RunPod

This week on RunPod, Jenni is joined by one of Britain’s best long-distance runners, Charlotte Purdue. Charlotte is incredibly down to earth and so easy to chat to, she is also a truly fast runner. Her specialties are half-marathon and marathon distances and her sights are set on Tokyo 2020. In this episode we talk about her intense training schedule and what life is like for a professional runner. We also discuss speeds you have to hit on the treadmill if you’d like to match Charlotte when she runs, could you do it? It’s a brilliant, motivating listen with someone who is clearly passionate about running which will have the knock-on effect of motivating you to reach for your trainers and possibly even run a little further. What’s more it’s full of tips for us to improve our own running game. Enjoy. X

In this week’s edition of your favourite audio Run club, Runpod is presenter, mental health advocate and fellow podcaster Matt Johnson. Matt started his running journey from quite a dark place in his life and since then has used running as a big help for his mental health. Matt shares with us the importance of exercise for his health, his marathon running experiences, his affinity for sprint training and he swaps supplement tips with Jenni. An inspirational listen that will have you reaching for your trainers!

Joining Jenni for Runpod this week is author, life coach, dating expert and podcaster Anna Williamson! Anna talks to Jenni about falling in and out of love with running through her life, how running has changed for her since childbirth, her London Marathon tale, the dreaded joggers' log, the emotions you feel whilst running a race, the mental health benefits of running and how it helped her come back from a mental health fall out. A very relatable and upbeat listen, Anna's not shy to speak her truth.

Being initiated into the Runpod run club this week is author, presenter and fellow podcaster Katie Piper! Katie talks us through her running journey, how she ran away from unhealthy coping mechanisms (literally), building up to running a half marathon and finding a new love for it. Katie tells us how running has become almost a form of therapy for her, never failing to help her in unexpected ways, whether it’s improving her confidence or just giving her the space to work things out in her head. An incredibly worthwhile and inspiring listen, you’ll be reaching for your trainers after this, that’s for sure!

In this gathering of the RunPod Run Club, Jenni chats with someone who is former Special Forces and one of the stars of SAS: Who Dares Wins...Ollie Ollerton. Warning: You will absolutely be desperate to get out for a run after hearing this highly inspiring episode. Ollie very openly discusses a life-defining near-death experience at the age of just 10, resisting his ‘break point’ in the SAS selection process, as well as why running is so important to his mental health now. A fascinating listen, with a man who is one of the tough guys on the telly. But as you’ll see, he’s actually got a very nice side too that will definitely motivate you to get off the sofa!

Joining Jenni on this episode of RunPod is someone whose name is synonymous with running. She’s run countless marathons and she held the Women’s World Marathon Record for 16 years. Oh yes, it’s Paula Radcliffe MBE! Even though Paula has now retired from official racing, she has by no means stopped running, it very much plays a part of her life and the reasons are entirely relatable. She opens up on what running means to her now, why she loves it so much, whether (or maybe when) she’d run the London Marathon again and shares some brilliant top tips to keep you going if you’re heading out soon. A hugely inspiring listen. Happy running!

In this episode of RunPod, Jenni is joined by Author, Journalist and Podcaster, Bryony Gordon! Bryony tells us about running the marathon in her underwear, how running helps her mental health, competing in an unexpectedly competitive triathlon, the beauty of the universality of running, and how to change your mindset around running - how to run for the gains not the losses. A truly inspiring listen.

Today is Global Running Day and RunPod couldn’t claim to be the Run Club of the podcast world if we didn’t acknowledge such an event! So this is just a reminder why you run, or why you should run. Perhaps it’ll spur you to pop your trainers on and get out there. If there’s one day to pound the pavement, to have a go for the first time or to remind yourself about that amazing feelgood effect running has, then today’s the day!

We're heading down under for this edition of RunPod to talk to best-selling author, podcaster and outspoken PT, James Smith. James has always been fit, he played rugby when he was younger and his job as a PT certainly keeps him in shape, but since lockdown, much to everyone’s surprise-most of all his own- he has caught the running bug! In a short space of time, he’s become hooked...he’s got all the gear, running regularly and is obsessed with PBs... and by the way, he's only been running for 5 weeks! Whether you're a new runner too, or someone who’s been pounding the pavement for years, you'll definitely find common ground with James. This episode of RunPod is definitely worth a listen on your next run....he’s a man who talks a lot of sense and will certainly inspire you to think about the way you approach your own fitness in future. Happy running.

This week in RunPod, Jenni has to watch her Ps and Qs as she is joined by a Baroness. Michelle Mone is best known for founding Ultimo, a lingerie company that launched the Ultimo bra and in the process she developed a reputation as one of the UK's most successful women in business. However working relentlessly on her company took its toll and Michelle certainly felt that she neglected her health. Consequently when she sold Ultimo several years ago, she also took the opportunity to treat her body as a new business and started focusing on a healthier lifestyle which resulted in her going from a size 22 to a size 10! Michelle lost over 8 stone by assessing many factors and making changes which had a positive impact on her lifestyle, her body, her attitude to fitness and her happiness. She also started running. By taking up the latter, she recognises how her approach to fitness has changed everything for her - and has given her a more positive outlook on life which in turn has boosted her self-confidence. Michelle credits running as one of the key reasons to her being stress-free, happy and healthy in body and mind. Michelle talks about couples workouts, how you can fit running in when you are running an international business and the importance of prioritising fitness. If you are struggling to find the motivation - well Michelle might just give you the boost you need...happy running!