The Runna Podcast

Grant Fisher, a two-time Olympic medalist and elite distance runner, talks candidly about his fast half-marathon debut and the choice to take risks on a new distance. He breaks down his bold pacing plan, what went right and where he faded, why road racing feels different from the track, and how consistency and mindset shape his long-term Olympic ambitions.

Zouhair Talbi, Olympian and 2:05 marathoner with a 59:41 half PB, shares race instincts and strategy. He discusses reading his body early, when to surge or sit back, pacing and fueling for marathons, and balancing elite training with family life. He previews his Boston goals and how lessons from Houston and NYC shaped his tactics.

A candid conversation about starting running when the sport feels unwelcoming. Stories of pushing through public anxiety and finishing a first half marathon. Honest talk about how running helped mental health and recovery. Practical tips on pacing, fueling long runs, and making races more inclusive. A call for visibility so more people feel welcome in running spaces.

Can you keep running through pregnancy and how do you safely return after birth? The conversation covers adapting mileage and intensity across trimesters. Nutrition, hydration, and fueling strategies for pregnant and postpartum runners are explored. Practical tips on pelvic floor care, strength training modifications, and stepwise walk-run returns are shared. Emotional realities, social pressure to “bounce back,” and finding supportive networks are also discussed.

“If you put more work in, you will see the results.” But how much is enough?In this inspiring episode of The Runna Podcast, Coach Anya sits down with 2:17 marathoner and content creator Hugo Fry - serious about speed, but not about himself. From lockdown 5Ks to becoming one of the UK’s fastest sub-elite marathoners, Hugo reveals his training secrets around sleep, fuelling, and the ‘delusional self-confidence’ that keeps him pushing forward. Plus, hear how he broke Guinness World Records dressed as Super Mario and Santa! A self-confessed running addict, Hugo credits his rapid rise to one thing: he genuinely loves the process. Now building towards Boston and chasing 2:15, Hugo explains why balance isn’t constant - sometimes you have to go all in. But long-term improvement isn’t built on intensity alone - it’s built on consistency, commitment, and protecting the joy that keeps you coming back.Highlights include: 🏁 From 2:52 to 2:17 - the unglamorous progression🧠 Marathon Mindset: balancing ambition and avoiding burnout😴 The extra 1%s: sleep, mouth tape and cross-trainingIf you’re serious about improving, but don’t want running to become your entire identity, this episode will shift how you think about performance. 🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community. 🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26And if you’re just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mid-marathon training check-in covering why legs feel heavy and paces slow during the messy middle. Practical talk on building sustainable mileage, chunking training into build blocks with deloads, and protecting long-run legs with on-the-run fueling. Tips for recovery habits like sleep and mobility, plus strategies for staying consistent when motivation dips.

Manon Lloyd, former Team GB pro cyclist and GCN presenter now learning to run. She shares her transition from elite track racing, talks about injury risks when swapping low-impact cycling for running, and why patience and gradual progression matter. Conversations cover strength work, terrain choices, social running and practical gear tips, plus her plan to train for a half marathon.

Jake Wightman, British 1500m World Champion known for tactical racing and comeback grit. He talks nature versus nurture, sibling rivalry and how environment shaped his start. He outlines the tactics that beat Jakob Ingebrigtsen, reframes injuries as progress, and explains changing coaches to protect family and performance.

Allie Ostrander, NCAA champion and pro middle- and long-distance runner who has spoken openly about RED-S and eating disorder recovery. She discusses pressure and perfectionism in elite running. She recalls injury, forced treatment during Olympic training, and the slow, joy-focused path back to trusting her body. She also shares lessons about burnout, recovery, and redefining success.

This week’s guest is Bryony Gordon, a British journalist and mental health advocate renowned for her honest writing on OCD and addiction recovery. Bryony shares her transformative journey from feeling that running wasn't for her to completing the London Marathon in her underwear, challenging body stigma along the way. She discusses how running aided her mental health and recovery from alcoholism, the importance of embracing all body types in running, and offers empowering advice for those hesitant to start their own running journeys.