Episode 111 - What My Blood Tests Taught Me About Running After 35

Send us Fan MailAs runners, we track everything: pace, heart rate, HRV, VO2 max, sleep, mileage, and recovery.But how often do we actually look at what's happening inside the body?In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon Podcast, I share the results of a comprehensive blood test I recently had in Poland and look at what they might tell us about running, performance, recovery and health as we get older.At 49, my results included a biological age estimate of 41.9, testosterone above the laboratory's reference range, good vitamin D and blood sugar markers, alongside a few areas such as LDL cholesterol and thyroid markers that are worth keeping an eye on.We discuss testosterone and the older runner, whether more testosterone actually means better performance, cholesterol and cardiovascular health, vitamin D and bone health, blood sugar and carbohydrates, thyroid function, supplements, recovery, and why being a fit runner doesn't automatically mean every health marker will be perfect.Most importantly, this isn't about becoming obsessed with blood tests or chasing the perfect numbers.It's about understanding the difference between fitness and health — and using data as information rather than allowing it to define you.Because for runners over 35, the goal isn't simply to run faster now.It's to build a body that can keep running for decades to come.Support the show