Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

This week's guest is winner of the West Highland Way Race 2023 Stuart Johnston. You all know our fondness of the iconic route, that's no surprise, Stuart though brings an altogether different view of his memorable day to the table and deliver he most certainly does. Before Stu rocks up we've some exciting intro chat revealing your chance to get your mitts on our brand spanking new Summer 2023 LeBuffBuff! be quick Stuart, who only flipped the switch for him to start dabbling in the world of ultramarathons relatively recently, then joins the fray. Running his first ultra in 2019, and just 4 short years later, in his debut at the West Highland Way Race, crossed the finish line in 1st place to win the coveted first prize in a time of 16 hours 35 mins 31 secs. Pre-lockdown (remember that?) Stuart confesses to cramming in too many ultras, it was around the same time he made contact with running coach Gary House and together they hatched a plan that had paid massive dividends. There are golden nuggets aplenty in this episode as Stuart gives us access into his running toolbox, providing us with information around his nutrition, hydration, building mental strength, finding his breaking point and understanding his body. Oh...and ice lollies! We speak about how Stuart trained specifically for the West Highland Way Race, how he planned to combat the heat, and in his own words, how he left 'no stone unturned', thoroughness seems one of his many talents. Stuart also gave us a heads up about the work being done by Bruce Smith around exercise and type 1 diabetes as well as recommending a book by Patrick Wilson 'The Athlete's Gut' (see links at bottom of shoe notes) In what is a superbly insightful episode into the immediate post race thoughts of Stuart we are treated to an hour and a half of diamond content. There's learning here for us all, tons of takeaways, ye might even need a few listens. Bruce Smith around exercise and type 1 diabetes Patrick Wilson 'The Athlete's Gut'

Just the two of us.....we can make it if we try. That's right it's one of those delightful week's we know you all, errrm, long for. John and Stevie Boy chewin' the fat. And we've plenty to pore over in this shorter than normal episode. First up, if you can make yourself comfortable for our West Highland Way Race 2023 Race Review. John takes the lead here, filling in Steven on happenings on the Way last weekend. Lots of well kent faces were out running, supporting, and volunteering. It's a race that's already under our skin, this year's edition just strengthened that. We also take a trip down south where we find out how our Yorkshire correspondent Mel Sykes got on in her on the Spine Challenger South, her biggest endeavour to date, spoiler alert......she did no bad! Then we shift over to the states where our insatiable appetite for watching dots move across maps is fed by the staging of the Western States 100. We've even a friend of the show over enjoying the occasion! With a return of our semi regular feature 'Race or Not? and a surprise reveal of some new merch this might be a trimmed down episode but it packs its usual punch. So buckle up because 'Here Comes the Hotsteppers'

Only 5 weeks until race weekend! How did that happen??!! We’re back with another episode of Access All Areas our Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 collaboration. In this episode we speak to Stuart McNeish who is taking on the 100 for the first time.  It’s a completely different perspective than our previous guests. After getting to know a wee bit about his history we delve right into Stuart’s prep for the upcoming Lakeland race weekend. We touch on recces, he’s done well to get his foot on the route. Kit prep, all that essential kit needs a spot in a well packed race vest. Fuelling strategies, how does he plan using aid stations? In our entertaining hour(ish) chatting with Stuart we get a glimpse of his trepidation as his big race of the year draws into sharp focus. Yet we are left feeling quietly confident that his meticulous training and textbook preparation will see him through the ups and downs of the 2023 Lakeland 100. Whether it’s your first time at the 50 or 100 or indeed you’re a season pro there’s some brilliant takeaways to be had with Stu.

The John Muir Way. A coast-to-coast waymarked path stretching from Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland to Helensburgh on the west. This week’s guest took on the entire route, all 134 miles of it, in a oner last weekend. Say hello to Martin Gray, a man whose mission was powerful. Martin joins us after a thorough intro where we cover this weekends West Highland Way Race, the warm weather, another Stevie Boy running rant and we’ve another round of our comeback feature 'Race or Not?' Martin regales to us his running history, how he got into a sport and blossomed, how it changed his life forever and how he’s become indebted to his running coach who he values enormously. Martin is no stranger to big challenges with a mighty progression made in his running distances and times as he learned his craft - hard work and sacrifice reaping reward by the way of finish lines and (impressive) finish times. His why for choosing the John Muir Way endeavour though is a real personal one, in memory of his old man he set off on his cross-country adventure. The goal, apart from having the running experience of a lifetime, was to raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity. Come listen in and discover how he phenomenally achieved both. Martin talks us through the event prep, the supporting cast he’s indebted to and then onto how his journey panned out on what turned out to be one of those rare Scottish days, that’s right the sun was blazin’ and the temperatures were soaring. How did he cope with the inevitable attrition, what forces of nature drove him onwards to that finish line? Martin labours on paying regard to the many many people who supported him, whether that was donating to his fundraising attempts, joining him along the route for a few minutes or a few hours or even just by sending him a simple message. So, step on in to the YHRF studio to hear how this gallus lad from Bishopton ran home, with purpose, will and determination. For his Da. You can still sponsor Martin’s fundraising, please give generously to a simply awesome cause ⁠https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martin-gray77⁠

As you get older you get slower?? This week’s guest Mark Gallacher knows otherwise! Before Mark joins us for a thorough chatter of his astonishing running story we have our customary weekly round up with your hosts big Friday night road trip to the Black Rock 5 in Kinghorn rightly taking centre stage! Mark then joins in the laughs, a well-known face in the Scottish running circuit, Mark’s performances across a range of distances catch our eye on an almost weekly basis.  And he’s not shy at telling us all about how he’s went from beers, gigs and cigs to races, shwanks and podiums.  Mark’s progression in running is jaw dropping.  He’s grabbing a second chance at the sport with both hands and is striving to keep on improving as he enters his 6th decade. Not only a talented athlete Mark also has a talent for writing, conveying his thoughts and experiences on his brilliant (and award winning!) yet inappropriately named blog, ‘The most irritating runner in Scotland?’ (link at bottom of show notes) We spend most time talking through Mark’s recent exploits at the Edinburgh Marathon, a distance he’s not unfamiliar with but one he’d not taken on for 5 years. He had a target, he set aboot getting it with a regimented approach to training and making sure all his bases were covered. With a burgeoning medal hanger proudly displaying his growing number of achievements Mark speaks to us with an air on incredulity, even he can’t quite believe how far he’s come. And he’s not finished yet either, far from it in fact! Singing praises of everyone around him but leaving his own abilities in the shadow are a measure of the man, that pride though in talking about his outings for Scotland and that extensive list of honours is apparent throughout. With a right good idea of how your YHRF hosts roll Mark allows us to get into the nitty gritty of his running inspirations. So, pull up a chair, you’re going to enjoy this absolute classic of an episode! Check Mark’s running blog out here https://markgallmac.com/ Donate to Martin Gray running across Scotland on the John Muir Way in aid of Beatson Cancer Charity here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martin-gray77

This week we are joined by Freya Morgan, she’s better known as her alias Human Disco Ball. She’s doing something quite remarkable at the mo, it’s a serious cause, but she has brought the fun. Lots of shiny mirrored fun. We have some interesting pre guest chatter to get the ball rolling covering the Edinburgh Marathon, a Stevie Boy running rant and Athletics Trust Scotland's National Running Week amongst much more. Then Freya joins us to tell us all about her running story and just what has compelled her to don a full disco ball suit and run 2500km. The Human Disco Ball aims to raise money (and awareness) on behalf of the charity Bail for Immigration Detainees charity. They strive to improve outcomes for refugees often caught up in what could be a hopeless situation.  Freya strongly believes in their work, she tells us just why it’s inspired her to run for the cause. (see links at bottomg of show notes to donate!) Freya faces her biggest challenge on the 8 June when she attempts to run 200km from Bristol to London non-stop. A feat which would see her add 150k on to her longest ever run to date, will she do it? We think we already know the answer to that. Freya is brilliant company, the serious underlying message she brings is belied by an energy, passion and sense of fun that will power her to success whilst bringing quite a few others along for the ride. So let some of Freya’s positiveness rub off on you, get settled in for an hour plus of everything that makes the YHRF podcast what it is. We never shirk from hitting difficult topics - if we can do that whilst keeping an element of fun we’re on to a winner and Freya does not disappoint. Donate to Freya’s cause here https://www.justgiving.com/page/freya-morgan-1669119657286 Read more about Freya’s challenge here https://www.biduk.org/articles/solidarity-fund Sign and up get involved in Athletics Trust Scotland’s National Running Week here https://athleticstrustscotland.org.uk/nationalrunningweek/

We're back with another superb episode of Access All Areas our 2023 collab with the Montane Lakeland 50 and 100. In Episode 4 we're joined by Nick Wishart. Nick has 10 years of history with the event, it's included a fair few highs in amongst a couple of lows. The event has become a huge part of Nick's life, and his family have all got in on the act too. We natter about all things Lakeland spending time on both his multitude of finishes, his year manning the Mardale Head checkpoint with his club and then there was his 2022 experience! He should've been picking up his slate for ghis 5th 100 finish, he ended up In an ambulance getting rushed to hospital. Jam packed full of advice none more so interesting than the contents on Nick's dropbag at Dalemain! It makes for essential listening as minds start focusing on race weekend at the tail end of July! You can catch the video version of this episode along with other content on your hosts YouTube platform here: ⁠Access All Areas

We’re ramping up the temperature this week as we get ready for summer!!c We welcome back to the show, oor pal from Yorkshire, Mel Sykes to give us her lowdown on what proved to be a challenging and toasty race in the Welsh mountains at the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 50k (ish). First though we’ve an extended intro featuring your dynamic duo. There are all sorts of funky happenings across the nation and that takes us on a wonderful meander to Cape Wrath before being catapulted back to the capital as it awaits this weekends Edinburgh Marathon. We also take a much-needed deep breath and convey how it’s not always plain sailing this running lark. The peaks and troughs all of us must work through from time to time are discussed, all that insta shit and Strava success can often overshadow folk dealing with loss of mojo’s or what seems like constant injury woes. Hopefully some sage advice in amongst our blether! Mel arrives to lift the mood, and she’s plenty enough chatter to keep us entertained. You might remember she recently finished 3rd at the Manchester to Liverpool Ultra (covered in Season 8 Episode 3). She changed the terrain and elevation profile to toe the line at the super popular UTS by UTMB. A non-exhaustive list but we cover 1. Running Poles. A help or a hindrance? 2. Greedy race organisers. How many entrants is too many? 3. Drinking from streams. A risk worth taking? 4. Aid station heroes. Do they work harder than race participants? 5. The heat in Wales. Don’t forget your sunscreen!! There’s some mild controversy and debate in there to get your heckles up. And Mel reveals her next challenge, one we’re pretty sure she’ll have the spine for. Enjoy folks and good luck to wherever you’re off adventuring this week, whether it’s racing, meandering or exploring.

Welcome to the Young Hearts Drink Wine Podcast. It’s a change of pace this week as we indulge in combining a few of our fav things. Running & Vino. After a thorough weekly round up in our intro we are joined by runner, author and wine connoisseur Colin Renton for a continental tour that inspired the release of his first ever book, The Wine Runner: My Year of Hard Yards and Vineyards. It’s part running journal, part travelogue mixed in the essential component….sampling all sorts of local wine. Colin leads us through what motivated him to take up running and then gives us the lowdown on how he researched races before embarking on his quest that finished with a first ever marathon distance being covered in Austria. Grab The Wine Runner book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wine-Runner-Year-Yards-Vineyards/dp/1915359058 or direct from the publisher here https://www.polarispublishing.com/book/the-wine-runner

What does it take to hold the West Highland Way Race course record? In this week’s episode we’re joined by ultra-running royalty and current female WHW record holder Lucy Colquhoun to find out. It’s fair to say that Lucy considers her racing days well behind her and joins us in reflective mood. Her spirit and passion though are evident throughout our chat. Lucy confesses to falling out of love with running and ultra-running.  A normal episode this is most definitely not. There’s a lack of rah rah motivational and inspirational moments, it’s a candid eye raising honest assessment of how Lucy’s mindset has been flipped on its head. It’s a deeply authentic chat with Lucy who now doesn’t train with any structure and finds enjoyment in just moving, often with company, likely with her dogs. Of course, that doesn’t hold us back getting to the nitty gritty of Lucy’s running story and career highlights. By the time she discovered ultra-marathon she was already a very accomplished road runner and owner of an impressive marathon time. We spend most time fondly recalling Lucy’s epic day out in 2007 on the world-famous West Highland Way trail when she wrestled the course record from its previous holder. It was her one and only appearance in the race and one she made the very most of. It’s not doom and gloom by a far stretch, most of it is fantastically relatable and the marmite nature of the sport is discussed with a lorra laughs along the way. ‘It's YHRF, Jim, but not as we know it’.  Enjoy gettin’ yir lugs roond this!!