Running has transformed Russell Watkin's life since he started training for next year's London Landmarks Half-Marathon. When his journey began, Russell was overweight, suffering from high-blood pressure and battling depression, all while dealing with the effects of Long Covid. He told Running Tales that before he started running, he had never stuck with anything in his life - but that has all changed now. Spurred on not only by a desire to get fitter and feel better in himself, but through fundraising for baby loss charity Tommy's, Russell has made running a pivotal part of his life. These days, he feels healthier than ever before and is even planning to take on the London Marathon in the near future. Running Tales spoke to Russell about pushing through the hard times early on in his running journey, how he gets grumpy when he can't run and why everyone can improve their lives through running...   --------------------------------   You can sponsor Russell to run the London Londmarks Half-Marathon in 2024 by visiting https://llhm.tommys.org/fundraising/Russell-Watkin   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Jason Bahamundi is an ultra runner who lives by the motto 'all gas, no brakes,' but he only started running when he was 'voluntold' he would be doing a half-marathon for charity. His first training run left him gasping for breath, but Jason was hooked. Running became a habit that led him to longer and longer races and ever bigger challenges, including completing Western States, the Rocky Racoon 100-miler several times, and Cocodona 250. Along the way, he has finished a host of Ironman triathlons - not bad for someone who saw running as a punishment at school. Jason is also the founder of Run, Tri, Bike magazine, which is devoted to celebrating the endurance lifestyle while expanding diversity and inclusion in sport. Running Tales talked to Jason about championing women in running, sleeping during ultra races, and how running has helped him with his business...   --------------------------------   Read Run, Tri, Bike magazine at https://runtrimag.com/   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Natasha Swartley wasn't particularly sporty growing up - and running certainly didn't feature on her to do list. Even after she joined the US Navy at just 18, fitness was a punishment for being 'sarcastic' with push-ups and squats proving particularly unpopular. But Tasha slowly developed a love of fitness and eventually running, ending up being responsible for training 3,000 men under her watch. By 2019, she had completed her first ultra marathon - a 50-miler which she conquered despite neglecting race nutrition and training on a treadmill. Tasha has since left the Navy to become a wilderness EMT, but her love of ultra running has blossomed - despite two DNFs at the 100-mile distance. Running Tales spoke to her about life in the Navy as a high-ranking woman, hauling ammunition across ships and how it prepared her for running long distances, and the power of three little letters: DFQ.   --------------------------------   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Rohan Kallicharan, a sub-three hour marathoner, is on the verge of something extraordinary. With more than 80 marathons - including 10 in 10 days - already behind him, the man dubbed by friends as 'Ro Farah' is aiming to reach 100 marathons before he turns 50 next June. But that achievement will barely touch the surface of Rohan's story. Over a 15 year period, starting when he was a teenager, he struggled with his mental health, attempting suicide three times before eventually being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. With a lot of hard work, Rohan was able to move forward with his life, but in confronting his mental demons he began to neglect his physical wellbeing, ballooning up to 19 stone. It was only when he visited the London Olympic Games in 2012 that Rohan realised it was time to do something about his weight. Shortly afterwards he started running - and he's barely stopped since. Running Tales talked to Rohan about the mental health benefits of running - and how when he became too focused on times he briefly fell out of love with the sport, his 100 marathon goal, and raising tens of thousands of pounds for Mind, the mental health charity...   --------------------------------   Visit Rohan's website, Run With Perseverance, at https://run-with-perseverance.co.uk/   Sponsor Rohan in his efforts to run 100 marathons before he reaches 50 - all monies go to Mind: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ro-fun-before-fifty   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Christopher McDougall wasn't even a runner when he came across the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. He'd been told he was too big. He'd be better off guarding the President or riding a bike than running. But what he found not only changed his life, but those of thousands of runners across the globe. In 2009, Christopher published his now famous book on the Tarahumara, 'Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen'. Not only did it uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara, who could run incredible distances in super fast times, it opened up his eyes to a whole new way of running. Christopher has gone on to write two more masterpieces on running, 'Natural Born Heroes' and 'Running With Sherman'. But Running Tales wanted to find out a little bit more about the man behind the books that have inspired so many runners all over the world - and caused headaches among those in the big shoe companies. We spoke to Christopher about how his father both embarrassed and inspired him by running laps round his school and going on to run three hour 30 marathons while in his 60s, his life as a war correspondent, and what is it like running with donkeys...   --------------------------------   Visit Christopher's website at https://www.chrismcdougall.com/ to find out more about his work and writing.   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Anthony Swain has always been active, with martial arts and karate his first love. But, after suffering from asthma as a child, running was never on his to do list. That all changed during the coronavirus pandemic, when with contact sports off the menu and an aggravating back injury requiring him to keep moving, Anthony decided to try running again. He's not stopped since. A resident of Japan, Anthony has embraced that country's love of running, graduating from regular runs to taking on a marathon and soon after an ultra event. Running Tales spoke to Anthony about how he finished tenth in his first ever marathon - don't mention there were only 27 competitors(!), how running has helped him with his martial arts, and why he's moved into writing about the sport...   --------------------------------   You can read Anthony's Substack - Bunburyoudou - at https://bunburyoudou.substack.com/   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

After a particularly troubled end to a family holiday, Richard Wilcox's wife gave him a ultimatum: 'Change or we're finished'. The former Army man was overweight - his five four inch frame carrying 18 stone. He was suffering from mental health issues and going nowhere fast. It was then he chanced upon a documentary about ultra running that changed his life. Inspired, Richard declared he would run a 100-mile race within a year. Most people laughed, but he started walking, then jogging and before long he was running hundreds of miles every week. Within a year, he was ready to take on the Snowdon Ultra 100. It was a race that was to test him to his limits, but one which would help Richard prove the doubters wrong once and for all. Running Tales spoke to him about his incredible journey to success and the power - for good and bad - of an addictive personality...   --------------------------------   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

The Marathon des Sables had always been on Nigel Watson's bucket list. But with his plans to tackle the six day, 250km ultra marathon through the heat of the Sahara Desert barely underway, Nigel was rocked by a diagnosis of prostate cancer. An experienced runner with several marathons under his belt and a history of tackling triathlons that included representing Great Britain for his age group, Nigel was determined not to be beaten by the news and upped his training. Part of his preparation saw him meet with Doug Richards, a friend of this podcast and Marathon des Sables finisher. Inspired, Nigel set out to complete his extreme goal. Running Tales spoke to him about how the event went, his previous running success and tackling prostate cancer...   ---------------------------------   Listen to Doug Richards' Running Tales Podcast appearances here: Doug Richards - Running Once Around The Planet: https://runningtales.podbean.com/e/doug-richards-running-once-around-the-planet/ Doug Richards - How one runner went from being out of breath climbing the stairs to the Marathon des Sables: https://runningtales.podbean.com/e/doug-richards-how-one-runner-went-from-being-out-of-breath-climbing-the-stairs-to-the-marathon-des-sables/   Listen to our episode with Lizzie Tovey: Lizzie Tovey - Visually impaired runner takes on cancer to complete the Virtual London Marathon: https://runningtales.podbean.com/e/lizzie-tovey-visual-impaired-runner-takes-on-cancer-to-complete-the-virtual-london-marathon/   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

From deciding to try parkrun once - and then getting hooked on it - to completing a 35-mile ultra despite contracting Covid, Peter Vickers has fully embraced the world of running.   At 55, he saw people running parkrun around Northampton’s Racecourse and decided to take part the next week - not long later he was running the London Marathon.   In all, Peter has had to come back from three bouts of Covid - the first of which left him feeling he might die and which still sees him battling with his breathing at times.   Along the way, he's raised money for a host of charities and made friends at every corner, aid station and finishing line of his many runs. Running Tales spoke to him about everything from pacing at parkrun to his ultra endeavours…   ---------------------------------   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Isaac Kenyon is a runner, cyclist, triathlete and extreme adventurer who uses the power of the challenges he takes on to both inspire others and raise awareness of mental health and climate change causes. His most recent challenge - completed as recently as September 10 (World Suicide Prevention Day) - saw him finish a full Ironman while wearing a 15kg weighted vest. The vest represented the unseen weight of poor mental health, something Isaac has had to confront himself in the form of often crippling anxiety. Isaac has used the power of exercise and the outdoors to confront his illness, completing challenges including breaking a world record for the longest continual row of three days and 11 hours, running the 233km Welsh Three Peaks Challenge and rowing 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 40 days, from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. Running Tales spoke to Isaac about his own anxiety, the power of the great outdoors and becoming one of the youngest international keynote speakers in the world...   ---------------------------------   You can learn more about Isaac's mission on https://www.isaackenyon.com/ and his Climate Explorers CIC at https://climateexplorers.co.uk/   Listen to Isaac's Ted Talk at https://www.ted.com/talks/isaac_kenyon_freedom_and_opportunity_from_being_outdoors/details   You can also find Isaac on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/isaac_kenyon/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/kenyon_isaac LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/isaackenyon Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/isaac.kenyon.7   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Launched in 2019, The Monarch Ultra is an epic environmental run and conservation project which aims to raise awareness of the at-risk Monarch Butterfly. That year, a team of ultra runners and environmentalists followed the 4,300km (2,670 mile) migratory route of the Monarchs from Ontario in Canada to central Mexico. They did so as a relay team as part of an incredible 47-day adventure. The co-founder of the event is Carlotta James, and Running Tales caught up with her to talk about her own running, the plans for this year's version of the Monarch Ultra and why these butterflies are so important...   ---------------------------------   This year, the Monarch Ultra will take place in the form of two events: * The Monarch Festival in Peterborough, Ontario, which will include a 10km race in support of reforestation efforts in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. This takes place on Sunday, October 15, 2023 * The 50km ultra marathon race from Zitacuaro, Mexico to the monarch sanctuary in Cerro Pelón. The ultra takes place on Sunday, November 26, 2023 Learn more about the Monarch Ultra: www.https://www.themonarchultra.com/   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

At school, Jake Fedorowski always felt they weren't the sort of person who played sport. Indeed, if you'd have told them they would end up running marathons, they would have laughed. But as a non-binary person, Jake's love of running grew after they discovered the Seattle Frontrunners, a running and walking club for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. These days they are both a committed runner and campaigner, championing inclusivity within the running community. One way of doing this was to create the Guide to Non-Binary Inclusion in Running, which they wrote after making the difficult decision to no longer register or participate in events that didn’t affirm their gender identity. Jake then began partnering with race organisers, including the team behind the Chicago Marathon, to implement the solutions in the guide. They also founded Run Beyond (RUNN+), a community for non-binary athletes to connect, and are now the vice president of Seattle Frontrunners. Running Tales spoke to Jake about what being non-binary means, their own journey - both in terms of their gender and within the world of running - and how they believe the world of running needs to evolve...   ---------------------------------   Learn more about the organisations Jake is involved with at the links below: Seattle Frontrunners: https://www.seattlefrontrunners.org/ The Queer Running Society: https://www.queerrunningsociety.com/ Run Beyond: https://nonbinaryrunning.com/runbeyond To learn more about Jake’s work and the movement toward non-binary inclusion, visit nonbinaryrunning.com   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

This week, Michelle and Craig are enjoying a (well deserved?) holiday in Split, Croatia so instead of our usual interview style podcast we bring you the story of one of that country’s finest runners. Franjo Mihalić was a Yugoslav and Croatian long-distance runner best known for his 1958 win at the Boston Marathon and for a silver medal performance at the 1956 Olympic Games. Those successes were the pinnacle of a career which saw him compete across marathon and cross-country races, breaking a combined 25 Croatian and later Yugoslavian national records in long-distance track events between 5000m and 25km - but which started as a cyclist and footballer. Today, Running Tales tells his story…   ---------------------------------   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

When his father, Pete, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) last August, Joe Thomas decided it was time to take on a major challenge. Despite only being an occasional runner, Joe had listened to David Goggins' story and hit on the target of running a 100-mile race. He signed up for the 103-mile North Downs Way 100, which runs from Farnham in Surrey to Ashford in Kent - only discovering along the way that he needed to complete a 50-mile race before he could enter. Earlier this month, Joe completed his challenge of a lifetime by finishing the race - which includes 11,000 feet of ascent - in 27 hours and 55 minutes, well within the 30 hour cut-off time. Along the way, he has so far raised more than £12,000 for MDS UK - money which will mean MDS patients get the support they need when they receive a life changing diagnosis. Running Tales spoke to Joe about why he set his sights as high as 100 miles, the joys of eating your way through an ultra and possible future plans to swim the English Channel...   ---------------------------------   You can donate to Joe's JustGiving page for MDS UK here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/joe-thomas-ndw100   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Running Tales first caught up with trail runner Kim Levinsky back in April as she prepared to take on the 358-mile Long Path. Starting from the 175th Street Subway Station in New York City, crossing George Washington Bridge and running across the Catskills all the way to Albany, the Long Path combines woods, a series of 2,900 foot peaks, and trails that pass over lakes and streams. Kim, who has also completed the Tahoe 200, was hoping to achieve a fastest known time for a supported female on the Long Path. In July, she did it in nine days and ten hours, registering 378 miles and 72,000 feet of elevation. Running Tales caught up with Kim to talk about everything from overcoming early injury niggles and shimmying across unsteady logs over raging water to farm dogs and wet shoes...   ----------------------------------   You can find more details about, and donate to, Kim's charities for the Long Path FKT at: Bigger Than The Trail Fundraiser: https://biggerthanthetrail.networkforgood.com/projects/160786-kim-levinsky-s-fundraiser-to-provide-free-counseling   New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Fundraiser: https://www.nynjtc.com/supportkim   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

When Martinus Evans went to get some hip pain checked out 10 years ago, he was shocked when his doctor ignored the fact he was on his feet for eight hours a day at work and instead concentrated on his weight. As a larger man, Martinus weighed in at 300 pounds (21 stone), but he was living an active life combining his busy work days with playing basketball at weekends. But the doctor dismissed him as 'fat,' telling him to start walking to 'lose weight or die'. An angry Martinus replied that he wouldn't simply start walking - he'd run a marathon. With his hip problem correctly diagnosed by a different doctor, and quickly cured through physio, Martinus started out on his running journey. Ten years later, he has been an adidas spokesperson, a model on the cover of Runner’s World and a Boston Marathon finisher. In all, Martinus has now completed eight marathons. But he wasn't finished. His personal goals soon turned into a mission to promote running as a sport for people of all shapes and sizes. The Slow AF Run Club was born and now boasts thousands of members, while a guide to running called 'Slow AF Run Club - The Ultimate Guide For Anyone Who Wants To Run' has become a bible for many new runners. Running Tales spoke to Martinus about how he has faced prejudice and taunts along the way, and on his mission to make running a truly inclusive sport...   ----------------------------------   Find out more about the Slow AF Run Club and Martinus' story at https://slowafrunclub.com/   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Georgia Francis' granddad William, or Bill, McKim represented Great Britain in the 1,500m at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. But his fourth placed finish in the heats - narrowly missing out on a place in the finals despite suffering from an illness which should have prevented him competing - doesn't tell his full story. Not long after the event he beat eventual winner Peter Snell of New Zealand, and a year later he ran a sub-four minute mile - just seven years after Sir Roger Bannister had done so for the first time. He went on to repeat the feat a year later, before turning his attention to marathons and completing the New York event in two hours 35 minutes. In later life, Bill went on to climb Everest twice and hike the Inca Trail - something Georgia repeated years later, standing on the same spot he did to overlook Machu Picchu and making an emotional call to him back in England. Bill has since sadly passed away, but in this episode we talk to Georgia about how he was always destined to be a runner and why he nearly didn't got to Tokyo at all...   ----------------------------------   Click here to listen to William McKim talking to BBC Radio Northampton in 2021   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

Mary McNerney is the brains behind a new running programme for schools in Chicago - and hopefully beyond. The former school teacher is the founder of Run Like A Cheetah, which has the ambitious mission of teaching social-emotional learning to children through the power of running. Run Like A Cheetah aims to teach running in a fun, inclusive, non-competitive way to improve children's physical and mental wellbeing, particularly those who may have suffered trauma or come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Mary hopes running can become a lifelong friend and companion for children who have previously seen the sport as a punishment or simply the means to breed elite athletes. Running Tales also spoke to Mary about her own running journey which saw her take up the sport at 16 and go on to complete three marathons - Chicago, twice, and New York - as well as enjoy running with her own children...   ----------------------------------   Find out more about Run Like A Cheetah here: https://runlikeacheetah.com/   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

At the end of May, the man behind a satirical Twitter account outed himself. That account was the Secret Tory - a topical and sometime controversial lampooning of the Conservative government. And the man behind it is Henry Morris. a fitness instructor and - as it turns out - ultra runner. The Secret Tory Twitter account, which has close to 200,000 followers, started life as a parody of Tory MP Mark Francois and developed into a sharp-elbowed critique of government policy and personalities. Although it often bordered on the ridiculous, many pundits speculated the account was run by a disaffected MP or a Westminster insider. Instead, it was Henry Morris. Running Tales spoke to Henry about the inspiration behind the account, how it got so huge, and - most importantly - all about his running. Henry abandoned a party lifestyle in favour of ultra running, and has now completed close to 50 ultras including one of 110 miles. He often runs to raise money and awareness of environmental issues, including the threat posed to wildlife including birds of prey by grouse moors. We also spoke to Henry about what's next for the Secret Tory, how he trains to run long distances and his plan to run to raise awareness of the plight of the hen harrier...   ----------------------------------   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod

When Tom Mulchinock left school with little more than an addiction for video games and a 'class clown' nature, he found himself numbing real world pressures with increasingly heavy drinking. Nights out turned to day drinking - to avoid hangovers it was better to just not stop. It wasn't until he reached 30 that Tom realised he needed to get help. After seeking therapy and moving to Iceland, Tom started practicing mindfulness, going on walks, listening to podcasts - and running. A first 5k race eventually turned into a running habit and then into a new goal. Tom is currently aiming to run 10 marathons in a year in 10 different countries - all to rase money for CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably. Running Tales spoke to Tom about how running has helped him stay sober, combat his anxiety and embrace his creative side...   ----------------------------------   People can sponsor Tom via JustGiving here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/10marathons10countries1year   You can also learn more about his challenge and follow his progress via: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom.mulchinock Facebook: Runnning For CALM - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092425861915 YouTube: Running For CALM - https://www.youtube.com/@rfcalm   Find out more about CALM at https://www.thecalmzone.net/   ----------------------------------   🎤 LISTEN TO THE RUNNING TALES PODCAST: Follow this smart link to wherever you listen [https://link.chtbl.com/tVqw2t5u]   📖 READ RUNNING TALES ON SUBSTACK: Read our articles here: https://runningtales.substack.com Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://runningtales.substack.com/subscribe   🙏 DONATE TO HELP RUNNING TALES: If you like this episode please consider donating to help us keep going: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepforward   📧 EMAIL: craig@runningtales.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/runningtalespodcast TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RunningTalesPod INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningtalespod/ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@runningtalespod