The Hardest Finish Line: Grieving and Growing Beyond Your Running Years with Dimity McDowell (Episode 271)

In running, we celebrate grit, determination, pushing through pain, and crossing the finish line—whatever it takes. It shines on Instagram, but what does it really cost women in midlife and menopause who may be bogged down by endless injuries? How do we process it and find what's right for us? Sports like running are more than something we do. They become who we are, who our friends are, what our lives revolve around. When we can't do them anymore, there's enormous loss—and all the stages of grief. Longtime runner, Another Mother Runner co-founder, and author of The 27th Mile, Dimity McDowell joins us to unpack it all—including her "calling it quits marathon," mental matrix for decisions, and how to replace all that running gave you when it comes to an end.Before focusing her career on running, Dimity McDowell was a sports journalist, holding staff positions at Self, ESPN: The Magazine, and Sports Illustrated for Women. She co-authored three running books and co-founded Another Mother Runner, an inclusive community for all female runners, with Sarah Bowen Shea. The author of The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years, she has finished countless races, including Ironman Coeur d'Alene and the Pike’s Peak Half Marathon. Dimity is the mother of two adult children, and lives in Denver with her husband and two dogs. You can learn more about her work and find her Running Detox Program at manyhappymiles.com.Resources:Join Selene & Dimity at The Grand Traverse! feisty.co/events/the-grand-traverse/Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/Follow Us on Instagram:Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopauseHit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099Support our Partners:Cozy Earth: Use Code HITPLAY at https://cozyearth.com/ for up to 20% off Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.coMidi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/ Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr