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Run Forever: The secrets to becoming an ageless athlete
'We don't stop running because we get old. We get old because we stop running.'
Is it inevitable that our running performance slides as we get into our forties and beyond? Or are there things we can do to slow or even pause the decline, master our midlife and use experience as a superpower and become an ageless ace?
In Run Forever, record-breaking GB ultrarunner Damian Hall, fifty, examines the reasons why our strength and speed might deteriorate, yet how it isn't certain if we choose to do something about it. In running, like other sports, there have been phenomenal performances from masters athletes, and while ageing is unavoidable, how we age isn't. Becoming an ageless ace has potentially extraordinary healthspan and longevity benefits away from running.
Featuring chapters on speed, strength, mindset, sleep and nutrition, Hall draws on the knowledge of experts and shares the stories of other runners – including five-time Olympian and European 10,000 metres champion Jo Pavey, and record-breaking ultrarunner Nicky Spinks – to provide advice for how we can keep running strong and enjoying it for as long as possible. World-renowned sports dietician, author and ultrarunner Renee McGregor explains how ageing affects female runners, especially around perimenopause and menopause, and leading strength and conditioning coach Pete Stables provides knowledge and exercises for the masters athlete.
Ageing is inevitable. Slowing down is optional. Run Forever gives you the tools to keep moving – stronger, smarter, longer.
Is it inevitable that our running performance slides as we get into our forties and beyond? Or are there things we can do to slow or even pause the decline, master our midlife and use experience as a superpower and become an ageless ace?
In Run Forever, record-breaking GB ultrarunner Damian Hall, fifty, examines the reasons why our strength and speed might deteriorate, yet how it isn't certain if we choose to do something about it. In running, like other sports, there have been phenomenal performances from masters athletes, and while ageing is unavoidable, how we age isn't. Becoming an ageless ace has potentially extraordinary healthspan and longevity benefits away from running.
Featuring chapters on speed, strength, mindset, sleep and nutrition, Hall draws on the knowledge of experts and shares the stories of other runners – including five-time Olympian and European 10,000 metres champion Jo Pavey, and record-breaking ultrarunner Nicky Spinks – to provide advice for how we can keep running strong and enjoying it for as long as possible. World-renowned sports dietician, author and ultrarunner Renee McGregor explains how ageing affects female runners, especially around perimenopause and menopause, and leading strength and conditioning coach Pete Stables provides knowledge and exercises for the masters athlete.
Ageing is inevitable. Slowing down is optional. Run Forever gives you the tools to keep moving – stronger, smarter, longer.
- GenresAudiobookNonfiction
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2026
About the author
Damian Hall
36 books15 followersA record-breaking ultramarathon runner who represented Great Britain aged 40 and continues to record competitive results in the world’s toughest races (mostly powered by tea). He’s featured in several films, books and the national media.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 14, 2026
Full of useful, and important, advice, written in accessible style and with a sense of humour. The book draws on a wide range of research, and is very convincing about what is the right approach to most aspects of running. There is no index, so it is not possible to look up specific points directly, so just read the whole book; it is an enjoyable read.
June 4, 2026
I thought this might be a little dry but really enjoyed it. The writer conveys his experience with running in a way that connects with us all and makes sure that the contributors he engages with have a lot of expertise. The case study sections at the end of each chapter are written with authenticity and humour. The tips and memes are memorable.
April 29, 2026
DAMIAN HALL. RUN FOREVER
This is truly one of the best books I’ve read in many years.
Inevitably our running performance drops off with age, especially as we run through our 40s & certainly our 50s & 60s.
Is this a ‘fixed’ decline beyond our control? No, for most of us, we’re really can have a positive effect on how this progresses.
I love that Damian’s book offers much thorough research to support the claims and information given to show how we can optimise our fitness as we age.
Damian is a record breaking GB ultra runner but in the introduction explains the point, at 40 years of age, when he actually recognised a decline in his fitness. There are many things I could quote but the best and simplest is « aging is inevitable, how we age isn’t! ».
There are three main parts to the book; the Bad; the Good; the Ugly. Within each are varying topics, all extremely well researched and supported with references. Chapters are appropriate in length, easy to read, hugely informative and make you want to find out more. The book covers male and female runners, but Damian says he’s unable to add much information for trans runners as the research itself is presently limited. There are support articles from other well known and successful runners, including Jo Pavey, Nicky Spinks, Renne McGregor & Pete Stables.
So feast yourself on articles covering strength, mindset, sleep, nutrition, speed, plus research surrounding the perimenopause and menopause and much more.
Run Forever is a book absolutely worth reading. Well written, in engaging form, with a density of researched information. Well done Damian. I shall, in fact, be re-reading it!!
This is truly one of the best books I’ve read in many years.
Inevitably our running performance drops off with age, especially as we run through our 40s & certainly our 50s & 60s.
Is this a ‘fixed’ decline beyond our control? No, for most of us, we’re really can have a positive effect on how this progresses.
I love that Damian’s book offers much thorough research to support the claims and information given to show how we can optimise our fitness as we age.
Damian is a record breaking GB ultra runner but in the introduction explains the point, at 40 years of age, when he actually recognised a decline in his fitness. There are many things I could quote but the best and simplest is « aging is inevitable, how we age isn’t! ».
There are three main parts to the book; the Bad; the Good; the Ugly. Within each are varying topics, all extremely well researched and supported with references. Chapters are appropriate in length, easy to read, hugely informative and make you want to find out more. The book covers male and female runners, but Damian says he’s unable to add much information for trans runners as the research itself is presently limited. There are support articles from other well known and successful runners, including Jo Pavey, Nicky Spinks, Renne McGregor & Pete Stables.
So feast yourself on articles covering strength, mindset, sleep, nutrition, speed, plus research surrounding the perimenopause and menopause and much more.
Run Forever is a book absolutely worth reading. Well written, in engaging form, with a density of researched information. Well done Damian. I shall, in fact, be re-reading it!!
April 11, 2026
How long can we actually keep running as we get older?
That’s the question Run Forever by Damian Hall tries to answer—and it does so in a way that’s both realistic and surprisingly reassuring.
This isn’t a book about chasing PBs or pushing to extremes (despite Hall’s background in races like the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc). Instead, it’s about staying in the game for as long as possible. And that’s what makes it stand out.
There’s a lot here for the average runner. The advice is simple but effective—slow down, be consistent, look after your body, and don’t underestimate the basics like sleep and nutrition. It’s the kind of guidance that feels doable, not overwhelming.
What really resonated with me was the focus on aging. Hall doesn’t pretend we can stop the clock, but he does make a strong case that we can influence how we age. The idea that you can maintain a run/walk well into later life—if you train smart—feels both motivating and achievable.
The writing is informal, often humorous, and easy to dip into. There are also nice insights from other experienced runners, which add depth without making it feel too technical.
It’s not perfect—some of the key ideas are repeated a bit too often—but the message is one worth hearing: we’re built for endurance, and we’re capable of more than we think.
A really encouraging read if you’re thinking less about running faster, and more about running for life.
That’s the question Run Forever by Damian Hall tries to answer—and it does so in a way that’s both realistic and surprisingly reassuring.
This isn’t a book about chasing PBs or pushing to extremes (despite Hall’s background in races like the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc). Instead, it’s about staying in the game for as long as possible. And that’s what makes it stand out.
There’s a lot here for the average runner. The advice is simple but effective—slow down, be consistent, look after your body, and don’t underestimate the basics like sleep and nutrition. It’s the kind of guidance that feels doable, not overwhelming.
What really resonated with me was the focus on aging. Hall doesn’t pretend we can stop the clock, but he does make a strong case that we can influence how we age. The idea that you can maintain a run/walk well into later life—if you train smart—feels both motivating and achievable.
The writing is informal, often humorous, and easy to dip into. There are also nice insights from other experienced runners, which add depth without making it feel too technical.
It’s not perfect—some of the key ideas are repeated a bit too often—but the message is one worth hearing: we’re built for endurance, and we’re capable of more than we think.
A really encouraging read if you’re thinking less about running faster, and more about running for life.
April 9, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really enjoy Damian Hall’s friendly writing style and I think this book is good for developing a positive mindset about aging and potentially your running changing. Though with plenty of examples of people still achieving amazing things as they age, which is inspiring. The case studies are interesting reads about how individuals have felt as they’ve aged or started experiencing perimenopause, and how they either changed their training, mindset or goals if need be. Many of the case studies are from people who run very big distances and/or fast times, so may not be relatable to everyone in that respect. I learned a few things that I didn’t really understand before, so had a few lightbulb moments. Such as how v02 max is calculated and what v02 max tells us. What age-grade score percentages actually mean and how they could feed into a different kind of goal as we age. I hadn’t considered the importance of speedwork as we age, and now I understand the why behind that. A lot of the book is stats and information/experiences, but there are some practical sections, such as strength training exercises for either in the gym or at home. Overall, I think this is a positive read about looking after yourself, developing a good mindset and enjoying your running as you age.
I really enjoy Damian Hall’s friendly writing style and I think this book is good for developing a positive mindset about aging and potentially your running changing. Though with plenty of examples of people still achieving amazing things as they age, which is inspiring. The case studies are interesting reads about how individuals have felt as they’ve aged or started experiencing perimenopause, and how they either changed their training, mindset or goals if need be. Many of the case studies are from people who run very big distances and/or fast times, so may not be relatable to everyone in that respect. I learned a few things that I didn’t really understand before, so had a few lightbulb moments. Such as how v02 max is calculated and what v02 max tells us. What age-grade score percentages actually mean and how they could feed into a different kind of goal as we age. I hadn’t considered the importance of speedwork as we age, and now I understand the why behind that. A lot of the book is stats and information/experiences, but there are some practical sections, such as strength training exercises for either in the gym or at home. Overall, I think this is a positive read about looking after yourself, developing a good mindset and enjoying your running as you age.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A difficult book to categorise. As a leisure runner, I found the initial chapters riveting but the further into the book I read, the less engrossed I became as the advice became more focussed on elite performance. I feel the book is aimed at the serious runner, someone who competes regularly and is concerned with fastest times, performance and event placement. With that in mind I think the book hits the mark for this audience and tries to strip away the mindset that people have to accept that they slow down as they age. Performance should be considered as relative, relative to those in your age group. One measure of this performance is to assess your time not against the race winner but against the FKT for your age group. If you are 20, how close are you, percentage wise, to the FKT for a 20 year old over the distance you are running; ditto for a 4o year old; ditto for a 60 year old, etc. By making this assessment you can remain in a much more positive mindset and may even demonstrate an improvement in performance if you progress closer to that FKT. Interesting chapters on female aging too. Thought the section on gym advice and training was excellent and the contributions from well known runners & experts added to the picture. One for the serious runner.
April 5, 2026
Review of publisher’s advance copy
Having loved Damian’s previous writing I was looking forward to this and was not disappointed.
We don’t stop running because we get old, we get old because we stop running - and Damian explores what we can do to keep running and enjoying it as long as we can. Chapters on speed, strength, mindset, sleep and nutrition, with contributions from Renee McGregor on nutrition and Pete Stables on exercise, give you the toolbox to continue to run strongly and to achieve goals whatever your age.
I enjoyed the advice from other runners such as Jo Pavey and Nicky Spinks on how they keep their running interesting, and Damian does a great job of addressing the extra issues which mid life women face in staying active and healthy - and highlighting the often yawning gaps in information about women’s bodies at any age.
I’ve finished the book and now want to go through it again with a notebook to capture the tips that resonated with me most.
A great read and one I know I will return to.
Having loved Damian’s previous writing I was looking forward to this and was not disappointed.
We don’t stop running because we get old, we get old because we stop running - and Damian explores what we can do to keep running and enjoying it as long as we can. Chapters on speed, strength, mindset, sleep and nutrition, with contributions from Renee McGregor on nutrition and Pete Stables on exercise, give you the toolbox to continue to run strongly and to achieve goals whatever your age.
I enjoyed the advice from other runners such as Jo Pavey and Nicky Spinks on how they keep their running interesting, and Damian does a great job of addressing the extra issues which mid life women face in staying active and healthy - and highlighting the often yawning gaps in information about women’s bodies at any age.
I’ve finished the book and now want to go through it again with a notebook to capture the tips that resonated with me most.
A great read and one I know I will return to.
April 9, 2026
I have admired Damian Hall for a long time, so was eager to read his latest book. With his level of experience and expertise, and his down-to-earth style of writing, Damian has written a brilliantly researched book which everyone can learn from. With his co-authors and numerous case studies written by runners themselves, Damian has produced an incredibly thorough book which includes many different viewpoints and experiences. Top marks for covering women and the different challenges posed to them, which most research seems to completely ignore. I really enjoyed Damian's style of writing, full of humour, which is very accessible and engaging. As a runner getting into midlife myself, I certainly picked up many tips and advice which I know I can trust.
April 9, 2026
I really enjoyed this book as it gave me a lot of food for thought. I found the stories of older athletes very inspiring. I thought the book was very well set out and contained good, well researched ideas of what the individual can do to keep running well into their golden years. A very worthwhile read which I will dip in and out of regularly.
April 26, 2026
Really great summary reviewing the changes that affect athletes - well, actually, everyone - as they/we age and how we can adapt to, or even delay ,the inevitable deterioration in strength, power and speed that accompany the passing years.
He divides the books into sections - 'the bad' (what aging does to us), 'the good' (how running can delay/prevent some of these changes and also tips on how to train smarter to avoid injuries and optimise your performance) and 'the ugly' (consideration of women-specific issues relating to the menopause and perimenopuae) and a whole heap of recommended training plans and exercises for the older athlete. Sensibly he has invited a guest writer (female) to cover the perimenopause/menopause discussions.
There are also 'Case Studies' peppered throughout the text. These are mini-essays by or about athletes, some famous, some not, who have managed to excel despite their advancing years. These are excellent, without exception.
So there you go, it's a good 'un!
He divides the books into sections - 'the bad' (what aging does to us), 'the good' (how running can delay/prevent some of these changes and also tips on how to train smarter to avoid injuries and optimise your performance) and 'the ugly' (consideration of women-specific issues relating to the menopause and perimenopuae) and a whole heap of recommended training plans and exercises for the older athlete. Sensibly he has invited a guest writer (female) to cover the perimenopause/menopause discussions.
There are also 'Case Studies' peppered throughout the text. These are mini-essays by or about athletes, some famous, some not, who have managed to excel despite their advancing years. These are excellent, without exception.
So there you go, it's a good 'un!
April 9, 2026
Really interesting read as to why we slow down as we get older and what we can do to slow down the slowing down. Lots of useful nuggets of information (from nutrition, strength and outlook) which you can easily put into practice to keep running strong.
Off now to put some of it into practice!
Off now to put some of it into practice!
May 23, 2026
- Sleep more
- Eat more real food (especially complex carbs and protein)
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Strength train
- Prioritize top end speed or you’ll lose it forever
- Compare yourself to your age group not your younger self (I’m not here yet except when it comes to 800 meters and below)
- Eat more real food (especially complex carbs and protein)
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Strength train
- Prioritize top end speed or you’ll lose it forever
- Compare yourself to your age group not your younger self (I’m not here yet except when it comes to 800 meters and below)
July 21, 2026
I always enjoy Damian’s books… this one will be referred back to, as there are some good strategies to use in training.
The weights workouts were a dry read… yet I’ve already added some new activities to my gym sessions.
If you saw Damian promoting this book… wait a bit before reading it!
The weights workouts were a dry read… yet I’ve already added some new activities to my gym sessions.
If you saw Damian promoting this book… wait a bit before reading it!
May 1, 2026
Slightly depressing for my poor aging body in places, but lots of good practical advice.
May 14, 2026
Very interesting stuff, gave me a lift. I can go on.
June 25, 2026
Absolutely loved it, couldn’t have asked for more from the content.
July 11, 2026
I have to lift weights. :(
August 4, 2026
Cracking read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews