Losing running is hard enough.

Don’t go through it alone.

**Preorder The 27th Mile Today**

Available February 24, 2026

“The 27th Mile speaks to the heart of every athlete who’s had to pause, pivot, or let go. It’s a compassionate guide for rediscovering yourself when running no longer defines you—and proof that there’s still joy and purpose beyond the miles.”

—Elyse Kopecky, three-time New York Times bestselling coauthor, Run Fast. Eat Slow, Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow, and Rise & Run

“This is not just a book; The 27th Mile offers a community in which we rethink our relationship with running and are given both tools and permission to thrive with or without it.”

—Deena Kastor, Olympic Medalist, New York Times bestselling author of Let Your Mind Run

“As any runner knows, not being able to run, or moving on from a running career, is one of the hardest and painful things that can be experienced. As a woman hanging on to her running by a thread, I am comforted to know that there is a guide waiting for me when I reach the end.”

—Kara Goucher, two-time Olympian and New York Times bestselling author of The Longest Race

"Every runner's nightmare: the day when it ends, when the body says the glory days are gone, or, even worse, when it says no more. It's like losing your best friend. Preparation is everything, so read this now!"

—Kathrine Switzer, marathon pioneer, women's running advocate, and author of Marathon Woman

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In January of 2020, I went on my last run.

I was chronically injured and knew I should have stopped years earlier, but running wasn’t just exercise—it was a pillar of my life. For thirty years, it grounded my routine, steadied my mental health, shaped my career, and gave me a sense of ease and confidence I only ever found on the road.

My mind wanted to keep running, but my body couldn’t. It’s a familiar story for so many runners, yet one we often carry in silence. How do you step away from something that has been your anchor, your outlet, your daily companion?

It’s time to give that transition the space it deserves. Welcome to The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years.

In this book, I reckon with my decision to quit, my grief of leaving behind a beloved sport, and my rediscovery of purpose, connection, and endorphins on the other side of goodbye.

But this isn’t just my story. I talked to more than fifty amazing, honest, generous women about their running journeys. Some are making peace with dramatically less mileage than they used to. Some are freshly mourning the loss. And some, like me, haven’t run in years.

If this sounds like your story—or the story of someone you love—I invite you to join me at The 27th Mile. —Dimity