#105: From Couch & Overweight to Running Marathons in Her 50's, with Ayako Fackenthal

Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to https://DrinkLMNT.com/FLO to get your free sample pack with any purchase. Ayako Fackenthal, a passionate runner who began her running journey in her mid-50s and has since progressed from couch to completing marathons and ultramarathons. Ayako shares how she found her love for running, the role of low heart rate training, and the lessons she's learned about health, mindset, and consistency along the way. She offers insights and inspiration for anyone starting or restarting their fitness journey later in life. Learn more about the Personal Best Running Coaching Program at https://www.pbprogram.com/ Watch this full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DI0cOUQRU1I CHAPTERS: 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 – How to become a stronger, healthier, and happier athlete FIND AYAKO: ► Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/52198811 LINKS & TOOLS MENTIONED ► Floris' Badwater Experience: https://extramilest.com/blog/badwater-135-lessons-learned/ ► Ep. with Dr. Phil Maffetone: https://youtu.be/_TPrenWWK9U ► Ep. with Maria Lurenda Westergaard: https://youtu.be/i5TmvBfJp-Y ► PB Program: https://www.pbprogram.com/ 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