The Bad Boy Running Podcast

Liz McColgan MBE has a distinguished history of success as middle and long-distance track athlete, becoming world champion for 10,000 metres at the 1991 World Champs, silver medallist in the 1988 Olympics and twice gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games. She also had major success on the road winning New York City, Tokyo and London Marathons. In this very special episode of BBR, David and Jody speak to Liz about her unusual route to becoming world champion, including: Why Liz decided to not have a coach and coach herself through her career Why modern athletes disadvantage themselves by narrowing their racing to just track or road How Liz trained to win her gold medals What she thinks about the state of doping in the sport compared with the 80s and 90s Exactly what it's like coaching her daughter Ailish McColgan and the challenges they face in a mother-daughter coaching team Why her son has been reluctant to follow in the (literal) footsteps of the McColgan dynasty Her take on the Caster Semenya situation

Cal Major is on a mission to save our seas and oceans. A one-woman force of nature, Cal is founder of Paddle Against Plastic, a campaign designed to create awareness around the problem of plastic through her adventures. And what adventures! Recently, Cal completed an epic journey paddle boarding the length of the UK from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise awareness, collect rubbish and shine a light on the problems in the mainstream press. But that's just the start of it. In this episode Allie and Jody speak to Cal not only about her adventures at sea, but also on what it takes to face up to the mental challenge before, during and after.  Cal opens up about why it has taken so long to talk about her expedition and the pressure to live up to others' expectations on social media and being in the public eye. It's a great interview that gives an insight into what it's like dealing with the mental aspect of many of the huge challenges featured on the podcast. Plus, Jody and Allie catch up with news from the Arran

Rickey Gates has done some pretty interesting runs in his time - in fact, he's something of a pioneer when it comes to inventing new challenges for himself that inevitably leads to others following. In this episode, David and Jody speak with Rickey about his most recent challenge - running every single street in San Francisco, not an easy feat considering the hills the city is known for. The reason Rickey moved away from his beloved trails to take on the most urban of urban running challenges "Every Single Street" Why distance isn’t the only challenge when running San Fran (listen out for the elevation!) How he planned and plotted his route through the city Rickey reveals his “dark alleyway” policy when running through the city What really most surprised Rickey about San Francisco running How others are now taking on the Every Single Street challenge Why he started the FKT Project Rickey's insightful view on the reason behind the rise of FKTs David also ponders the possibility of using one of Rickey's famou

Warning - this episode is a full shoe geek out, thanks to David's exclusive interview with Brett Holt, vice president of Nike Running Footwear. David was at the high profile launch of Nike's follow-up racing shoe and speaks to Brett about exactly what is different and why the changes were made. Here's what you'll hear: The exact feedback Elliot Kipchoge gave Nike that led to the changes How the issues with the last version of the shoe have been addressed Why the shoe is priced at an eye-watering £239 And why, unless you're quick, you're not going to be getting your hands on this shoe... and it's all part of Nike's plan Before the interview, David is joined by Allie for general BBR chit chat shenans and then after the interview is joined by Jody to break down what was said. Yes, it is confusing but roll with it, ok? Oh, and don't forget to leave a confusing 5 star review on the Cultra podcast iTunes review page mentioning BBR. Remember, they're obliged to read out every single five star review... so make it

Richard Bowles is a British ultrarunner who has set a number of impressive world record running feats. Plus David and Allie talk about their recent trip to Bulgaria. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either correctly or hilariously and we'll realise you're not a spam robot and add you! Here's how to get involved: Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/badboyrunningpodcast Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/badboyrunning1 You can also follow Jody at @Ultrarunnerjody and David at @DavidHellard Email us at letters@badboyrunning.com  Buy merch at the Merch Store at www.badboyrunning.com Lastly, don't forget to subscribe! FYB!

Sussex Trail Events has built a bit of a reputation for putting on races that well... are a bit unusual. As well as it’s roster of trail marathons (read muddy riverside marathons) and the Downslink Ultra, the company has hosted a number of one-off races most would be mad to complete including the Car Park Marathon (the value is in the name but this was originally invented by BBR, btw), The Pier Marathon - out and back up Southend's Mile long pier and a marathon which was laps around the Amex Stadium. David and Jody talk to RD Jason McCardle about what it takes to put on races as well as some of the inside goings-on between RDs. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either co

Carole Armitage is a runner and chocolate pioneering looking to prove the link between performance and chocolate.  And that's exactly the kind of thinking we like. In this episode, David talks the time to speak with Carole about chocolate and running and the compounds within chocolate that may help a runner's performance. There's also some classic Bants early on. [LAST CHANCE] COMPETITION TIME! WIN A TRAIL RUNNING HOLIDAY FOR TWO! There are only a few days left of the competition to win a running holiday in Andalucia for two. Seriously. So hurry while there's still a chance. Go to the BBR Facebook page for more details or join the FB group. Or head to www.ultratrailspain.com/bbr Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/160923260266

This week is a little bit special as David brings on his running club's director from Heathside, Jerry Odlin. Jerry has been there and done it in terms of running clubs and lifts the lid on what goes on behind the scenes of one of London's popular running clubs, how the make-up of running clubs has changed, the challenges faced by clubs and generally how running has changed. It's a fascinating view from Jerry and well worth a listen as BBR is on the verge of launching its own running club (if England Athletics don't boot BBR out before we've begun...) Plus, there's the usual chat beforehand. Mainly inane, rarely valuable. [LAST CHANCE] COMPETITION TIME! WIN A TRAIL RUNNING HOLIDAY FOR TWO! There are only a few days left of the competition to win a running holiday in Andalucia for two. Seriously. So hurry while there's still a chance. Go to the BBR Facebook page for more details or join the FB group. Or head to www.ultratrailspain.com/bbr Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode

What Andrew Jones doesn't know about the human body and running isn't worth knowing. No other person knows the capability and capacity of Paula Radcliffe in her prime. Andy supervised the measurement and monitoring of Radcliffe's running efficiency and aerobic capacity for more than a decade and knows in detail what makes the difference. Andy has also been at the forefront of British sport for decades having consulted UK Athletics, various sporting bodies and major sporting brands such as Gatorade and Nike. And (almost most) famously, Andy is the man behind the beetroot running thing. (His twitter handle is even @AndyBeetroot).  Now he shares his knowledge with the Do-Badders and BOY is this a great episode. (We admit, it wasn't long enough - we're definitely getting him back on.) Enjoy!   COMPETITION TIME! WIN A TRAIL RUNNING HOLIDAY FOR TWO! Seriously, we're not kidding. Listen out in this episode right from the start for the instructions to win a holiday for two trail running in Spain. Imagine that? Runnin

If there's a big name ultra, James Poole has most likely done it.  In this episode, Jody and David speak to James about his many races and, specifically, the epic Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra which kind of looks insane (the race had been run by the time of publication... but we won't tell you what happened). James is also founder of the Advent Running running community and shares his experience running this. He also shares some crazy stories from his many adventures including The Ultra Gobi and a brilliant story about hallucinations. Oh AND... COMPETITION TIME! WIN A TRAIL RUNNING HOLIDAY FOR TWO! Seriously, we're not kidding. Listen out in this episode right from the start for the instructions to win a holiday for two trail running in Spain. Imagine that? Running when it's not tipping it down. Go to the BBR Facebook page for more details or join the FB group. Or head to www.ultratrailspain.com/bbr Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. J

Rob Pope has run across America more times than anyone else, running at total of 15,600 miles (at the time of writing). He's followed in the footsteps of Forrest Gump and in so many ways. No-one has run as far as Rob in a single year as he raises huge amounts for WWF and Peace Direct. Allie and David pick his brains about his incredible adventures. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either correctly or hilariously and we'll realise you're not a spam robot and add you! Here's how to get involved: Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/badboyrunningpodcast Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/badboyrunning1 You can also follow Jody at @Ultrarunnerjody and David at 

There aren't many runners who have the pedigree in long distance racing as Nicky Spinks. Farmer by day, Nicky is an outstanding fell runner and has completed doubles of the UK's most difficult rounds, including double Bob Graham (England), double Paddy Buckley Round (Wales) and the double Ramsey Round (Scotland). And that's not even mentioning the slew of races including UTMB, Dragon's Back, Grand Raid Pyrenees and Grand Race Reunion. In short, she's an ultrarunning badass... and she's speaking with BBR. In this episode also discover what the BBR crew felt about The National Running Show in Birmingham, while David reveals the full story behind that Instagram post #everylidlhelps Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/160923260266

Jody speaks to Allie Bailey about her experience as a test pilot on the latest Rat Race Bucket List events in Namibia and Panama. There's lots of sand, lots of insects and lots of raw truth. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either correctly or hilariously and we'll realise you're not a spam robot and add you! Here's how to get involved: Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/badboyrunningpodcast Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/badboyrunning1 You can also follow Jody at @Ultrarunnerjody and David at @DavidHellard Email us at letters@badboyrunning.com  Buy merch at the Merch Store at www.badboyrunning.com Lastly, don't forget to subscribe! FYB!

Here's Part Two of the BBR interview with Laz Lake. If you've not listened to the first part of the interview, we'd suggest going back and doing so before listening to this. In this episode you'll discover: How some Barkley competitors have tried to cheat in previous editions Exactly what happens when you attempt to go through the notoriously opaque entry process The future of Barkley and his plans for the race when he retires from being a race director His own surprising take on running with Rob Young on his controversial world record attempt running across America The BIG secret about the No.1 vest that had long bamboozled Barkley runners His real views on when we'll see a female winner at Barkley and who he really wants to enter the race, as he believes she has the best chance Laz’s secret nutritional weapon for surviving his transcontinental trek across the US Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you wan

It's finally here! The episode so many have been waiting for - the two-part interview with Barkley Marathon founder and race director Laz Lake, aka Gary Cantrell. In this episode you'll discover: How some Barkley competitors have tried to cheat in previous editions Exactly what happens when you attempt to go through the notoriously opaque entry process The future of Barkley and his plans for the race when he retires from being a race director His own surprising take on running with Rob Young on his controversial world record attempt running across America The BIG secret about the No.1 vest that had long bamboozled Barkley runners His real views on when we'll see a female winner at Barkley and who he really wants to enter the race, as he believes she has the best chance Laz’s secret nutritional weapon for surviving his transcontinental trek across the US Before Laz, Jody and David catch up and discuss the Snowshoe World Championships and the difficulty of running in snowshoes with any snow or shoes... For th

THEY MADE IT! [Sounds of cheers, roaring crowds, champagne corks popping] The landmark of 150 episodes has been reached. They didn't know how they would do it. They didn't know if it was possible. But for all the jokes back in 2015 when the podcast started... this is it: Episode 150. For this episode, Jody and David celebrate, reminisce and reflect on what has happened to the podcast over the years since launch... ... and get a little help from some of the Do-Badders and the podcast's previous guests who record their own messages of congratulations (or in Huw Brassington's case an advert for his next speaking event! Amazing!) It's a cracker. (But not if this is your first listen to BBR, because it's impenetrable...) Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https:

In this episode BBR talks to ultrarunner, journalist and member of the UK ultra trail team, Damian Hall.  Damian is the prefect person to speak to about racing and prep having successfully competed in some of the worlds biggest ultramarathons, including the Spine Race, Dragons Back, Marathon des Sables, the Ice Ultra and UTMB four times. He also holds records for completing the 630 mile South West Coastal Path and Cape Wrath, PLUS there’s a big apology at the start!  Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either correctly or hilariously and we'll realise you're not a spam robot and add you! Here's how to get involved: Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/badboyrunningpo

Elisabet Barnes is an ultrarunner, coach and owner of MyRaceKit... so she knows a thing or two about getting your prep right for major races. Having won the MDS twice, in 2015 and 2017, Elisabet is the perfect guest to explain about the importance of kit and running in multi-stage races in hostile environments. David takes the reins for this interview. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either correctly or hilariously and we'll realise you're not a spam robot and add you! Here's how to get involved: Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/badboyrunningpodcast Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/badboyrunning1 You can also follow Jody at @Ultrarunnerjody and David

Courtney Dauwalter has one of the most impressive running resumes having completed and won a ton of the world's best-known (and toughest) ultramarathons, including MOAB 240 outright and fastest woman at Western States 100 last year. But it's a different race that Jody and David explore with Courtney - Big's Backyard Ultra, a brutal race from the evil mind of Barklay Marathon's Laz. It's a race, not against time or distance but until the last person is standing around a 4 mile loop for as long as you can until the last person is left standing. Seriously, this sounds awful/brilliant and Courtney is great. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either correctly or hilariously an

In this week's episode Jody and David talk to Lisa Jackson, author, runner and member of The 100 Marathon Club - but most interestingly Lisa has made a name for herself around her ability to come last in a string of races. The discussion focuses on just how hard it is to actually come last in a race - especially when there seems to be just as much competition for the coveted last place spot - and what it's like when you're back of the pack. The chat also turns to elitism and celebrating slower runners and how to make running more inclusive. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this episode please SUBSCRIBE to get every episode delivered to you before everyone else. Join the conversation! If you want to request a guest or chat about this episode with like-minded drunk runners then head over to the Bad Boy Running Podcast Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609232602668375/ To join, just answer three questions either correctly or hilariously and we'll realise you're not a spam robot and add you! Here's how