What The Fartlek Podcast

It's Thursday and you know what that means... What The Fartlek celebrates its 4th birthday this week but the milestone is overshadowed ever so slightly by Parkrun hitting the big 20. We look back on 2 decades of Saturday morning 5ks with a special episode. Rob is joined by author Lucy Waterlow to talk about her new book, just released in conjunction with the festivities 'The Ultimate Guide to Park...

It's Thursday and you know what that means..... After an action packed summer (in real life) a Lou-less gang are back together for SERIES 16 of the podcast. The lads talk Berlin, being serenaded whilst running and how boring our own documentary might be. We debut a new segment, Jack Penfold's Elite Corner The Stittles get a new nickname and catch us up on their Parkrun exploits from the close seas...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... Series finale and the boys have been let loose for Ben Stittles digital stag do. It was a wild one, Ben summarises 7 parkruns in 3 abd a half minutes, tell us about his 250th just a few weeks ago and catches up on his current running exploits (he conveniently left out his wildy story BTW) Plus more running chatter, reminiscing about smutty movies f...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... Summer is almost over so we close out Series 15 with a 2 parter featuring some familiar faces (voices) - this week Rob is joined by the best calves in Clitheroe and the worst lungs in Rotherham as JP and Matt are back to talk all things Pacing, Track and the biggest event of the summer, PICKFEST Join us next week for a final episode before a little...

It's Thursday and you know what that means This series has a simple goal, shining a light on members of our running community and nobody embodies community to us more than today's guest, the awesome Joe Lee. Not just the owner of the greatest theme song in all of running, Joe has a wonderful running journey and is in the midst of a huge challenge for a great cause and he pops by WTF HQ for...

Its Thursday and you know what that means Rob is back with another summer spotlight and today we chat to a new pal Diana speaks openly and honestly about her running journey, experiences and plans as well as how intertwined it is with her own Mental Health and how it has helped her cope with Anxiety. We focus on her involvement in the online running community, particularly on Instagram where she u...

It's Thursday and you know what that means Our summer showcase rolls on as we look to shine a light on our amazing running community and today Rob sits down with an old pal, the excellent Ryan Miller. Hosting the Press Play and Run podcast, Ryan has had a spectacular 18 months, gaining a wonderful following and building a huge community, speaking to inspiring guests and championing the Scottis...

It's Thursday and you know what that means Back with a slightly different format for the summer, Rob is flying solo to bring you our 'Summer Spotlight', a series of episodes shining a light on some of the amazing members of our running community whilst the rest of the gang takes a well deserved break And we kick things off with a bang, sitting down with our very own Uncle Doug - we tal...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... For the last time in S14, the gang are back to shoot the breeze. We talk about our week in running, injury updates and have a good chat about the value of first aid training and CPR/De-fib knowledge. Plus it was a VERY special trip to Warrington for Ben and Emma to celebrate Em's big 250 at parkrun with pals. Of course we finish with a bumper r...

It's Thursday and you know what that means For the second to last time this series, the gang are back together for some running based chaos. We talk about the London Marathon ballot, educate Lou on some strength training bits, Ben is at Lister Parkrun in Bradford and of course there's a roll call to shout out you bunch of legends in the community Also Matt is up to his old tricks - listen...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... Rob, Matt, Lou and JP talk about their week in running and educating Lou goes from a beautiful guest theme song to conversation about pubic hair and chafing Then Ben and Emma jump on to talk about the delights of Harrogate parkrun (and surrounding cafes) and we have an express roll call to round out the episode. Oh and keep your ears pricked if you...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... Matt is working nights so Rob, Lou and JP steer the ship talking injury recovery, elevation gains, manky toes and how hungover everyone still is after JP's Stag Do Then Ben and Emma drop by to tell us all about their recent exploits at Burnage parkrun and we knock out a massive roll call Remember you can join our Fartlek Family at any time, be...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... A bumper episode of the podcast this week as we look back on pacing fun in Widddnessss this past weekend. Matt joins us on the injury table and educating Lou has a new theme song and a new question as we talk hills. Ben and Emma go international, the roll call is massive and we pay our own tribute to a true great, the late Rob Burrow. Remember you...

It's Monday and you know what that means... Move.with. Lou sits down with Rob to talk all things running and podcasting. The lads also take some time to reflect on the running podcast landscape in the UK and the importance of building each other up. Remember you can join our Fartlek Family at any time, be part of our 100+ strong community of amazing people, organising meet ups, catch ups and g...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... There was only ever going to be one topic this week - as we take a look back at the 4th annual What The Fartlek weekender in sunny Sheffield. We dissect the football, the after party and Ben and Emma jump on to talk all about our takeover at the beautiful Rother Valley Parkrun At risk of feeling left out, Lou also hits us with another 'Educatin...

It's Monday and you know what that means... We enter the twilight zone in the first episode of the podcast released after the 2024 WTF Weekender...that was recorded before the 2024 WTF weekender. It all gets very confusing Nothing confusing about our guest and main event though as Rob chats to the amazing Gem Strawford. We talk community, pacing, mental health and everything in between in a gr...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... The last stop before the WTF weekender and we have a packed one The injury table is back, as we all celebrate, and are in no way jealous, of Matts amazing sub 19 Parkrun PB this past weekend. Educating Lou rolls on, with a chat about keeping easy runs easy and then its another Emmaless Parkrun segment as Ben tells us all about Cliffe Castle in Keig...

It's Monday and you know what that means... Rob sits down with the awesome Jack Goodwin to find out all about his journey We talk about his life in the army, adapting to civilian life, how his relationship with running has evolved over the years and phases of his life and his epic 2024 Megathon challenge, an epic 15 marathon mountain all in the name of an exceptional cause. Plus the lads discu...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... The lads are back from Poznan and we have an action packed show to catch you up on. The injury table is back, we chat about the power of giving this mental health awareness week and Lou and JP launch a somewhat chaotic new segment - Educating Lou Plus Ben is Emma-less but has been international Parkrunning, a staple of any stag do, plus we have a r...

It's Monday and you know what that means This week, the first lady of Fartlek sits down with Rob for an in-depth (and trust us - it is in-depth) chat We talk to the excellent Sam Hitchmough, from her sporty youth, to trauma and depression, to finding running, to coping with grief. The gloves are off and we are going in deep. Please be aware of the sensitive topics we will discuss in this episo...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... The gang (minus Matt) are back for another action packed community episode. Catch up with how Rob, Lou and JP are getting on in a new segment, aptly dubbed 'The Injury Table'. Ben and Emma jump on to tell us all about South Manchester parkrun then its time for a roll call and plug for our upcoming weekender on 25th May in Sheffield. Plus an...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... The awesome foursome are back to talk about the next step post Spring marathons and touch on the huge spike of ballot applications to London 2025 Then Ben and Emma jump on to tell us all about their parkrun adventures and Bens exploits at Newport marathon this weekend and we have a roll call and a very special announcement about our upcoming weeken...

It’s Monday and you what that means... Another awesome guest episode as Rob sits down with Callum Elson, international athlete and coach who just so happens to be in the midst of his first major injury setback. We talk about his journey into running, how he is coping with being on the shelf and 'The Distance Project' - a YouTube channel/brand that he is growing and diversifying whilst off...

It's Thursday and you know what that means... ''Its all about Lou, it's all about Lou baby!'' With London Marathon in the bag, we take a look back at the weekends antics, especially how a certain co-host got on in her inaugural marathon Plus Ben is Emmaless as he tells us all about his latest parkrun adventures and we have a big smoke themed roll call before we descend into...

It’s Monday and you what that means... With spring marathons in the bag, we are turning our attention to the trails and talking to the excellent Paul Breen. Paul talks about his own running journey and how it quite literally saved his life but also how he turned his own passion into Gert Lush events, a race company with a difference. We talk backyard ultras and the UK Berkeley marathons, inspired...