Tough Girl Podcast

Kumbi in her own words:   “I’m Kumbi, a fun loving adventurous woman. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe and came over to England to study nursing when I was 18.   I love all things outdoors, from climbing, hiking, camping, cycling.   I am a senior nurse in the NHS, and I have been very thankful that I have the ability to go outdoors and destress.    It is one of the places that I am able to practice Mindfulness, which has kept me grounded through some of the most challenging times that I have experienced during this pandemic.   I hope to share my love and inspire others to explore and be adventurous!”   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The tough girl podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.    Show Notes Who is Kumbi What she does and her love of the outdoors Being an outgoing child Spending time in the outdoors Wanting to be a lawyer Her current role in the NHS Looking at health inequalities Making the move to the UK Growing up speaking English Her university days and not having a car Going back to the start of the pandemic Being redeployed to 111 (Non emergency help line in the UK) Needing to have a break between work and home life Getting back into climbing again  Becoming a member of Extreme Sports Central  Making the transition from the gym to climbing outside Joining the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) The Women's Trad Festival  Overcoming fears while climbing Learning to be kind to herself Breaking problems down step by step Looking at diversity in the sport “Climbing is for all and everyone is welcome” The role models and women she looks up to  Learning to be kind to herself Climbing goals for 2022 Magical moments in the outdoors Type 2 and Type 3 fun Being a speaker at Kendal Mountain Festival Wanting to be a role model Final words of advice   Social Media   Instagram: @here_climbs_krumbles

Nicola Hardy worked in IT in South Yorkshire for a decade before diving into freelance life as an adventurer and outdoor writer in 2019. She began by climbing all 282 of Scotland's Munros and - after her plans to hike 3000km in New Zealand were scuppered by Covid - she continued adventuring closer to home.    In 2020 she walked 330km from her birthplace in Sheffield to her new home in Cockermouth, Cumbria, journeying on foot across three national parks; and in 2021 she climbed all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District over seven long weekends, a quirky book-by-book peak-bagging adventure.   Nic in her own words:   “I'm basically half IT organised spreadsheet nerd and half outdoor adventure loving hiker. I've taken a series of steps over the last 5 years to make my life as outdoorsy and adventurous as possible. I quit my job and sold my house in April 2019 and had 6 months of Scottish hill walking adventure, since then I've dabbled in route writing, gear reviewing, festival speaking, outdoor magazine/website writing whilst spending as much time outdoors around all that as I can.    I also now work a 2-day a week job to keep regular income coming in whilst doing my freelance work and adventuring around that. Flipping the 5-day working week on its head and ensuring my love for the outdoors doesn't become stressful due to the need to focus constantly on monetising it.”   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8 supporting the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.   If you’re interested in Inov-8 products, get your exclusive 15% discount code by signing up HERE   Show Notes Who is Nicola Hardy? Getting into the outdoors 5 years ago Being inspired by her parents to be active Growing up in Sheffield Falling in and out of love with running Reaching her early 30s in a senior management role Living to work  Making changes to her life in 2016 Planning some walks in the Peak District Spending more time in the outdoors in 2017 Wanting to go higher, further and to really challenge herself Making a commitment to spending time outdoors Deciding to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro and getting a team together  Having 100 followers on Instagram Meeting her partner James though an IG meet up Peak Bagging and getting to explore more of the Lake District Enjoying the planning of routes Wanting to do more but being held back by work commitments Making big changes to her life Selling her house and quitting her job Wanting to make a full time living from Adventure How she approached the first few months Planning to hike all 282 munros in Scotland in a 6 months period Wanting to try a thru-hike Not looking after herself when it came to nutrition Wanting to have a healthy work life balance  Going tunnel vision on a task Wanting to leave a legacy and to show people they can make brave choices Connecting with adventurers through instagram  Getting into volunteering  Walking home 2020 Settling in the Lake District 2020 and working with Komoot Working 2 days per week and having 5 days off to adventure  Creating a life that works for her Talking through the planning process of turning an idea into reality Starting with maps and picking something which is a bit quirky Using public transport to get around all the Wainwrights in the Lake District. Nutrient and current diet Making sure to fuel adequately during hikes Maintaining fitness and what training looks like Magical moments out in the mountains Getting nervous about parking Working as an ambassador for Inov-8 Inov-8 creating gear for the fast and light, hiker market Super light hiking boot - ROCFLY G 390 - World’s first hiking boot with Graphene foam. 390g My next challenge… Advice and top tips for other women who want to get into the mountains  The benefits of spending time with other people who have more experience  Trying new things and figuring out what you enjoy Dealing with the rain in the mountains and reframing it Finding the one sport that you love Finding ways to get through the tough times Connect with Nic on the Socials  Future plans for 2022…   Social Media   Website adventurernic.com  Instagram @adventurer.nic  Twitter @adventurernic  Facebook @adventurer.nic.official  Komoot Adventurer Nic   Recent adventures are all catalogued in a series of komoot 'Collections' here - https://www.komoot.com/user/979759071586   ***   The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8    Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8

Tasha, 43, from London is the founder of Black Girls Do Run UK.    In 2019, Tasha set up the online community to inspire black women to run for their health, fitness and mental wellbeing.     Tasha talking about running:   “I am a runner and running is definitely part of my identity and how I am often identified by others. For me, being a runner is to simply be someone who runs, enjoys running and becomes miserable if they cannot run – because it is such a big and important part of your life and who you are. It is not about racing, speed, distance, fitness levels or running daily, it is a feeling where life isn’t quite right without running.”   Listen to Tasha on the Tough Girl Podcast as she shares more about her life, her passion for running, how she got into running, what she loves about it as well as giving you lots of top tips to help you with your running journey.    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE     Show notes Who is Tasha Living in London Being a runner for 23 years Doing her first race in 1999 Growing up with an older sister in there early 80s Spending time in the outdoors Being a runner at school and being encouraged to join the athletics team Running 800m and 1500m What happened after leaving school Her early 20s and not being active Exercising 3x a week? Wanting to lead an active lifestyle Loving the treadmill Going running outside for the first time and why she loved it Doing her first 5k and why it helped to change her life Being encouraged to sign up for her first race Being a runner and identifying as such How running makes her feel Her running journey  Being inspired by the London Marathon Doing the London Marathon in 2000 and raising money for charity  How it felt finishing the race Doing the Paris Marathon in 2004 The women who have inspired Tasha  Being inspired by Paula Radcliffe How you entered the London Marathon before it being online Being inspired by everyday women Making running work for her  Fitting running into her life and having to be creative with her time Choosing to run at 5am Training for a half marathon in April  Founding Black Girls Do Run UK in 2019 Her goals for Black Girl Do Run UK and how it has grown over the years Keeping the community together during Covid How running has changed over the past 23 years Representation in magazines and in races Advice for new runners Why the most important thing is that your moving Losing your running mojo Training herself to run without music Using Strava Connect with Tasha and Black Girls Do Run UK Final words of advice and wisdom Start small and be consistent   Social Media   Instagram: @blackgirlsdorunuk    Facebook: @blackgirlsdorunuk    Twitter: @bgdrunuk    ***   The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8    Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8

Miriam in her own words:   “I am also an ordinary ultra runner. I have finished eight 50 mile ultras, three 100 mile ultras, six 24-hour, 1 48-hour ultra, and one 60 hour ultra. I also ran several virtual ultras and marathons during the Covid-19 pandemic.   I began running ultras after watching Leslie Stahl interview elite world-class ulta runners Dean Karnazes and Pam Reed on 60 Minutes in 2004.    I have been running ultras since 2005. Prior to running ultras, I completed nine marathons, eight half-marathons, one 10 miler, and five 5Ks. I have been running competitively since 1989.   I am a published author, freelance writer, interviewer, and book reviewer. You can read my publications in the Writing Life tab. In my blog you'll find interviews with ultrarunners, such as Jacob Moss, Kevin Hoegler, Dean Karnazes, Camille Herron, Bart Yasso, Charlie Engle, Pamela Chapman Markle, Catra Corbett, Gene Dykes, and Peter Morgan.I  write book reviews, and articles about gardening, the national parks, spirituality, cancer caregiving, and more.    I am a cancer caregiver. I have been running virtual ultra running events during the Covid-19 pandemic to raise money for a GoFundMe campaign I established - Ultra Care for Cancer Caregivers."    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE     Show notes Who is Miriam Born and raised in Connecticut  Starting to get into running after a break-up 2005 - running her first 50 mile Ultra Marathon Getting hooked on ultra running Why she loves running Plotting her next ultra Turning 63 years young Being a writer and a blogger in 2017 Writing for the Huffington Post and working on her memoir  Being her husbands cancer care giver  Learning more about her childhood and early years Not being athletic as a child  Being the tallest girl in the class Using running to reduce stress Running 9 marathons but finding that there were too many people Placing 3rd in her first 24hr race Running a 3 mile loop around a lake in Massachusetts Dealing with some health challenges Having a hysterectomy in 2012 Dealing with complications post surgery Allowing her body time to heal Going back to her first ultra Running an ultra of gratitude Mental resilience while running Using running to heal her body Feeling blessed to be running Why she knows she is never running alone Feeling god’s presence  Running with purpose  Coming in dead last in her 2nd ultra and why it was joyful  Focusing on track ultras Making running work for her and John Celebrating her 60th birthday by running 60 miles on a 1 mile loop Dedicating a run to John and his surgeons  Running for others and wanting to raise funds for Cancer Care Givers Ultra Care for Cancer Care Givers  Training for her 30th ultra track race 99 laps to go! Pacing while running on a track  Running speed to reach 100 miles  How her running speed has changed over the years Starting off fast on track races What can happened during track ultra races Dealing with variables that you can’t control Not wanting to risk any injury Fuelling and nutrition while running ultra races Having a vanilla milkshake at 50 miles  The power of ginger and how it helps with feelings of nausea  Dealing with sleep deprivation at mile 60/70 Starting to do strength training and going indoor climbing Not doing anything differently for rest and recovery Sleep is overrated!!!! Waking up automatically at 7am  Going to bed at 1am/2am  Her love of reading and writing book reviews for her website blog Having over 1,300 books in her home  How you can connect with Miriam How she got the name UltraMiriam Final words of advice to get you into ultra running Why you should work your way up and build up endurance Why you shouldn’t compare yourself to other runners   Social Media   Website: www.miriamdiazgilbert.com   Facebook: @ultramiriam   Twitter: @ultramiriam   Instagram: @ultramiriam    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZtmb5-6ke5qkoVGMVRpCqw    ***   The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8    Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.    Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8

In 2019 Sarah was crowned World Cup champion by the World Mountain Running Association.    After a series of seven races throughout the season, including a win in Wales, Sarah secured victory with a second place in Slovenia, the final race in the series.   Sarah is a Cumbrian-based athlete, a brand ambassador for Inov-8 – who sponsor the Lakeland Trails series – an Irish international mountain runner (representing her country no less than 25 times!), a qualified ecologist and a professional running coach.    She lives with her partner – and fellow Inov-8 brand ambassador – Paul Tierney and their two border collies, Quilla and Lupo, in a shepherd’s hut in Windermere.   “You can’t have a good race every time, but you can gain something from each and every run.  If you have a bad race, find one or two positives to take away from it, even if it’s just something you now know you’d do differently, and then start looking ahead to the next one.”   Info/Stats:   UK Athletics-Certified Trail & Fell Running Coach PhD Biogeochemistry, MPhil Chemistry BSc (Hons) Biochemistry Mountain Running World Cup Winner 2019 Italian Mountain Running & Vertical Kilometre Champion 2020 Top ten - World/European Mountain Running Championships - 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018 Winner, Snowdon International Mountain Race 2014, 2015, 2019 European Cross Country Championships Team Gold 2012 Irish Cross-Country Champion 2014 5k PB 15:46 / 10k PB 33:33   Listen to Sarah now!    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE     Show notes Being based out of the Lake District usually Woking as a running coach Living in a camper van in Spain Welcoming the sunshine Doing van life for the past 5 years Heading to the Alps and Ireland Growing up and her early years Racing short races from 6 years old Moving to America and having the American high school experience  Moving back to the UK at 21 Being on the girls track team Going to college/university to study biochemistry and joining the running team in her final year of Michigan State University  Training with the university team and learning how to become a better runner Her ambitions with running  What happened after leaving university   Not seeing a future in running and focusing on getting a job in the UK Doing a Masters at Sheffield University, UK Winning her first race in 5 years Key races and her love of the Italian mountain races  How running makes her feel  Loving the simplicity of running  Getting into cycling  What is mountain running and how it’s different from ultra running  Climbing at a 30% gradient Running uphill? Running or power walking? Why walking is encouraged Not fully trusting her ankles  Magical moments in races that really stands out Training and working with a running coach - Robbie Simpson  Example of a training session for the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race  Dealing with injury Rest and recovery  Mental side of running and Sarah’s top tips and advice  Writing down goals…. The Dream Race — Jungfrau Marathon 2022 Taking the van to Switzerland Having 3 passports! The early start of van life and how it progressed A day in the life of Sarah Nutrition and fueling being a vegetarian and focusing on protein at every meal Working with a running coach Being supported by Inov-8 and working as an ambassador Connect with Sarah online  Final words of advice and wisdom for women who want to get into running How having the right gear can help with confidence in the mountains    Social Media   Website: www.missinglinkcoaching.co.uk    Instagram: @missinglinkcoach    Facebook: @MissingLinkCumbria    ***   The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 throughout March.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8

Lois @lois_lo_lo - lives in Luton, is a GP, Teaching lecturer in Medical Education and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead. She is passionate about running and staying active and sharing her enthusiasm for running with others.    She has always been interested in sports, playing netball and basketball competitively for many years. Running was always a reserve activity for her, something to do between seasons, when she felt guilty about her inactivity. This all changed after her second son, and a move to Luton. Not having the time to play netball, and balancing work with her young family, Lois initially began home HIIT workouts and circuit training, but frequent interruptions for nappy changes and feeds left her feeling unsatisfied.    She decided to go for a run one afternoon and was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable and uninterrupted this session (or type) of exercise could be. She immediately swapped her home workouts for outdoor runs. These quickly increased infrequency and within a few months Lois was running 4-5km every day.    She hasn’t looked back since, and except for a few days in 2019, and no missed days since March 2020, Lois has been running daily ever since. Most recently her #NoExcuses ethos was put to the test, during her last pregnancy.    Struggling with nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, ever changing bra sizes, and pubic-symphysis (pelvic) pain in the last trimester all meant that Lois relied heavily on the habit she had built up over the past 2 years to get her through her runs. She managed to continue to run throughout her pregnancy, and continues to run daily, including just 9 hours after delivery!   For Lois, running is more than just about the physical movement- it’s become meditative, a tool of self-discipline, a reminder how incredible our bodies are, and continues to be her self-care time- a time when she can focus solely on herself.    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    Throughout March the Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8. Get your exclusive 15% discount code by signing up HERE   Show Notes Who is Dr. Lois Having been involved in sports since a young age Being competitive in school Playing netball and basketball at university Enjoying team sports and being socially active Becoming a mum Spending time with her family and what she loves to do with them Pregnancy and giving birth to her youngest Running after having her first child Wanting to go out and move after birth Enjoying activities like running, netball and basketball Moving to Luton Exercising on her own after her second son Challenges and how she managed her time Giving time for herself Running regularly five months after her second childbirth Trying to be consistent and doing an early morning run "Being intentional is being consistent." Having no reason why she shouldn't run Not wanting to miss out on running for whatever reason Using a running app Being part of running clubs and communities Identifying herself as a runner Doing her best to keep up Benefits of running for her physically and psychologically Finding running as meditative Her thoughts about running with a baby Bad runs in her running journey Losing control of her body in the first trimester Getting back to running and enjoy it as her goal Quick Fire Questions Final words of advice Social Media   Instagram: @Lois_lo_lo https://www.instagram.com/lois_lo_lo/?hl=en    ***   The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   You can still get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.    Website: www.toughgirlchallenges.com/marchdailymile

After a few months of feeling unwell, Sara’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.   Following a haemorrhage and major brain surgery that left her unable to walk, with impaired vision and balance, as well as permanent profound hearing loss, she has been focused on getting back everything the tumour took away from her, and much more.   Now she’s sharing the story of how she overcame adversity to get from sickbed to summits.   During this episode Sara shares more about how she got back into running, going after her first ultra and how she approaches new and difficult challenges.   Sara in her own words about her next challenge:   “In September 2022, to show others that despite life throwing curveballs our way we can still achieve, I aim to run from Land's End to John 'Groats. I will be covering a distance of approximately 855 miles over 20 days.   I'll be leaving from Land's End on the morning of Monday 5th September, and with the help of some friends l'll be running between 40 to 50 miles a day, mostly on road.   Yes, I have my concerns. Running, however, is the least of them! I wonder how much of a problem my tinnitus will be with having road noise around me for approximately 10 hours a day. I worry about not hearing traffic around me (as I have no direction of sound).    I'm also apprehensive about how I will cope with fatigue and the nausea associated with it. I have good support around me though, and we're working hard in training to overcome these issues as best we can.”     New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Show notes Who is Sara 46 years old Her love of challenges and taking on her next big challenge Growing up in Chester and her early years Not fitting in at school and focusing on school work Meeting her husband and going waking at the weekends Getting married and having children Getting back into running about 10 years ago Starting with couch to 5k Using running to help with children behaviour Sticking with running but not have a plan How running helped to maintain her sanity Why running became enjoyable Having a love/hate relationship with running  Why you have to push yourself  Being diagnosed with a brain tumour  Needing to have an operation in May 2018 Having a rare complication  Dealing with everything that was going on The challenges of recovery Losing her hearing and struggling with balance Wanting a new normal which would be better that the old normal Getting back into running after surgery Struggling with motion sickness Deciding to sign up for an Ultra Marathon  The challenges of fatigue Wanting to push her limits Meeting Danielle Gibbons @danigibbo1   Starting to train for her first ultra Not being able to go longer than 40 mins  Running her own ultra - The Sandstone Trail Being supported by friends and family Why running fast isn’t an option  Deciding to run the length of the UK (LEJOG) Looking for support and funding and building up a support team The mental approach for taking on these big, physical challenges Having to figure out the process Breaking down the process into individual steps Taking it one step at a time Figuring out sleep  Wanting to run 40 - 45 miles a day Learning how to manage fatigue  Writing her book - Sickbeds to Summit  Dealing with the trauma and addressing the feeling it brings up The good stuff that has come out of the challenges September 2022 Finals words of advice “Don’t overthink it and don’t talk yourself out of it”    Social Media   Website: www.saracrosland.com    Instagram: @saracrosland    Facebook: @sickbedtosummits    Twitter: @saracrosland    ********   The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE    You can still get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.   Website: www.toughgirlchallenges.com/marchdailymile

Janelle in her own words:   “Trail runner born and raised in the front range of Colorado. Started running as a kid with my dad then picked it back up in high school and went to Colorado State University on track and cross country scholarship.  Started racing on trails in 2020 and have had a couple wins at broken arrow sky race and the golden trail national series race in the Azores.   Signed on with Inov-8 as an ambassador at the beginning of 2022”   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8 supporting the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Show Notes Who is Janelle Being nomadic and moving between places Growing up in Colorado Playing a lot of soccer growing up  Getting into running with her dad Running well in track and getting a scholarship to a local college Becoming an An All American in the steeplechase Finding trail running Being a smoker in high school Feeling like a natural runner Feeling her best while running Her dreams as a little girl and wanting to be a professional soccer player Her love of running and what’s going through her head Working through issues while running Mantra and the power of simple words Strength, freedom, fast Positive Self Talk What is an All American… Making the transition from the track to running trails Falling in love with trails running Being competitive and her relationship with competition Focusing on the experience of running Leaving college and not having a plan Money as a motivator  Living a very frugal lifestyle Magical moments while out running  Challenges while out running on the mountains Hitting mile 23 and struggling and needing to walk the final few miles Being inspired by other runners Training for races and what a typical week looks like Wanting to be more focused with training  Loving running all distances from 1 mile to marathons  Running goals for 2022 Tips and advice for running uphill Advice for running downhill Loving toe-yoga  The Broken Arrow Race Rest and recovery after a race Advice for new runners  Running in a place that inspires you! Advice for runners who have lost their mojo Why the hardest part is just getting out there and going Connect with Janelle Instagram vibes Quick Fire Questions Final words of advice   Social Media   Instagram: @janellelincks      The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8    Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.    Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8

Mariam Kilpatrick is a Women's Health Physiotherapist and ultra-runner based in Glasgow, Scotland. She is an outdoor enthusiast and can usually be found up a hill in the Highlands of Scotland or travelling and exploring new places with her young family in their camper van.    It may come as a surprise to a lot of people, but Mariam only took up trail running after the birth of her daughter in 2017 when her husband decided to surprise her by entering her into an "ultra" six months after giving birth. As it happened, it turned out it was as part of a team relay with 3 other people and she was assigned to run 10 miles out of the total 50-mile race.    Nevertheless, Mariam stepped up to the challenge and worked hard to achieve her postpartum goal of running 10 hilly miles in the Ochils - her first experience running on the trails in Scotland. Since then, she has been bitten by the bug and to date has run several trail marathons, mountain and sky-running races and ultramarathons with her most recent achievement in 2021, running the full West Highland Way, Scotland's most famous long distance trail which is 96 miles (155km) long. Her goal was to run it in under-24 hours.    As a women's health physiotherapist and a mother herself, Mariam's biggest passion is helping new mums through their postpartum journey. She hopes that her own personal experience will inspire and empower other women to achieve their goals  - whether it's returning to their sport such as  running, or simply just feeling back to themselves again after giving birth.     New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday & Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8 supporting the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE     Show notes Who is Mariam Being based in Scotland Her love of the outdoors and exploring Scotland Wanting to help other women return to running and sport after having a baby Her early years and where her accent comes from  Growing up in New Zealand and moving to Australia Taking up trail running after having her daughter in 2017 Being entered into a 50 mile trail ultra marathon 6 months after giving birth… Meeting her husband and moving to Scotland Her pregnancy and birth story  Working what a PT and doing gym classes Getting back to fitness after giving birth Putting on 3 stone during pregnancy Getting into running after pregnancy  Using the walk run strategy and trying to build up time on feet Training for the final 10 miles of an ultra Not feeling ready for the race Being coached by Jonny @jonnykilpatrick  Starting to identify as a runner  Juggling training and childcare How the running goals evolved over time Thinking about running the West Highland Way (95 miles) in a day Wanting to see what else she could do Entering the WHW ballot  Following a training plan  Figuring out how to fit in running around her life and work Not being able to race the WHW due to covid and restrictions Going ahead with the challenge Making the challenge work for her and her family  Doing the technical section in the pitch black Coming off caffeine before the WHW Having stomach issues 80s power ballads Counting and keeping the legs moving Getting the nutrition in  Feeling emotional and crying it all out The final push - wanting to run the distance in 24 hrs Wanting to get it done The final 14 miles  4 miles downhill and giving everything she had left The finish of the run 23 hrs and 57 mins The picture from the finish line - https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWWl92rHXO/ Connect with Mariam  Final words of advice for runner and new mothers   Social Media   Instagram: @mariam_kilpatrick   ***************************   The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 throughout March.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8

Sophie in her own words:   “I am a solicitor and mum of one, currently pregnant with my second. I’m a runner, outdoor swimmer, paddle boarder and host of the What Next Mum Podcast.  I have been running for 12 years and have run plenty of half and full marathons.  When I had my son I had a real fear that I would lose my identity as a runner but that hasn’t been the case.    Since having him I cycled the 100 mile ride London 4 months post birth and ran a one day 100km/62 mile race.   Since then I have continued to do my own self made running adventures, including running the Jurassic Coast over 3 days, the West Mendip Way and running along the Wye Valley.  I started the What Next Mum Podcasts, so I could talk to like minded women and share their stories to inspire other mums to ditch the mum guilt and get out there.  I am also a keen outdoor swimmer, this is my fifth winter. I’m a rubbish swimmer but love being in the water and will be swimming to the Isle of Wight in September."     New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. Run 1 mile everyday in March.    Show Notes Who is Sophie  Being pregnant with her 2nd child Being an outdoor enthusiast  Getting pregnant at 40 Feeling a little bit anxious Growing up in a large family Liking running at school Turning 16 and dropping all sports Moving to Japan for 3 years Starting work as a solicitor and taking up running again Her running journey Being encouraged to get into running  Identifying as a runner only recently  Getting into trail running Stopping and starting with running Life in her 20s Needing time for herself after her first child was born Training for a 100k/62 mile race in a day Being told she didn’t need to finish the race The challenges of running 100k in a day  Trying to enjoy the day as much as possible Giving birth…  Getting back into running  Using the bike for cross training Starting the What Next Mum Podcast Wanting to connect with other mum runners Finding time during lockdown Why it’s ok for mums to put themselves first Mum guilt  Having a good support network The power of support from other women Running with her brother Bob Nutrition and eating while ultra running Trying to stay away from sugar Carrying gear in a 25L bag Structuring the day  Magical moments on trips and type 2 fun! Getting in to FKTs (Fastest Knowns Times) Being less interested in racing Wanting to run the Isle of White Coast Path Working with a coach and using a 16 week training plan Getting some new ideas for training Cold water swimming while pregnant Running while pregnant and supporting the bump How to connect with Sophie Final words of advice   Social Media   Website: www.whatnextmum.com    Instagram: @Ruffles_onthemove    Facebook: What Next Mum Podcast      The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8    Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.    Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8