West Coast Ultra Podcast

This week I chatted to Gemma Holloway. I met Gemma on the very snowy and cold Wildheart Runners anniversary meet. When she told me about her couch to 50k journey AND that she was a Sports and Performance Dietitian I couldn't not invite her on the podcast - food and running - that what it's all about isn't it.

What we talked about:

• Early beginnings and meeting strange people in car parks
• Pushing the boundaries to see hat might happen
• Challenges and working on her relationship with food
• Trying ultras (and getting hooked)
• Plans on going that little bit further
• We also started down the rabbit hole with nutrition

Key Takeaways:

• Dont restrict your fuelling, especially for longer runs where you need it more
• Finding your tribe (or tribes) that will be there and support you in your running journey
• Listen to your body and be OK with changing your plans for the right reasons - focus on the longer terms goals that you have

Resources Mentioned:

• @ronhill for the twin skin shorts

Connect with Us:

• You can catch Gemma on Instagram @this_dietitian_runs where she has some great advice posts on nutrition and where you can reach out for advice.
• If you are not already, follow me @davidultrarunner on Instagram for running-related content, chat, and discussion about the pod.
• Also, a little plea from me: if you enjoy the pod, please leave a review wherever you are listening as it helps others find it and spread the word.

Are you looking for a running coach?

While I now have a few athletes on board, there is always room for a few more, so if you want to know how I can help, get in touch here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

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To kick off 2025 we have the man, the myth, the legend of John Cassidy from the Young Hearts Run Free Podcast sharing his running journey with us.

Many of you will have heard him (and Steven) talking with guests over the past few years and I have been listening and being inspired through his podcast since I started doing the longer stuff. But John has a great story to tell from where he started on his journey in 2012 to where he is now.

What we talked about:

• Couch to 5k, Ronhill tracksters, the Celtic cagoule and that one friend
• The descent (or ascent) into ultramarathon
• His love for big days out in remote places but also the love of the trail and ultra-running community
• Kit and of course food
• The big reveal and West Coast Ultra Exclusive - John's 2025 race calendar

Key Takeaways:

• Always be you, true to yourself as comparison is the thief of joy
• Celebrate EVERY win - that is, the things that feel good to you, a great run, getting out for your workout when you do not want to or doing well at an event
• Don't stress about things that are out of your control
• This too will pass - good or bad, know that things will move on. If you're going through a tough spot in a race, it'll pass, just keep moving

Resources Mentioned:

• @voom @ronhill @petzl @scienceinsport @prescisionfandh

Connect with Us:

• You can follow John on Instagram @j0hncassidy and of course @youngheartsrunfreepodcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @davidultrarunner
• Like, subscribe and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me really happy)

Are you looking for a running coach?

I talk about coaching a lot on the show as this is something that I believe in. If you are looking for a coach then why not get in touch and see how I can help you using this link: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scottish Queen of the Backyard Ultra and co-founder of the Wildheart Runners, Karen Nicol spends some time with us this week.

Her bio on the Wildheart Runners page says it all:

"Karen has been competing in ultra-distance races for over 10 years and loves (and sometimes loathes) a Backyard Ultra. With 40 yards under her belt, the former GB female record holder is passionate about encouraging females to participate in the lapped format. Karen has won the Crawley 12-hour and 6-hour races and stood on the podium in many other ultra races, including Edinburgh 24, Glenmore 24, and Devil of the Highlands.

She is also the Founder and Race Director of her local Junior Parkrun, she is a guide runner, journaling advocate, and ultra-running coach specialising in female health and menopause.

Her passion is supporting others to overcome barriers and use running as a vessel for a better life.

UESCA Certified Ultra Running Coach and Certified Female Athlete and Menopause Coach. "

What we talked about:

• Karen's background is from being a non-runner and signing up for a charity 10k to representing her country at the Back Yard Ultra World Championships
• Her thoughts and campaigning for better, more equitable representation of females in endurance sports
• We explore some of the barriers to females in ultra running
• How the Wildheart Runners started and how you can get involved

Key Takeaways:

• The unique challenges that females are faced with
• How the support of others, like the Wildheart Runners community can help build your confidence
• How getting the right people around you is so important to being able to fulfil your potential sich as getting the right coach (and a supportive partner)

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Karen on Instagram @ultrakazy and the Wildheart Runners on @wildheartrunners
• You can find out all about the Wildheart Runners at their website here:wildheartrunners.com

Connect with Us:

• Follow @davidultrarunner on Instagram for some running-related content, engage with the podcast and find out when the next one is available
• Subscribe to our podcast on all good podcast platforms including apple, spotify and amazon
• Leave us a review on whatever platform you are listening on and share with people you might think would like to hear what we have to say. It really does help

Do you want me to be your ultramarathon coach?

All you have to do is fill in a simple form, and then we can set up a time to see how I can help you. The link is here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/, and one of the team will get back to you. Plus, if you mention the podcast, I have a little discount waiting for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I talk with Ayrshire local Steve Daye. Steve has recently burst onto the ultra scene, but his 2022 debut ultra was years in the making.

What we talked about:

• Steve's background and how he has built his (very speedy) running base up over the years
• How he thinks about and selects future races
• How he combines a busy, physical job with training
• What he has learned from being at the sharp end of races
• How he is continuing to learn how to translate his excellent running to longer ultra-distance events

Key Takeaways:

• Speed is a really useful component to any runner, regardless or the distance that you are planning to run
• Creating predictability in some of the core events you race, and your training allows for flexibility elsewhere
• Rest is critical performing your best

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Steve on Instagram @ultra.running.bear
• gels/fuelling: @maurten @salomon speedcross @ronhill (for the shades) @talwind for liquid carbs

Connect with Us:

• If you are not already then follow me @davidultrarunner on Instagram for running related content, have a chat and talk about the pod
• I'd appreciate it if you could leave us a review on whatever platform you are listening on and share with people you might think would like to hear what we say. It does help (and I would be very grateful :)

Do you want me to be your ultramarathon coach?

I have a few athletes coming on board but still have space for a few more. Want to see how I can help? Just go to this link, complete the contact form here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/, and one of the team will get back to you. Plus, if you mention the podcast, I have a little discount waiting for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week we were in Arizona, this week we are just along the road in Irvine (and about five minutes from my house).

We are joined by Kyle McLaughlin owner of McLaughlin Sports Massage. While not an ultrarunner himself, he has seen and worked with various people from the average Joe to high-performance sportspeople.

He takes a holistic approach to understanding the needs of his clients and his latest field of study in nutrition adds even more expertise and knowledge to help people move and more importantly feel better.

We talked about:

• Finding his passion (and obsession) with health and nutrition while working on the railways
• How he found the opportunity to shift gear into a new field of sports massage
• Managing the challenge of study while building and running a business
• How he goes about his practice of improving people's wellbeing
• Thoughts on nutrition, diet and fuelling for endurance athletes
• Top recovery methods (including ones that don't work) and much more

The Hot Takes:

• Individuality is key to getting the right approach for you, be open and listen to what your body is telling you
• You may have a different path so focus on what you are passionate (and obsessive) about
• Focus as much on recovery as training itself, that way you will remain consistent and in doing that will improve your performance

Let's Connect

• You can follow Kyle on Instagram @mclaughlin.sports_massage and if you haven't already then you can also follow me on Instagram @davidultrarunner
• Got a question? Then ask it here: https://forms.office.com/r/qXs412GYxc
• Like, subscribe, and rate the show so you don't miss an episode (and it would make me happy)

Do you want to work with me?

Get in touch and see how I can help either here or using the link in my bio: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.