When Should You Quit Running? An Honest, Difficult Conversation with Author Dimity McDowell

When Should You Quit Running? An Honest, Difficult Conversation with Author Dimity McDowell

From The Strength Running Podcast by Jason Fitzgerald

March 19, 2026 · 56 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the difficult decision of quitting running with guest Dimity McDowell, exploring the emotional and practical implications of such a choice.

What if you have to make the hard decision to stop running altogether? That's the heartbreaking choice Dimity McDowell, a long-time runner and sports journalist, had to make a few years ago. In this conversation and in her new book, The 27th Mile , we explore what it means to hang up your running shoes for good: The loss of identity, community, and purpose How to fill the hole that running once filled What the experts recommend How to find closure after a running career ends Follow Dimity on Instagram and be sure to check out her new book ! Thank you 2Before! We are supported by 2Before , a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles. Just like beetroot powder but more effective, 2before uses the powerful vasodilation benefits of blackcurrant berries to prime you for hard work. If you're getting ready for a big workout or race, their caffeinated version is a must try! You'll get the oxygen boosting benefits…

People in this episode

Host: Jason Fitzgerald

Guest: Dimity McDowell

Topics covered

  • quitting running
  • identity loss
  • community
  • purpose
  • closure
  • sports journalism

Keywords

  • quitting running
  • Dimity McDowell
  • identity
  • sports journalism
  • The 27th Mile
  • running community
  • closure

Sponsors

2Before

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The 27th Mile

More episodes of The Strength Running Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Strength Running Podcast podcast page.