The TRUTH About VO₂ Max For Runners Over 50

A quick update from Brad

Learn more about SmartRunning here. Is it safe to let AI be your running coach after 50?In this episode, Brad and Coach Lindsey pull back the curtain on artificial intelligence in the running world – from ChatGPT training plans to “adaptive” apps and true machine learning. They unpack the risks, the hype, where AI can genuinely help runners over 50… and why the human coach still matters more than ever.

Coach Lindsey chats to Professor Mike Stroud - British physician, gastroenterologist and polar explorer - about the myths runners believe.We unpack why most athletes overemphasise protein, what actually supports longevity and performance after 50, and the supermarket rule that fixes most diets. Plus: lessons from walking across Antarctica with 220kg sledges and burning 8,500 calories a day.

Welcome to this episode of the Faster Beyond 50 Podcast with Brad Nadauld and Coach Lindsey Parry - where we help runners over 50 train smarter, recover faster, and stay injury-free.In today’s episode, we dive into the impact of booze on your training - from restless nights after just a couple of drinks to what happens when you try to run with a hangover. We also discuss:- Why your heart rate might spike before you even realize you’re getting sick- Whether it’s smart to run with a headache (and what could be causing it)- Which sessions to prioritize when you miss training days due to life, work, or family- And the pros and cons of splitting long runs across two daysPlus, we chat about the Cape Town Marathon’s potential World Marathon Major status, and why 2026 might be the perfect year for an unforgettable Cape Town + Comrades Marathon double.If you’re over 50 and want to recover faster, improve endurance, and keep running strong, don’t miss our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass. Click the link in the description or show notes to save your seat now!

Lindsey flies solo with Kiwi-in-Denmark runner David Hoskin, who’s on fire at the moment, six (now seven!) PBs from 5K to half-marathon in 2025. They unpack the master's running blueprint: truly easy easy runs, longer aerobic volume, disciplined intervals, pacing your 5/10/21K, and using heart-rate to guide training (and when not to on race day).

Coach Lindsey Parry and Brad Nadauld tackle the questions every runner secretly struggles with - from why running slow feels so hard, to dealing with “runner’s trots,” hitting your marathon goals, and finding motivation when your legs (and mind) just won’t cooperate. Honest, practical, and a little bit funny - this one’s for every real-world runner out there.

Unlock the power of HRV to recover smarter, sleep better, and run stronger after 50. Brad and Coach Lindsey unpack what HRV really means, how to use it as an early-warning system, and the simple tweaks (training, sleep, nutrition) that keep you injury-free and progressing.

This episode dives into everything runners over 50 need to know — the right long runs, shoes for wide feet, and what “adaptive muscle shortening” really means. Plus, Coach Lindsey’s Berlin Marathon debrief and smart mobility hacks that actually work.

From 75 pounds overweight during lockdown to a sub-55 10K podium finish at 60 years old - Dan Radel's journey is proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. In this episode, Brad and Lindseyy unpack how structure, strength, and community helped Dan transform his running, tackle injuries, and eye up new goals from the half-marathon to maybe even the marathon.

VO₂ max decoded! Brad and Coach Lindsey Parry explain what VO₂ max really measures, why it matters more after 50, how wearables/lab tests stack up, and the smartest way to raise it—balancing easy aerobic work, high-intensity efforts, and strength so you can perform better and age stronger.