Come plunge yourself into an hour of unadulterated self-indulgence, this week we welcome non-runner Andrew O'Donnell tae the YHRF sofa for all the chat. Andrew, ya know, is the official Young Hearts Run Free Podcast songsmith. Better known as Beluga Lagoon his tunes have fuelled many a mile in the hills n glens. The soundtrack to our running advent…

In this episode, Jay and Chad chat about the the largest component of run training, aerobic runs. These runs bring a ton of value and fitness but don't get talked about as often as the more flashy workouts. So why do we need to spend so much time running easy? Jay and Chad share their own personal experiences playing around with how they executed t…

Spring marathon season reached it's crescendo on The Mall last Sunday, Stevie Boy was on the ground to witness it all. London Marathon debrief anyone? Step on in. John grills Steven on his weekend in the big smoke. The focus is on his race however the all-important pre-race activities and post-race festivities are also meticulously discussed. From …

Blow the conch baby and rock on into another belter of an episode! This week our guest is Chamonix based runner & coach Kaz Williams. Living on the doorstep of the UTMB route it's no surprise we start in the Alps finding out why she's also known as 'Mountain Kaz' along the way. Kaz then treats us to a world tour of her running adventures, peppered …

We are bouncing along in our season of unpredicatability just fine, this week we're being purposely predictable though! Just to twist your melons eh. Joining the fray for a chat is Dougle Selman, the men's 100k winner at the 2024 Anglo Celtic Plate 100k. He's a fella with running in his DNA. We find out how he's moved through the distances from tra…

In this episode we catch up with Sarah Webster. We had the privilege of watching up close as Sarah set a New European 100k record of 7:03:48 at the Gathering of Awesomeness in March 2024. This works out to an average pace of approx 6min 49 sec per mile, or 4 min 14 sec per km. The previous record of 7:04:03 was set by Florianne Hot in 2022. Sarah h…

In this episode, Ryan rejoins as co-host as we catch up with one of his athletes, professional runner and Run Free coach Rory Linkletter. This conversation comes fresh off Rory's blazing fast race at the Seville Marathon where he posted a 2:08:01, sneaking under the Olympic standard for the marathon. Rory has a lengthy running resume and we're exci…

When we started the podcast back in 2020 this week’s guest was on our hit list, 4 years later we’ve managed to pin him down for a chat. It’s well worth the wait. Paul Giblin is that man, John and Stevie Boy are primed to unearth his story. Just who is Paul Giblin? From familiar begginings as he took his foray into running through to his recent epic…

The gathering of awesomeness, you've maybe heard us mention it. In this week's episode we're joined by Adrian Stott to discuss all things Anglo Celtic Plate ahead of the event on Sunday 24 March. The Home International battle for the ACP takes top billing but there are many other sub plots and stories waiting to unfold on the North Inch in Perth bo…

Unpredictable? Well this week Steven bails after the intro leaving John to fly solo!! The cheek! In this episode we welcome to the podcast Sarah Perry. Fresh off setting a new Backyard Ultra British female record of 41 laps/yards at the Rasselbock Backyard Ultra. Sarah snatched the record from oor pal and inspiration UltraKazy aka Karen Nicol. For …

The Tunnel. A 200 mile (ish) ultra-marathon through the darkness of the UKs longest pedestrian tunnel. 100 out n backs. Who's in?? In this episode we speak to Alan Risk. He said yes to The Tunnel and he's with us to tell the tale. We caught up with Alan a mere day after his race. Listen in to get his superb immediate take on taking part. As is rout…

It was last summer we last caught up with our Yorkshire correspondent Mel Sykes. Since then, much has happened, this week Mel gives us a huge update. After successful outings last year, Ultra Trail Snowdonia, Summer Spine Challenger and Lakeland 50 amongst them, Mel has been hampered. After suffering from blurry vision and some balance issues Mel w…

In this episode Jay and Chad chat about their second metabolic tests with Calorify and how they both managed to change factors in their metabolic output through diet manipulations. Jay has since had great success with energy and weight management with himself and others who have tried his program. For more information on coaching or the Run Free Ca…

Continuing Season 10's highly unpredictable nature this week's episode takes a look at the sport we love through a different lens. We welcome along to chat all things running and photography with the renowned David Miller. His expertise has become increasingly well appreciated in the last few years, it's easy to see why.David first shares his own r…

It's only been a wee while since Kayleigh Webster started running, like 3 years! Starting with Couch to 5K in 2020 and completing the final 5k run on Christmas Day was a great way to start. Then things started to change... May the 4th be with you? Why indeedy! A significant date in 2022 for Kayleigh as it started a change in direction of going alco…

'Follow your nose, follow your heart and run, run hard'It was so predictable, wasn't it? This week we welcome the man himself, Winter Spine Race 2024 winner, Jack Scott along for a chat. And it's incredible. Jack, still in recovery phase after the race of his life, is in compelling form as he recounts his astonishing tale. Not only do we get to und…

Season 10? Come on in, make yourself comfy the kettle is just off the boil! We've a magic guest to get the season motoring along. Carla Molinaro, 2023 World 50k Champion, joins us all the way from her base in Cape Town. First up John n Steven have a feature length intro as we peel back the skin on the unpredictable plans for the next 20 episodes! T…

In this episode we talk about what double threshold training is, where it comes from, and who stands to benefit from this type of training methodology. For more information on coaching or the Run Free Camp, visit us at www.runfreetraining.com - Run Free Camp 2024: Flagstaff, AZ, June 19-23Early bird expires on Feb 1 and we would like to help get th…

And here we are, SEASON FINALE, and we're off to Cornwall. Unchartered territory for your dynamic duo! On the eve of the 2024 edition of the Arc of Attrition we were mega chuffed to snare a sit down chat with the uber busy Andrew 'Fergy' Ferguson, one of the race directors. It makes for a fitting close to an epic season. In customary fashion we fir…

Most podcasts don't have 20 episodes in a season. We're not most podcasts! In our penultimate episode of Season 9 we welcome Andy Campbell to the party, and with good reason. John and Stevie Boy have a quick round up of this week'shappenings with Jack Scott's Spine Pennine Way heroics taking centre stage. Pitlochry based Andy then enters the chat! …

Dinnae fret, after our short festive hiatus we're back and we're ready for a tumultuous 2024. We find out just why in this weeks episode. Appetites are whetted, new kicks are ready for action and renewed energy for adventure is abundant. We've hundreds of inspirational guests lined up for ye but this weeks 2024 curtain raiser is the pair of us prev…

Not many words needed. It's our alternative take on awards season, live from YHRF HQ. Video and Audio versions available. All the festive fun, we loved recording this one as you might tell!! Massive thank you to all who took part and submitted a nomination. And a huge huge YHRF Merry Chrimbo to all you listeners, we'll see you all again real soon! …

In this episode we chat with coach Bradley Moon about an underutilized training method for most distance runners, sprinting. Bradley shares his thoughts on how sprint training can not only help increase top end speed but ultimately make you a more efficient distance runner with a higher resiliency to injury. Bradley will be heading up our forthcomi…

It was take two in Spain for Stevie Boy last weekend as he made a return trip to the continent for the 2023 edition of the Malaga Maraton. In this weeks episode we chart not only a weekend on the Costa Del Sol but find out how Steven has managed his training since his endeavours at the Chicago Marathon back in October. A full episode of John and St…

We might've mentioned Season 9 would be different. Our gift this week is a video version of our chat with Nicky Spinks of course you can still access the audio version if you prefer. Nicky has been on our wish list of 'guests' since round about day one, it's well worth the wait! We start off with an intro from Nicky about her running journey, her '…

Wrapped, it’s what all you Spotify-ers are getting tore in about this week. Well, here's another 120 minutes of (mostly) quality podcasting to add to your 2023 YHRF listening total! This week we cast our net far to catch another eclectic guest, as we're joined John O'Donnell. John has plenty to talk about, let's waste no time. A relative late comer…

In this episode, Ryan rejoins the podcast to talk about hill training with Jay and Chad. Topics include why hills are a beneficial tool for all runners, physiological benefits of hill training, mental benefits, different types of hill workouts and how to implement them for various goals. Chad and Ryan both trained hills by running repeats of the sn…

We continue to hurtle through Season 9. Join us in thisepisode for a ‘feature lengther’! Ye might want to make sure your earbuds are fully chargedfor our extended chat with this week’s guest, the cultured Mr Ally McColl. You may recall Ally featured recently along with Graham Connolly (Season 9 Episode 4) to give us the lowdown on their Barkley Fal…

Where to even start with this week’s episode, it’s a question we’ve asked ourselves a few times since recording with the outrageously entertaining and super-talented Allie Bailey. We hit the ground running with a thorough intro as JC and Stevie Boy catch up on plenty happenings mostly but not exclusively running related with sequin jackets and shwa…

We've a world exclusive. Have we said season 9 is a bit different? We skip through a quick intro with some Chill Trail Race chatter before this week's headline act join us. Both massive pals of the podcast who we've already shared some great episodes with. Now they've something rather sensational to share with us. Say hello to Wildheart Runners the…

Well that's us half way through season 10 already, this season is going lighting fast! Bit like John on an interval sesh. We're back to normal service this episode. John and Steven batter through a eccletic intro as they get excited about this weekends Chilli Trail Race amongst plenty more! This week's guest Dave Shaw then joins the party as we get…

Transatlantic baby, that's what we are this week. We're mega pleased to be joined by Kevin Kaduk, Chicago Marathon 2023 finisher. We've a heftier than normal introduction as Stevie Boy and John reconnect after a month of irregular podcast activity! We've a heap to cover! It's then over to Steven to take the lead as he chats with proud Chicago nativ…

In this episode we catch up with Ali Eadie. Ali describes herself as a 'seasoned listener' to the podcast, and this chat has been a long time coming. Ali peaked our interest with her involvement at Run Talk Run, a group whose mission is to increase accessibility to mental health support through running & walking. But there is a whole lot more to Al…

He just blew in from the Windy City! You need big shoulders in the city of Chicago, well we've got just the guy . John catches up with Steven Watt a.k.a. Watty, a.k.a. Stevie Boy and his adequate shoulders live from Illinois, shooting from the hip on his Chicago Marathon experience. Steven headed to Chicago looking to secure his 5th star of the 6 W…

In this episode we talk in depth with Shannon Thompson, Performance Psychologist, about how to train our minds so that we can perform better and have more enjoyment in the process. Shannon works as a vocational consultant with a wide range of clients, including elite, professional endurance athletes from around the world, and the Division I teams a…

We knew from the moment we started chatting with Emma (aka The Scarpa-rer) on our Access All Areas spin off we were talking to someone with running talent. Fast forward only a few months and Emma has added in some wonderful running performances, as well as sharing a stage with us at the Lakeland 50 and 100 Running Festival in Coniston in July. Arc …

Here we, here we, here we f*ckin' ChicaGO!!! Boarding passes ready? Welcome on board our virtual flight to Illinois as we find out all about Steven's up n coming weekender to Chicago as he chases a medal in the Windy City. John leads our pre-race conversation as we find out about Steven's unconventional training block in a year that's been beset by…

We've mentioned Season 9 will be full of surprises, this week we even had a surprise ourselves! After dissecting the weeks movers n shakers in our intro as well as the arrival of 'dart player style running nicknames' feature we move quickly onto our guests who were keen n eager to get their tongues wagging! Making his YHRF debut we welcome Ally McC…

We welcome Nic Dawson to the podcast this week, and we cover way more than we had originally planned! From running up and down the sand dunes of Irvine (check em out if you've not heard of them before), to the giddy heights of representing GB at the European Duathlon Championships in Bilbao. We chat with Nic about injuries (multiple) and the recove…

Well hello again, we've had a busy week since we last spoke. We're here to recap it all PLUS welcome to the show a most excellent guest. Come on in, the kettle's just off the boil. We spend the majority of this week's intro blethering about the epic Auchterarder Running Festival, a warm weekend of racing and achievement in glorious Perthshire. We d…

We said we'd be back soon, we dinnae lie, welcome along to a brand new season of the Young Hearts Run Free Podcast!! We kick off our curtain raiser with an intro that serves up all sorts of delights, some of them even running related! 'Oh Courtney Dauwalter!' Our opening guest of the season then joins the party. Hot off the heals of being crowned D…

It’s only another SEASON FINALE!!! Episode 160 coming at ya! First up we take a moment to celebrate and be thankful for the support we’ve had from all quarters in helping us grow YHRF to where it is now, we’ve naeintention of stopping. A thorough intro covers a cracking amount of goings-ons in the wonderful world of running including UTMB, G24/12 l…

John's recovered from his 100 miler and there's much to catch up about. Welcome to the penultimate episode of season 8 (featuring John live from a toilet cubicle!) On the agenda we've got (in no particular order) Auchterarder Running Festival Competition Winners Dunoon Ultra Marathon Competition opening Devil o the Highlands Recap Loch Ness 24 Prev…

Hari Mix, CEO of Calorify, was a top level runner at Stanford and has a deep passion for alpinism. His experience in his extreme athletic endeavors and observations made through his work at Calorify has provided critical insights to the role of metabolism in helping or harming our athletic endeavors.In this episode, we share about our own experienc…

This week we're joined, live from Germany, by the man of the moment Mr John Cassidy. He's in bouyant mood, he has a hundred reasons to be. We get to hear all about his wunderbar Berlin Wall adventure as he conquered the Berlin 100 Miler Ultra Marathon. Is he emotional? Of course, he is, he's just done something momentous afterall. From good feels o…

In this week’s episode we’re mega chuffed to be joined by the 2023 Montane Lakeland 100 men’s champ Andy Berry. It’s a classic YHRF conversation with a diamond of a fella. Before we get cracking with chatting to Andy, we’ve a few topics to cover, one being the news surrounding the cancellation of this year’s Pentland Skyline race. A controversial s…

Join us for the 2023 season finale of Access All Areas, our Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 podcast series.We’ve two special guests join us to help wrap up the 2023 Lakeland experience. We catch up with the familiar faces of Race Director Marc Laithwaite and Chief of Staff Terry Gilpin aka Uncle Terry in the immediate aftermath of an epicweekend in Conis…

Let’s talk about the Conistone. People have to know! Last weekend your dynamic duo headed off on our hotly anticipated summer road-trip to the Montane Lakeland 50 and 100 for an epic weekend. In this week’s episode we regale our unforgettable experience helping behind the scenes. A weekend that promised so much delivered in spade loads. We met old …

We’re off on our summer road trip this week, but fret not, we’ve managed to squeeze in a corker of an episode to keep the good times rolling.It’s been a while in happening but we reckon we got the chance to speak with this week’s guest at just the right moment, Mike Raffan is that man, thefreshly crowned champion of the 2023 Highlander Last One Sta…

The boys are back in town this week as StevieBoy re-joins the fray after John’s expertise in running the show for the lastfew weeks. And, as you’d expect, we’veplenty to catch up about! A wee glance back at the last few weeks ofhappenings gets us underway. There’s talk of the hairy toy getting a new name,it’s all serious stuff, along with a chat ab…