Running Stories Radio

Are you a fair weather runner? Or are you eager to get out come rain or shine, or sleet, or hail? This episode we feature two stories of runners who go to the extremes.  Anna-Marie Watson takes us to the Saharan desert to talk blisters, venom spray, and the beauty of sand dunes changing colour. Lucja Leonard invites us to wrap up warm for the Ghengis Khan Ice Marathon and tells us about wolves, cracking ice, and snotcicles.  Anna-Marie Watson: rfmcoaching.com Lucja Leonard: runningdutchie.org www.morefuzzylogic.com/runningstories "Barricade"  by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0  Modified to use as theme song. freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/ "Retreat" and "Deleted Water." by A Ninja Slob Drew Me CC BY-NC 4.0  Modified for use. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Ninja_Slob_Drew_Me/Retreat/

When we heard Joey Jones tell us about how life changing her first race had been, we knew we had to find out more about her running story and the massive positive impact running has had for her. And crucially, how important finding the right club has been. Also on this episode: As people develop their running and look to new challenges, we have heard more people ask about the benefits of having a coach. Increasingly, people are seeking a coach from the very beginning. We collect some of the more common questions we've heard people ask when considering a coach and posed them to Anna-Marie Watson. We close the show with 5 tracks chosen by Joey Jones. Music used this episode: "Barricade" and “Childhood Memories” by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0  freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/ "Albiero" & "Witch Laws" by Dlay.  CC BY-SANC-ND 4.0  Modified to use. freemusicarchive.org/music/Dlay "Deleted Water"  by A Ninja Slob Drew Me CC BY-NC 4.0  Modified to use. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Ninja_Slob_Drew_Me/

"I'm too old for this..." "Wait 'till you're older..." ? Life - and sport in particular - is full of age cliches. When it comes to running it is perhaps easy to make a lot of assumptions about what we can and can't do at different ages.  ? In this episode we speak to 84 year old record breaker Brian Ashwell about his running story and his unusual inspiration.  ? We also visit different events that encourage young runners and speak to a family at We Run, and Park Run Ambassador Julie Thompson at the Junior Park Run event in Leicester.  ? Anna-Marie provides some Mind over Matter food for thought and we ask Max Hartman about fitness considerations for young runners. "Barricade" & "Rainbow Street" by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0  Modified to use as theme song. freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/ Additional Music "Stash" &"Elemental" & "Witch Laws" by Dlay.  CC BY-SANC-ND 4.0  Modified to use. freemusicarchive.org/music/Dlay

What's it like stepping up from your regular run to preparing for that first race? Whether it's a competitive race or a big step up with diatance, it can bring all kinds of challenges. ? We asked for your stories about first races and thank you for responding! We bring you four stories from Joey Jones, Darren Smith, Tim Jones, and Carl Warren-Dudley.  ? Jess Green is a poet who has performed at Glastonbury, toured with her band, and is currently writing her first play. At the same time she is also preparing for her first half marathon. We catch up with her to find out why she's doing it and how she's preparing.  ? We also welcome back Perfomance and Rehabilitation Coach Max Hartman. Theme Song "Barricade" by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0  Modified to use as theme song. freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/ Additional Music "Halves Quarters" &"Floppy Memories" by Dlay.  CC BY-SANC-ND 4.0  Modified to use. freemusicarchive.org/music/Dlay

In last month's Part 1 of The Rise of Running we heard again and again about the importance of community and the social aspect for runners. ? In Part 2, we find out about two community based running ventures that bring together runners of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities to run together and provide support. We speak to Nick Carter from Absolute Running in Gosport and visit We Run in Leicester, a new monthly event taking runners through the streets of the city.  ? We also welcome Perfomance and Rehabilitation Coach Max Hartman who gives some tips for new runners about injury prevention and also what to avoid AFTER a race.  Theme Song "Barricade" by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Modified to use as theme song. freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/ "Gods Among Men" by Prox-C CC BY-SA 4.0 Modified to use. freemusicarchive.org/music/Prox-c/Gods_among_men

Sport England reported 18 months ago that 2million people in England run at least once a week. Park Run now has 1million registered participants. Over two episodes, we look at the reasons behind the rise of running. In this episode we look at running in the media and how they cover running and whether how they do this has changed over the years. We speak to Mark Russell, managing editor of GQ Magazine, who talks about how readers love kit and tech, as well as the mental health aspect of running. ? We also chat to Liz Hufton, editor at Women's Running and find out what their readers are interested in and how running has become a social activity as well as a fitness pursuit. ? Alongside this, we give you our top 5 apps for running. Theme Song "Barricade" by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Modified to use as theme song. freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/

On Running Stories Radio we've featured stories about some astonishing accomplishments; not just with challenges taken on and completed but also with charity fundraising through running.  So this episode we focus on all things fundraising from how to prepare mentally if you're doing a sponsored run yourself; to a project that gives you the chance to run around the world whilst improving the communities you visit.  We also have Part 2 with Blind Dave Heeley where he tells us about difficulties facing runners with disabilities and his work with The Albion Foundation.  Theme Song "Barricade" by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Modified to use as theme song. freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/ Other songs "A Road Less Travelled" and "One Left Behind" by Ketsa modified for use. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/

There are many challenges that all runners face. Some are about improving, some are about overcoming injury, some are about just getting started.  In this episode our regular features look at injury and how the battle is as much mental as it is physical. Our main story is inspirational Dave Heeley. In part 1 we hear a story that takes us from childhood dreams, to extreme adversity, to incredible adventures. We'll conclude part 2 with Dave in the next episode. Theme Song "Barricade" by Scott Holmes CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Modified to use as theme song. freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/ Other songs "A Road Less Travelled" and "One Left Behind" by Ketsa modified for use. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/

Keeping going is regular challenge for a lot of runners. For this episode we have three features that all demonstrate our commitment to running and how we meet the challenge to keep on running. Our first feature is an interview with Vassos Alexander about his new book “Don’t Stop Me Know” and the inspirational stories of other runners he tells in each chapter. A BBC journalist and familiar voice of Chris Evans' Breakfast Show, Vassos also tells us about his own running history and habits. We then tell the story of Richard Hayes, who’s remarkable journey over the last few years has seen him transform from a 20stone sugar addict to the Mohican Runner, raising over £1m for charity, and overcoming his personal demons along the way. And finally, we catch up with Marathon Girl as she prepares for her race in Boston. We also reveal our eglove competition winners and keep you up dated with the latest runners news.

Running can be painful. The routine of your training, maybe an injury, or perhaps a little fall. This episode we hear about some of those but we also look on the bright side of running with professional funny people, elite athletes, and an adventure journalist. Comedians Rob Deering and Paul Tonkinson join us to about talk the fun chats they have whilst out running and how that has led to their new podcast, Running Commentary. Tobias Mews is one of the UK's leading extreme ultra endurance athletes and adventure journalists and he talks to us about his first book 50 Races to Run Before You Die. Anna-Marie Watson hated PE at school. In 2015 Anna-Marie finished 2nd in the race often referred to as the toughest on Earth. She shares her astonishing achievement in our runners story. We welcome back Gemma Hockett for a new regular feature Marathon Girl. Gemma talks us through the highs and lows of a typical week as she trains for the Boston Marathon. AND...we have a fantastic competition. We have 5 pairs of the award winning E-Gloves for you to win.

In our latest episode we talk with Director of Chi Running UK Gra Caws, listener Gemma Hockett shares her personal running story, and endurance challenge runner Ben Smith shares his news on the epic 401 Challenge. All of this and the usual news and features PLUS a special musical ending.

Welcome to the first Running Stories Radio podcast - brought to you by therunningstories.com. In this month's episode we speak to running club director Michelle Mortimer about how best to start your running ambitions of 2016, discuss our regular features and speak to Kevin Barnsley about his training programme for the Fire and Ice Ultra Marathon.