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

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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. 

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