Ben Shepard on chasing PBs in his 50's after being told not to run

In this episode of the Runner's World Podcast, co-hosts Rick Pearson and Ben Hobson discuss Ben's remarkable return to marathon running after dealing with significant back issues that almost sidelined him permanently. He shares his experience running a 3:29 marathon, which highlighted the intense mental challenges of the last 10 kilometers, often described as incredibly grueling. Ben recounts techniques he used to push through, including breaking the distance into smaller parts, focusing on landmarks, and how the excitement and structure of the marathon event impacted him.

Ben opens up about his longstanding love for running, which had been interrupted by a back injury that led him to reassess his training regimen. He had to transition to strength training and mobility exercises to support his lower back properly. The discussion includes the importance of mental resilience in dealing with physical challenges and the encouragement from peers.

As he prepared for his marathon, Ben adopted a multifaceted training routine that combined three runs a week, strength training, and yoga, emphasizing variety and pacing in his runs. On race day, he focused on nutrition and proper fueling, realizing how crucial these elements were for performance. The laughter around missed gel handoffs captures the unpredictability of races. Ultimately, Ben expresses a renewed motivation to run, not just for personal achievements but to support friends and family, showcasing a broader perspective on the joy and community found in running.