and being laid off from my job a week later (not related, but still … ugh). After months of physical therapy, things were finally looking up. I’ve always been a very active person, so I had a ton of motivation to get better—and all this extra time in which to do it. I ended up finding Couch to 5K and figured: why not give it a try? And now here we are.
What kind of changes have you noticed since you started running? Mental? Physical?
I came of age in the era of super super skinny being paramount. (I mean, it still is, really. But it’s not as overt as it was.) Consequently, I had body image issues my entire life. At first, I saw running as a major calorie burn. As I age and come to terms with a lot of that disordered thinking, I see running as more of a way to FEEL rather than a way to LOOK. It feels amazing to get out there on the road or trails and feel your breath quickening, that slow burn setting in, and the endorphin rush. In those moments, not giving a damn what I look like feels like a radical act.
Any advice you want to give people?
Naturally, with anything that’s popular, companies find ways to make lots of money, and it’s super easy to fall into the trap of having all the right gear and running all the races. Social media influencers and niche running publications reinforce that culture of constant consumption.
But you don’t actually need carbon-plated shoes.
You don’t have to run a Major.
You can eat grocery store gummy bears on your long run. You can wear a cotton shirt if you want. It’s all ok.
Anything else?
I genuinely love running. It has enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined. I think there’s a perception that to be a runner, you have to have an intense, Type-A personality (or maybe that’s just how it’s often portrayed in pop culture). I took to running because I am precisely the opposite. I’m not competitive, and I don’t like pressure for pressure’s sake. I just love getting out there, being outdoors, and feeling alive.
Veronica’s story is a reminder that running doesn’t have to be about competition, speed, or expensive gear—it can simply be about movement, joy, and self-discovery. Whether you’re new to running or have been at it for years, there’s no right or wrong way to embrace the sport.
Thank you Valerie for your time! You can find her on Instagram at @vrunssandiego.
Joel Maisenhelder: A Lifelong Runner’s Journey of Ups, Downs, and Rediscovery
Running isn’t always a linear path...it can weave through childhood memories, setbacks, and even long breaks. For Joel Maisenhelder, 48, from Saint Louis, MO, running started early, took a long detour, and eventually came full circle in an unexpected way. Now, he runs not for competition, but for the joy of movement and the simple joy of pushing himself.
How long have you been running?
This is an interesting question. I started running around age 8 when my mother took me to road races where I'd run the 1-mile. But I stopped around 12 and didn’t start again until high school, when I joined the track team. I ran through my freshman year of college until an injury, paired with a coach’s brutal training method, pushed me away from the sport. I didn’t run again until my 30s, when a friend convinced me to train for a half marathon. That went well...until I ran my shoes into the ground, got injured, and was told to take 3-6 months off.
That’s when I picked up cycling, which became my focus for years. But eventually, my son wanted to improve his soccer endurance and asked me to go run a mile with him. That one mile turned into many, and before I knew it, he had me agreeing to train for a half marathon.
What kind of changes have you noticed since you started running? Mental? Physical?
Mentally, I’ve gained the ability to zone out and ignore the world for a while, which is nice these days. Running gives me a break from everything...work, responsibilities, daily stress. It’s just me, the road, and my thoughts.
Do you train for the same things?
Honestly, I train to train these days. I don’t have specific goal races I’m following a formalized plan for, but I have some bucket-list races I’d love to do. I just haven’t mapped them out yet.
Any advice you want to give people?
The simple answer is: have fun. You might not be as fast as you were when you were younger, but that doesn’t mean you can’t chase being in shape, getting faster, and enjoying the process. Also, I recommend finding a running club that matches your personality. It gives you the option of going solo when you want or joining a casual group run when you’re feeling social.
Joel’s story is proof that running isn’t about a perfect trajectory...it’s about resilience, rediscovery, and enjoying the ride (or run). Whether chasing big goals or simply staying active, every mile counts.
Thanks Joel for your time! You can find him in Instagram!
Michael’s Running Journey: From Comeback to Competitive Track Racing
Running is personal, unpredictable, and often full of surprises. For Michael, from the San Francisco Bay Area, it started as a passion in his youth, disappeared for two decades, and then returned as a way to regain health. Now, he’s back to racing on the track, chasing old goals, and proving that speed doesn’t have an expiration date.
How long have you been running?
I ran for six years between the ages of 14 and 20, then stopped until my 42nd birthday. I started running again after a bad doctor’s visit where my test results were way off. I got a lot healthier by running, but I’m nowhere near as fast as I once was.
How did you start running?
When I restarted running, I made it simple: I ran to the train station in my town, then back, then built up from there. Eventually, I worked up to a 5K, then 5 miles, 10K, 10 miles, a half marathon, and a full marathon...pretty slowly at first. I found a local cross-country league, started racing with a team, and got faster by chasing the 70-year-old guys who were still crushing it.
What kind of changes have you noticed since you started running? Mental? Physical?
I lost about 65 pounds and have stabilized at about 55 pounds less than my heaviest weight. I went from a 2:20 half marathon at 42 to a 3:34 full marathon less than a year later. My 5K time dropped from 26-28 minutes to 20:41, and I even raced the mile on the track, running a 6:01. My next goals are to break 20 minutes in the 5K, 5 minutes in the 1500, and 3:30 in the marathon...one last time before age slows me down.
Mentally, I have less shame about my body. When I first started running again, I wore baggy sweatpants. Now, I’ll wear short shorts, half tights, or briefs...whatever’s comfortable, without worrying about how I look.
Do you train for the same things since when you started?
Not really. Sometimes I train for miles, sometimes for marathons. Right now, I’m training for a road mile in May, then a marathon in July, but I always gauge fitness by my 5K time. I work with a coach, Natalie Lutz, who gives me structured workouts. One of her favorites for 5K training is 10x600m with 2:30 rest. Another brutal one is progressive tempo runs—starting at marathon pace and working down to mile pace. I was in great shape for a spring marathon, but then I got COVID and ran into a pole, so that plan fell apart.
Now, I’m excited to race 3Ks and 5Ks on the track, plus a half marathon in June and a full marathon in July.
Any advice you want to give people?
Do speedwork. If you don’t know how, join a running club or get a coach.
Go to the doctor regularly. Catch injuries early and be proactive with PT. I had bad plantar fasciitis that would’ve been better if I had gone to PT earlier.
Get fitted for shoes. Feet change as you age—I used to wear a 12.5, now I’m a size 14.
Speedwork will make you faster...super shoes won’t.
Anything else?
My favorite race of the year is the Pride Meet in San Francisco. They have a drag performer dressed as a stewardess who makes sarcastic comments about running outfits—it’s fantastic. I also love low-key, cheap local races over big, overpriced ones. In SF, we have a nonprofit that puts on $10 races and free Parkruns. Track and cross-country meets are usually cheap, too.
I also had Crohn’s Disease in my early 20s and had major surgery in my mid-20s. Because of that, I get dehydrated more easily, which affects endurance racing. I use electrolytes, Gatorade, and sodium pills for marathons, but I still think it’s a 5-8% disadvantage in anything over 1K.
What is Keeping Me Entertained?
World Athletics launches new stakeholder consultation on female eligibility: This is going to become a slippery slope. At what point are they going to say these tests are too invasive? At what point are they going to move into collegiate and high school testing and give those being tested lifelong trauma?