Most people think serious running is a young person’s game…
But today’s Extramilest podcast guest, Ayako Fackenthal, proves that wrong!
She started running in her mid-50s, lost 40 lbs, progressed from 5k to marathon to a 50-mile ultramarathon. But this isn’t just another “look what I accomplished” story. Ayako shares the practical strategies that made it possible, from discovering low heart rate training to building sustainable habits that work with real life.
If you think you’re too old or too slow, this conversation will change your mind!
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Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to https://DrinkLMNT.com/FLO to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
Here are some of the topics covered:
- 0:00 – Ayako’s Late Start and Inspiring Running Journey
- 1:14 – LMNT Sponsorship
- 2:19 – Why Ayako started running in her 50s
- 3:02 – What her life looked like before running
- 5:41 – How Ayako’s first runs felt
- 7:53 – What helped her enjoy running and find low heart rate training
- 12:47 – How she got into trail running
- 14:44 – Running with her Border Collie
- 15:45 – Improving in marathons and advice to her younger self
- 21:11 – Traveling to races and future marathon plans
- 22:29 – Moving from marathons to ultramarathons
- 25:05 – Tips for anyone wanting to run longer distances
- 32:00 – What she learned from aging and being a parent
- 34:18 – Race day mindset
- 39:40 – What Ayako does outside of running
- 43:42 – How eating, sleeping, and hydration affects training
- 47:11 – Realizing the impact of protein, sleep, and hydration on training
- 53:38 – Where to find Ayako
- 53:59 – Closing thoughts: how to become a stronger, healthier, and happier athlete
A few quotes from Extramilest Show #105 with Ayako Fackenthal:
On Running Your First Race: “If I did it, it can be done. Because honestly, I was barely running a mile a few times a year type of thing… doing a 5K maybe on a Thanksgiving local run with the kids, but the whole process was just I didn’t understand running at all.”
On Knowing Yourself: “Knowing what works for you is really important. You know, if being out there with friends is going to make you go run. You know, do that. Find people to run with. That’s how I started. I knew I could not do this running on my own. Like I had to run with other people.”
On Balance: “We want the kind of uncertainty that we can learn from. We’re hardwired to be pursuing this middle ground between boring predictability and total randomness.”
On Mental Fatigue: “The mental side is important too because if you’re just fatigued mentally to be like, ‘No, I don’t even want to go out there again, ‘ that’s not a good thing. Because half of the game is mental. So you have to make your runs enjoyable enough to say to yourself, ‘Yeah, I’m willing to go back out there again.’ “
On Being A Student: “Something I learned while my girls were in their sports was that you have to be a student of your sport. So I believe in really learning and reading as much as possible, listening to others, learn from others.”
Cheers,
Floris Gierman
P.S. Ayako’s story perfectly illustrates what we see in our Personal Best Program every day — it’s never too late to start, and age is often an advantage when it comes to patience and consistency!
Our members in their 50s, 60s, and beyond often see dramatic transformations because they embrace the low heart rate training approach Ayako talks about. Whether you’re starting your first 5K or working toward a marathon or ultra like Ayako, we meet you exactly where you are. Learn more at PBprogram.com.
