Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

Welcome to Episode 67 of the Young Hearts, Run Free podcast! Joining John & Steven this week is Gillian McGale. Gillian recently completed the Glasgow to Edinburgh (G2E) Ultra Marathon, a monumental journey that crowned a rise through the running distances that started way back in 2012. Now, we first invited Gillian on to speak mostly about her G2E experience. Turns out though she had much much more to talk to us about other than that! She has quite some story to tell us..... From humble running beginnings running laps of George Square in Glasgow, to finding a running dreamland in Vietnam via a couple of stops at the Highland Fling running has become an absolute staple part of her life. That does not tell the full story though. The episode also discovers some of the reasons that Gillian possesses mental resilience that most of us can only dream of. We touch on a harrowing part of Gillian's life where she lost her 1st husband to suicide, we find out about raising money for and awareness of mental health and how perseverance mixed with a spade load of determination has allowed Gillian to reach the heady heights of competing in some of Scotland's most high profile ultra-marathons. Gillian is one in a million and there are laughs galore as she regales some of her experiences and thoughts on running. An athlete with an attention to detail as strong as Gillian's we've yet to meet. We even have a new shoe reveal for any fellow 'shwankers' out there! So prepare to be inspired because this episode is a belter.

Well, we only went and hooked a biggie!! This week's guest provides all sorts of excitement!! After John and Steven spend 10 mins catching up on the weeks happenings it's over to our main event! We finally track down the most mentioned man on the podcast, Adrian Stott, and he delivers an episode that's both different, beautiful and interesting all at the same fantastic time. Many of you will know Adrian his legend goes far, some of you won't. So we find out about Adrian's formidable running journey, spanning just the 63 years, so far. We also get an update on his own health after a recent encounter with an Edinburgh pot hole left him needing some rather major attention from the NHS. We could babble on for ages about how thought proovking this 90 mins with Adrian is, but we think we'll just let you listen to a legend of the sport talk to us in the most relaxed way about lots of extraordinary stuff. We are informed by Adrian of some sensational Anglo Celtic Plate news, we'd like to thank Adrian for sharing this on the YHRF pod. There are tips galore, so get your brain engaged into listening mode because it's going to be brimful after this fantastic episode! Show links Chris Smith Memorial Fund 3100: Run and Become - Documentary 2022 Anglo Celtic Plate 50k and 100k Sunday 3 April Run and Become Edinburgh Running Store

This episode is a must listen. We say that every week, but seriously, this one defo is! First off John is back in his customary co-host position. So expect some craic from his chatter with Steven before our main event. Joining us this week is a fella we've had our eye on for some time, well who wouldn't with dance moves like his. We welcome Gary House to the Young Hearts Run Free podcast, and what a guest he turns out to be. Gary, a seasoned and competitive ultra/mountain runner is also a well respected coach. In fact his Run Strong Club has hundreds of clients from all corners of the globe on it's books. We reckon we uncover just why that is. We get to know Gary, how he's got to where he is. His running background, his fave races and some of his magnificent fails too. If there's something we'd all like to be it's entertaining AND knowledgeable. Gary ticks both these boxes in abundance, and in his own unique style delivers us an unforgettable episode. All the fun, and heaps and heaps of valuable takeaways. We even manage to overcome the Scottish/Welsh accent barrier with as much ease as it takes Gary to scale Snowdon. Enjoy this belter, it's got something for everyone in it. Gary on YouTube Gary on Twitter Gary on Instagram Run Strong Club

Man this podcasting nonsense is good. We get to speak to the coolest and most inspirational of folk. This week is no exception. We're thrilled to have Jo Murphy join us to provide an instant review of her sensational weekend at the Gloucester 24 Hour track event on Sat/Sun 23/24 November. With John off on his hols it's left for Steven to hold the fort, or you'd think that would be the case? Reality is that Steven needs all the help he can get, so in John's absence we've conjured up quite the substitute. Co-hosting this week is our pal Debbie Martin-Consani. Jo's debut at 24-hour track running turned into a stunner of a race, a hugely gutsy perfromance with quite the outcome. Executing her race plan to near perfection we hear from the horse’s mouth exactly how it all panned out. Not only that we get right into finding out how Jo caught the running bug, her motivations, her inspirations and ambitions. With an incredible 2021 already under her belt we're also treated to some amazing insight into her appearances for Scotland at the Anglo Celtic Plate 100K. A humble interview with a lady who credits so many people with helping her get to where she is today, from her dream team crew to her run buddy pals who she simply loves spending time with. What can't be denied is the incredible talent Jo possesses, couple that with a discipline to train and a desire to embrace the pain of endurance running and you've a potent cocktail. What's created is a formidable force, and with ambitions to keep on achieving the momentous we're only just getting a glimpse of what's to come. Now, pull on those headphones and enjoy Debbie & Steven's craic with Jo....

Episode 3, Season 4 coming at ya! And we've managed to bag another inspirational guest to catch up with. We start, as has become customary, with a quick weekly update. How's John's diet going? What are you up to on Saturday 6 November? AND in a  world first a live shwank off (we kid you not!) Then we're joined by our guest Sophie Mullins, Sophie's running CV speaks for itself. She's repped both Scotland and GB, crowned 2019 by winning the British 100k Championships and competed at the sharp end in some iconic ultra-marathons in the UK and on the continent.   Recently Sophie has made some big changes, moving to Spain as well as launching her new coaching initiative Ultra Potential (see bottom of show notes for exclusive discount). We enjoy chatting through recent race experiences, revisit Sophie's poignant encounter with the West Highland Way Race, Anglo Celtic Plate antics in Perth, training approaches and Sophie shares some valuable insights into her own training routines and mindset. We do touch on a few topics we've never been able to discuss before now. First, 'why do womens jeans have tiny pockets?' and secondly, but much more importantly, 'what effect does the menstrual cycle have on training and performance?'.  A conversation that is hardly discussed nor researched, something that many of us guys are ignorant of or afraid to talk about (it's uncomfortable....but it shouldn't be).  We're blessed to have Sophie allow us to open the door to get the conversation started and have some amazing insight into this important topic. We also hear about Sophie's BIG plans for 2022 as she surges back into full on race mode! The future looks both exciting and adventurous for her and we can't wait to watch her progress back to the very top of her game. Oh and please hang on to the end for this weeks dialect dictionary, it's a belter! Visit Sophie's newly launched coaching website here ULTRA POTENTIAL Sophie is offering listeners a generous 15% discount site-wide with the code ANIMO (also applies to the first month of subscriptions)

We said Season 4 was going to be a belter, we better start upping our game then! We're moving on from the excitement of big city marathon's, almost, and heading back up into the high ground to catch up with this weeks guest, Italian Alps based Robbie Britton.  Robbie will need no introduction to many of you. For some of you he will, a geezer from South London who found an extraordinary talent for ultra-running. A fella who's repped GB multiple times, competed in an array of blue ribband races across the globe and recently been forced to adapt to cycling whilst continuing his uber successful run coaching. Robbie though is back, and back with a bang hot off a win in his first race in over 2 years. And he's excited to update us all! Not only that he's found time to pen a book, yip an author now too, with his '1001 Running Tips' due to be published on 15 November (see link at bottom of show notes) Now don't be mistaken, the book is touched on a little, but this is a gem of an episode full of golden nuggets. Be careful though, Robbie's enthusiasm is infectious, it'll be tricky not to get caught in it! Robbie's book is available to pre-order from Vertebrate Publishing now using the following link - https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/running/1-1-running-tips/?utm_source=Young%20Hearts%20Pocast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=1001%20Running%20Tips%20-%20Robbie%20Britton&tab=1 Photo credit Natalie White

KABOOOOOOM!!!!!! Welcome to Season 4, thank you for keepin' on listening, it's a marathon not a sprint right? We start what is going to be a sensational season with a trip down to London Town. Co-host Steven Watt took part in the 2021 edition of the London Marathon on 3 October, come join us as John Cassidy asks the questions you all want asked!! We have a brilliant chat reviewing the before, the during and the aftermath of what proved to be a memorable weekend. It was London, not quite as we know it, but it didn't disappoint. It was unique and for Steven, after a year of highs mixed in with some lows in rounded off his 2021 racing season. So whether ye enjoy the story surrounding the whole trip or focus in on the actual business of running 26.2 miles we hope there's something in this episode for you all. There’s insight into how one of the biggest city marathons on the globe adapted to it’s post pandemic return, Steven gives a warts n all take on his own race experience and of course there’s food chat, there’s always food chat. Oh and we make no apologies for covering the bases for the shwankers amongst us as carbon arrived in London. Steven also wants to thank the guys at Spinal Research, his chosen charity who provided support throughout his fundraising attempts. Now got get yir lugs roond this…JUST DAE IT.

Our Season 3 FINALE is upon us, and what a season it has been. Peppered with guests from right across the world of running with plenty laughs along the way. Crank up the heat and step into the YHRF sauna..............!! In our final episode of the season we’ve chosen to look back at some of the highlights, a review, a recap, a journey through the last 19 podcast editions. Of course we do that in our own wee style and that includes welcoming back to YHRF a former guest (let’s call him an extended part of the team). Helping us out for our season review is friend of the show and proud owner of a YHRF coaster Bob Turner. We touch on some of the material that has really inspired us or made us chuckle. Update you on some of the feats our guests have achieved since appearing and generally just have a good ol’ blether about what has been a memorable season. We also take the chance to quiz Bob on his own 2021. Conic Cantering, Anglo Celtic Plating and finding that smoothie recipe of the ultra-running pain cave. We hear too about his next event as he gears up his biggest challenge to date, a centurion in the making? We can’t wait to unleash what will be a sensational season 4, but for now step into the YHRF sauna. Enjoy this review of season 3. Big things are just around the corner.

Back once again. It's another Young Hearts Run Free extravaganza, we've packaged up a magic episode for you this week. We welcome Scottish Ultra Runner and all-round good guy Derek Fish as our guest of the week. Derek has been on quite some journey since taking up running back in 2013. That journey reached new summits at the recent Swiss Peaks 360 Ultra Marathon. That's 360km in distance, or a smidge short of 224 miles if you will.  Throw in some serious elevation gain of 27,000 metres and you've an endurance event to match any on the continent. Before Derek joins us we catch up on a few matters, mostly around Strava, London Marathon and racin'.  On that note there's a big shout out to Ally Beaven's nonsensically brilliant result at the recent Tor Des Geants. Then we find out all about Derek and it's quite the story. We focus on 2021 but talk about tons more. 2021 has been awesome for him with an East West Highland Way 180 finish and Swiss Peaks topping the bill. If you're looking for inspiration as to how to be bold and go experience the races of your dreams, then Derek delivers this in bucketloads. It comes with a danger warning too, if you're anything like us you'll be tempted to go sign up for something extraordinary. And who are we to stop you? Enjoy our 360 with Derek. Episode links Strava's Project Kudos Join John & Steven by enter the 10k Chilli Trail Race

We've a belter of an episode in store this week. Joining us to shoot the breeze is none other than acclaimed athlete, coach and all-round inspiration Kim Collison. Now let's be honest, Kim operates at a wee bit higher level than your 2 hosts, however that doesn't stop us. We have a thought-provoking chat with Kim as we chart his successes and uncover his deep love of the sport of running. We of course don't jump in two footed to our blether with Kim, no no, you've got the privilege to suffer John & Steven chew the fat on the last weeks world of events in running. Tor de Geants, Conic Cantering, Shwankering and a hale heap more including big news of a YHRF invite to Auchterarder's acclaimed 10k Chilli Trail Race! Kim though take centre stage. His long running CV reads like a glittering prized list of achievements most of us can only dream of. It's latest addition, most Munro's in 24 hours, is focussed on and rightly so. But with awe inspiring times and podium places aplenty there is tons to keep you all entertained and inspired. Find out who sparked Kim's passion for running, his fav places to run, his driven desire to nail the big 3 UK rounds. And crucially Kim lets us in to his secret fuelling strategy that has propelled him to reach his running dreams.......and YHRF simply cannot argue with it! So come join us for the ups and some downs as we go the distance with Kim Collinson, DING DING ROUND 1!!! Episode Links: Kim's website including Coaching and those smiles and grimaces! Kim Collison A chance to hear John on the mic!!  Enter the 10k Chilli Trail Race in Auchterarder