In episode 164, I speak with Robert Jackson. He is married and a father of three girls. We talk about the Boston marathon where he recently ran his marathon PR. This is where I met him at the Black Unicorn Marathoners Event. In this podcast crucially Rob talks about the importance that his network, from his wife, coach, training partners etc. has in his life. We also discuss the challenges he is facing with disordered eating and the impact it had on his mental wellbeing. If this is an...

In episode 163 I speak with Clare Elms who only realised her talent for running after the birth of her triplets in 2000 but now features at the very top of the national age group rankings from 800m to Marathon. Holder of over 20 GB age group records, she’ll be coming for all the VW60 records soon. Perhaps most impressive is Clare’s parkrun record, she has been fastest female finisher in every one of the 158 parkruns she's completed. Her proudest achievements include winning the Kent County...

In episode 162 I speak with George Schwiening, who is an ex-international Duathlete (run-bike-run). While she may come back to duathlon in the future, George has focussed on running in recent years and was selected to represent England in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.  George is part of the SOAR race team, and in the Valencia Marathon she ran a rapid 2:26:28, placing her 7th on the all-time UK women’s marathon rankings. When not running, George is based in Cambridge as a technical writer for a...

In episode 161, I speak with Karl Gloster, who debuted at 2:44 in the Manchester marathon and ran a 2:34 PB at the 2023 London Marathon. We cover a number of topics including: How he got into running; How running helps with managing anxiety; Running in the new SOAR marathon speed-suit for the London marathon; A deep dive into his 2:34 PB marathon and his key training principles; Plus much more. You can follow Karl on Instagram @kg_running Photo by Simon Roberts...

In episode 160, I speak with Robert Wilson, Head of Marketing at SOAR and Highgate Harriers Men’s Captain. We cover a number of topics including: - How he got into running; - The impact that club running has had on him; - His role at SOAR. And how the culture has developed over time; - His role in the Night of the 10,000s; - Talking all things Cross Country running, and looking into what creates a winning team culture at Highgate Harriers; - Plus much more. You can follow Rob on Instagram...

In episode 159, in the buildup to the London Marathon I attended an event featuring the world record holder for the marathon, Eliud Kipchoge, who was interviewed by Laura Weightman.

In episode 158, I speak with Danny Coyle, who is Head of Digital & Social Media for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. A runner of six marathons himself, he now leads all content operations for the World Marathon Majors platforms, including the new MAJORS Magazine and Marathon Talk podcast. We cover a number of topics including what is the current situation with the proposed 7th world marathon major race. For more information on the Abbott World Marathon Majors, visit...

In episode 157, I speak with Katja Takala, we discuss the following: - Her own runner story. How she started out running. And how different life events, from the COVID-19 pandemic and motherhood has impacted her running. - Sharing the Stolt founding story. Including how it started and what she and her partner Keijo are building with Stolt. - She can also speaks about being a female business founder in endurance sports where almost all businesses are founded by men. If your want 20% off...

In episode 156, I speak with Haroon Mota, who is an eight-time London marathon finisher Haroon is one of the many Muslim athletes who will be preparing for a marathon while observing Ramadan. He is currently preparing to take on the Boston and London Marathon this month. We spoke in episode 77, however in this episode he shares his top tips for training during Ramadan.  Haroon champions diversity in exercise and fitness as part of his work at Active Inclusion Network – and that includes...

In episode 155, I speak with Joe McKeown, who I met years back working at a running shop in North London. Subsequently we met years later, as members of the same running club. Joe is currently working at Run Through UK, who organise and host races across England. In this conversation we talk about: - The impact of UK club running, including favourite and funny memories - Explore his training philosophy. - Looking behind the scenes of what happens in a running shop, including an insight into...

In episode 154, I speak with Adrian D’Costa who is the founder of Running Room London and a Director at R&D Physios. He is a specialist running Physiotherapist who is based in London. If your training for a marathon, this conversation covers: - [ ] Strength and conditioning - [ ] Managing common running niggles - [ ] Marathon, race advice - [ ] Plus much more. Thank you to Soar Running (www.soarrunning.com) who supported this episode. You can get 15% off your purchases at Soar Running...

In episode 153, I speak with accomplished US distance runner Kara Goucher in the preparation for my Boston Marathon buildup, focusing on mindset and goal setting. This conversation will not follow the conventional direction of, here are the three tips to tap into unlimited clarity of mind for the marathon. But it is more of an honest and at times funny approach to the similarities between how elites and amateur runners approach the Boston Marathon. We discuss the following: The differences...

In episode 152, I spoke to Deo Kato, Coach at adidas Runners LDN, founder of The 381 Days Running For Justice movement, he is the Spirit of the London Marathon Award winner. Deo came to the UK aged 10 years and experienced racism soon after arriving from Uganda. Starting on 6th June 2020, he set out to run 10km every day for 381 days to protest against racial injustice and inequality in society, fast forward to 2023, this campaign has evolved into running from South Africa to London...

In episode 151, I spoke to Nat Long, who is a runner from cross country up-to 100 miler races. She is active in the UK run club community and is also well known for her viral run until you see videos on TikTok and Instagram. Nat is really engaging hence why she has built a growing community. Her main message is that in life, and through her content, is she wants to encourage people to find joy in what they are doing. To Nat running can be and should be fun. Whilst she understands there will...

In episode 150, I spoke to British professional runner and coach Jonathan Albon. We talk about; His reflections after defending his title at the World Trail Running Championships in Thailand. How living in Norway has influenced his training in application and philosophy. Training with Kílian Jornet and sharing one workout that you can try. Looking at the nuance of the 80/20 rule for runners. Talking not getting stuck in fashionable training methods and what are the key principles...

In episode 149, I spoke with Fiona English who posted an open letter to the Boston Marathon in January 2023 to ask them to review their deferral policy, for women like herself who earned a Boston Qualifying (BQ) entry before becoming pregnant. The Boston marathon and the qualifying time is held in high regard globally. After running 17 marathons, through hard work and determination, she qualified running a BQ time at Paris Marathon in April 2022 running 3:27:05, after running 5:47 for her...

In episode 148, I speak with Nicole Harkin, MD, FACC Cardiologist, and Founder of Whole Heart Cardiology. This episode came about from using the Apple Watch, which has health features to help the users, monitor heart rate to alert you if it’s too high or low. Last year my Apple Watch notified me several times of an irregular heart rhythm, with a heart rate under 40bpm. Dr Harkin and I talk about the role that technology has to empower people with their health information. If you’re a fan of...

In episode 147, I speak with Andy Waterman Andy is a runner and journalist who heads up the editorial output at Tracksmith. Having returned to running in his 30s, in 2022 he ran PBs in the mile and the marathon, going sub-2:40 at Berlin. We talk about training, the importance of having mates help spot you in your training, to see your blindsides. Plus so much more including why there’s been a dip in the popularity of running. Thank you to Tracksmith, who supported this episode and thank...

In episode 146, I give an unfiltered account of my race weekend, pre and post race. I talk about some of the challenges in the buildup and reflect on the race and share what is next for me race wise. Thank you to Tracksmith and my patreons who support the show. www.patreon.com/ARunnersLife --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/marcus-brown9/support

In episode 145, I speak with Matt Chittim host of the Rambling Runner Podcast, in this ask me anything episode. We are team-mates for Relay a collaborative paid platform hosted by elite athletes and running creators, who produce regular running content each month, check out this link to sign up for $9. https://www.patreon.com/relay This episode is a full free sample from this platform. We discuss and answer questions submitted via Instagram stories, in this ask me anything episode. Thank...

In episode 144, I speak with Corey Joyner. In the last 4 years he has taken his marathon time from 5:01 to 2:52. We connect shortly after his 2022 Chicago marathon PR. Sport is a huge parallel to life for Corey. The same principles of success apply. So beyond race times we really dive into what a runners life means to him, and we explore several ways, where he has learnt and grown through difficult moments in life and in running. Thank you to Tracksmith, who supported this episode and...

In episode 143, I recently conducted a poll on my Instagram page and asked what was the best race from the six World Marathon Majors. The results from the poll were as follows. London NYC Chicago & Berlin Boston Tokyo  As a six star finisher, I will use my experience of all six races to add some balance to the comments from the polls in the episode. But this episode is a light hearted take on reviewing the races. It is an impossible argument to agree, because each race means...

In episode 142, I speak with British endurance athlete Kate Jayden who raised more than £35,000 for Trussell Trust, The Hygiene Bank and The Refugee Council. And in the process she achieved the Guinness World Record for completing the most marathons in consecutive days, running 106 total marathons. Whilst this was never the aim, we explore why she started this challenge. Although this is a running podcast, most of the podcast we don’t actually talk about running. We explore our neurodiverse...

In episode 141, I speak with Simon Fearon an athlete I’ve been coaching and working with. We reflect on the journey to running his first sub 3 hour marathon at the 2022 London Marathon. And we discuss what’s next. We talk about the buildup, the race and the aftermath. Whilst there’s some serious parts of the conversation, there’s also some funny moments showing the behind the scenes of a coach and athlete relationship. In regards to diversity it is important for me to get other diverse...

In episode 140, I speak with Joan Benoit Samuelson and Liz Yelling at the London Marathon 2022. Thanks to Abbotts Global for providing the opportunity to do this. In this episode we speak about Advice to new and experienced runners of the London marathon. Mental tips and tricks that can be used in the final 10K of the marathon. Advice post marathon to manage potential marathon blues. Joan’s role as a pioneer in the sport and talking about who inspired her. Advice to young people...