Runner's World Podcast

September 10th is world suicide prevention day. In light of this, Ben sat down with runner and cyclist Leon Cerrone to have an open conversation about his suicide attempts, how running plays a part in managing his mental health and why the topic needs to spoken about in an honest way. If you're struggling with depression or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to someone. There are numerous charities that can help, some are listed below - Calm: 0800 585858 www.thecalmzone.net HopeLine UK 0800 068 4141 www.papyrus-uk.org Lifeline (N.Ireland) 0808 808 8000 www.lifelinehelpline.info Samaritans:116 123 (free of charge from a landline or mobile) www.samaritans.org SHOUT Text 85258 https://www.giveusashout.org/ 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 Dr Andrew Jones, who has worked alongside the world’s greatest marathoners. He helped guide Paula Radcliffe to her record-breaking run and also with Eliud Kipchoge on the Breaking2 project. Now he’s attempting his own marathon feat: to break the three-hour mark aged 50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With most races being cancelled and London announcing it will be holding a virtual race this year, perfecting your virtual racing prep could see you clocking up a PB despite the lack of normal race conditions. Kieran Alger joins us to explain how to do this, including perfecting your route, hydration and tracking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmy Watkins has represented Team GB over 800m but fell out of love with running to pursue a career as a frontman in various rock bands. Now he's combining his two passions – music and and punk rock – in a series of hilarious, on-the-run music reviews. He talks about his running philosophy, how to become a running punk and why metal is a surprisingly good genre to run to. Check out Jimmy's music reviews here: @runningpunks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founder of The Outrunners Charity, Tyler Williams-Green, spoke to Ben about how the running club he set up to help a few friends train for a marathon has become a charity aiming to elevate and guide young people in Hackney, as well as dish out some solid training on a Tuesday night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ultrarunner Damian Hall speaks to RW about his recent Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 268-mile Pennine Way. Hall, who now holds five FKT records in the UK, talks about sleep deprivation, rivalries, and fuelling on hummus and avocado sandwiches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like other off-road pursuits such as hiking and BMX-ing, trail running is overwhelmingly white and middle-class. Coming on the podcast to discuss why this is – and how we can change it – are Sabrina Pace-Humphreys and Sonny Peart. Together, they've helped to create Black Trail Runners, a community and campaigning group aiming to encourage more people of colour on to the trails. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Walmsley is arguably the most exciting ultrarunner on the planet. The world record holder over 50 miles and two-time winner of the Western States, Walmsley goes hard from the gun, daring others to follow him – either to glory or oblivion. Runner's World caught up with him to discuss the art of the 100-mile race, why he loves running from the front and what he plans to do next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With lockdown beginning to ease in the UK, running coaches are tentatively returning to in-person coaching but major challenges and considerations still exist. Laura Fountain – UK Athletics coach, author and founder of Lazy Girl Running – drops in to talk about how she's had to adapt what she does, and what lessons she's learned during this challenging period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A legend within the fell running community, Steve Birkinshaw has won races including the Dragons's Back and Lakeland 100. He held the record for the Wainwrights Round in the Lake District and wrote a book about that gruelling experience, There is No Map In Hell. We speak to him about the lost art of map reading and the qualities – both physical and mental – it requires to run well in the mountains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With more people returning to their places of many, but many people still nervous about taking public transport to get there, the 'run commute' has never been more tempting. Kieran Alger discusses the benefits of run commuting, alongside the knowledge and tech you need to make it a more enjoyable experience. 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 fell runner, climber and award-winning poet. When she’s not teaching creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, Helen can be found in the fell, indulging her love of hill running. Having written a guide to running in the Lake District, .She talks about how running informs her creative process and why society is suspicious of women, and particularly mothers, who take risks. helenmort.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-founder of Track Mafia and Nike+ running coach, Cory joined us to talk about diversity in running, discussing how representation matter when trying to encourage more people from the BAME community to take up running. We also talked hill reps, podcasting in the bath and much, much more. Here is the link to the Track Mafia videos we filmed a few years ago, take a look, there are two videos so watch them both - An Evening With Track Mafia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fasted running has become a ‘buzzword’ among runners, but Haroon Mota took the term to a new level when he ran 260km during the month of Ramadan. In doing so, he raised £50,000 for the Penny Appeal. We spoke to him about this amazing feat and how he started running as a bucket list thing to do, how it helped him when his dad sadly passed away and how he hopes to encourage more members of the BAME community to take up running. We also talk tech with Kieran Alger, who questions whether we're already paying for Strava with our data and believes there MIGHT be a very nerdy solution to all those random and inaccurate runs when your GPS lets you down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Blythe raced at the highest level within the world of professional cycling for 10 years, but when he retired last year he needed something to do to keep fit, so he started running. We talk to him about what he enjoys about running, what it's like to be a newbie to a sport again, how wine helps you run a fast 5K and why leather bum bags are no good at holding stuff when running. There is also a quiz, though not a very good one, and then Ben tells Rick a story about a bear 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 been described as ‘the Indiana Jones of running’. Instead of hunting for ancient artifacts, however, Shane Benzie has been helping people rediscover the lost art of running. He’s the world expert in something called fascia – the elastic webbing that encases our muscles. Shane has been working with a host of world-class athletes to help them tap into this incredible energy source. For more on Shane's work, visit runningreborn.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and long-standing RW columnist Sam Murphy on how running has lost its lustre for her during lockdown – and how she's trying to get it back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest of the week is also our man tech man Kieran Alger, so we did some normal running chat that covered off how we're all finding running without races on the horizon and then we dive into some tech chat about the new Polar Grit X watch, etiquette on chasing Strava segments and some running tech for those on a budget. Rick and Ben discuss headphones and running (again) and then read out some fantastic letters that we received this week that made us feel all warm about running. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the RW podcast, we hear from Steven Crompton about his recent attempt to run across Africa. Steven was raising funds for Challenge Child Poverty and on his trip encountered scorching temperatures, chaotic borders and dangerous wildlife. Also, Rick and Ben talk strength and conditioning, 'critical velocity' training and why running feels harder during the lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bumper episode with many guests, all of whom are brilliant. First up, fellow podcasters Ned Boulting, Laura Laker and Adam Tranter aka Streets Ahead join us to discuss the impact that COVID-19 is and should be having on transport infrastructure and how the way we engage with our environment needs to change. Rick then chats to to the inspirational and impressive Eleanor Davis, who is not only an elite marathoner but is also a doctor fighting COVID-19. This episode is also explicit as Ned says sh*t. Sorry about that, but it was justified. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Event Director at The London Marathon, Hugh Brasher, and CEO of Human Race, Nick Rusling speak to Ben and Rick about The 2.6 Challenge, a fund raising event taking place on Sunday 26th April when thousands of runners would have been taking to the street of London to run the marathon and raise millions of pounds for numerous charities. The real significance of the race not taking place isn't about medals, it's about the money normally raised not being there for charities who need it, and that's where the 2.6 Challenge comes in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the RW podcast, we discuss the importance of running outside, Ben runs 5K for the NHS and Rick sets himself an unusual challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can the skills we learn through running – endurance, resourcefulness, patience – help us during the current crisis? Author Adharanand Finn believes so. Also discussed is the current tension between runners and dog walkers, and the small positives that have come out of the pandemic. For more from Adharanand Finn, listen to his podcast, The Way of the Runner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A double guest episode with physio and runner Bradley Scanes (@physiobrad) joining us to discuss the drop off in training for those who were training for a spring marathon, how to maintain some running form during isolation and how to approach an autumn marathon and then Rick had a chat with Kevin Betts, the co-founder of virtual running club Run Things on how in the current climate, virtual running clubs are offering a sense of community without the physical interaction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben and Rick chat all things running solo and being responsible as a runner during these turbulent times and then tech guru Kieran Alger joins us (remotely) to round up some of the best running gadgets to keep you happy and healthy in self-isolation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded in separate locations, Rick and Ben battled technical gremlins and sat down to talk about COVID-19, cancelled races and how to keep running during these unprecedented times. Robbie Britton shares some advice on how to maximise on all the training you have done this year, while Rick and Ben discuss running your own marathon, exercises to do when self-isolating and how being active is perhaps the greatness weapon in our arsenal during these high-stress times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bumper episode this week; journalist, podcaster and now author Amy Lane aka @wellness_Ed joins us to talk about her running journey, how to make it suck less, the pressure of instagram and her new book. Rick and Ben discuss staying positive in training when your race might be cancelled, those funny looking new Hoka shoes and we have an inspiring listener message all the way from Vietnam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Tom Lucy pops in to tell us why he's running the London Marathon, tech guru Kieran Alger has been building his lung capacity and RW's Kerry McCarthy talks coronavirus and planking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss the wonderful world of race excuses with RW's chief sub editor, John Carroll, and Tom Budgen from Vegan Runners makes the case for running as a plant-based athlete. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined in the studio by RW columnist and nutritionist Kim Pearson to talk about the pros and cons of a vegan diet for runners. We only mention Game Changers once, we promise, the rest is just an open discussion about why and if you should be changing the way you eat and what it might do to your body and your running. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jane went out to New York for what Nike were calling its 'Olympic Summit' but it turned out to be the global alphafly launch, so armed with her microphone she recorded this special episode, interviewing Tony Bignell, VP of footwear innovation and finding out what the latest ruling from World Athletics really means in relation to this shoe, what Nike are doing to meet the new rules and the greater implications to the sport. She then caught up with KJT and Dina Asher-Smith to discuss their preparation for Tokyo 2020. This was recorded at a live event so the audio in places is patchy. This special has not been sponsored by Nike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A double dose of running chat this week as RW columnist, comedian and now author Paul Tonkinson joins us in the studio to discuss his new book as well as how running is a form of escapism, while Damian Hall joins us on the phone to discuss his recent record breaking run of the Paddy Buckley and his return to the UTMB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, CEO and founder of Silverfit, Eddie joins us to explain how starting running at 50 helped her discover a passion for being active and started her on a journey towards helping others achieve more than they ever thought possible. Eddie was recently names on the Lucozade Sport 50 Movers List, which recognises some of the UK's most inspirational fitness advocates. Kieran Alger steps in to co-host with Ben, whilst also delivering his monthly dose of tech, focusing very much on the environmental impact that running shoes are having and Kerry tops off the episode with some news, including his return to parkrun and why a trip to Woolacombe isn't for the fainthearted. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the impacts of climate change being felt around the world, we look at what runners can do to reduce their carbon footprint. From run-commuting to rejecting race T-shirts, there are plenty of ways we can all become greener runners. Need more inspiration? We speak with Rima Chang (aka Tyre Lady), who's dragging a tyre around marathons and ultras in a bid to raise awareness about reducing waste @tyrelady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the news last week that Kenenisa Bekele will be running the London Marathon this year and thus racing against Eliud Kipchoge, we discuss what an amazing race this could be if both runners bring their A-game and how it could be too close to call. We also discuss the impact that a possible banning of the Nike NEXT% could have and finally on a lighter night, with the imminent arrival of Rick's first child, he and Ben have a chat about kids, running and great it can all be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Runner's World's new columnist, Lisa Jackson, says the back of the pack is where it's at. As someone who's finished dead last in 25 marathons, she's not bothered about pace or PBs, but instead runs for a sense of connection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With his new book 'Be Para Fit' released soon, we're joined in the studio by Major Sam McGrath, a former paratrooper who since leaving the Army has run a number of high-profile ultramarathons, whilst balancing life as a dad of four and working in banking in Singapore. His book explains how the power of running has a way to transform your mindset and allow you achieve far more than you thought possible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RED January encourages people to run every day in the month of January in a bid to boost their mental health and raise funds for MIND. Hannah Beecham started the initiative in 2016 after witnessing the transformative effect that regular exercise had on her mum’s mental health. She comes in to the studio to tell us more. Also, the inspiring Steven Crompton tells us how running saved his life – and why he's now running 2,500 miles across Africa: Find out more at runforchildpoverty.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Bella Mackie’s marriage broke up, her mental health hit rock bottom. She started running to ease her anxiety and wrote a book about the experience. Jog On was published in 2018 and became an instant bestseller, inspiring people to take to the road and run to better their mental health. We speak to her about why she believes running saved her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As natural an activity as running is, are we moving our bodies properly when we do it? We're joined by personal trainer Ollie Frost who has been on a personal journey to discover what being truly mobile means and how with a few simple, controlled movements, runners could improve joint health, their running and quality of life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former member of the Runner's World team and now a yoga teacher, Annie Rice was always going to be the best placed person to join Ben and Rick for a chat about the benefits of yoga for runners. We cover off the performance and holistic benefits of adding some yoga to your training life, plus Rick mentions something about cheese rolling, but the two aren't connected. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Virgin Radio sports broadcaster Vassos Alexander pops in to talk marathons, Spartathlon and Run Fest Run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ultra adventurer, Anna McNuff, joins us once again on the RWUK podcast, but this time to talk about her incredible 2000 mile barefoot run down the length of Great Britain. This sparks a chat about barefoot running (and we'd like to hear from you too if that's your thing; [email protected]) and then Ben and Rick rejoice in some of your emails, so thanks for getting in touch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you avoid setting challenging goals through the fear you won't achieve them? Sports psychologist Victor Thompson (sportspsychologist.com) offers some insights into how to overcome your fears and get more from yourself as a runner. Also, RW's arbiter of good taste, John Carroll, comes in to discuss running etiquette. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop duo Oh Wonder (Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht) join Rick and Ben in the studio for a very lovely chat about running, making music, keeping sane on tour and how going to school with Dina Asher Smith makes sports day tough. There is also a quiz that is factually inaccurate but highly competitive and for the first and most likely last time, The McDougallizer makes an appearance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We catch up with David and Nicole Millar ahead of David's attempt at the New York City Marathon in support of their friend Marya, Robby and their son, Wyatt. David is a retired pro cyclist, although it's Nicole who's the real runner of the household. We're also joined by tech guru Kieran Alger to debate the benefits of running without a watch and Rick and Ben perform their Eliud Kipchoge song. Here's a link to David's Crowdrise page - https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/wyatt-321 detailing the cause that he and Robby are running for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1991, Al Howie ran 5800 miles in 103 days. Never heard of him? That's not a surprise, we hadn't either. This week we're joined on the podcast by author Jared Beasley who recently published a book, In Search of Al Howie, all about this mysterious ultrarunner and his incredible running feats, plus his complicated and often troubled life outside of running. For more information on In Search of Al Howie, visit jaredbeasleyny.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a weekend it was! A team RW chat this week as Ben, Andy and Joe sit down to talk about the amazing Eliud Kipchoge, the INEOS 1:59 challenge, what someone running a sub two hour marathon means beyond shoes, pacers and records and why it's cause for celebration. Another cause for celebration was Brigid Kosgei's amazing world record run at the Chicago marathon, which also gets discussed. It's basically one big celebration of people running very quickly! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legendary middle-distance runner Dame Kelly Holmes speaks candidly about mental health. Ahead of World Mental Health Day, the double-gold-winning Olympian talks to Rick and Ben about her struggles with depression, self-harm and how she conquered her demons to reach her true potential. Holmes also discusses bagpipes and the greatest haircut story ever told. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should men and women run the same distance at cross-country? Maud Hodson, who is spearheading the RunEqual campaign, certainly thinks so. We welcome Maud to the studio to hear why she thinks it's high time cross-country moved with the times. We're also delighted to be joined by tech guru Kieran Alger for his monthly round-up of the latest and greatest running gizmos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices