Run Like a Llama with John O'Donnell - Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 9 Eps 14

Wrapped, it’s what all you Spotify-ers are getting tore in about this week. Well, here's another 120 minutes of (mostly) quality podcasting to add to your 2023 YHRF listening total!

This week we cast our net far to catch another eclectic guest, as we're joined John O'Donnell. John has plenty to talk about, let's waste no time.

A relative late comer into running John, as is customary, first takes us through his running story. From discovering the power of Parkrun, tackling marathons, and ending up falling head over heals in love with Ultras'!

It's been a steep trajectory for Uplawmoor based laddie with a fair modicum of running talent in his legs.

The marathon time was soon skittled down to the always impressive sub 3 hour marker and race podiums soon appeared within his reach.

John recounts memorable days out on the West Highland Way and a watermark moment on the Great Glen Way as he honed his ultra marathon race craft.

It's not all glorious successes though as John remains grounded with honest tales of the day's things didn't quite go to plan with a hat-trick of learning from his DNFs (we all need a few DNFs in our CV right?)

Run Llama? Whits that all about then? John reveals all.....and more.

A mega 2024 looms large on John's horizon, a half century birthday to be celebrated in style by taking on the gruelling Marathon Des Sables. Every wandered what training and prepping for the iconic multi stage desert marathon is like? Johns got you covered! See fundraising link at bottom of show notes!

With Berlin Marathon 2024 also in his sights it's awfully apparent John has no intention of slowing up, the exact opposite in fact. With a running pal circle as valuable as any motivating and encouraging him along the way we cannae think of much that will stop him.

With his Ella Kitchen in hand and more bromances flourishing we're sure you'll lap up our chat with Run Llama's John O'Donnell!

John is raising funds and awareness for Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) as he takes part in the Marathon Des Sables, throw him whatever you can spare here https://www.justgiving.com/page/john-odonnell-1700811484654?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fjohn-odonnell-1700811484654&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share