Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

In this episode we welcome back Nicky Spinks and James Anderson to the podcast. We take the opporchancity to speak with Nicky about her recent 160 mile Winter Spine Challenger North win.Nicky takes us through her thoughts about how she approached and managed this race by ignoring what other runners were doing and focusing on her own race, and it paid off big time for her.James invited us down to the Galloway Hills way back in 2024 after we spoke with James post Lakeland 50/100 specifically about hill safety. JC took up the offer to visit Galloway and take part in a training day for the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team. We discuss the geographic area covered by the team, what the experience is of being out in the hills as a rescue team, how they all work together to look out for us when the things you hope might never happen...happen!We talk through the training practice and how the team rescued a quite famous casualty off the hill that day.Nicky and the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team are race directors of the Bruce's Crown Race and The Heart of Granite (resurrected for April 2025)All profits of the race will go to Galloway Mountain Rescue Team.Donate to the Galloway Mountain Rescue TeamEnter Bruce's Crown RaceEnter The Heart of Granite Race

Stevie Boy gives us the lowdown in a bonus episode teaser for the full debrief to come...For now though:How was the marathon on the day? How was the course? How did it feel to get that six start dinner plate medal?How was the weather?How was the finish?Make any pals?

The time for talk and podcast chat is over. Stevie Boy is on his way to the land of the rising sun, the land of the kimono, the land of ramen, the land of cherry blossom.In this episode we chat through Stevens preparation for running the 26.2 miles, his travel plans, and some non-running activities he's looking forward to when in Japan.Will Steven reveal what kit he'll be wearing as he traverses the capital city of Japan, or will we have to wait for the official 'Michael'?It's a fun filled forty minutes, we're sure you'll enjoy it, and please make sure you 'send the message', send the good vibes to Stevie Boy and wish him all the best for collecting his 6th (SIXTH) World Major Star.

Our much-anticipated Running Rants episode has landed.Join hosts John and Steven for a golden 90 minutes of lively discussion in this episode of the Young Hearts Run Free podcast.This episode dives deep into the world of running annoyances and frustrations.John and Steven wade through a plethora of listener contributions, sharing and dissecting the most common (and some not-so-common) gripes that runners face. What gets on your tits, pisses ye off or grinds your gears?In the episode, they particularly focus on the frustrations of dealing with dog leads that seem to stretch across the entire path, fellow runners and pedestrians who ignore friendly greetings, and the ever-present challenge of cars parked on pavements. They also discuss the lack of consideration from some car drivers, making the roads a dangerous place for runners!Tune in for a mix of humour, empathy, and practical advice as our hosts navigate the ups and downs of the running world. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a casual jogger, you'll find something to relate to and laugh about in this entertaining and cathartic episode.

Fiona Russell, known as Fiona Outdoors, is a Scottish writer and outdoor enthusiast who inspires many with her running and adventure stories. In the discussion, she shares her personal journey through ultra-marathoning and how she adapts her running as she ages. Fiona also delves into her vast experience in navigation, skiing, and canoeing. With her upcoming running trip to Italy, she emphasizes that age should never limit one's outdoor adventures. Expect some fun dialect moments and practical gear tips sprinkled throughout!

Not all is black n white when you're in conversation with Damian Hall. Want to find out more? Listen in. Damo makes a overdue and welcome return to the podcast this week as we catch up on what he's been up to and what lies ahead around the corner. Fresh off supporting many pals on the Winter Spine races and indeed test running a brand-new race to be introduced on the Spine he's s in usual cavalier mood. First, we find out a switch up in his sponsorship as he moves away from his historical association with Inov8 and over to something less normal. Then it's a crusade through a whole heap of stuff he's been up to and involved in. As you can imagine nothing sits still for this fella so we've much to discuss and muse upon. National Running Show appearances, training updates, upcoming races and plans. The big news, for us anyway, the revelation that we'll get an oppo to meet the man himself in Conniston come the end of July! We cover 'controlling the fade', the fade of what though? Intriguing enough to tune in to find out just what we are whittling on about on that one! We spend time discussing Into Ultra (see link below) an initiative Damo is a founding member of to give people access to participate in Ultra Marathon who may otherwise not be able to! And lastly, Damo is allowed not 1 but 2 songs into the famed YHRF Playlist, and both them are absolute belters! We could talk to this man all day long, but we manage to limit it to a solid hour or so, now quick, go a get yir lugs wrapped right roond it! Learn more about Into Ultra on their website ⁠https://intoultra.org.uk/home⁠https://intoultra.org.uk/home⁠

It would be amiss of us as part of our Winter Spine mop up not have a debrief with one of the winners, right? Step forward Lucy Gossage to fulfil that role. The ex pro triathlete and now (accidental) runner took the win after the toughing it out on the famed 268 mile race up the Pennine Way. We're mighty chuffed to hear her tell her tale of triumph through adversity as she nailed the race of her life at her 2nd attempt at the Spine, after all 2024 is so last year. Lucy picks up her tale of finding running during the covid pandemic, at a time when the world was a strange place and, for her personally, the end of a magnificent career in triathlon was drawing to a close. We're astounded to hear how much she's managed to raise for her charity Move Against Cancer and find out more about some of the magnificent work being undertaken to promote physical activity. Of course the 2025 Spine Race is the headline act and Lucy regales her journey through training, to the start line in Edale and on to a victorious conclusion in Kirk Yetholm. She's candid and open of the role personal heartache and betrayal played, on closing that chapter she's already started an exciting new one that she is evidently buzzing about. It's a terrific insight into the mind and motivation of an elite athlete who is so in touch with her own mindset. A story of transferring strength and resilience built through years of triathlon racing and applying it to a new discipline, just so happens that discipline is ultra marathoning. And aren't we the lucky benefactors of welcoming such prowess to the wonderful running community. Now, go get your lugs around this cracker, it does not disappoint. Find out more and make a donation to Lucy's charity MOVE AGAINST CANCER here

We catch up with our Yorkshire Correspondent Mel Sykes to talk all about her 268 mile traverse along the Pennine Way during the Montane Winter Spine Race 2025 Think 'challenging' weather, think sleep deprivation, think sleeping in public toilets and churches. Think Alston Lasagne! Mel replays her pre race thoughts and preparations, takes us on a detailed journey from Edale to Kirk Yetholm and reflects on the challenge and adventure of such an undertaking. This is an absolute belter of an episode, Mel done it for Yorkshire, Mel done it to inspire, Mel done it because..she is Mel Sykes, our Yorkshire Correspondent. Winter Spine Race...completed it mate.

It's taken a wee bit of organising to get Dr Jamie Pugh on the podcast. Jamie is a senior lecturer and researcher at Liverpool John Moores University, Jamie is also a coach at Centurion Running. An expert in nutrition and all things to do with the gut, Jamie shares golden nuggets aplenty that will benefit runners and athletes of many disciplines. Coached by Robbie Britton, Jamie has a wealth of running expertise under his belt too, from a first marathon (Nottingham Robin Hood marathon) to training simply for fun, Jamie now is more interested in the world of ultramarathons, and has his sights set on some big things. How do you run when you have ankles made of Weetabix as a result of football injuries? Jamie talks us through ankle rolls and how he copes with these and how the technical trails bring that heady mix of joy and challenges. Being a coach and having specific information is one of Jamie's passions, coaching for Centurion Running since 2023, Jamie looks to bring and share knowledge from academia and his own experiences to invest in athletes across an array of distances to help them achieve their dreams, this is a fascinating listen. Jamie's work at Liverpool John Moores University is all about understanding what can be done to make improvements (big or small) to athletes at all levels. We also talk a wee bit about muscle biopsy, say what? Find out more by listening in... Testing what works for himself and athletes takes us to chatting about what we put in our gut to fuel us during our running activities, does what we put in deliver what we need? Jamie explains it all perfectly, you may listen to this section more than once! The chat is a latest product up=to-date conversation full of golden nuggets from someone in the know, we talk about athletes aid station management, how to deal with nausea, do you remember the cartoon the Numbskulls, maybe a first ever mention on a podcast? Lots of food (pun intended) for thought in here in a perfectly timed episode as we move towards the running season to come. See what others are doing, that's cool, but it might not work for you, there's so many things to think about and it's all discussed in our chat with Dr Jamie Pugh. How much has sports science changed in the last decade, and what's to come for sports science in the future...we get Jamie's thoughts. There's chat too about Jamie's recent running and his tinkering with shoes to find out what works for him, and Jamie's dialect dictionary entry, a belter...

It's only the long awaited, much anticipated (and somewhat inevitable) appearance of Scottish track sensation Laura Muir! Yeh, your boys have had a helping hand to hook us up and we were honoured to spend an hour in Laura's company. Do we make the most of it? Course we do! From early beginnings right up to present day and beyond we find Laura in great spirits as she embarks on what will be another huge year for her both indoor and outdoor. Detailing some of her heroics on the world's biggest stage gives us a magical insight into some of the highest moments of her glittering career. Goosebumps guaranteed. We find out about training, nutrition as well as inspirations. Laura also adds some of those golden nuggets we all adore, most notably about how she handles pressure. It's a refreshing chat with a lady who stole the hearts of a nation as her own national pride beams through when chatting about representing Scotland. Whether it's Team GB, Team Scotland or competing for herself one things for sure Laura's determination and will to win never falter. Enjoy this extra special episode as we get 2025 off to an absolute flyer.