The Runna Podcast

Ben and Anya look back on their favorite moments from the past year, featuring hilarious anecdotes like a toilet mishap and a piranha costume at a marathon. They dive into inspiring guest stories, including a marathoner's 42 races and a remarkable run across the UK. With ambitious 2026 goals set, Anya aims for a 2:34 marathon and her first Ironman, while Ben targets a sub-2:45 marathon. They also reveal their top running tech and compare Strava stats, promising more motivational content in the new year.

Max Whitlock OBE, a British Olympic gold medal gymnast and LA 2028 hopeful, reveals his journey back from retirement. He discusses the mental pressures of Olympic success and how he regained joy in gymnastics. Max shares his new passion for running, detailing his impressive 5K PB attempt and the role of discipline in both sports. He highlights the importance of routine, family, and redefining success at 32, proving that growth continues beyond medals.

In this engaging conversation, Chrissie Wellington OBE, a four-time Ironman World Champion and undefeated athlete, shares her inspiring journey from discovering triathlon at 30 to achieving greatness. She emphasizes the power of joy and curiosity in training, revealing how naivety liberated her to win the Ironman World Championship on her debut. Chrissie discusses the mental tools that shaped her resilience, the influence of her experiences in Nepal, and the importance of redefining success, including her decision to retire at her peak.

Kayla Jeter, a sports psychologist and ultramarathoner, shares her inspiring journey from Division I volleyball to running. After overcoming an ACL injury and personal loss, she founded the 100 Miles of Summer movement, now uniting over 260,000 participants. Kayla discusses the importance of community in running, her '1% better every day' philosophy, and how sports psychology tools can empower athletes. She emphasizes representation in endurance sports and the joy of running beyond just competition.

Zac Clark, the founder of the Release Recovery Foundation, shares his inspiring transformation from a 250-pound individual struggling with addiction to a dedicated ultramarathoner who has completed 11 NYC Marathons. He discusses how a simple hill in rehab sparked his running journey, emphasizing movement as therapy. Zac highlights the importance of accountability, self-improvement, and how running helped him rebuild his life while raising over $750,000 for mental health treatment through his foundation.

Adrian D'Costa, Head Physiotherapist and running coach, shares his expertise on preventing common running injuries like runner's knee, shin splints, and IT band syndrome. He discusses the importance of load management and how terrain can affect knee stress. Adrian highlights effective strength training techniques, particularly for the quadriceps, and stresses the significance of hip stability over stretching for IT band pain. He also dives into recovery strategies, emphasizing sleep, nutrition, and tailored cross-training to keep runners injury-free.

Uly Morazan, an actor, comedian, and LGBTQ+ creator, hilariously recounts his transformation from a running skeptic to a marathoner. He shares the chaos of training for the NYC Marathon, including the shock of his first energy gel and the importance of salt tabs. Uly discusses the ups and downs of long runs, navigating dehydration, and finding motivation incommunity. With humor and honesty, he emphasizes that anyone can join the running journey, reminding beginners to embrace small wins and take it slow.

Molly Seidel, an Olympic bronze medalist and elite marathoner, shares her inspiring journey from high-school prodigy to marathon history maker. She discusses her tough decision to withdraw from the NYC Marathon due to a knee injury, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between good and bad pain. Molly opens up about her transition to trail ultras, balancing ambition with self-care, and how a growth mindset transformed her career. Her reflections on handling pressure and rediscovering joy in running offer valuable insights for athletes of all levels.

Winter running doesn't have to be a struggle. Ben and Anya share 6 essential coaching tips for running through winter - helping you stay motivated, healthy, and consistent when it’s dark, cold, and easy to skip your runs.Whether you’re training for a spring marathon or just keeping your running routine on track, this episode covers everything from cold-weather gear and nutrition to goal-setting, recovery, and mindset.What You'll Learn: ❄️ How to stay motivated when mornings are dark and cold🏃‍♂️ Goal-setting strategies to keep your training on track🧠 The 10-minute rule to actually get out the door👟 What to wear for safe, visible running in the dark💪 Strength and recovery hacks to avoid injury🌧️ How to train smart and build consistency for springPerfect for winter runners, marathon prep, and anyone trying to stay fit and focused through the colder months.🎧 New episodes every Friday with Olympic legends, elite runners, and expert coaching advice.🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Alex Hendy, known as Schooner Scorer, a social creator and sub-3-hour marathoner, who blends running with beer culture. He discusses balancing PBs and pints, sharing how he dropped a 2:51 marathon time in Chicago with smart pacing. Alex reveals his unique approach to mental health tied to running and describes his community-building efforts with Schooner Social meetups. He emphasizes that chasing personal bests doesn't mean sacrificing lifestyle, showing that fitness and fun can indeed go hand in hand.