I'm 70 Years Old & Running My 44th Marathon: My Secret To Fitness At Any Age

As for how she's managed to lace up her sneakers week after week, here are six strategies that have helped Perez keep up with running for decades:

The social aspect of group running has also helped her forge strong new bonds over the years. "When you join a running group and get to know other people, you become one; you become family. You look out for each other."

"If I do a run, the next day I'll cross-train. I'm not going to go back and run again because then my body's not totally recovering. If my body is super tired from the run, I'll do a light yoga class or go for a long walk the next day." Weight training, resistance band exercises, and spinning are a few of the exercises Perez will do on her off days to maintain muscle mass—which she knows only becomes more important with age.

Sleep is another recovery tool Perez has prioritized over the years. "I try to get as much sleep as possible after my long run because I know it's going to help my muscles to heal." Indeed, research shows that high-quality sleep can help muscles recover after exercise and reduce injury risk1, while sleep deprivation is associated with muscle damage2. Thankfully, running (or doing any kind of exercise) regularly has a positive impact on sleep quality and helps reduce one's odds of insomnia3.

"I definitely make sure that I have protein within the hour after my run because that will help me to recover," Perez explains. Research shows that eating at least 25 to 30 grams of protein4 following a workout is essential for maximizing muscle growth and recovery. Active people can get a quick hit of easy-to-digest protein after a workout with a protein shake, smoothie, or Perez's favorite: chocolate milk!

Running is as much mental as it is physical. Perez has been able to get through countless grueling moments during workouts and races with the help of personal mantras. "I know it's corny, but I always say, 'You got this. You can do this, Gisela. You can get through it. You've done hard things. All things are possible,'" she says. Doing visualizations the night before races has also helped her out. She'll picture herself getting through difficult portions of the course to show up to the start line feeling strong and confident.

To gear up for Sunday's marathon, Perez is taking this week easy and reflecting on all that the sport has done for her over the years. "Running is my saving grace. It's my everything," she says. "It's my escape. It's my me time. It's my only selfish moment that I don't need to share with anyone. Running is my passion."

Through a combination of solid recovery, nutrition, cross-training, and community engagement, Gisela Perez has managed to stay running for decades—and she's not done yet. "I don't see myself ever without running," she says. "Running is my way of life."