Think you can’t get faster or stronger after the age of 40?
Meet Sean Lee, who started running at 45…
And at 55, this Los Angeles runner has accomplished what most athletes half his age only dream of: 17 marathons with a 2:54 PR, 2 full Ironmans, and 25 ultra races, including UTMB, Badwater 135, and the brutal AC 100.
But Sean’s real breakthrough didn’t come from natural talent — it came from finally practicing what he preached. After years of teaching others but not applying his own lessons, he humbled himself and had his strongest race ever.
If you think age is slowing you down or that you’ve hit your peak, this conversation will prove otherwise!
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Here are some of the topics covered:
- 0:00 – Lessons from 10 years of training and racing
- 1:31 – Sponsor LMNT
- 2:43 – Introduction: Sean’s journey
- 3:19 – What advice would Sean give to his younger self
- 7:38 – Race preparation and fueling mistakes
- 10:03 – Sean’s training evolution over the years
- 14:35 – Cross-training and climbing for runners
- 15:19 – Advice for beginners trying climbing or new activities
- 19:50 – Coaching others vs. applying lessons to yourself
- 24:05 – Entering races with less pressure and expectations
- 27:03 – Strength training and mobility for runners 40, 50, 60+
- 28:19 – People starting out with rucking and weighted vests
- 33:38 – Advice for new runners to build consistency
- 37:26 – Getting over the initial “hump” of running
- 43:39 – Most challenging and most memorable race experiences
- 46:40 – Running gear that made the biggest difference
- 50:31 – Favorite nutrition, gels, and electrolytes
- 52:47 – Toe socks, blisters, and foot care strategies
- 55:43 – Next adventures and volunteering at races
- 59:08 – Where to find Sean
- 59:48 – How to become a stronger, happier, healthier athlete
A few quotes from Extramilest Show #106 with Sean Lee:
On Life Philosophy: “Nothing valuable in life comes easy. You have to put that in perspective, where if I want to get good at something, you have to work at it.”
On Training Philosophy: “People run so much faster than they should and so much longer than they should because they are not realizing how negatively it’s affecting their body…”
On Building Foundation: “When you build a tall building, you have to spend more time building the foundation. Spend less time focusing on your goals and running fast, spend more time building the base.”
On Running Smarter as You Age “None of us are running any faster because we’re getting older. So, we need to learn how to run smarter.”
On Trying New Things “You got to have an attitude that you want to try something new. You shouldn’t be fear of doing it… For me, fun is the most important thing. Even running has to be fun. If it’s not fun, why do I do that?”
On Making Running Enjoyable “Running should be reward you get reward after good hard day of working family time you give yourself a gift you go out there have fun”
Cheers,
Floris Gierman
P.S. Sean’s story perfectly embodies what I see in our Personal Best Program, it’s never too late to level up your running, no matter your age. His breakthrough came from slowing down, building a proper foundation, and focusing on consistency over intensity!
Whether you’re just starting at 45 like Sean did, or looking to break through plateaus in your 50s and beyond, we provide the structured approach and community support that helps you apply the lessons that actually work. Learn more at PBprogram.com.
