Would you like to get a summary of some of the best podcasts that can help improve your ultra-running?
Then this new weekly review is the place for you!
One of the ways I keep myself entertained on my training runs is listening to a wide variety of podcasts.
I often hear new ideas that I can apply to my own training and lifestyle, which improve my ultra-running performance.
This series is a summary of the best podcasts and ideas I’ve heard recently that can apply to running.
You can see a full list of the podcasts I listen to here.
That page also includes the books that have given me inspiration and information to improve my own running.
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1) Avoiding the Mediocrity of the Middle - On The ‘Science of Ultra’ Podcast
What Was it About? - “Have you heard this before… keep your easy days easy and your hard days hard?
Is there a physiological basis for not spending too much time training in the middle?
In this episode, you’ll learn some of the reasons why you should train mostly in the moderate domain, some in the severe domain and little to none in the middle (the heavy domain).”
Why Did I Enjoy It? - The Science of Ultra podcast always teaches me something new.
Even if the topic is something that I’ve known about for a long time… like not spending too much time training ‘in the middle’.
This episode was no different.
It included lots of data and research on the subject.
And Shawn Bearden gives some very clear recommendations on how to change your training based on the findings.
Which is very helpful, because the podcast can sometimes get heavy in the details of the science!
Where Can You Listen to It?
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/science-ultra-ultra-marathon-trail-running-expertise/id1042673386?i=1000407713775
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ijrsv0ZMvYoIjj8Kh4Loy?si=7wxMzjEhQ6a4cFZLijDyDg
Science of Ultra Website - http://scienceofultra.libsyn.com/avoiding-the-mediocrity-of-the-middle
2) Scott Jurek Interview - On ‘The Morning Shakeout’ Podcast
What Was it About? - This was an interview with an ultra-running god!
Jurek has won pretty much every major ultra-race there is to win. Including the Spartathalon, the Hardrock 100, the Badwater 135, and the Western States Endurance Run a record seven straight times.
He also set the speed record on the Appalachian Trail in 2015, completing it in a little over 46 days.
This episode covered Scott’s experience of the Western States Endurance Run this year. This time, not as a runner, but as a pacer for a partially sighted competitor.
Plus, he talked about his thoughts on how ultra-running has changed over time and how he physically recovers from his monumental challenges.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - I try to take almost any opportunity to listen to someone of Scott’s calibre talk about training, nutrition or life in general.
Scott doesn’t compete at the very highest level anymore, but it was really interesting to listen to his approach to competition now and how he was getting involved in the running community.
Where Can You Listen to It?
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-morning-shakeout-podcast/id1320788737?i=1000445096162
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5w1g0oAr6qNb8B8wEuyxba?si=TRL9eeG_QDyBVSdXCCgbKA
The Morning Shakeout Website - https://themorningshakeout.com/podcast-episode-69-with-scott-jurek/
3) Charlotte Purdue: The 3rd Fastest Ever Female British Marathon Runner - On The ‘I’ll Have Another’ Podcast
What Was it About? - Charlotte Purdue recently became the third fastest British female marathoner when she placed 10th at the London Marathon. She ran a time of 2:25:38!
Charlotte is also aiming to take part in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, having narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
She gives an insight into her life and training. Plus, the psychological impact of trying to make the Olympics.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - Getting an insight into any elite athlete’s performance is always great.
But this episode included raw emotion from someone who was so close to making it to the top level in their sport.
Where Can You Listen to It?
4) The Alter Ego Effect: Unlocking the Hero Within - On ‘The Rich Roll Podcast’
What Was it About? - ‘What if I told you that one secret to success just might be adopting a secret identity?’ - Rich Roll
High performance coach, Todd Herman, has spent the last 2 decades helping professional and Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs, leaders, and executives unlock peak performance whilst enjoying the process.
In this episode Todd explains the power of creating an alter ego to help improve your performance.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - This episode has had a huge impact on my own running.
I re-listened to this episode after first hearing it early this year, because I found it such a revelation at the time.
After listening to it the first time, I created an alter-ego to help with my own training and racing - which I’m going to talk more about in the next blog!
Where Can You Listen to It?
5) A New 6-Day British Running Record - On ‘The British Ultra-Running Podcast’
What Was it About? - People run for 6 days at a time?!?!
Yes they do.
In fact, some people refer to the 6-day format as one of the purest forms of racing there is.
Although I’m not entirely sure why!
In this podcast we hear about Dan Lawson’s record-breaking run at a 6-day race in Hungary, where he ran over 920km.
Why Did I Enjoy It? - Dan Lawson is arguably the best ultra-athlete the UK has at the moment. Possibly, ever.
And listening to an account of one of his best-ever performances is inspirational and informative.
Plus, the actual race itself was exciting to hear about, with a near sprint finish!
Or it was a sprint finish in 6-day racing terms.
I won’t spoil the result for you! You’ll have to listen to find out.
Where Can You Listen to It?
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/british-ultra-running-podcast/id1259450916?i=1000439307924
The British Ultra Running Podcast Website - https://www.britishultrarunningpodcast.com/?p=123
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