Episodes
We have Dave Proctor with us this week, if you don’t already know Dave why not check out episode #98 where we dive into the backyard ultra. Almost three years later we are touching base again, this time to discuss the trials and tribulations of breaking the land speed record of running the 7,159km across Canada. Starting in Newfoundland and ending in British Columbia, it took just over two months for Dave to break Al Howie's long standing speed record of 72 days 10hrs. In just 67 days 10hrs,...
Published 12/19/22
After a computer crash I thought I had lost this episode which was recorded in Feb of this year, so much has changed in the ultra running world since then with Backyard records being crushed, another fun year at the Barkley and numerous 100m, 100k & 50k records being broken. That means we are back in full swing and I was delighted to find the 'lost episode' with Harvey Lewis who is the man that just doesn't stop running, he has numerous podiums to his name, including winner of the iconic...
Published 12/13/22
A month has passed since we set foot in frozen head, and I can’t believe that I’m only getting this episode released that aside I’m super excited to introduce you to Kristi Pashia who was the first person in the Barkley Fall Classic to cross the finish line in the 50k and still manage to DNF. The cut off time is 13hrs 20min which reflects the Big Barkley, Kristi made it in an agonising time of 13hrs 20min and 9 seconds. We follow Kristi’s interview with Brian Mueller who was the last person...
Published 10/24/22
I can’t believe we have been off air for over six months, super excited to have the show back and we have some amazing guests lined up to keep you motivated. None more amazing than this week's guest Andrea Larson who became the first female to podium in the Barkley Fall Classic this year, retaining her title from the 2021 event. Andrea is fast becoming one of the best female ultrarunners on the circuit, having won the first back yard that she entered with an incredible 162 miles, which...
Published 09/25/22
I recorded this episode with James two days after he completed the very first Winter Wainwrights Round which entails 325 miles across the 214 Wainwright Peaks which has a mind blowing 36,000 metres of ascent. He was met with snow swept hills and strong winds, the severe winter conditions made this an even bigger achievement for James and his crew. And if that wasn't enough as I release this episode James is back out tackling the same course only months after his winter round, and is...
Published 04/04/22
We have a great episode for you this week with local lad 'Ireland' Graeme Black who finally gets to realise a dream as he takes part in the 2022 Barkley Marathon. Graeme is no stranger to the Frozen Head Park in Tennessee as he’d raced there in the Barkley Fall Classic however this time he returns to compete along side some of the worlds most inform Ultra Runners in the main Barkley Marathon event. I’m not going to introduce the race as I’m guessing you all know it by now, but if not check...
Published 04/01/22
Yesterday I had the pleasure of breaking down the latest Backyard event with the winner of the 2022 Castle Ward back yard Keith Russel who was taken to 37 loops by up and coming ultra runner Cathal McParland. Some you might be aware that we have had Keith on the podcast previously firstly for his amazing story with Alana that starting his running journey only 5 years ago which you can hear on episode #115, we had him back again last August for episode #147 where Keith completed 63 loops in...
Published 02/17/22
A super Art O’Neill special this week featuring Ellen Vitting who was first lady home in the Art O'Neill Challenge in a great time of 7:05:18 just a couple of minutes ahead of second place, and Alastair Higgins who won the overal race in a pretty incredible time of 5:53:33. For those who haven’t heard of The Art O'Neill Challenge it is a unique event, organised by, and solely for the benefit of, Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. Its 60km route retraces the historic escape from...
Published 01/31/22
It’s been a couple of weeks since the last episode was released but the wait was worth it as we have a 2hr feature with the round machine himself Ross Jenkin, who earlier this year completed all four of the UKs infamous Mountain Rounds within the same week. The well known English Bob Graham, The Welsh Paddy Buckley, The Scottish Charlie Ramsay and our local N.Ireland Round The Denis Rankin. The challenge involved 152 summits, with 387km (240 miles) of challenging terrain with 31,800m...
Published 12/23/21
This week we have a local club runner who I have been watching with almost misbelief over the last couple of years as he has gone from strength to strength. Gareth King from Tandragee County Armagh who back in Aug this year not only become the National 100km champion, but he smashed the Northern Ireland record by 22 minutes in time of 7:12:30 seconds which was 6:49 pace. Gareth has only been into the ultra scene over the last few years starting his Marathon Journey I believe in 2010 where...
Published 12/04/21
Once again we have the pleasure of Noel Hanna on the podcast, some of you will remember Noel from episode #51 where we unpack his adventure on the 135 mile Bad Water race across death valley, and his succesful summit of K2 the Savage Mountain amongst other crazy endurance accompishments. In this episode we discuss his recent winter attempt on K2 where the team of Sherpa's historically made the first summit of the savage mountain, we also unpack his 10th summit on Everest which was an...
Published 11/26/21
It's hard to know where to begin with Liz Canty, an immense rugby player who changed direction and ended up on rat jaw, what more can be said.... Liz really hasn't held back in any way or form, starting on the road and moving to the trails she has gone from strength to strength racing numerous 50k to 100 mile races and although realtively new to the sport she has already raced in some of trail runnings most iconic events such as Western State, The Barkley, CCC, and has had early success on...
Published 09/07/21
Epic episode with Irish Backyard record holder Keith Russell who ran an amazing 63 loops back in May during the Atlas Running event in N.Ireland. Last week he competed in the 100k Anglo Celtic Plate gracing his first Irish International vest which was a very proud moment for the relatively new ultra runner. In this episode we break down how to isolate your weaknesses and focus on those areas that can pull you out of a long endurance event such as Last one Standing, Mindset, Strength &...
Published 08/28/21
What a treat we have for you this week with one of Ultra Runnings most interesting runners Vajin Armstrong, not only has he podiumed some of the worlds toughest races but he brings with him a different dimension into the sport.   A follower of the Indian Spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy creator of the Sri Chinmoy Self Transcendence race in New York, Vajin lives a life of peace and harmony through his meditation practices which he uses to great benefit as he is able to transcend into a flow...
Published 08/20/21
We have a very interesting guest this week, Dr. Rebecca Robinson. Sports and Exercise Medical Consultant who has represented GB in the marathon distance gracing a 2hr 36min pb, along with a 33min 09sec 10k, she is also an absolutely awesome mountain runner winning team gold with GB in 2015. In this episode we unpack RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) the effects it can have on the body, the signs, and the preventative actions you can take to be more aware of the condition to ensure...
Published 08/15/21
I can’t believe we have been absent for almost four months I'd just like to thank everyone for their continued support, and who better to start off with than fellow club mate Slieve Gullion Runners Paddy Hamilton who at his first attempt in the world of ultra smashed the field to take first place in the 100km Race to the Stones. Paddy is more commonly seen pushing the front in 5ks and 10ks, and he took on the race to the stones to gain some valuable learning for his up and coming Marathon...
Published 08/10/21
It's been a while since I've released an episode, the joys of setting up a new business however no better place to start of again than the Barkley Marathon. Karen McNeany gained her entry into the Barkley by being the first lady across the line in the Barkley Classic however that didn't stop Laz giving her race number one the human sacrifice, her partner Chris Hanlon also got into the race and strangely enough they both met during the classic so there is love out on the trails even in most...
Published 06/01/21
Short intro to this weeks guest Gary House from the run strong club, an ultra runner himself signing up for races such as UTMBS TDS and The Dragon's Back he has earned himslef an indepth knowledge on coaching techniques which he shares through the club.Check him out on Instagram if you want to be entertained, or if your interested in being coached by Gary check out his website on the link below.www.therunstrongclub.com  
Published 04/09/21
George is very talented Mountain Runner who focuses on shorter sharper mountain races, however last October during the nations lock down he took on the Bob Graham round and beat Billy Bland's time which had previously stood for 36 years prior to Killian Jornet breaking it.At 13hrs 44min it hit the running community with a wave of amazement and truly out George on the radar, George has raced some of the most iconic races in the world such as the Sierre Zinal and Pike's Peak so as George had...
Published 03/22/21
We have one of if not the best coach that I have had the pleasure of talking to Martin Cox from Vo2 Max Coaching, he is a world class athlete who has been on the top flight in mountain running for numerous years. He has rubbed shoulders with some of the best coaches the world has ever seen which along with his own experience in racing is where he learned his skill, his passion for the sport and the athlete’s he coaches shines through in this episode, he is an amazingly interesting guy and...
Published 03/08/21
I've been back in the hills with a new set of tyres, the Inov-8 Terraultra G270s. I was so blown away by them that I had to invite the Inov-8 team on to the podcast to find out more about the product and the people behind this increasingly competitive brand. Not only is Bodil Oushoorn the Design Manager at Inov-8 but she is also a kick ass ultra runner having completed the 2019 Dragons Back, we also had the pleasure of Lee Procter Communications & Ambassadors Manager who has been racing...
Published 02/15/21
A 17hr Bob Graham, seven times winner of the OMM, winner of the infamous 2012 Dragons Back race, and former record hold of the wainrights, not to mention author of one of the best Mountain books out there There is no Map in Hell. If only I had half the knowledge that Steve Birkinshaw carries, it was great sitting down with him, I’ve been in awe of his achievements since seeing the Dragons Back race on youtube a few years ago so to sit here and get the opportunity to chat about it was pretty...
Published 02/07/21
In this episode we talk to Paul Tierney Irish international ultra runner and current FKT holder of the 214 fells of the Wainwrights which he completed in a little over 6 days and 6hrs, which normally taken people months if not years to complete. He has a list of accomplishments and a great depth of experience in the longer races, here is a list of some of his stand out acheivements. Medallist, Lakeland 100, 2011, 2012, 2015. Medallist, Wicklow Way Ultra, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015,...
Published 01/24/21
Robbie Britton is an athlete that isn’t afraid of a challenge, be it on the road or the trail, Robbie has performed from 5k to 24hr, with highlights such as a 2:29 marathon and a 261km 24hr best, which earned him a World & European bronze medal. Robbie loves a challenge whether it is crossing Iceland, completing the Kom-Emine in Bulgaria, setting an FKT on the 650km Jordan Trail on foot or 1100km on a bike, the next adventure is never far away with Robbie however one area he invests a lot...
Published 01/10/21