#110: He Started Running at 57. Lessons from 28 half marathons, 22 marathons and 4 ultras with Eric Gustavsen
The Extramilest PodcastShow Notes
Eric Gustavsen began running seriously in his mid-50s after a lifetime of casual exercise and walking. What started as a way to support a friend in a triathlon quickly turned into a passion that's taken him through 22 marathons, 28 half marathons, and four ultras. Eric shares how he went from back pain and knee surgeries to running a 3:04 marathon, shaving a full hour off his first marathon time.
Thanks to Function Health for sponsoring this video! Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/FLORIS or use the code FLORIS100 to take control of your health.
Learn more about the Personal Best Running Coaching Program at https://www.pbprogram.com/
Watch this full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yk4qjatPpSE
CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Marathons after 55: Eric's marathon breakthrough 1:31 – Function Health Sponsorship 2:51 – What inspired Eric to start running 6:41 – Starting to run at 55 9:22 – Training for first marathon 14:40 – Lessons, running progress, & fueling mistakes 17:07 – Speedwork approaches 19:22 – Hill sprint strategy & warm-up routine 21:55 – Lawrence van Lingen's impact on Eric's running 25:37 – Hip-opening exercises & mobility routine 32:15 – Eric's advice to younger self & runners 34:55 – Eric's favorite races 36:26 – Race day nutrition & post-race experience 41:37 – Oral health tips for runners 45:52 – Mental strategies for training & racing 50:05 – Importance of gratitude and journaling 52:53 – How to become a stronger, healthier, and happier athlete
FIND ERIC GUSTAVSEN HERE: ► Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/47904672 ► FB: https://www.facebook.com/eric.gustavsen.7 ► Email: [email protected]
LINKS & TOOLS MENTIONED ► Personal Best Program Facebook Group: https://www.pbprogram.com/ ► Lawrence van Lingen's episode: https://youtu.be/zDJrNa-tO8c?si=_ir5-evRJ-Y4w0lT ► Lawrence's mobility movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2MMqAvtcqI ► Sally McRae's episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXoL5f_Gf1g ► Alex Hutchinson's episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iQZ_CnjYnU ► Myrtle Routine: https://tinyurl.com/3kj3d5fa
YOU CAN FIND ME, COACH FLORIS GIERMAN HERE: ► Free Weekly Running Newsletter: https://extramilest.com/subscribe ► Our Personal Best Coaching Program: https://www.pbprogram.com/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/florisgierman ► Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1329785 ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florisgierman ► Extramilest: https://extramilest.com/ ► Path Projects: https://pathprojects.com/flo ► Podcast: https://extramilest.com/podcast/
Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn commissions if you purchase items via my affiliate links. "As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases." Affiliate links do not increase cost to you. Also, you do not need to use these links. You can also search for these same items in Amazon or on any search engine/shopping site of your choice and buy/research them that way.
ABOUT THE EXTRAMILEST SHOW: A podcast and YouTube channel where host Floris Gierman interviews world class athletes, coaches and health experts on the topic of how to become a stronger, healthier and happier athlete.
More info about our Personal Best Running Coaching Program can be found at https://www.pbprogram.com.
SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to see new videos: https://bit.ly/Flo-YT
More from The Extramilest Podcast
Thanks to CENTR for sponsoring this video! Build your own home gym and get 10% off at https://shop.centr.com/FLORISGIERMAN | Most runners fall off their rehab plan when life gets busy. Running Injury Specialist Mandy is back for round two, diving into hip pain, shin splints, running shoes, and her own two-and-a-half year knee injury that eventually led to surgery — and what she learned from being on the other side of the treatment table.
Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this video! Get 15% off your first order at http://visit.pfandh.com/extramilestshow | Can the Norwegian training method help recreational runners get faster without overtraining? I sit down with two-time Olympian and medical doctor Marius Bakken to discuss training intensity, recovery, double threshold training, lactate testing, and building sustainable habits for long-term progress.
Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this video! Get 15% off your first order at https://visit.pfandh.com/extramilestshow | Penny Jarvis started running at 44 and now has ran 24 marathons. She ran her fastest marathon at 72, proving it's never too late to improve. In this episode, she joins Floris to share her approach to training, strength, recovery, and building confidence, plus how running has brought friendship, adventure, and purpose into her life.
Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this video! Get 15% off your first order at http://visit.pfandh.com/extramilestshow | Getting faster doesn't mean pushing harder on every run. In this episode, running coach Mario Fraioli shares how to introduce speed work, use hills to build strength, and balance training with a busy life. We also explore running strong in your 40s and beyond, learning to trust your body, and keeping the joy in running while working toward your next personal best.
Get 10% off your Cooling Sleep System with code FLO at https://somnuslab.com Can better sleep make you a faster runner? Chu Zhu is a sleep expert who's worked with Tour de France winners, Olympic athletes, and elite endurance performers. He's also a runner, swimmer, mountaineer, and founder of Somnus Lab. We dive into one of the most overlooked aspects of performance: sleep, one of the key areas I've been focusing to optimize my health. You'll get a lot out of this one.