The Tea & Trails Podcast

Today’s guests are two runners who know how to chase finish lines and stories, Carwyn Phillips, the endurance junkie with a knack for turning pain into punchlines, and Carolyn Watkins, whose steady stride and soulful reflections remind us why we run in the first place. From muddy miles to mental breakthroughs, they’ll share the highs & lows. Whether you're training for your next ultra or...

This week on the Tea & Trails Podcast, Gary trades trail shoes for Thai boxing gloves, well, sort of. He’s ringside, not in the ring, soaking up the action while Eddie battles with Storm Amy, which throws a spanner into her running plans! We have a Lakeland 50 Tales from the Trails. Plus, Eddie dishes out treadmill wisdom to a listener taking their first steps on the belt. From stormy setbacks...

This week, Gary spills the beans, but hopefully not his guts on the Altra 7 Valleys Ultra. Was it puke-free glory, a heroic puke-and-rally, or a return to the classic “puking and feeling sorry for himself” routine? Tune in for all the deets, complete with trail drama, digestive dilemmas, and a few laughs along the way. Massive kudos to everyone who toed the line this weekend, whether you tackled 2...

Eddie’s back, with colour in her cheeks and a skip in her weighted hike! Meanwhile, Gary’s deep into race week prep ahead of The 7 Valleys Ultra. We dive into emergency calorie choices, weighted treadmill sufferfests, and yes, the Northern Traverse banter has officially begun. This week’s Brew with the Coaches features the brilliant Kim & Jayson Cavill, serving up answers with their usual wisd...

This week on Tea & Trails, we’re joined by a runner who’s redefining what it means to go the distance, Lizzie Gatherer. From her first ultra to a jaw-dropping 208-mile effort at the Backyard Ultra, Lizzie’s journey is one of resilience, curiosity, and chasing joy with every step. She’s not just a runner, she’s a mindset master, a fuel strategy tinkerer, and a proud member of Team England. We’l...

It’s 7 Valleys Ultra race week for Gary, cool, calm, and collected… or riding the rollercoaster of taper tantrums? Meanwhile, Eddie reunites with an old friend and lifts the lid on life behind the scenes at the epic Salomon Skyline Scotland. As the nights draw in, it’s headlamp review time! Eddie and Gary put the Fenix HP12R-T through its paces. Can it dethrone the reigning champ, the HM65R-T V2.0...

Today’s guest went from broke climber living off porridge to the driving force behind some of the UK’s most inspiring outdoor literature. Jon Barton is the founder and managing director of Vertebrate Publishing, a company that’s reshaped how we read about the wild, the rugged, and the epic. From guidebooks that help us summit Snowdon to memoirs that make us feel the wind on our face, Jon’s vision...

This week on Tea & Trails we dive into the all-too-familiar phenomenon of post-race blues. That emotional dip after the high of crossing the finish line? Yep, it happens to the best of us. But here’s the good news: it’s not the end, it’s the beginning of something new. We’ll explore how to embrace the comedown and channel it into fresh motivation. We’re also tackling a big one: how to train sm...

Today’s guest doesn’t just run marathons, he stampedes through them in a 25kg rhino costume. He’s a Guinness World Record holder, a conservation crusader, and the kind of guy who turns sweat, blisters, and endurance into hope for endangered species. Rhino Boy Chris has charged through over 100 races to raise awareness for rhino conservation, and somehow still finds the energy to write children’s b...

This week on the pod, the usual natter takes a detour! We drift from training talk to a dive into the Lakeland 100 ballot buzz and the shiny glory of the Great North Run medal. Gary went out out, twice! Strava’s lighting up with runners doing incredible things, and our Flip-Flopping Tales from the Trails brings the laughs and lessons. Oh, and it’s a birthday bonanza, so expect a few extra cheers a...

Today’s guest is no stranger to long miles. Dave Moulding is the kind of runner who doesn’t just chase finish lines, he chases meaning, mishaps, and the occasional canal path detour. In 2020, Dave set a Fastest Known Time on the Lancaster Canal, clocking 9 hours and 49 minutes of pure determination & some questionable navigation. He’s the kind of athlete who reminds us that endurance isn’t jus...

This week, Eddie confronts Gary’s male privilege, we ponder the noble art of becoming a running coach, monster stair stepper elevation and we also give a sweaty salute to our UTMB Strava club heroes, and shout out our famous listeners, yes, you, Ryan Gosling. We know you’re out there. Probably. So lace up, lean in, slurp a gel and lets share the miles together. XMILES UK - Listeners now receive 10...

Today’s guest is living proof that determination can rewrite destiny. Jackie Stretton was told she’d never run again after a devastating car crash left her with a broken back, shattered leg, and bleeding on the brain. But less than a year later, she stunned doctors, and herself, by not just returning to sport, but winning a triathlon. Jackie’s story isn’t just about recovery. It’s about defiance,...

Things are settling back into rhythm for our co-hosts after a whirlwind of summer races, and with The 7 Valleys Ultra on the horizon, taper time is just around the corner. The energy in our community hasn’t slowed down one bit, our listeners have been out there crushing Backyard Ultras, chasing FKTs, and generally being the kind of inspiring and awesome athletes! This week on Brew with the Coaches...

Charlotte Fisher burst onto the ultra-running scene in 2023 with no prior running background, and in just two years, she’s gone from zero to podiums at some of the UK’s toughest races. Charlotte’s story isn’t just about medals and mileage, it’s about transformation. From navigating grief and embracing sobriety to finding purpose through running, her journey is raw, real, and relentlessly inspiring...

Gary & Eddie are back on the move, literally and metaphorically. A hearty trip to Toby Carvery for Gary (yes, there’s gravy involved). A Parkrun recap with all the usual fun, camaraderie, and questionable pacing decisions. Plus, a cheeky shoutout to international listeners, because why should the Brits have all the fun? Whether you're tuning in from China or Canada, this one’s for you. Th...

This week on the Tea & Trails Podcast… Eddie takes us deep into her Race Across Scotland experience, a journey of grit, grace, and gut battles. Though her race ended earlier than planned, Eddie’s spirit is anything but broken. She’s fit, and already eyeing the next adventure. But first, she’s pulling back the curtain on one of ultra running’s most mysterious foes: nausea. In this unfiltered ep...

Eddie lifts the lid on her race week before diving into the mighty Race Across Scotland. Meanwhile, Gary’s back from his Spanish siesta, slightly sunburnt and possibly 80% Sangria. The coaching dream team reunites to help listener Mark Breeze as he makes a comeback to running. Motivation, and practical tips incoming. Plus, we’ve got a brand new Tea & Trails Ultra Tales from the Trails. Last. b...

Jarlath McKenna is a standout figure in British ultrarunning, known for his rapid rise and impressive performances across a range of endurance events. Originally from Cookstown, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, he now lives and trains in Newcastle. 2022 was a breakthrough year: he set course records at The Wall 100km and Lakes in a Day 50-mile races. 2023 saw him win the British Masters Cross Co...

The Lakeland 50 & 100 is more than a race, it’s a gathering of grit, spirit, and togetherness. Thousands of legends weave through some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, Coniston welcomed familiar faces this year. Eddie cheered on her athletes and every runner chasing their dreams. And Gary? He returned to the start line once more, eyes set on his fifth Lakeland 100 finish.  Here’...

Anna Troup is a powerhouse in British ultrarunning, and her story is nothing short of epic. After dominating the Montane Summer Spine Race in 2021 and 2022, she suffered a serious foot injury that kept her sidelined for nearly three years. But in June 2025, at age 55, she made a jaw-dropping comeback: winning the 268-mile race outright in 84 hours, 56 minutes, and 37 seconds, finishing more than s...

It’s race day at the 2025 Lakeland 100, and Gary’s lacing up with a quiet confidence, gently brushing aside those whispers of doubt. They’ll fade away as soon as the gun goes. Meanwhile, Eddie shares memories of the Isle of Wight’s magic & friendships forged on the trails. Strava’s lit up with big miles and epic vert, and a bloody Tea & Trails Ultra Tales from the Trails. To everyone darin...

Debbie Martin-Consani - aka UltraRunDMC - is a legend in the world of ultra running. Known for her grit, humor, and relentless drive, she’s one of the UK’s most accomplished endurance athletes. In 2025, she tackled the Western States 100, She trained specifically for heat acclimation and quad-busting descents, balancing it all with a full-time job and coaching responsibilities. XMILES UK - Listene...

Eddie kicks things off this week with stories from her grand tour of Scotland, full of wild landscapes and even wilder adventures. Both hosts have been soaking up some much-needed family time, surviving dehydrated runs, and narrowly dodging toilet disasters... Gary, along with hundreds of other trail runners, is deep in the taper trenches for the Lakeland 50 or 100. The countdown is on, and the ex...

Colin Murphy is the Race Director for the Windermere Marathon, which is now part of the Great Run series. The event, known for its stunning route around Lake Windermere, will be held on 15 June 2025 and marks a new chapter under the Great Run Company’s stewardship. Colin also leads the Altra 13 Valleys Race series, where four stunning routes weave through the heart of the Lake District National Pa...