The Running Ground

How much does our speed and our decline depend on our minds, not our bodies?In this thought-provoking and inspiring book, top 25 Master marathoner Nick Thompson invites readers to defy the inevitable decline that comes with age. After setting the American record in the 50km for the 45-49 age group, Thompson is on a mission to explore how pain, endurance and talent exist in the mind of a runner. Inspired to run by his father as a young child, Nick Thompson began setting school records in high school and has never looked back since. Running for your Life is the story of Thompson's ambition to break down the physiology of running and reveals how we can power through psychological barriers and get faster with age. Guaranteed to make you rethink what it means to get older, Running for your Life is an exploration of how and why we age and what putting one foot in front of another can teach us about ourselves.

Nick Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, an American magazine founded in 1857, which earned the top honor for magazines, General Excellence, at the National Magazine Awards in both 2022 and 2023. In his time as CEO, the company has seen record subscriber growth. Before joining The Atlantic, he was the editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine. He is also a former contributor for CBS News and has previously served as editor. He has long been a competitive runner; in 2021, he set the American record for men 45+ in the 50K race.