West Coast Ultra Podcast

This week, I chatted with Andy Berry, one of Britain's best trail and ultra runners with an incredible running CV. He has a bunch of course records, fastest known times and podium places - way too many to mention in this intro but we delve deep during the episode. We also spoke about his approach to the psychological aspects of the sport and what drives his relentless pursuit of his goals. I also...

This week, I talked with Peter O'Brien, a Doctor living in Ayrshire whom I met when I was in the Lakes for a training weekend. After I hashed out a very crude science lesson on training (apologies, you may want to skip that bit) we talked about: What we talked about: How covid became the time that he started running and looked to just stay fit and functional How he found enjoyment in entering even...

This week, I talk with Ayrshire local Steve Daye. Steve has recently burst onto the ultra scene, but his 2022 debut ultra was years in the making. What we talked about: Steve's background and how he has built his (very speedy) running base up over the years How he thinks about and selects future races How he combines a busy, physical job with training What he has learned from being at the sharp en...

Scottish Queen of the Backyard Ultra and co-founder of the Wildheart Runners, Karen Nicol spends some time with us this week. Her bio on the Wildheart Runners page says it all: "Karen has been competing in ultra-distance races for over 10 years and loves (and sometimes loathes) a Backyard Ultra. With 40 yards under her belt, the former GB female record holder is passionate about encouraging female...

Once again we have came up trumps with a long-run feature length episode. This time we will hear from Scott Brown. not only is Scott my coach but he is the owner of SBF (Scott Brown Fitness) and a serial winner in both OCR and ultra-endurance events The conversation is filled with inspiration throughout. I hope you enjoy. Topics Discussed: Scott's background, from school to the military, to close...

We have another long-run/feature-length episode this week with Paul Manson aka The Random Runner. Paul is the dynamic personality behind the YouTube channel 'The Random Runner'. Join us as he shares his journey from a casual runner to an epic adventure conquering social media sensation, known for his fun and quirky challenges that bring joy to the running community. Topics Discussed: Paul’s backgr...

This week we move back to Ayrshire where we have a conversation with the one and only Andy Darling. Andy is a Personal Trainer and Ultrarunner based in Irvine and has recently completed the 57-mile Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultramarathon in just 9 hours and 27 minutes. He is also a personal trainer (There is Always Time) working out of Scott Brown Fitness in Irvine. In this episode, we talk about: His...

We kick off season 2 in style and have feature (long run) length episode that I promise will be worth it. We catch up with Jeev Sing, co-founder of the Green Runners who has recently conquered the infamous Bob Graham Round, and in the process became the first Indian to do so. In this episode, we talk about: How he went from humble beginnings in India to the corporate world in London. The moment th...

This week we talk to Basil Heaney, an accomplished ultrarunner who co-founded the charity Into Ultra. Basil was a latecomer to ultrarunning but has slowly crawled his way up to being a mid/back-pack runner finishing many gnarly multi-day races in the UK and Alps but also with an impressive collection of DNFs too. No GB vest or FKT but has small corner in the record books of being only person...

Flying solo this week and I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about a couple of areas that I've heard people talking about Ultrarunning is as much a mental game as it is physical so I cover mindset so I look at: A working definition of mindset How you create evidence of the person you are How you maintain focused attention on your behaviours How mindset is important for resilience in ul...

We go international again this week. Julie Urbanski, an American and co founder of team RunRun, joins us this week from Portugal. In this episode we talk about: How running became Julie's sport of choice Her through hiking background across some truly epic trails in America (we're talking thousands of miles here) How she manages the balance of work, running and parenthood while travelling Her rece...

This week we speak to none other than the SBF obstacle course and ultrarunning legend Sandie Pow. Sandie is not your average ultrarunner - as she doesn't 'just run'. We talked about her love for obstacle course racing and how that works when running an ultramarathon along with: Focusing on doing what you enjoy Trying to listen to what your body is telling you Being an overall athlete (though Sandi...

We are going international this week, and we welcome Paul Paterson, a native of Stewarton who is now a resident of Abu Dhabi. After 'that chat' with 'that friend' hear how Paul: Went bold in his entry into the ultra-world His search for the 'next thing' that would challenge him His approach to strength and how it supports what he does Looking for efficiency in training Challenges of extreme heat a...

Previous guest of the show, Levi Charlton returns this week to share his EPIC adventure on the Southern Upland Way. After failing to finish the event last year due to a knee injury he regrouped and finished the 220-mile race in 96 hours and 50 minutes. As we talk about his journey we discuss: What his training was like for the event and in the month leading up to the race itself What the atmospher...

In this episode, we talk to David Clarke about his short but very full running journey Starting Couch to 5K in August 2021 Working his way up the races to complete his first ultra within a year Some crazy challenges, like a marathon a month Benjamin Buton Challenge that included the 57 miles Glasgow to Edinburgh ultramarathon His first DNF (Did Not Finish) and how he recovered from failure and put...

This week we have the only guest who is actually younger than me - Josh Raeburn. Josh talks about how he has found his way into the world of ultrarunning, although he has just arrived. We discuss: How he used running as a way to get a handle on his fitness with less free time and also following a knee injury Getting serious about running and putting himself in the right environment with running cl...

This week we have another one of the Stewarton Ultrarunners - the wonderful Kirsten Cowling In this fab conversation, the self-proclaimed Ayrshire Horseback Fancy Dress Champion, Kirsten shares with us: The ups and downs and stops and starts of her running journey The Highland Fling is the 'heart' race for her Getting her money's worth out of the races The only female ever-present Hillbilly Her st...

Well well well, we have something a little bit different this week. I will be on the other side of the mic where Scott Williamson, a previous guest talks with me about my running of the Lakeland 100. Some of the things that we cover are: The build-up to the race and atmosphere around the 'camp' The start - how I went about trying to pace myself Course conditions My made-up drama about nearly being...

Just me this week, wittering on about what I have been doing for the past eight months to get ready for my 'A' race of the year: The Lakeland 100 on the 26th July 2024 I cover: My initial thinking when selecting the race (and being a lucky so and so with the ballot) How I executed the training plan and how it was structured Strength and conditioning How I have built my race plan and some predictio...

Another double accent whammy, this time with another of the world-famous Stewarton Ultrarunners (I know I know - I do get other folk on here). Billy and I were catching up and it was so much fun that I almost forgot to press record but when we did we talked about the following: His journey from rugby and being 'fit for sport' to finding ultra Recovering from a motorbike accident and how he manages...

This week we double up on accents as I talk all things ultra with Levi Charlton We wander through the conversation and cover topics such as: Dabbling in the odd run and seeing what else he could do Discovering that ultras don't stop at 30 miles How running longer turned into big adventures and days out Meeting his match on Ben Nevis The craziness of this year's plans where the 96-mile West Highlan...

Join me this week as I have a fantastic conversation with the Queen of the Largs hills, Jo Findlayson. As we meander through the conversation we talk about: How running was a way to keep fit - and then kept on going further and further Going for a couple of loops round Millport as a longer run to helping a friend smash her Run the Blades personal best (I then worked out that was my first ultra). T...

Another week and another of the Stewarton Ultrarunning legends takes to the mic. This time one of the guys that was there when it all began. In this episode, we talk to Scott about How he ended up 'Finding Ultra' (nod to Rick Roll and Dean Karnazes) The dramatic way that Stewarton Ultrarunners was formed His progression through the distances in some of Scotland's most iconic races His favourite bi...

What a treat we have in store for you in our first guest episode on the West Coast Ultra Podcast. In this episode, we talk to Gordon about His journey to running, initially as a way to lose weight and then how he got hooked on the longer stuff From passing out on the Roon the Toon 10k to running 100 miles (102 actually) His favourite bits of kit How changing his diet helped him recover better, inc...

This episode might just be the one that you have been waiting for. After a short update on what I have been doing in my training for Lakeland 100 (basically lots of miles and hills) I cover: Planning and preparation - what you need to think about and how to choose the right race for you Structure of a training plan - some of the principles that will work and thinking long term Types of workouts an...