Runner's World Podcast

It's the last podcast of 2021 and we speak to Alex Eagle from The Running Charity about the incredible work that they do with homeless people, asylum seekers and anyone needing help, utilising the power of running to help people change their lives. We also discuss the case of Seyfu, an Ethiopian runner who is currently under threat of being deported, despite is aspirations to run for team GB (he's very fast!). Happy Christmas and see you in 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychologist and ultrarunner J M Thompson credits running with helping him to recover from profound depression and addiction. His memoir, Running is a Kind of Dreaming, discusses his descent into madness and how running saved his life. He speaks about why he believes running can be so helpful to those dealing with depression and anxiety, and the advice he would offer to his younger self. Pick up a copy of Running is a Kind of Dreaming here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you happen to be a reindeer, it's hard to emerge from the festive period fitter than when you started. But fear not: running coach Lewis Moses (newlevelscoaching.co.uk) is here to help you navigate Christmas, and emerge from it happy, relaxed and raring to go Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Hillary Allen fell 150ft during a mountain race in Norway, her prognosis for a full recovery was bad, let alone returning to running and winning ultra races again. But that is what has happened and we met up with Hillary to talk about how this pivotal moment in her life changed everything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's show, we speak with Marcus Brown (aka Marathon Marcus) about how he went from running a 4:55 marathon to a sub-3. Find out more about Marcus here: marathonmarcus.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ultrarunner, coach and now author, Robbie Britton has written a book of running tips - 1001 of them - and so we spoke to him about some of these pearls of running wisdom and how they can help all runners of all abilities. Do you trust the toilet queue at races? Robbie thinks you should. You can buy Robbie's book here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is running a stress reliever or stress creator? How can we make running less stressful? Is there a type of running that's particularly good for reducing stress? These, and other, questions are tackled on this week's episode, in the company of top sports psychologist Dr Josie Perry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're joined by former Team GB 800m runner, rock musician and founder of Running Punks Jimmy Watkins. He tells us why his decision to give up booze has made him a calmer, happier and more creative person. Find out more about Running Punks: runningpunks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week was also our first ever guest on the Runner’s World podcast, back in early 2018. Back then, Kevin Webber told us about his terminal diagnosis and how running was helping him to lengthen and enhance his life. Most doctors wouldn’t have given him much chance of still being here four years’ hence, but Kevin has grown used to defying the odds and he's here to discuss his new book, Dead Man Running: One Man’s Story of Running to Stay Alive. More on Kevin: makethemostofit.org Buy the book: Dead Man Running Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Reece Parkinson and film producer Jim Farthing drop by to tell us all about their new documentary, How To Run 50 Miles. In it, Reece takes on an epic ultramarathon in mid-Wales and encounters the ecstasy and agony of super long-distance running. Watch How to Run 50 Miles on BBC iPlayer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few days after her amazing performance at the London Marathon, Ben sat down to talk to Charlotte about her return to the marathon, overcoming adversity and how feeling relevant in the sport has nothing to do with constantly racing or being online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-host AND special guest, Jane, Rick and Ben talk about the London Marathon and how great a weekend it was. There is even some live recording from the event, give it that edge! Jane also reveals her secret rice cake pizza recipe and Rick makes everyone listen to some songs he wrote. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week leading up to a marathon is meant to be filled with rest and relaxation. Too often, the opposite is true. So to help you get to the start line of a big race without feeling stressed and knackered, we spoke with running coach and author Laura Fountain (lazygirlrunning.com) to get some expert tips on remaining cool, calm and collected during race week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the name of marathon preparation – and alliteration – we bringing you 10 top tapering tips. The subtle art of doing a little less is the source of much anxiety among runners, us included, so we've rustled up a calm-inducing collection of tips to make the days and weeks before your marathon that little bit easier. Hopefully. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olympic silver medalist and running LEGEND, Laura Muir joins us to discuss her performance at Tokyo 2020, the dedication and hard work it took to get there, over coming set backs, how running slow is too hard and that she'll never race the marathon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running seemed an impossible dream for our guest, Katie Silverthorne, after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early twenties, but for her putting one foot in front of the other has powered an amazing journey where running and being healthy have helped her deal with this debilitating condition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With London, Brighton and Manchester marathons fast approaching, we turn our attention to the dreaded marathon "wall". In the company of James Poole, serial marathoner and founder of Advent Running, we discuss what the wall feels like, where it lurks and crucially, how it can be avoided. Follow James Poole on Instagram: @jamesdpoole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Francis Benali played nearly 400 games for Southampton, gaining cult hero status for his uncompromising playing style and excellent moustache. But it's his post-football career that's even more fascinating. Benali has completed a host of ultra endurance events, including running to ever Premier League ground and attempting to complete seven Ironmans in seven days. In doing so, he's raised more than £1 million for Cancer Research. Francis Benali: The Autobiography (Bloomsbury, £20.00) is available to buy now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining us this week, journalist Kate Carter discusses all things CBD and running. Is this cannabis derivative safe? Will you get addicted? Will it cure all your ills and make you a better runner? We try and answers these questions alongside many other things. Also, Jane is back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Jane McGuire's final podcast as a full-time member of Runner's World (but we hope she'll come back on in some capacity). With the Tokyo Olympics coming to its conclusion last Sunday, the team look back at some of the highlights, lowlights and talking points from a Games like no other. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He's run across Canada, America and even tried seven days of treadmill running, all to raise money for children's charities, but it was his own experiences with a spinal disorder as a young boy that installed a passion for moving and adventure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we're joined by Eliza Flynn and Dr John Wilson to discuss how running can help us to move forward, at our own pace, when tragedy strikes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and RW columnist Lisa Jackson joins us to discuss the concept of micro-steps – the tiny moves forward we all can make to achieve lofty goals. Lisa has been reading James Clear's Atomic Habits, which focuses on the micro-steps approach, and it turns out she's in good company – Eliud Kipchoge's been reading it too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former guests David and Nicole Millar return to discuss their challenge of running the West Highland Way in order to raise money for Quarriers Charity. Rick also extolls the virtues of hiking for runners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Elliot Giles broke Seb Coe's 800m British indoor record earlier this year, it was the latest chapter in a remarkable story. Having been involved in a serious motorcycle accident as a teenager, Giles feared he might never run again. Through a steely determination, unshakeable self-belief and some unorthodox training methods, he's become one of Team GB's breakout stars – and is on the front cover of this month's Runner's World magazine. Check out Elliot Giles on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a weekend of racing and securing a qualifying place for the 5,000m alongside her 10,000m place, we caught up with Jess Judd to talk all things Tokyo 2021 and how she's preparing for her first Olympics following lockdown and Covid restrictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The running world was shaken recently by the tragic news that 21 people died while taking part in an ultramarathon in China. The mountainous 100km race took place in high winds and freezing temperatures, and the runners are understood to have died from hypothermia. An investigation by the Chinese government is taking place, with many people suggesting the tragedy was the result “human error” as much as natural disaster. One UK runner who has raced in China more than most is James Poole. Having completed the Ultra Gobi, despite suffering from hypothermia halfway through, James has some key insights into what makes China an enticing but potentially hazardous destination for ultrarunners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week is a bona fide endurance running legend. He’s raced through Death Valley, run 350 miles without stopping, and once completed 50 marathons in 50 US states in 50 days. But even Dean Karnazes can’t outrun father time, and in his latest book, A Runner’s High, he boldly confronts the prospect of getting older and slower. We’re delighted – and a little starstruck – to have him on the podcast. Pre-order A Runner's High here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Dark is a runner DJ, Poet, community builder, mentor, yoga teacher, Lululemon Global Ambassador and the founder of Run Dem Crew and he joined us to discuss all these things and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode, we're joined by physio Richmond Stace (specialistpainphysio.com) to look at the five most googled running injuries – and how to fix them. From sore knees to dodgy Achilles tendons, we've got you covered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week is stand-up comedian and Runner’s World columnist, Paul Tonkinson. A lifelong runner and sub-3 marathoner, he says running has been his muse, his confidante, his doctor and his best mate. But, in his latest magazine column, he questions whether he’s started to take running for granted. The team also discuss the very sad news of the death of running royalty, Ron Hill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As part of our #ReclaimYourRun campaign, we spoke to Intisar Abdul-Kadern an NHS public health practitioner who was out for a run last summer when she was harassed by a group of men for wearing her hijab. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We share tales of our worst ever races – from ill-conceived run-drink-run events to far-too-hard fell adventures – and ask you to tell us yours: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The journalist, author and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon on what running means to her and why people who criticise larger runners should "get in the sea". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week has worked in some of the world’s best restaurants. But he left the world of fine-dining behind to run and cook with some of the planet’s greatest trail runners. He’s baked banana bread with Ricky Lightfood in the Lake District and made compote with Emelie Forsberg in Norway – and he’s written about what he learned, about food and running, in a new book: Eat, Run and Enjoy.joins us to explain more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deborah James was 35 when she found out that she had stage 4 bowel cancer. She’s gone on to write and talk about the need for people to be more aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer, and is one of the hosts of the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C. Alongside this, Deborah is a keen runner and is signed up for the Vitality London 10K at the end of May. We all huddled around computers to talk virtually about running, cancer, love, marathons and why every medal matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we speak with Beth Potter about her incredible performance at the Podium 5K, where she ran a time of 14:41. We also talk about the return of races, the endless debate about super-shoes and whether we've all become too cynical about extraordinary running performances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of all the possible outcomes of finding out he had four holes in his heart, it seems unlikely that it would make Kevin Quinn a better runner. Yet that’s exactly what’s happened. Following the eight-hour repair operation in February 2016, Kevin has gone from strength to strength. He won the virtual New York City Marathon last year, and recently helped pace Steph Davis to an Olympic qualifying time at the British Olympic marathon trials. Kevin is the founder of Real Runners (realrunners.co.uk), which offers run coaching to individuals, schools and corporations, both in person and online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running coach and strength and conditioning expert Emma Kirk-Odunubi explains how to build mileage and strength in a sustainable way. Check out Emma's website here: emmakirkodunubi.co.uk We also discuss the incredible wins for Chris Thompson and Steph Davis at the British Olympic marathon trials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined this week by ultra runner Damian Hall to discuss the impossible in running, why people chase it and why races like the Barkley marathons captures the attention of runners and non-runners alike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We speak with running journalist Kate Carter and Women's Health's Francesca Menato about their own personal experiences of being harassed on the run, the kind of considerations women have to make when running and, crucially, what we all can do to make women feel safer on the move Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re talking to the incredible ultrarunner, Sophie Power, who some of you might know from the photo of her breastfeeding her 3-month-old son at the 106 mile UTMB race that went viral in 2018. As Sophie returns to running after the birth of her third child, we talk about the benefits of an active pregnancy and the pelvic floor issues all women should be aware of. Here is link to the guidelines to returning to running postpartum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is running bad for your knees? Should I run everyday? Is running a verb? We provide the definitive answers to the 10 most googled running questions. Also, in partnership with On, Head of Footwear, Ilmarin Hetiz sits down to discuss the latest innovations and their patented CloudTec cushioning technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can running keep you young? The passing years have consequences beyond the number of candles on our cake; we lose muscle, we become less flexible, and our VO2 max decreases. But can running help to slow – or even reverse – the ageing process? The evergreen Sam Murphy wrote about this subject in the upcoming issue of Runner’s World and has joined us to tell us more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BBC Radio 1 Xtra presenter Reece Parkinson is a man on a mission. Despite only taking up running recently, he's hoping to complete a 55-mile ultramarathon. Reece, who also has type 1 diabetes, discusses the allure of the ultramarathon, what drives us to attempt the seemingly impossible and why we should all go "full Goggins" at some point in our life. Check out the BBC documentary on Reece, How Not to Run 55 Miles, here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, we speak with Dr Brendon Stubbs, an expert in physical activity and mental health, about whether running can make us smarter and more decisive. Dr Stubbs recently led a study, backed by Asics, that suggests running can improve our cognitive ability as well as our mental and physical health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fitness trackers may help to measure your physical health, but can they take their toll on your mental wellbeing? Our guest thinks they can. Dr Rachael Kent recently authored a study into health-tracking technology and found that it ‘the pressure to share and track their routine on social media and online makes people obsessive, compulsive and develop addictive relationships with fitness trackers.’ Jane, Rick and Ben discuss this complex topic with Rachel, drawing on their own experiences and how lockdown has heightened the reliance on social media for interaction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Radio presenter, author and serial marathon runner Vassos Alexander discusses his new book, How To Run a Marathon, and why he thinks everyone should attempt to run the distance at some point in their life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LEJOG record holder Carla Molinaro joins us to discuss the upcoming record attempt by her and some other Hoka athletes to break the world and national records for 100km. Carlo also shares some advice on how to get started in the world of ultra running and explains why it's often easier to run an ultra than a marathon. Rick of course mentions his 100 mile race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have certain pre-run rituals you can't go without? Sports psychologist Josie Perry joins us to discuss the pros and cons of running superstitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices