Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

And here we are, SEASON FINALE, and we're off to Cornwall. Unchartered territory for your dynamic duo! On the eve of the 2024 edition of the Arc of Attrition we were mega chuffed to snare a sit down chat with the uber busy Andrew 'Fergy' Ferguson, one of the race directors. It makes for a fitting close to an epic season. In customary fashion we first find out about Fergy the runner, quite some CV of races and adventures is uncovered with a wanderlust to explore new places with pals massively apparent. The ARC, now considered as one of the winter classics, then takes centre stage and Fergy give us a wonderful insight into the history of the race, the logistics involved in staging it in often challenging conditions and recounts some of his own memories of past event highlights. With tales of 78% DNF rates, the best starting location to any race in the UK and a huge nod to the race volunteers (The Arc Angels!) this is definitive listening with Fergy's passion for the sport and for putting on unforgettable experiences abundant throughout. We finish up with a quick preview for this years race as runners prep for the off! Be warned, once you catch this episode you'll find yourself hovering over the enter now button for 2025. And you know just what to do? Get that button pressed! Season 9? It's a wrap!! Find out all about the ARC of Attrition and the RAT at Mudcrew events website here https://www.mudcrew.co.uk/

Most podcasts don't have 20 episodes in a season. We're not most podcasts! In our penultimate episode of Season 9 we welcome Andy Campbell to the party, and with good reason. John and Stevie Boy have a quick round up of this week's happenings with Jack Scott's Spine Pennine Way heroics taking centre stage. Pitlochry based Andy then enters the chat! Andy is fresh off a superhuman effort tackling the West Highland Way in it's winter glory and snatching the winter season ‘Fastest Known Time’. We find out first about Andy the runner, a hiker to trade, and certainly an outdoor enthusiast. Only what do you do when you have reached your top speed in hiking? Well naturally you start running. Andy soon discovered running up hills and on trails was his thing and so began his foray into ultra marathons. And, as can be the case, soon became entranced with the West Highland Way. Putting in the training miles, learning his running craft and learning from past experiences put Andy in a great place to have a stab at the WHW winter record. We are treated to hearing all about it. Andy beams most when chatting about his support crew, his other half Gilly and his hill buddy Graham played an immeasurable part in the attempt. We find out how crucial they were to what was a hugely successful day on the way. Andy then reveals to us his own new venture, Highland Trails Guided Running, offers adventures in the Scottish Highlands on iconic routes and stunning places led by the experienced Andy. See show notes for links! We finish up in traditional fashion finding out what Andy is up to next, a cracking dialect dictionary entry and his submission into the YHRF playlist (incredibly a song JC had never heard of!! Find out all about Andy's HIGHLAND TRAILS GUIDED RUNNING Adrian Stotts tribute to British ultrarunner and orienteer, Ed Catmur

Dinnae fret, after our short festive hiatus we're back and we're ready for a tumultuous 2024. We find out just why in this weeks episode. Appetites are whetted, new kicks are ready for action and renewed energy for adventure is abundant. We've hundreds of inspirational guests lined up for ye but this weeks 2024 curtain raiser is the pair of us previewing the year ahead. What we're upto, what's happening soon (Spine tingling stuff) and what you guys have let us know you are up to (that was quite some response you gave us to our ask on our socials!) It's a veritable miscellany of races, goals and dreams. It might even fuel some new adventures for your own 2024. We also take time to catch up on what we've been up to with John starting his Lakeland 100 prep in style (and in esteemed company) by getting his foot on the route and getting a wee bit lost. Steven meantime continues his romancing of Beluga Lagoon who we (kinda officially) appoint as the soundtrack of YHRF! We've even our first competition of the year to anounce with Devilla (or is it Devilia?) Forest Trail Race places up for grabs courtesy of our good pals over at Carnegie Harriers! 2024, here we f*ckin' GO!!

Not many words needed. It's our alternative take on awards season, live from YHRF HQ. Video and Audio versions available. All the festive fun, we loved recording this one as you might tell!! Massive thank you to all who took part and submitted a nomination. And a huge huge YHRF Merry Chrimbo to all you listeners, we'll see you all again real soon! Eat, drink and be merry y'all!

It was take two in Spain for Stevie Boy last weekend as he made a return trip to the continent for the 2023 edition of the Malaga Maraton. In this weeks episode we chart not only a weekend on the Costa Del Sol but find out how Steven has managed his training since his endeavours at the Chicago Marathon back in October. A full episode of John and Steven chewin' the fat about running and dain' braw hings with even brawer people. We cover more than just happenings in Espana though with a veritible feast of chatter as we pore over the last weeks running headlines plus plenty of irrelative sh*te you've grown accustomed to! We've news too that nominations for the YHRF Unawards 2023 are now open, follow this link to get involved YHRF UNAWARDS 2023 The meat of the episode then ensues with our Malaga Marathon debrief. If you ever fancy a wee trip abroad for some winter sun whilst ticking off a marathon (or a half if you cannae be ersed with 26.2 miles) with the enjoyment of savouring the post race highs along with good food, apt hydration and fine folk then you'll love this trip recount.

We might've mentioned Season 9 would be different. Our gift this week is a video version of our chat with Nicky Spinks of course you can still access the audio version if you prefer. Nicky has been on our wish list of 'guests' since round about day one, it's well worth the wait! We start off with an intro from Nicky about her running journey, her 'why' and her love of the outdoors life. We then get the best description ever of the 'big rounds' in the UK, a passion of Nicky's which she has both set records on and also racked up an amazing number of support runs playing a part in many other runners successful rounds. Listen in to find out more......even the coveted double rounds are covered? From being inspired by runners including Joss Naylor and Roger Baumeister, Nicky has picked up the mantle and now inspires runners far and wide with her endeavour and fortitude, motivating others to push themselves and see what is possible. Nicky celebrated 10 years of surviving cancer in 2016 by taking on a Double Bob Graham round, the film crew invited to follow her got a right treat! And what a celebration it is... Run Forever: The film of Nicky Spinks & The Double Bob Graham Nicky likes it dark n gnarly, she's pretty good over the flatter ground too, it's just a means of getting to the harder stuff quicker is our guess! We criss-cross the globe as we speak about some of Nicky's many adventures running long distances over many days and of course the subject of food is covered, took us a record breaking 23 minutes to get there! There are golden nuggets aplenty and shared wisdom from one of the greatest runners to ever lace up a pair of shoes. Nicky is part of running folklore, it was an absolutely honour for us to spend some time in her company. To quote a line from Nicky's songs choice: I can climb the highest mountain... You'll love this, you'll likely listen to it more than once! Nicky's fundraising link for Odyssey

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

We continue to hurtle through Season 9. Join us in this episode for a ‘feature lengther’! Ye might want to make sure your earbuds are fully charged for our extended chat with this week’s guest, the cultured Mr Ally McColl. You may recall Ally featured recently along with Graham Connolly (Season 9 Episode 4) to give us the lowdown on their Barkley Fall Classic adventures. Now it’s time for Ally to go solo and have the floor to himself, he grabs it with both hands or as he might say himself ‘baithe tatties’. Ally provides us with a thorough look back at his running story, it’s part podcast part biography as we delve into a blow-by-blow account of Ally’s foray into the world of ultra running. From being a wet behind the lug novice, to mastering his race craft and transitioning into a competitive racer. That might sound a bit wanky, thankfully it's only yir show note scribe who is, Ally is anything but. Tales of a torturous first marathon, discovering the wonder of the trails and hills, finding pals with similar fires in their bellies and the good karma of volunteering ensue as Ally recounts his experiences. Ally’s passion for running comes over loud and clear, his love of the area he calls home along with a drive and determination to batter his former self’s performances. What did he do when racing was snatched away from him in the COVID years, sit on his arse and mope? Nah, this fella made sweet potato brownie and went for a few wee runs. He’s achieved a lot in a short number of years, who egged him on? That often mentioned ‘mate at work’ might just have played a part. Enjoy our full 90 min plus extra time with the exquisite Ally McColl! P.S. John and Stevie Boy have a wee ask, a regular and loyal listener to the show is currently undertaking a survey of ultra marathon runners and we’d love it if you took 15 mins to fill it in. Please follow this link to help us help a pal out https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/uhi/ultra-running

Where to even start with this week’s episode, it’s a question we’ve asked ourselves a few times since recording with the outrageously entertaining and super-talented Allie Bailey. We hit the ground running with a thorough intro as JC and Stevie Boy catch up on plenty happenings mostly but not exclusively running related with sequin jackets and shwanky socks to the fore. Allie then joins us for a rip-roaring account of her running story. It’s quite something. A coach, an author, a podcaster, a runner, a recovering alcoholic, a depressive, a sensation. Allie took up running back in 2008 to combat depression. It didn’t quite work out how she thought. However, it certainly changed the direction of her life. From running 58 ultras in a year, to discovering the route to help her mental health problems, through to acknowledging her struggles with alcohol this episode takes twists and turns multiple times. With a unique perspective gained from lived experience peppered with humbleness, humility and an (un)healthy dose of self-loathing Allie’s chat will get you thinking, nodding, or even disagreeing. In this tell it all brutally honest conversation Allie sends a clear message.  Define your values and live by them. It's YHRF but not as you know it. We loved our blether with Allie, so will you... Pre-Order Allie's Book There is No Wall Allie's website Allie on Instagram

We've a world exclusive. Have we said season 9 is a bit different? We skip through a quick intro with some Chill Trail Race chatter before this week's headline act join us. Both massive pals of the podcast who we've already shared some great episodes with. Now they've something rather sensational to share with us. Say hello to Wildheart Runners the thrilling new initiative of Karen Nicol and Debbie Martin-Consani. We're privileged to find out all about it and, not being shy retiring types, UltraKazy and Badwater Debbie are ready to give us the lowdown. We find out what the plans are for creating a hugely valuable new community for runners, pitched at covering some of the unique barriers and challenges female runners face whilst acknowledging the need to widen and involve everyone in the conversation. We hear from the passionate duo about safety whilst out running, about hormones and female admin, and about how with their knowledge, connections and experience now is the time to create the opportunity to learn, interact and get involved in the conversation. We hear from Karen about how she's raising awareness of gender balance in races particularly ultras and endurance events. Whilst Debbie tells us about facing the time challenges of being a busy parent with the juggle of training, work and other commitments can be a big obstacle to overcome. With coaching, workshops, shared running experiences and adventures a plenty in the pipeline this chat creates a big buzz for what the future holds for Wildheart Runners. Watch this space, we see a wild bright future! Wildheart Runners on Instagram Female Body Bible by Dr Emma Ross, Baz Moffat and Dr Bella Smith Next Level by Stacy Sims