Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

When someone as awesome as Wild Ginger Running approaches you to have a wee chat on the pod you seize the moment with gusto. This week we’re awfully chuffed to welcome Claire Maxted to the Young Hearts Run Free podcast. Writer. Author. Media entrepreneur. But most importantly, runner. Claire has spent a huge chunk of her life following her passion and in this week’s episode we get the lowdown. Claire, co-founder, and former editor of Trail Running magazine, created Wild Ginger Running back in 2017 as a way for trail and ultra-runners to get tips, advice, and inspiration in a plain, jargon free and accessible way. With gear reviews (and tests), training pointers and race inspiration sprinkled with the magical wild ginger running fairy dust her website and You Tube channel is a resource with something for all. Claire is also a published author with her book, The Ultimate Trail Running Handbook (links below), offering pages upon pages of easy-to-read content covering all of the above and much much more. Trail Running Hacks? We all need as many of them in our lives as possible, right? Even better than all of this though we get to hear about Claire’s own running history. We find out how she settled on finding her preferred race distance, how Bob Graham has played a big part in her running evolution and how the disappointment of her only DNF has simply fuelled her fire. Our favourite kit segment is littered with Claire’s preferences, and John finds a kindred spirit in his quest to find other folk who love their big knacks. With an immense 2023 in the pipeline, we are 100% (a hunner %) positive you’ll lap up this quality blether with the Wild Ginger Runner Claire Maxted. So, grab your shwanks, get the headphones on and settle in for an hour and a bit of classic YHRF listening. The links for The Ultimate Trail Running Handbook here https://amzn.to/36tuO8x  Wild Ginger Running Website https://wildgingerrunning.co.uk/ Wild Ginger Running YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWEw4ys-SlXU1pCp6oyMemQ Wild Ginger Running Patreon (your chance to win monthly £400 worth of prizes) https://www.patreon.com/WildGingerRunning

Is that a week passed already? Just where does January go 😉 We are back to chase away the blues with another corking episode to jangle your senses. We are thrilled to welcome Catriona Bruce to the show, Catriona is the owner of Edinburgh based race organisers Blast Running. She’s also an accomplished and experienced runner herself with multiple marathon and ultra-marathon finishes to her name. We take time to speak about her own running evolution then hear all about the Blast Running story. We start with our familiar weekly chinwag though with ice, undercarriages and spines dominating proceedings. Oh, and with John’s 2023 race debut at Maryhill Harriers Nigel Barge 10k this weekend we get tore into racing too. Catriona then joins in. After finding out how she made her way to become a proud member of the Hunter Bog Trotters via Fife, London, back to Fife, Perth and eventually Edinburgh we delve into some of her own running highs, lows, and everything in between. From favourite places to run and a great list of running kit favourites, we cover tons. Blast Running was born in 2019 and Catriona is rightly proud of how popular and established it has become. We hear all about how she has grown the races Blast Running offer to an impressive 27 events in 2023. With unique distances, settings and formats she’s catering for everyone. Her passion mixed with creativity is obvious and she’s certainly found a recipe for success. With a side hustle of Edinburgh Running Tours this entrepreneurial lass has all the bases covered! Ready for Blast Off? Find out all about Blast Running and their exciting events calendar here BLAST RUNNING WEBSITE

Fit like? Proud Aberdonian Ultra-runner David Scott has inspired many people. He’s honest, genuine and isn’t afraid to go that extra mile when the going gets tough. In this week’s episode we meet David to find out about both his own running story and the stories he’s helped create as we delve into Fit Like Joggers and the Brewdog Run. David took up running himself in his mid-30s, like many we speak to he thought he’d get the marathon ticked off the list and that would be that. It turned out a big bit different to that. After hearing all about his own spectacular foray into running we settle on a couple of lengthy conversations. Fit Like Joggers is a movement that David is rightly very proud of. What started as a couch to 5k group in Aberdeen has grown into so much more. David shares with us the evolution of the Fit Like Joggers. We then shift to a monster David has created, the Brewdog Run also had small beginnings. It quickly ‘hopped’ its way forward and is now 3 times a year outing enjoyed by hundreds; it’s even went on tour. You don’t even have to like beer to get involved! David then shares with us his fav running kit, his fav place to run, his fuelling essentials and some startlingly simple yet inspirational running tips. We end in traditional fashion with a dialect dictionary and song choice that’ll please tons of ye. Find out all ab out Fit Like Joggers here https://www.fitlikejoggers.com/ Catch up on all things Brewdog Run on the Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/brewdogrun/

No other way to start a new year than battering out our first episode of 2023. YHRF, we never stop. And we’ve a guest in da house! Joining us for a blether about all manner of things (mostly but not exclusively running related) is Amanda Woodrow. She certainly brings the fun along with her. Of course we kick off with our customary chat where the headline news is the heightening of John’s 2023 plans, a trip to Germany beckons! Then Amanda joins the equation, and a belter of a conversation follows. Amanda has run competitively since she was 12 years old, she’s went from chasing down speedsters on the track to scurrying herself along the Lands End to John O’Groats route with lots in between. In 2017 Amanda suffered from septic shock, resulting in a long hospital stay where she eventually emerged minus half a butt cheek. To say she has bounced back from this life changing experience would be the understatement of the year. In her own words it allowed her to ‘sack the track’ and instead concentrate on going slower for further, much further. This forced adaption though has opened new doors for Amanda and she’s set on blootering those doors off the hinges. We talk through some of her finer moments out racing along with a few not so fine moments, she does love an adventure. With a 2022 filled with 50k wins, the small matter of a LEJOG attempt and participating in the Pyllon Endeavour 192 we hear plenty about it. With an equally cracking 2023 plan already hatching we can’t wait to see what this lass can achieve in the sport. Amanda touches on her fav run kit, now hold on to your seats for that one, it’s not all shwanks and skorts, trust us! So go lube yourself up, the last thing you want to is a chaffed arse crack right, settle in and listen to the lass who’s chasing the sunset and winning. Tune in to the new YHRF Listener's Choice Playlist on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Sj3cbzo9He1UWfRMxpOIT?si=bcf243af636c42d6

Well, that was 2022! Happy Hogmanay guys! This is a first for a number of reasons! Our first ever ‘Unawards’ AND our first bash at a video edition of the pod. Filmed live and uncut, eeek! We devote this episode to the ton of you who interacted with our social media posts during the month of December.  Our categories were a wee bit different to the norm, here they are in all their YHRF glory - Beard of the Year Outfit of the Year Video of the Year Inspiration of the Year Event of the Year Bit of Kit of the Year Best Dropbag Item Proudest Moment of the Year John n Steven yap thru all of the above and pick out their winners and runners-up, some categories we didn’t even bother picking a winner cos, after all, we’re all winners in our own way. Batter on in and get involved in the discussions over on our Insta and Twitter. We’ve even a competition for you all to enter!!!! RACE PLACES up for grabs! Have an awesome new year folks, tell awbody ye love that ye love them, even folk ye kinda like tell them you love them too. Us? We’ll be back pronto in the new year with oodles of stuff planned and in the pipeline. We cannae wait, ye coming along for the ride?

Twas the week afore Chrimbo, when aw thru the hoose, no a creature wiz stirrin’ no even a moose. Ye didn’t think we’d let you down and not have a pre-Christmas episode up our sleeves, did you?! Firstly we spin through our weekly intro chit-chat in style, covering the fall-out from Stevie Boy’s Malaga Marathon endeavours (and of course his Twitter food thread!) plus we take a look in the rear view mirror at our own 2022 highs. Seems we packed a fair bit in! Then we’ve got a festive treat for you as we welcome to the YHRF pod Gayle Tait. Gayle completed the fabled UTMB in 2022, you’d think that would take centre stage in our conversation with her, you’d be wrong. Something much more valuable has happened during Gayle’s running journey. Gayle realised she had a talent for ultra-running after segway-ing into the distance from marathon. Already a very accomplished road-runner she soon found her love of trails and hills, a smattering of podium finishes, 1st places and a blossoming romance with the West Highland Way followed. We do spend time chatting all things UTMB, a dramatic aborted attempt in 2019 and how that led to a triumphant race in 2022. The itch of not finishing in 2019 not only scratched but obliterated, or beast-ed as Gayle would put it! A sense of what running means and does for Gayle is evident throughout. Whether that’s finding solace spending hours on the hills and trails on her own or chatting the miles away with a plethora of running pals she’s acquired over the years. Running is Gayle’s game-changer, mood-changer and lifeline all wrapped up in one. And she’s no intention of stopping now, Gayle lifts the lid on her 2023 plans and if racing across Scotland is your thing, you’ll be keen to hear all about it! So come listen in, find out about Gayle and take away some running and life lessons. Check in with your pals this festive, you might just be their game-changer. Massive Yuletide greetings from your Sexy LeBuffBuff host team y’all!

It’s beginning to look a lot like………Season 7! We get our new season off to a flyer with a trip to the continent. That’s right, Stevie Boy has been on his travels again and this time he was joined by some big pals of the show. Destination Malaga. Of course we’re ready to take you along and get the inside track on the Malaga Marathon experience. Ever wondered what it’d be like taking on a winter marathon in warmer climes? Now’s your chance to find out in delectable YHRF stylie. We do kick off with a round up of the latest wonderful goings-ons in our world of running. Plenty of you have been in touch lately as we launched our ‘2022 Unwards’ and plenty of you have swooped to grab one of our now sold out LeBuffBuff’s v2. Mr John Cassidy also reveals more about his Manchester Marathon plans…..we’re even given a peaks into his training! Then it’s off to Espana for the lowdown, the city highlights, the people we met, the marathon and of course the food are all covered in detail. Steven gives us his thoughts on how he got on and ponders what his next move is as he bookends 2023 with another medal in his collection. We had the hairy toy along for the ride too and it’s made its European debut on the Iberian peninsula. The real highlight of the episode ensues as we spend some brilliant moments dissecting the race with Steven’s fellow travel compadres made up of Stuart McNeish, Martin Gray, Paul Stoddart and Gerry Healy. Aka the Malaga 5. We’ve the customary launch of our new LeBuffBuff Collection Vol 4 playlist (see link below) with some belters added already by our guests as well as a dialect dictionary word that must be one of the most apt for the day after a long run! So look out the shades, ye might even need some sunscreen as we take our deep dive into the pleasant Mediterranean waters for our season opener!! Links - YHRF Le BuffBuff Collection Vol 4

Welcome back to the Young Hearts Run Free Podcast. Welcome to the Good Life. It’s time for the curtain to come down on Season 6! And as promised it’s a belter! Our season finale is headlined by someone well qualified to do so, we’re thrilled to be joined from Orkney by Scottish running royalty William Sichel. Whilst most of us were either young (and wayward?) or indeed still an apple in our parent’s eyes William’s running story was already well underway. An early foray into marathon running, a life changing move to Orkney and the fire catching on what turned into a passion for long (long, long, long) distance endurance races. William takes us along for a ride through his many running chapters. Already a very accomplished marathon runner William talks us through his method, approach and transition into ultra distances. Ever ran a marathon completely fasted? No. Hear how chance meetings with others in the running community, nae spoilers but lots of familiar well kent faces, opened the door to ultra-running for William. The arrival of the internet in the 90s plays a key role in this Orkney treasure discovering more and finding his tribe. We home in on William’s greatest ever running achievement.  The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team Self-Transcendence 3100 mile in New York City, to hear about its format it itself is hard to absorb. To hear about the highs, lows, and triumphs of competing in it is simply absorbing. William has a new book out charting his running journey (see link below) and we are treated to some stories from the book that simply whet the appetite. William treats us to a dialect dictionary spectacular along with a song choice that’s simply transcends the generations. We loved meeting William and his running CV contents are altogether next level for most of us, the fact he makes what sounds like the impossible possible for us all is what makes this episode quite so entrancing. Finally, we’d like to thank you so much for all your support and for listening to the podcast. We’ll be back for Season 7 before you know it, and we’ve big plans in place, oh yes, YHRF is not going anywhere! Grab a copy of Williams Book A Head for Running here https://williamsichel.co.uk/shop/ Read more about the 3100 mile race here https://3100.srichinmoyraces.org/

We’ve no guest this week so you’ve an hour of your host team chewin’ the fat to see you through our penultimate episode of season 6! First up, John makes a sensationally big reveal on his 2023 plans. It’s gonnae provide us some really riveting content, what’s more it’s running related!! After settling down from the fall-out of that we get to some of this week’s talking points as the West Highland Way Race 2023 entry window slams closed. We discuss too the news of the Highland Fling having a year off in 2023 and get excited already about it’s triumphant return in 2024. We’ve got a couple of new running rants to get yir heckles up, car drivers AND other runners beware, you’re both in our sights this week. Even the usually mild-mannered John is raging! We also introduce our Young Hearts Run Free 2023 awards! We are looking for category ideas with a little YHRF twist to them, head on over our insta and twitter to contribute to that one! Last weekends sad news with the passing of Doddie Weir brings our recent episode with Greg Lee into sharp focus, whilst the fantastic accomplishment of the Pylon Endeavour 192 in aid of The British Heart Foundation triggers an emotional memory. Also it’s December, for many of us that means only one thing, no not the visit of Auld Sandy Claus it’s Marcothon month…..time to lace up and get in aboot it! And lastly, a message to never travel without a saltire is raised with big friend of the show Adrian Stott reminding us of the importance of always being in the right place, at the right time with the right flag! Oh we’ve also some merch news, there’s defo going to be more about that magic over on our social channels very very soon 😉 Next week it’s our season finale, no spoilers but we’ve a fitting smasher lined up for you! Join the Marcothon movement here https://www.facebook.com/groups/284884195701656 Enter the Nigel Barge 10k here https://www.entrycentral.com/NigelBarge10k Read Adrians Stott’s latest blog on travelling with a saltire here https://runnersaresmilers.com/always-travel-with-a-saltire/ Contribute to the terrific fund raising attempts of the Pyllon Endeavour 192 here https://www.justgiving.com/page/karen-nicol-1667573595679?utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_content=page%2Fkaren-nicol-1667573595679&utm_medium=one_page&utm_source=copyLink&utm_term=5871ae3c35a74af1a7a7a7a4a64d380b

We like to throw our net far and wide in our search for inspiring guests, this week that net came up trumps yet again! Helen Wyatt joins us to take us (and you!) on a VIP tour of her own running journey all the way from starting out back in 2010 right up to the present day. That present day being the finish line of the Centurion Running Wendover Woods 50 miler just last weekend. In fact it turns out Helen has had quite the year of 50 milers with her Wendover Woods outing being the culmination of her Centurion Grand Slam of 50s. What does that consist of? Listen in to find out all the details as Helen recounts her race experiences and lifts the lid on her training and motivation. We find out just why Helen runs, it started out as a way of making new friends but has grown to be such a part of her DNA. It becomes pretty obvious from early on that there aint much else Helen would rather be doing than running. But that doesn’t always come easily to a busy mum working full-time, right? It's a great account of an exceptional 2022 and so much more. Helen also lets us know about all her favourite things. What’s in her drop bags? What’s her fav bit of running kit? What’s on her feet? All your fav YHRF topics are covered in this over-flowing episode. If you too fancy the holy trinity of Soreen Loaf, Babybel Cheese and Tunnocks Caramel logs to fuel your running dreams then you’ll adore our fab catch up with Helen. Find out more about Centurion Running Races CLICK HERE Find out about the up and coming Pyllon 192 CLICK HERE Support the Ban on Pavement Parking in Scotland CLICK HERE