Podcast

The Forever Runner / Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running

Fitness, Health & Fitness, Running, Sports

This show for runners in their 50's, 60's & 70's who want to learn how to leverage their running to increase their independence, freedom and vitality as they age. Pain free running without injury with slow running! https://www.foreverrunner.com/podcasts/the-forever-runner

Episodes
61
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
9 min
On air since
2024
Latest episode
2 months ago

Episodes

61 episodes, newest first

  1. #59 - Why Some Runners Are Still Strong At 70 (While Most Quit By 50)

    Episode 59

    Show notes

    Run Smarter After 50: Beat Burnout by Managing Stress, Not Your Knees

    Herb explains why some runners keep thriving into their 70s while others quit by 50, arguing the biggest factor is how the brain handles stress rather than knees, genetics, or age. Drawing on eight years coaching older runners, 80+ ultramarathons, and surviving two heart attacks, the speaker contrasts extrinsic motivation (pace, group status, Strava, PRs) with intrinsic motivation (love of running) and says identity-driven, data-tied running can make a bad run feel like a threat, elevating stress hormones, worsening recovery, and undermining aerobic adaptation. Key tools include holding acceptance and change together (adjust to the day instead of fighting reality), using precise language to name sensations (which calms the amygdala), and a quick “three-second check” to locate effort, assess danger vs discomfort, and choose a reality-based response. The challenge is one watch-free, data-free run and a pointer to a Zone 2 aerobic base series for older runners.

    00:00 Why Runners Quit
    01:10 Extrinsic vs Intrinsic
    02:35 When Running Feels Threatening
    03:55 Stress Hormones and Burnout
    04:45 Accept and Adjust
    06:05 Name It Precisely
    07:44 The Five Second Check
    09:30 Weekly Challenge and Wrap Up

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    11 min
  2. #58 - Running After 60: Why You Shouldn’t Stop (and 5 Ways to Keep Going Strong)

    Episode 58

    Show notes

    Don’t Quit Running After 60: 5 Ways to Keep Going

    Herb “the Forever Runner” argues that runners over 60 should keep running because it supports heart and lung health, works major muscles, maintains bone density (especially for older women), can keep knees and ankles healthier with consistent good form, lowers stress hormones, sharpens the brain and balance, and provides community that supports longevity and independence into later decades. He says runners often quit in their 60s due to pain from recurring nagging injuries and frustration from slowing paces, harder runs, and declining race times. To keep running, he recommends five changes: run slower at a low heart rate to build aerobic fitness, use proper form to reduce joint and ligament stress, prioritize recovery instead of plans for younger runners, add 2–3 strength sessions weekly to counter muscle loss, and adopt a mindset focused on the 80-year-old self rather than younger performance. He invites viewers to join the Forever Running Club with age-specific training, coaching calls, and community for $97 per year after a seven-day free trial.

    00:00 Never Stop Running
    00:40 Benefits After 60
    01:41 Why Runners Quit
    02:24 Run Smarter Shift
    02:46 Five Keys To Keep Going
    03:32 Join Forever Running Club
    04:12 Final Sendoff

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    4 min
  3. #57 - Why Consistency Matters More Than Low Heart Rate Training (Runners Over 50)

    Episode 57

    Show notes

    In this episode, Herb explains that low heart rate training only works when built on consistent running over months and years, especially for runners over 50. Drawing on his experience (80+ ultramarathons, three heart attacks, and nearly 10 years coaching), he emphasizes frequency, duration, and intensity, recommending easy, comfortable running and noting progress comes in months, not weeks. He advises choosing a realistic weekly schedule—typically three, four, or five days—that you can maintain even during stressful weeks, using fixed run days to remove daily decision-making. On difficult days, a short 20-minute easy run still counts, and missed runs shouldn’t be made up; just resume the next scheduled day. Example weeks show all runs kept easy, with harder work added later after a solid base.

    00:00 Why Consistency Wins
    00:56 Low Heart Rate Basics
    02:29 Herb’s Comeback Story
    03:06 Stop Chasing Perfect Plans
    03:31 Choose Your Weekly Days
    04:32 Coaching Community Invite
    05:04 Make the Schedule Stick
    06:32 Sample 3-5 Day Weeks
    07:49 What Changes Over Months
    08:54 Final Takeaway and Wrap

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    9 min
  4. #56 - Running on Beta Blockers: 5 Questions Every Runner Over 50 Asks

    Episode 56

    Show notes

    Coaxch Herb shares what he learned after starting a beta blocker, emphasizing he is not a doctor and runners should follow their cardiologist’s guidance. He answers five common questions for runners over 50: you can generally keep running once medically cleared; heart rate will be lower at rest and during exercise (often 20–30%), so old training zones won’t apply; runs may feel harder at the same pace at first because perceived exertion rises, though adaptation often occurs after a couple weeks; performance can slow due to a 5–15% VO2 max reduction, but most easy aerobic training is less affected and longevity matters; and never skip or stop doses to run better because rebound spikes in heart rate/blood pressure can be dangerous—discuss medication adjustments only with a cardiologist.

    00:00 Beta Blocker Worries
    00:25 Coach Disclaimer
    00:50 Runner Backstory
    01:20 Can You Still Run
    02:19 Heart Rate Drops
    03:45 Runs Feel Harder
    05:08 Slower and Less Fit
    06:35 Never Skip a Dose
    07:39 Wrap Up and Next Steps

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    9 min
  5. #55 - Running After 60? Is the Forever Runner Method Right for You?

    Episode 55

    Show notes

    Is the Forever Runner Method Right for Runners Over 60?

    The video explains why most training plans don’t fit runners over 60 and outlines the Forever Runner method, a nine-step framework built on aerobic base building, strength and mobility, and structured recovery to reduce the injury cycle. The host, who returned to ultras after two heart attacks, describes age-related changes (VO2 max decline, muscle loss, less-stiff tendons, reduced bone density, slower recovery) and critiques generic plans for excessive intensity and insufficient recovery. Key tools include the MAF heart-rate ceiling (180 minus age), the “minimum viable pace” to stay consistent even if it requires slowing down, and a built-in deload every fourth week cutting mileage 40–50%. Strength work (lunges, planks, calf raises) and gait correction are emphasized, with supporting research and a sample 6–8 week on-ramp. The video invites viewers to join the Forever Running Club.

    00:00 Forever Runner Question
    00:46 Method Overview
    01:49 Aging Body Changes
    03:23 Why Plans Fail
    04:51 Aerobic Engine MAF
    06:33 Recovery Reset Weeks
    07:23 Club Invitation
    08:00 Strength Mobility Pillar
    09:04 Science Evidence Check
    10:34 Six Week On Ramp
    12:19 Is It Right For You
    13:22 Final Join The Club

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    14 min
  6. #54 - How 2 Runners Over 50 Made Running Easy Again: Case Study

    Episode 54

    Show notes

    Over 50 and Hurting on Runs? How Two Runners Got Faster and Pain-Free by Slowing Down

    Coach Herb shares how two students over 50, Sherry and Greg, went from painful running to faster, easier, pain-free runs. Sherry sought a coach who understood her age and, after a little over a month, reported effortless running, about a minute per mile faster, and no pain during or after runs, regaining enjoyment. Greg, who had chased a “cruising on skates” feeling for 15 years and felt “broken” even in his prime, now runs without that sensation and regained joy, helped by accountability. The coach explains they improved by rebuilding aerobic base with MAF heart-rate training (180 minus age ceiling), slowing down to reduce fatigue and pain, and adding short sprints every 10–14 days. He invites viewers to join the Forever Running Club and share the video with runners over 50.

    00:00 Over 50 Running Wins
    00:27 Coach Background
    00:51 Sherry Pain Free Speed
    02:20 Quick Viewer Check In
    02:35 Greg Stops Feeling Broken
    04:31 Join Forever Running Club
    04:53 Why Easy Works
    05:52 MAF Heart Rate Method
    06:47 Slow Not Soft
    07:24 Wrap Up Next Steps

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    8 min
  7. #53 - Maffetone Training Not Working After 50? The Fix

    Episode 53

    Show notes

    Reverse Maffetone: The Low-Heart-Rate Fix for Runners Over 50 Who Keep Having to Walk

    Coach Herb explains why many runners over 50 struggle with strict Maffetone (MAF) training—often having to stop and walk to keep heart rate under the 180-minus-age cap (typically 115–125 bpm)—and presents a less frustrating approach called “Reverse MAF.” The coach, who has survived two heart attacks, run 80+ ultramarathons, and coached older runners for 10+ years, says older runners fail because they can’t run efficiently slow, are carb-dependent, lack consistency, and expect quick results. Reverse MAF flips the process by holding a comfortable “minimum viable pace” first and working to lower heart rate at that pace, then transitioning to strict MAF once ready. Four steps include setting minimum viable pace, doing gait analysis to improve efficiency, committing to a realistic weekly schedule, and using a heart rate drift test after building to 45 minutes easy.

    00:00 Why MAF Feels Impossible
    01:13 My First MAF Failure
    02:03 MAF Method Basics
    03:13 Why Older Runners Quit
    04:37 Four Common Struggles
    06:13 Think Long Term
    06:46 Reverse MAF Explained
    08:22 Four Reverse MAF Steps
    10:25 Results and Patience
    12:05 Purists and Final Advice
    13:02 Wrap Up and Next Video

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    14 min
  8. #52 - Why Running Harder after 50 Makes You Slower

    Episode 52

    Show notes

    Stop the Gray Zone: How Runners Over 50 Can Get Faster, Leaner, and Injury-Free

    A 73-year-old runner and coach with 50+ ultramarathons and two heart attacks explains why many runners slow down, gain belly fat, and get injured after 50 by responding to decline with harder training. He argues that this approach overuses the anaerobic, sugar-burning system and creates “junk miles” in the medium-hard “Gray Zone,” which builds fatigue without improving fitness and can lead to aerobic deficiency syndrome (ADS), where the aerobic, fat-burning system remains underdeveloped. Because recovery and tissue repair slow with age, gray-zone training increases stress, impairs fat burning, and raises injury risk, creating a cycle of setbacks. The recommended solution is mostly very easy, conversational running to rebuild aerobic capacity plus a small, clearly defined portion of truly hard work so hard days can be hard and easy days easy. He teases a next video on a single heart-rate number (“The Maffetone Fix”).

    00:00 Why Running Gets Harder
    00:31 My Story After 50
    01:10 The Push Harder Trap
    01:59 Aerobic vs Anaerobic
    03:11 Junk Miles Gray Zone
    04:09 Aerobic Deficiency ADS
    04:44 Belly Fat Connection
    05:28 Injury Spiral After 50
    06:33 Train With Your Age
    07:11 Payoff of Easy Running
    07:45 Next Step Maffetone Fix

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    8 min
  9. #51 - The Beer at the Finish Line Is Costing You More Than You Think

    Episode 51

    Show notes

    3 Reasons to Cut Back on Alcohol for Better Running Recovery After 50

    In episode 51 of the Forever Runner Podcast, host Herb Reeves explains how he cut back on alcohol after noticing Garmin data showing higher resting heart rate, lower recovery scores, and harder runs following a couple of beers, especially after turning 70. He argues that after 50, recovery—not training—is the key to longevity, and alcohol quietly interferes in three ways: it reduces muscle protein synthesis and steals the post-run repair window; it impairs the next run by slowing glycogen refueling and worsening hydration, often raising heart rate; and it disrupts sleep quality, the most powerful recovery tool, adding stress that can degrade performance. Reeves now often chooses non-alcoholic beer and challenges runners over 50 to experiment by skipping post-long-run alcohol, using protein and hydration, and tracking sleep and resting heart rate.

    00:00 Beer At The Finish
    01:13 Data Changed My Mind
    02:27 Recovery Window Stolen
    03:57 Next Run Fallout
    05:25 Sleep Gets Wrecked
    06:54 My New Approach
    07:40 Try A Simple Experiment
    08:25 Protect Recovery Long Term
    08:43 Comments And Wrap Up

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    9 min
  10. #50 - Running with Medical Issues

    Episode 50

    Show notes

    Three Lessons From a Heart Attack and Vertigo for Older Runners

    Herb, host of the Forever Runner podcast, shares three lessons from having a heart attack as an ultra runner that are helping him cope with a new medical issue: vestibular neuronitis, which caused sudden vertigo about eight months ago and still affects his balance, limiting him to short runs with walk breaks and prompting him to enter a local five-miler instead of the marathon.

    Lesson one, “you’re not done yet,” came after his first heart attack at 50 when running a marathon and joining a Hood to Coast relay team of 12 open-heart surgery survivors led him into ultra racing and keeps him from writing himself off while grounded by vertigo.

    Lesson two is to stay in the moment and work the problem daily.

    Lesson three is that it doesn’t always get worse, illustrated by recovering mid-race after stomach trouble at a 100-miler.

    00:00 Older Runner Reality Check
    00:50 Vertigo Hits Outta Nowhere
    01:39 Race Day Reset at the 5-Miler
    02:21 Lesson One Not Done Yet
    03:40 Lesson Two Work the Problem
    04:55 Lesson Three It Can Turn Around
    06:20 Putting It All Together
    07:01 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    7 min
  11. #49 - How Often To Run If You're Over 50

    Episode 49

    Show notes

    How Often Should Runners Over 50 Run? Start With Intensity, Then Duration, Then Frequency

    In episode 49 of the Forever Runner Podcast, host Herb Reeves says most runners over 50 get injured because they start by asking how often to run, when frequency should be the third decision after intensity and duration. He shares Arthur Lydiard’s 1950s aerobic training approach—running a lot but slow—which helped produce Olympic medalists and influenced modern training. Reeves argues older runners fail by running too hard, so most runs should feel easy with controlled heart rate and conversational effort to rebuild the aerobic system. For duration, he recommends focusing on time, with 30–45 minutes per run as a sweet spot, keeping long runs under two hours unless training for longer events. Frequency then depends on goals: 2–3 runs weekly for maintenance, 4–5 to build fitness, and daily only if truly easy, with 1–2 rest days scheduled.

    00:00 Wrong Question Trap
    00:39 Lydiard Training Story
    01:59 Intensity Comes First
    03:00 Dial In Duration
    03:56 Choose Weekly Frequency
    04:40 Put It Together
    04:59 Recover to Run Forever
    05:31 Book and Sign Off

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    6 min
  12. #48 - Most Training Plans Are Wrong For Older Runners, Here's Why

    Episode 48

    Show notes

    The Forever Runner Method: Smarter Running After 50

    Host Herb Reeves argues that most running advice is built for younger bodies and can lead runners over 50 to get slower, more fatigued, and injured. He shares his own experience as a sponsored ultra runner whose heart nearly stopped twice, leading him to adopt low heart rate training and develop the Forever Runner method.

    He explains three key problems for older runners: aerobic systems respond differently (with heart rate spikes and “aerobic deficiency” worsened by inaccurate formulas like 220 minus age), metabolism changes (overreliance on carbs keeps runners stuck burning sugar instead of building fat-burning flexibility), and recovery takes longer (making rest, strength, mobility, sleep, and truly easy days essential). He outlines a three-stage framework: build the aerobic base with optimal heart rate, fuel for fat burning and stable energy, and prioritize strength and recovery to run injury-free long term.

    00:00 Running After 50 Myth
    00:44 Survival To Smarter Training
    01:56 Aerobic System Reset
    03:12 Metabolism And Fuel Shift
    04:15 Recovery Becomes Training
    05:12 Forever Runner Three Stages
    05:55 Better System Not Effort
    06:34 Start Your Forever Runner Journey

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    7 min
  13. #47 - The Cadence Mistake Destroying Your Heart Rate Zones

    Episode 47

    Show notes

    In episode 47 of the Forever Runner Podcast, host Herb Reeves explains that many runners who can’t stay in low heart-rate zones may be limited by low cadence and overstriding rather than poor fitness.

    He describes discovering his own form issues during low heart-rate training and adopting the Pose method—upright posture, foot landing under the body, and short, quick steps.

    Reeves gives three reasons to raise cadence: it reduces joint pounding and braking forces (citing a University of Wisconsin finding that a 10% cadence increase cut hip and knee loading by over 20%), it improves running economy to make Zone 2/low heart-rate running possible (referencing research by Jonathan Foland and Dr. Peter Attia’s Zone 2 emphasis), and it can extend running longevity, supported by a long Stanford study of runners over 50.

    He outlines an “eight-minute cadence reset” drill sequence and recommends gradually increasing cadence in small weekly steps using a metronome.

    00:00 Heart Rate Spikes Fast
    00:37 My Low HR Struggle
    02:19 Reason 1 Save Your Joints
    04:15 Reason 2 Unlock Zone 2
    06:32 Reason 3 Run for Decades
    08:21 Fix Cadence Pose Basics
    10:04 Eight Minute Cadence Reset
    12:07 Progress Slowly and Stick
    12:55 Wrap Up and Next Steps

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    15 min
  14. #46 - Older Runner? Your Training Plan Might Be Destroying Your Body

    Episode 46

    Show notes

    3 Reasons Older Runners Need Age-Appropriate Training

    Host Herb Reeves explains why runners over 50 should avoid generic training plans and use age-appropriate methods to keep running for life.

    He gives three reasons: (1) generic plans can destroy the aerobic base in older runners by stacking hard efforts too often, contributing to aerobic deficiency syndrome; he recommends low heart-rate training using Dr. Phil Maffetone’s 180-minus-age guideline and slowing or walking when heart rate rises. (2) generic plans ignore longer recovery needs after 60, where recovery may take days; he suggests a reduced-load recovery week every fourth week and monitoring waking heart rate for signs of under-recovery. (3) race-focused plans prioritize short-term events over long-term durability, increasing cumulative overuse injury risk; the

    Forever Runner Method emphasizes months of base building plus strength and mobility, measuring progress in years. He invites listeners to get his book at https://foreverrunnermethod.com/.

    00:00 Why Older Runners Struggle
    00:35 Age Appropriate Training
    01:27 Protect Your Aerobic Base
    03:26 Low Heart Rate Fix
    04:38 Recovery Is Training
    06:33 Build Recovery Weeks
    07:09 Think Beyond Next Race
    09:11 Forever Runner Method
    10:03 Quick Summary And Next Steps
    11:22 Get The Book
    12:00 Final Sendoff

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    12 min
  15. #45 - Zone 2 Training for Older Runners: Ditch the Formula, Try This Instead

    Episode 45

    Show notes

    The MVP Method: How Older Runners Can Start Zone 2 Training Without Walk Breaks

    Herb describes struggling with Zone 2/Maffetone training at age 62, shuffling so slowly that walkers passed and needing walk breaks to keep heart rate low. He compares the Maffetone formula (180 minus age, with an added 10 over 60) to a Zone 2 calculator using known max heart rate (185 from a medical treadmill test) and resting heart rate (about 42), which produced a Zone 2 range of roughly 128–143 bpm, but still felt unclear. He develops a “minimum viable pace” (MVP) by running 1–3 miles at the slowest sustainable pace without checking his watch, then noting a consistent heart rate (132 bpm) at about 10:30/mile. By holding MVP pace, his heart rate drops over weeks, allowing a later return to standard Maffetone training, and he outlines doing frequent easy runs for consistency.

    00:00 Zone Two Struggle Story
    00:41 Maffetone Formula Limits
    01:30 Zone Two Calculator Approach
    03:06 Stop Chasing Formulas
    03:28 Finding Your MVP Pace
    04:39 Results and Progression
    05:52 MVP Program Steps
    06:54 Consistency Builds Aerobic Base
    07:47 Forever Runner Wrap Up

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    8 min
  16. #44 - Why VO2 Max Training for Older Runners Is a Trap

    Episode 44

    Show notes

    In Forever Runner Podcast episode 44, host Herb Reeves explains what VO2 max is, why it’s widely promoted as a longevity and fitness metric, and why older runners shouldn’t train specifically to maximize it.

    He argues that high VO2 max doesn’t necessarily translate to faster race times because it doesn’t reflect running economy or recovery, that VO2-max-focused workouts are highly taxing and increase fatigue, overtraining, and injury risk, and that genetics heavily limit how much VO2 max can improve.

    Instead of brutal sprint sessions, he recommends improving VO2 max indirectly by building an aerobic base and managing weight, offering simple checks using heart rate (under 130 bpm) and waist-to-height ratio, and pointing to his Forever Runner Method book and free club for guidance.

    00:00 VO2 Max Hype
    00:35 What VO2 Max Means
    01:36 Why Chasing It Fails
    02:01 Reason One Speed Myth
    02:33 Reason Two Recovery Cost
    03:07 Reason Three Genetics Limit
    03:29 Smarter Ways To Improve
    03:56 Quick Self Checks
    04:36 Get The Free Method
    05:04 Wrap Up And Comments

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    5 min
  17. #43 - 5 Benefits of Trail Running for Older Runners

    Episode 43

    Show notes

    5 Benefits of Trail Running for Older Runners

    In episode 43 of the Forever Runner Podcast, host Herb Reeves urges older runners to try trail running and shares how a post–heart attack phone call to race director John Pearch led to 20+ years of trail and ultra running, including community leadership. He explains that road running can create repetitive movement patterns that neglect stabilizing muscles, increasing injury risk, and then outlines five benefits of trail running: varied terrain that builds balance and neuromuscular coordination; a slower pace with natural walk breaks that reduces joint stress and allows longer outings; hills that develop strength and stamina and can improve road performance; inspiring scenery that shifts focus from PRs to experiences; and supportive trail buddies and community, which he links to longevity. He invites listeners to comment and join the free Forever Running Club.

    00:00 Trail Running Benefits Intro
    00:22 Heart Attack to Trails
    02:54 Road Running Limitations
    04:45 Five Reasons Overview
    05:00 Benefit 1 Varied Terrain
    05:57 Benefit 2 Walk Breaks
    06:51 Benefit 3 Hills Strength
    07:37 Benefit 4 Scenic Views
    08:23 Benefit 5 Trail Community
    09:13 Start Now Closing

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    10 min
  18. #42 - Slow Jogging: The Fastest Way to Fix Your Running Form

    Episode 42

    Show notes

    Slow Jogging: The Fastest Way for Runners Over 50 to Get Faster

    In episode 42 of the Forever Runner Podcast, host Herb explains that for runners over 50, running getting harder is often due to poor form—especially overstriding and heel striking—not aging, and that low heart rate training feels frustrating because many people haven’t learned how to truly run slow. After a heart attack and struggling to stay under his Maffetone heart rate, Reeves discovered slow jogging (Nico Nico), an upright style with short, quick steps landing under the center of gravity. He outlines five benefits of slow jogging: improved aerobic capacity, increased fat burning, reduced injury risk, better recovery, and faster running later, sharing his own improvement of about one minute per mile in 90 days. He gives three steps to start slow jogging(run in place, target ~90 steps/min per leg, lean forward at the ankles) and describes what progress feels like over 12 weeks.

    00:00 Running Over 50 Struggles
    00:28 Heart Attack Wake Up Call
    01:10 Overstriding Slows You Down
    02:35 What Is Slow Jogging
    03:44 Five Key Benefits of slow jogging
    05:48 Why It Feels Wrong
    06:40 Three Steps To Start slow jogging
    08:02 What Progress Feels Like
    09:23 Try It And Join Club

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    10 min
  19. #41 - Discover Your Why: The Five Whys Exercise to Stay Motivated to Run

    Episode 41

    Show notes

    Discover Your Why: The Five Whys Exercise to Stay Motivated to Run

    In episode 41 of the Forever Runner Podcast, host Herb addresses runners who struggle with motivation and make excuses to skip runs, warning that this pattern can lead to quitting. He shares how two heart procedures and a vertigo attack nearly caused him to stop running, but he kept going by discovering his “why.” Drawing on Lean productivity principles from his former government job, he explains the “five whys” method to uncover the root cause of why you run: write “Why do I run?” and ask “why” five times to drill down to a core motivator. Reeves’ own fifth why was being healthy enough to be there for his granddaughter at 90, shifting his focus from awards to staying present and capable. He suggests keeping a picture of your person, place, or dream as a reminder.

    00:00 Motivation Struggles
    00:32 My Health Setbacks
    01:04 Discover Your Why
    01:21 The Five Whys Method
    02:09 How To Do It
    02:40 Example Five Whys
    04:35 My Core Why
    05:29 Make It Visual
    05:47 Final Challenge

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    6 min
  20. #40 - Aerobic Deficiency Syndrome: Why Older Runners Slow Down and How to Fix It With Low Heart Rate Training

    Episode 40

    Show notes

    In this episode, Herb explains how many runners over 50 slow down due to aerobic deficiency syndrome (ADS), caused by overreliance on anaerobic training that burns sugar and produces lactic acid, leading to pain, fatigue, and plateaus. He contrasts this with the aerobic system, which is fueled by fat, has no byproducts, and can burn lactic acid. Herb shares his own experience discovering his “easy” runs were at 135–145 bpm and offers a simple self-test: if a comfortable run averages under 130 bpm, aerobic fitness is likely decent; consistently above 130 bpm suggests ADS. The fix is months of running at or below maximum aerobic heart rate, estimated by the Maffetone formula (180 minus age) or personalized by avoiding late-run heart-rate drift. He invites viewers to join his free Forever Running Club and comment about their easy-run heart rate.

    00:00 Why Running Gets Harder
    00:23 My Aerobic Deficiency Wakeup
    01:31 Aerobic vs Anaerobic Explained
    03:39 The Simple Heart Rate Test
    05:08 How to Fix It
    05:31 MAF Formula and Heart Rate Drift
    06:40 Running Slower to Get Faster
    07:12 Join the Forever Running Club
    07:50 Your Results and Wrap Up

    P.S. If you are passionate about running, and you don't want to lose that passion, then getting your copy of my new Forever Runner Method book is the right move. Click this link to get yours: https://foreverrunner.com/

    Runners over 50: Pain free running without injury with slow running!

    8 min