The UKRunChat podcast.

Jon Blair is a father of 3, a husband and proud stammerer. He is a Youtube creator & stammer supporter whose channel focuses on stammering, mental health, reviews, opinion, running & a love of trainers. He started running at 37 due to COVID forcing gyms to close their doors, and a year after serious spinal surgery. He has have achieved 16.08 5k, 35.45 10k, 1.18.43 HM and 3.04.04 Marathon. Jon and Michelle chat about: - Jon's YouTube channel which he started to help people with a stammer, and which focuses on running, mental health and shoes! - Jon's own journey into running, which started relatively late in life - Running a Boston-qualifying marathon on a fractured leg! - Favourite running shoes, and why carbon-plates might not be for everyone - Big goals to run 1000 miles for charity https://www.youtube.com/@TheStammerer-sn3qs

In this episode we catch up with Ian Williams who is founder of the long standing website Fetch Everyone. Fetcheveryone lets you analyse your training, find races, plot routes, chat in our forum, get advice, play games and nothing is behind a paywall. Also listen to hear about Ian's own running and goals to run his first (very unusual) ultra soon. https://www.fetcheveryone.com

In this episode Michelle chats with @AiLyn_Runner | @DrAiLynTan Dr Ai Lyn is a parkrun Ambassador, her marathon PB is 3:28:51 and she has been running every day for over 4 years! This episode includes Dr Ai Lyn’s thoughts on how running can be helpful for a variety of medical conditions. You can follow Dr Ai Lyn on: Twitter Instagram

Listen to hear Michelle & community member Alia chat all about: - trying to be more green in our running - how its impossible to get lost while running in Salford - barefoot running - the Jordan Impact Marathon - running in the desert and much more! Follow Alia here

In this episode Michelle chats with Callum Jacobs, author of Road Runner: Surviving on the Urban Trails. Michelle and Callum chat about: - urban versus trail running - how city running can inspire as much awe as the mountains - sightseeing on the run - running the London Underground, overground - place hacking You can follow Callum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_urban_trailrunner

Steph was Team GB’s fastest marathon runner at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and won the 2021 UK Olympic trials in a time of 2:27:16. Steph is a coach at Runna and this episode is all about training for your upcoming Spring events. We chat about: Where should you be now in your training plan ahead of your spring events. What should you do if you miss sessions due to injury or illness. Stephs, lower mileage & cross training approach to her training. Stephs journey to becoming an Olympic marathon runner. What is a de-load week and how to execute these effectively. and much more! You can grab an extended free trial at Runna using our code UKRUNCHAT1 all capitals here If you would like to get in touch with any comments about the podcast you can on info@ukrunchat.co.uk Follow Steph on Instagram

In this episode Michelle chats with Emma. Emma is a Run Educator, Gait Analyst, columnist at Womens Running UK and Hyrox Ambassador. Listen to hear: - how do you know if you're ready to take on your first ultra - different types of run/walk strategies - hill training tips - recognising the signs of - and avoiding - overtraining - tapering You can follow Emma on: Instagram Twitter / X

Listen to hear Michelle and Dr Josephine chat about how we can encourage more women into ultra-running, and secondly, mental strategies to improve performance in long distance running. The podcast covers: - barriers into ultrarunning affecting women - how we can achieve gender parity in ultra-running - setting effective goals - preparing body and mind for an ultra - strategies for dealing with tough moments in a race, such as mantras and visualisation - tips for dealing effectively with panic attacks if they happen during a race - Josie's website is www.performanceinmind.co.uk The Threshold Trail Series website is www.thresholdtrailseries.com And you can follow Dr Josephine Perry on Instagram

Bea has been a member of the UKRunChat community since 2014, and is a regular UKRunChat hour cohost. You can learn more about Bea on www.beamycoach.com . Bea works mainly with clients age 40+, and women going through perimenopause and menopause. Once a competitive athlete, Bea now focuses on finding joy in running. We chat about: - Bea's own journey into running - Bea's personal experience of perimenopause, how this affected her running goals, and how this has enabled her to help others going through the same. - how Bea found the joy in running once again after being a competitive athlete. Follow Bea on: Twitter Instagram

In 2007, Paul Willan was a 26 year old overweight smoker when his boss encouraged him to join him in a daily lunchtime walk, which soon progressed into running. Once gasping for air at every lamppost, Paul is now a dedicated ultra runner, who trains 6 mornings a week. Listen to hear how Paul: - Overcame the initial challenges of going from walking to running. - The moment when running stopped being a weight loss tool and started being an enjoyable hobby to him. - Overtraining - recognising it, and coming back from it. - Training for ultra marathons. - Early morning running and motivation. Instagram: @willanruns81

In this episode Michelle is chatting with Sunday Times best-selling author, travel writer, mother and runner, Liz Fraser. Michelle and Liz chat about: - how Liz got into running - ⁠her BIG goals for her 50th year - ⁠how she keeps motivated to train - ⁠her plans for writing about her running (there’s an interesting book in the planning) - ⁠running in Italy You can follow Liz on: Twitter Instagram Liz's Blog

Anya Culling is a Runna coach and has represented England over the marathon distance. Anya took up running in lockdown which saw her go from a marathon time of 4hrs 34 mins in 2019 to a current PB of 2hrs 34 mins knocking off 2hrs. Anya has her sights set on The 2026 Commonwealth Games. Michelle chats to Anya about her whirlwind journey into elite running and her tips for getting the best out of yourself at the marathon distance. You can grab an extended free trial on Runna using code UKRUNCHAT1 Follow Anya On Instagram

Scott Jenkins is the 1st Briton to complete the arduous and elusive Triple Crown of 200s in the World Series, placing 5th behind Nike athlete Sally MacRae. Scott is also the current British record holder for the Moab 240 race in Utah and is the first Welshman to complete this race, Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200 and Cocodona 250 as well as being the 2nd ever Welshman to complete Badwater 135. He has also completed the canal slam, a series of 3 races (130, 145 and 145mile races) along the UK canal systems finishing 6th overall. He is known as the UK’s 200 mile man, for specialising in events of 200+ miles and has ran more 200 mile events than any other UK based runner. In this episode Michelle chats with Scott all about the Triple crown 200s. An incredible achievement, enjoy this interview with Scott. Follow Scott on Instagram

Jonny Huntington is an elite para-skier, climber and explorer. A former British Army Officer and ultra-distance runner, he had a brain bleed in 2014 that left him paralysed from the neck down on his left side. Following extensive rehabilitation and discharge from the Army, he returned to the world of elite sport as a disabled athlete, competing for GB in Cross Country Skiing. He is now setting his sights on becoming the first ever disabled person to travel from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole solo, unsupported and unassisted. The South Pole expedition is not just a personal challenge for Jonny; it's about breaking boundaries within the disabled community and inspiring the world to recognise the limitless potential within each of us. Follow Jonny on Instagram here

Welcome to the UKRunChat podcast where Michelle is joined by Green Runners team member and sustainable events expert Ellie Wardell, and Race Director and green runner, Darren Evans. In this episode, we discuss innovative ideas and expert insights on how races can run towards a greener and more sustainable future, and give you some resources to work towards becoming more sustainable. Follow Green runners on: Instagram X Facebook Web . https://thegreenrunners.com/ Ellie's Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/_treadinglightly_/ Free ReScore app for race directors https://www.councilforresponsiblesport.org/rescore

On 3rd November 2023, Julia will be taking on the 100k race at Kullamannen - a race set along the rocky shores of Sweden's Kullaberg. Representing Great Britain, she already found success at the UTMB World Series in 2023, after returning to racing in 2022 from having her son. Julia discusses: • How she trains on the Cornish coast path for mountain races • Balancing family life and international competitions • How she got into running, and her journey to competing in 100 kilometre + races • What's special about Kullamannen and her predictions for the competition You can follow Julia on Instagram

Ben Parker is Head Coach at Runna, and one of the founders. Ben has spent 6+ years as a professional running coach, helping everyone from beginners runners to elite athletes. Ben is also a certified England Athletics Coach, IRONMAN Coach, Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor. In his spare time, ben is a keen athlete himself and competes within his age group at IRONMAN events with multiple finishes. He also enjoys running ultramarathons whilst holding a marathon PB of 2:34. Ypu can enjoy an extended trial of Runna using code UKRUNCHAT. Go to this link to claim.

On 2 September 2023, fitness and motivational influencer Milly Pickles became the first ever amputee to participate in Red Bull 400: the world’s toughest 400m race, which sees competitors from across the globe sprint up a ski jump in Slovenia with a brutal 140 metre elevation from start to finish. Milly is elated with her performance and has released a vlog of her experience on YouTube here. In 2017, Milly was electrocuted, leaving her with serious injuries and ultimately resulting in her right leg being amputated. Despite this adversity, Milly has established herself as a successful motivational speaker and fitness coach, amassing over 400,000 followers on TikTok.

In this episode Michelle speaks with Jess Learmonth. Jess is best known for her Olympic gold as part of the mixed triathlon relay team, at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Jess has also enjoyed gold, silver and bronze victories across World Triathlon Series, European Championships, Commonwealth Games and Super League Triathlon. Now, Jess is taking a break from triathlon as she prepares to welcome her first child, due in September. Michelle and Jess chat about: - Finding the balance between starting a family and maintaining her sporting career. - The reactions Jess has faced from the sporting world to taking a break to have her first child. - Jess's plans to return to sport, including preparation for the Olympics in Paris 2024. - How Jess has maintained her health and fitness throughout pregnancy, and her advice to women wanting to do the same.

Recovery Runners Community was born in January 2021 when two runners from Leeds, Dean Smith, and Jamie Heselden, came up with the idea of introducing a small group of people in recovery from drugs and alcohol to the benefits of running. Since then, the Community has grown and achieved local and national recognition, officially launching as a running community in Leeds on 1st August 2021. Although Dean and Jamie use running in their own recovery from alcohol addiction, Recovery Runners Community welcomes anyone who is curious about, or uses, the benefits of running to recover from and manage life changing events or addictive behaviours including substance addiction, gambling, disordered eating, and mental health issues amongst others. The team working with Dean and Jamie have all been impacted by some of these issues, either personally, or through supporting friends or family. Running is the glue that holds them together, and they offer friendship, fun, and a non-judgemental running community for all. They aim to ‘heal souls with soles’ and strongly believe there should be no barriers to this. They supply donated kit and trainers to those that need a start.. Contact: recoveryrunners21@gmail.com to find out more or ask any questions.