From Addiction to Running a 2:29 Marathon at 50 | Ken Rideout

**Please note, this episode contains discussion of drug addiction, substance misuse, and suicide, which some listeners may find upsetting. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek professional support.**

"Discipline is the only thing that will set you free"

He beat opioid addiction. Then ran a 2:29 marathon at 50.

Ken Rideout is the fastest masters marathon runner in the world - and this week, he brings his story of addiction recovery, discipline, and complete reinvention to The Runna Podcast.

This isn't just a running tips episode. It's a masterclass in what it actually takes to rebuild your life from scratch - and how marathon training became the framework that made it possible for Ken.

He didn't just get clean - he replaced chaos with consistency, turned pain into purpose, and became living proof that it's never too late to transform your life through running.

Whether you're a runner chasing a big goal, struggling with running consistency, or just need proof that reinvention is possible - this one's for you.

In this episode:
🧠 Why "discipline is the only thing that will set you free"
🏃‍♂️ How running helped him overcome a decade-long addiction
🚀 Why it's never too late to completely reinvent yourself

🎧

Want to give Runna a go?
🆓 Try it FREE for 2 weeks with code: PODCAST26
👉 web.runna.com/redeem

And if you’re just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛

📱
Instagram → @runna
TikTok → @runna
📺 Watch more episodes → @therunnapodcast

And you can find Ken’s book, Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard, here: amazon.co.uk/Everything-Want-Other-Side-Hard/dp/152995603X

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:32 – “I Wasted 10 Years of My Life” (Addiction & Rock Bottom)
02:25 – From Opioid Addiction to Triathlon Obsession
04:29 – Replacing One Addiction with Another (Running Every Day)
05:39 – Why Addicts Use Drugs (Escaping Yourself)
06:20 – “You’re in a Hole… Stop Digging” (Hard Truths)
07:50 – The Turning Point: Fatherhood Changed Everything
10:00 – Discipline vs Emotions (The Real Key to Success)
12:16 – Why Money Doesn’t Make You Happy
14:30 – Fulfilment Comes from Community & Relationships
21:00 – Getting Comfortable with Suffering (Elite Mindset)
23:00 – Sitting Next to Eliud Kipchoge (!!)
27:22 – How to Run a Faster Marathon (Negative Splits Explained)
29:43 – Discipline vs Motivation (What Actually Works)
44:24 – Why Everything Meaningful in Life Is Hard