Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

Our Season 11 Finale is here!! Join us as we round off our long and winding journey into the 'Danger Zone' with Back Yard Ultra specialist Keith Russell.A fitting guest in a week that saw the BYU world best smashed by our pals in Belgium. An enormous achievement and one that will now be firmly in Keith's sights.Keith is something else, an incredible athlete yes, however that's not all. With a fire in his belly fuelled by matters as close to his heart as possible Keith has risen to prominence with his awe-inspiring race performances.To do that whilst contending with adversity is a measure of the man himself. Of course, the icing on the cake is that he is one of us, a golden fella with wisdom to share.And share he does. Openly talking us through his story from start to finish, well we say finish, we're not even sure he's past the first chapter yet.You'll laugh, you'll greet, you'll sign up for a BYU. It's a truly fitting climax to the 'Danger Zone'.Thank you to all of you who tune in. Please leave us a review if you can, it helps immeasurably. Interact with us by leaving a comment on our socials or in this episode on your chosen platform. Oh, and need a BuffBuff, gie us a shout and we'll sort it out.We'll be back real soon as we flip the switch into Season 12, and what awaits will blow your mind.

In our penultimate episode of a tumultuous Season 11 we're joined by Rachel Macpherson. It's fair to say that Rachel's running story has exceeded her own expectations. 2024 has given her a taste for some of the UK's most iconic ultra marathons and the chance to test out her growing prowess.We find out from Rachel how, from a standing start, she's moved rapidly up through the distances. From tackling her first marathon in spring 2023 to conquering in style the Highland Fling and Lakeland 50 in 2024.We're then whisked away to the Scottish Highlands as Rachel takes us to the hayfield for some virtual loops of her recent outing at Glenmore 24. It turned in to quite a spectacular weekend for Rachel.With an awesome supporting cast driving her on Rachel touches on the folks who inspire her most, all your YHRF favs are also covered in our awesome chat. Cover your ears if you are sensitive for dialect dictionary! Rachel shows no signs of stopping learning either and reveals plans for the next chapter, 2025 better watch out!

We first clapped eyes on Jonny Wolf at the 10k Chilli Trail Race in Auchterarder in 2022 when the first three finishers crossed the line within 9 seconds of each other! Originally from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, Jonny and his partner Tess are now living their best lives in Canada, taking on adventures and exploring their new surrounding area. Happening across Trail Runner Nation podcast in 2017, a fire was lit and Jonny hasn't stopped running since. By his own admission, bit off a big first race, doing a 50k in Australia and then not running again for 5 years! Then back in Scotland in 2022 Jonny found himself helping out at the Ultra Trail Race in Skye with a certain Martin Heggie, and the rest as they say... In the last couple of years (yes it's as recent as that!) Jonny has hit a real purple patch with his running. Self-coached and taking in information from a variety of sources, making it his own and tweaking where required. Jonny's big inspirations are Ken and Janet (his Mum and Dad), Jonny speaks about how they have encouraged and supported him in his running journey. The main focus of our conversation is the Lost Soul 100 Miler which Jonny took part in (the day after his birthday) and won in September this year. Running in a new environment and getting the opportunity to put his foot on the line, did we mention bears and rattlesnakes? Dealing with the blistering heat, how do you cool yourself down, and stay cool? pssst...a SexyBuffBuff helps! Fully stocked aid stations always help and the Lost Soul 100 miler, delivering over a tonne of ice to the runners as well as food! Running with a smile is one of Jonny's mantras, try it...it really works, positive mental attitude makes a difference! We also hear about the Moose Mountain Trail Marathon, Jonny won this race too, and what a prize he has received for his hard work! Listen in for a wonderful tale of a love or running, it's humbling, it's beautiful, it's Jonny Wolf. Enjoy. Lost Soul Ultra Moose Mountain Trail Marathon

We're joined in this episode by Laura Watts. By her own description, Laura is an ordinary girl doing extraordinary things. WARNING...you may feel very inspired by this episode! Laura ran her first marathon in London in 2003, she's come a long way since, completing 179 marathons to date! Laura's running and her learning journey is all in this episode, the highs and lows, it's a no-holds barred extravaganza. The focus of our episode is around the Badwater 135 event, Laura is the first UK based female to complete this event in three consecutive years, quite a feat indeed. The appreciation of a fantastic support crew is covered, what it takes, what it means and how it should be done. We cover the lot, hydration, nutrition, heat training, the euphoria of the finish line and being part of the wonderful Badwater family. We speak about Laura's phenomenal powers of recovery, moving from event to event with apparent ease after only sometimes a few days rest in between. Of course we enquire what Laura is up to next, and yes....it's a belter! Laura's Red Spirit Video as discussed in the episode.

Join us as we round the bend for the home straight of Season 11. And we're doing so with a swagger. The UTMB. The Champions League final of trail running. For many of our tribe it's a mainstay on the bucket list. Dave Adams had that dream. In 2024 he made it a reality. And he joins us to share his UTMB experience. In typical YHRF style we first find out about Dave's running background. Then he takes us over to Chamonix for the buzz and razzmatazz of the UTMB race week. Recounting his massive endeavour on the gruelling 106-mile loop of the Mont Blanc massif. From pinching himself on the iconic start line to conjuring up a magical finish, the memories are fresh but everlasting. Whether UTMB is on your bucket list or not this is an essential listen. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things? It ticks that box solidly. Find out more about Wildheart Runners The Oxygen Advantage Workshop discussed in this week's intro here https://www.entrycentral.com/oxygenadvantage Donate to oor pal Des Tinney who starts his epic run along the Camino De Santiago this week, he's raising funds for The Celtic Foundation https://www.justgiving.com/page/desmond-tinney-1694607211919

Destination Windermere for this week's bumper episode as we look back at our experience taking on The Lap Ultra Marathon. And we've brought our pals! First up we have the pleasure of a race debrief with John Robb. John finished up a superb 2024 racing with another outstanding outing in the Lake District. An honest account of his Lap ensues, oh that finish time! As if one star guest isn't enough we then welcome the lass we know and love as our Yorkshire Correspondent. Mel Sykes had yet another stonking day bagging a sensational 2nd place. She was also the one who planted the seed for us to take part, do we still love her as much??!! With so much to discuss from weather, route thoughts, checkpoint reviews and how each of our own races played out we could've easy made this a two parter. John's Lakeland 100 redemption and Stevie Boy's back on the ultra saddle. We defo regale our own weekend tales in full YHRF technicolor style. As is everlasting what shines through the most is the life affirming camaraderie that comes from spending time with your pals, and making some new ones along the way. The Lap Anti Clockwise. We enjoyed you, maybe even loved it. Was it what we expected? Well you'll need to listen in to find out. This episode is a true snarler baby.

Let's dip back in time a smidge.  This week we're joined by Robyn Cassidy winner of the 2024 Lakeland 100. Robyn took the top podium spot in Coniston, we focus on that terrific effort but delve into tons more. Robyn runs us through her running career to date picking out highlights along the way. A recap of a busy 2023 including a win at the Dragons Back, a brace of 2nd places at the Arc of Attrition and Ultra Trail Snowdionia and a 'different' day out at the 2024 Madeira Island Ultra Trail all covered. Proud Somerset lassie Robyn then reflects back on her recent weekend in the Lake District in detail. Picking out the highs along with what seems an endless list of lessons learned.....despite the win! Robyn, a physio to trade, also tells us about her day job mixing with her hobby. Tales of being part of support teams at The Spine and the Dragons Back ensue with a current study into injuries sustained peaking our interest. Fire in all your YHRF favs with kit, scran and what's next into the mix and you've a belter of an episode. Enjoy!! We mention the up and coming Pyllon XP7 weekend in the intro more info and sign up avail here https://www.pyllonultra.com/pyllon-experience-7 We also spoke about the Wildheart Runners The Female Athlete Workshop https://www.entrycentral.com/wildheartwomen

We take a momentary break from the 'Danger Zone' this week for a much-needed catch-up with your hosts. No guest, but we throw a curve ball by posing 3 questions a piece to each other. Mixing things up, ken. The kettle is just off the boil, mon in for a chill. Whether you want to hear about John's latest scran plan, looking for alternative races for 2025 or want to hear Stevie Boy's thoughts on who's making the biggest splash in the world of ultra running. We've also a race or not plus a round-up of the latest running-related happenings that have caught our eye. It's Young Heart Guest Free. It's the way we started this whole thing back in 2020. Just roll with it...

We've met some great folks along the way whilst doing this podcast malarkey. This week's guest sits comfortably in that bracket. Dan Bentley is that man, you may have seen some of his work on your social channel timelines over the last few months. Dan, a jogger, an ultra-runner and a helluva photographer. In traditional YHRF style we first get to find out about Dan's own running. Just what led him to inadvertently bump into your hosts? Then it's on to speak about Dan the man behind the lens. His work has always caught our eye, this year he has taken that to another level with a stunning collection of ultra-marathon finish pictures. These portraits are more just a photo to be proud of, they tell their own individual stories of endeavour, of grit, of achievement. Dan leads us through his thoughts on how he captures the raw emotion at finish lines, how these hard-hitting race pics end up being the pride and joy of their subjects. Dan has stories to tell a plenty, it's his style, and we love it. He's had the privilege to rub shoulders with some iconic people but we're pretty sure he'd rather spend 36 hours cold wet in a gazebo avoiding midges, scavenging scran chasing that image of you at your moment of glory! See more of Dan's work on his website here https://www.danbentleyphotography.com/ Follow Dan and get a regular dose of his work on Insta here https://www.instagram.com/danbentleyphoto/

Keeping safe out on the trails and hills. Could we be doing more?This week we're joined by James Anderson, an ultra runner and volunteer member of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team part of Scottish Mountain Rescue.We bumped into James at this year's Lakeland 100. He was taking part. Raring to go. Then his weekend took an unexpected twist.James came across a stricken fellow competitor. His training kicked into gear. His race over.Listen in as we find out the tale. We also get to know about James the runner, with a back catalogue of experience under his belt he's well placed to remind us all of some sensible steps we can take when out adventuring.This episode has given John and Steven massive food for thought. It highlights the risks we all take and accept when we're training and racing. Crucially James reinforces some of the things we can all do to stay safe.We can't always count on guardian angels like James covering our ass, now grab your bivvy bag and extra layer and come join us for an enlightening hour and half with James Anderson.Want to take part in Nicky Spinks Bruce's Crown Race we mentioned on 4 April 2025? Find out and enter here https://www.brucescrown.co.uk/Donate to Galloway Mountain Rescue Team here https://gallowaymrt.org.uk/team-base-fund-raising-page/