Why running feels harder after 40 and what your body really needs now
If you’ve been wondering why running feels harder after 40, I want to start with this:
It’s not your fault.
Lately, I’ve been having so many conversations with clients saying the same thing…
They feel like they’ve lost their mojo.
Runs feel harder than they used to.
They’re picking up little niggles more often.
A few have even said, quietly:
“I’ve thought about giving it up…”
But then almost straight after:
“…but I don’t want to. Running is part of me.”
And I completely understand that.
This is how Rachel one of my members felt too, listen to what she had to say here. Oh and she talk about the “This month on the Mat” tracker too which is FREE to download here
When running starts to feel different
You might not have changed much in your routine, but your body just feels… different.
- Heavier.
- Stiffer.
- More tired.
You head out for a run, and it takes longer to get going, or you finish and feel like it’s taken more out of you than it used to.
That’s often where the frustration creeps in.
And it’s usually the point where people start asking why running feels harder after 40, especially when nothing obvious has changed.
Your body is changing and it’s asking for something different
As we move through our 40s and beyond, there are a lot of changes happening behind the scenes.
Hormones shift.
Recovery can take longer.
Strength and muscle mass need a bit more attention.
Add in busy lives, work, family, and not always sleeping brilliantly… and it’s no wonder running can start to feel harder.
It’s not that your body is letting you down.
It’s just asking for a bit more support.
What I see happen all the time
Most women I work with fall into one of two camps:
They either try to push through it…
or they start to step back and do less.
And neither really works long term.
Because deep down, they want to keep running.
They just don’t want it to feel like such a struggle.
“I know I should be doing something…”
This is usually the point where Pilates comes into the conversation.
And I often hear:
“I know I should probably be doing something alongside running…”
But then comes the reality:
- No time
- Not sure what to do
- Don’t want anything too intense
- Don’t want to get it wrong
So, it stays as a “should”.
What actually helps (and doesn’t take over your life)
What I’ve seen both for myself and the women I work with is that it doesn’t need to be complicated.
It doesn’t need hours in the gym.
It just needs to be simple, consistent, and supportive.
That’s where Pilates fits in so well.
It helps you:
- Feel less stiff when you head out for a run
- Build strength in a way that feels manageable
- Support your joints and movement
- Move more easily and confidently
And often, that’s when running starts to feel that bit easier again.
A small shift, not a complete overhaul
This isn’t about changing everything you do.
It’s about adding in the piece that’s been missing.
Something that supports your running, rather than takes more out of you.
Because when your body feels supported, everything else becomes that bit easier.
If this is sounding familiar…
If you’re reading this and thinking,
“Yes… this is exactly where I am right now”
Then please know, you’re not alone in it.
And you don’t need to give up running.
You just need to support your body in a slightly different way.
A simple way to get started
Because I know how hard it can feel to know where to begin, I’ve created something to make this really easy.
I’m running a 4-week live online beginners Pilates course, starting on 28th April.
It’s designed for this exact stage when you know you need something, but don’t want it to feel overwhelming or time-consuming.
- 🗓 4 weeks of live classes
- ⏰ 7:30–8:00pm (just 30 minutes)
- 💻 Online, so you can join from home
- 🎥 Recorded sessions included, so you can practise and go over what you’ve learnt
- 💛 £50 for the full course
You don’t need to have done Pilates before.
You don’t need to be flexible.
You just need a place to start.
👉 You can find out more and join here
Sometimes it’s not about doing more.
It’s about doing what your body needs now.
And that can make all the difference 💛