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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.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2026
About the author
Damian Hall
36 books10 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
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 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!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews