A Runner’s Life

In episode 102, I speak with Stephen Gnoza who is a professional video producer and amateur runner (marathon best of 2:55 ) currently based out of Boulder, Colorado. After a decade of working in corporate video, Stephen has begun to explore more creative video projects.  One of his YouTube series, Serious Runner, caught my attention. All great comedy is a reflection of life, and I could see m...

The First Mile Always Lies returns with another special collaboration with the big run podcast. Myself and Danny Easton recorded live at Meopham, Gravesend at the Maverick Race event, Ultra Black Trails. The aim was to promote diversity on the trails. So we take a deep dive and give you a behind the scenes aspect of the race, and even take you into the race. In this episode we speak with Dora Atim...

In episode 100 I speak with Mary Cain, who is a professional runner and founder of the nonprofit and professional running team,  Atalanta NYC . Atalanta NYC employs professional female runners to serve as mentors for young girls while building both their career skills and training full-time.  Along with focusing on her training, Mary works at  Tracksmith , as the...

This series is a straight to the point view of my thoughts in my training journey. In this first episode I shared some things that would have saved me a lot of wasted time when marathon training. This year I’m running the Virgin Money London Marathon, which is one of the biggest fundraiser events globally. Each of the 4 times, I’ve raised money for different charities.  This year I’m running...

In episode 99, I speak with my friend Ron. He works in health care technology, but is a dedicated athlete. More recently he ran multiple marathons to raise money to support the frontline HealthCare workers during the early stages of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Following that he ran 60 miles on his birthday, in the freezing cold streets of NYC to help raise money to support ultra-runner Tommy Riv...

What does the future of crew running look like? Welcome back to a runner’s life podcast. For episode 98 we’re switching things up. Today’s episode marks the first in a new series in collaboration with The Big Run podcast hosted by Danny Easton We have joined up over the past few weeks to record a series of specials that we will be releasing monthly on both our podcasts a variety of subjects and to...

In episode 97, I speak with Tommie. He is the Owner of Chip Time Running. A host of The RUN EAT SLEEP Show. We discuss his history with running, his journey to becoming sober, and how he started practicing a vegan diet too. Tommie recently ran an incredible PR at the Glass City Marathon, and earned a Boston Qualifying time. ————————————————————— Instagram: @tommie_runz ————————————————————— This e...

In episode 96, I speak with Julia Chase-Brand a true pioneer of U.S. running. So let’s go back. In 1960, women weren't allowed in races longer than 880 yards. The popular opinion of the time considered that distance running was harmful to reproductive organs. Let’s go further back, so in 1928 American and British papers falsely reported on the women finalists in the Olympic 800 meters. Both the ph...

In episode 95, I speak with Alison Staples, who is a Baltimore native. She starting running aged 31. Dared by a friend, her very first race was the Baltimore Half Marathon. The hills of Baltimore made the experience challenging, but the pride she got from hobbling across the finish line, was enough to make her trade her elliptical for the road. Since then she has  completed numerous half mara...

In episode 94, I speak with Coach Alli who is a certified running coach based in NYC. Prior to moving into fitness she spent 6 years as a corporate professional. In this conversation we talk about: What a runner’s life means to her. What lessons running has taught her. Tips for how to stay present and enjoy the journey. How running shows us how to do the best with what you have. Talking about her...

In episode 93, I speak with Tom Hollis who is a Registered Dietitian specialising in intensive care and endurance sport, he is an experienced practitioner working in the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) and works in private practice. In this conversation we talk about: The significance of micronutrients. The importance of protein for muscle adaptations, and carbohydrates for fuelling l...

In episode 92, I speak with Kevin Quinn, a father of three. A 2.22.12 marathon runner and head coach at Team Real Runners. Kevin was one of the pacers for the Great Britain marathon trails for the Tokyo Olympics, where Steph Davis won and earned a qualifying place. To listen to the conversation with Steph look at episode 89. In 2016, after running 2 hrs 25 mins at the 2015 London Marathon Kev foun...

In episode 91, I speak with Yusuf Bizimana aka Fly Bizzy. He is currently running at the university of Texas for their track and field team and is doing well. I came across him when he posted a 5k on his YouTube channel. And his personality and mindset really shines through. In this conversation we talk about: The importance of mindset The importance of community and  teamwork The mental proc...

This conversation with is with elite Ultrarunner Maggie Guterl aka "Maggatron". Guterl is also known for becoming the first female to win at Big’s Backyard Ultra in 2019. This conversation was recorded shortly before she placed first in the female category and seventh overall in the inaugural Cocodona 250. Plus we discussed the runner’s mindset, the Barkley marathon keeping the joy in running, man...

As a fan of the sport, I was excited to speak with the following two athletes. Steph Davies won the British Olympic marathon trials and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics and will represent Great Britain, she finished in 2:27:16 (this interview starts at 2:45 ). Aoife Cooke won the Cheshire Elite Marathon and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics and will represent Ireland, she finished in 2:28:36 (this...

This conversation is with Jon Hilling, a runner and at the time of the interview is a nutrition student. We dive into some things that work for him when fuelling his marathon training. We talk about mental health and the impact that sport can play in ones well-being. However if you’re experiencing any mental health challenges, these are some UK resources available to support you: Samaritans are av...

This conversation is with Nathan Martin, who ran 2:11:05 at the Marathon Project in December 20 2020. Not only was this a PR but Nathan broke Herm Atkins’ record of 2:11:52, by running the fastest marathon ever run by a Black man born in the United States. This record stood since 1979. I recorded this episode, shortly after the Marathon Project, but I held it back because there were a few other po...

This conversation is with Amy Haas who ran her first half marathon in 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. She ran with purpose and with passion, in memory of her cousin Scotty, who passed away many years ago from childhood cancer. She and her cousin chose to run in Chicago that year in order to raise money for cancer research. This was the catalyst for her goal. Amy truly believes that the journey is the r...

“Once you feel that catharsis, once you have that lightbulb moment, once you feel what it’s like to actually live a little bit... In general the mundanity of life gets put out like a cigarette butt.” ————————————————————— The thing about life is that whilst your first attempt may not work, keep trying and work smarter the next time. This episodes guest has a background in software development and...

It’s not often that I get the privilege of speaking to someone who is the first in their field and blazing a trail for others to follow. In this conversation I spoke with the international athlete and history maker Chris Mosier. In 2015, he was the spark for changing the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) policy on transgender athletes to provide such individuals with the right to represent t...

The race we train for is important, but a significant amount of time, preparation and energy goes into the training for the race itself, not just physically but mentally. This conversation is with Psychologist and CBT Therapist Psychologist Joanna Rodriguez, and we dive into what is happening in our minds during a training cycle, and share advice to develop awareness with the aim, to get the best...

This conversation is with Nick Bester, who is a sub 2:30 marathoner and a running coach. We speak about: What a runner’s life means to him. How he started his running journey, his role as a coach and why community is important to him. His role as Africa Marathons Coach and his experiences running Comrades, and the Two Oceans Marathon etc. Comparing running in South Africa to running in London. He...

This conversation is with Amanda Brooks, who is a runner, author, journalist, certified running coach and personal trainer. We speak about: What runner’s life means to her. The importance of community to her work. Why every finish line is a new start. How she gets the right rhythm between enjoying running and working in the running business space. The 30 Day core challenge (April 2021). Publishing...

It was an honour to speak with elite runner Joseph Gray in Episode 59 . In this special episode we speak about: What a runner’s life means to him Explore how early experiences shaped his career Some key lessons he’s learnt from his parents What does your potential look like How he has dealt with racial abuse whilst competing How everyone has a role in the diversity conversation Why he setup projec...

This conversation is with Naomi Mitchell, who works as a chartered accountant, and concurrently is preparing for the GB Olympic marathon trials. She was a recreational runner who represented her club (Reading Athletic Club) in events like triple jump and steeplechase before transferring to the marathon distance. Her first five marathons she ran 2:54 (London 2016), 2:53 (London 2017), 2:49 (Berlin...