Paula's Run Club

World record-breaking runner Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian Chris Thompson guide you through week eleven of marathon training. With just six weeks to go until the London Marathon, who better to give you the inside scoop than Hugh Brasher, Event Director. In this episode, Hugh shares stories from the marathon’s origins, reveals what’s new for 2025, and gives expert advice on how to have your best race day experience.You’ll learn:✅ What not to do on race day (so many runners get this wrong!)✅ The surprising reason London is less crowded despite record numbers✅ How to plan your pre-race morning for zero stress✅ The best places for spectators to cheer you onAny questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.comTimecodes:09:30 – Hugh Brasher on the London Marathon’s origins & his family’s legacy21:00 – Race day strategy: Hydration, pacing, and avoiding common mistakes30:00 – What makes the London Marathon so special (crowds, charities, and atmosphere)40:00 – Hugh’s running goal: Can he break a British record at 60?This podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15. Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recovery is the key to supporting your best marathon performance, and in this episode, Paula Radcliffe and Christopher Thompson sit down with elite physiotherapist Gerard Hartman—a man whose legendary hands have kept 61 Olympic medalists in peak condition! Gerard shares expert insights on stretching, strength work, and why massage isn’t just for fixing problems—it’s a tool for longevity in running. Plus, Paula reflects on her Tokyo Marathon recovery and what she learned the hard way. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.comTimecodes:3:45 – Paula’s Tokyo Marathon recovery update – lessons learned9:30 – Why massage is essential, even when you’re not injured18:15 – How elite athletes recover: Stretching, strength & alignment28:50 – The impact of carbon plate shoes on injury risk35:00 – The one exercise every runner should be doing for strong feet45:20 – Listening to your body: Why small niggles matter52:10 – Heart rate concerns? What to check before race day1:00:00 – Training during Ramadan – Special insight from Sifan Hassan1:02:44 – Meet Isaac: A powerful story from Children with Cancer UKThis podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15. Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World record-breaking runner Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian Chris Thompson guide you through week nine of marathon training. We start though, with Paula's return to marathon running with the highs and lows of her Tokyo Marathon journey, breaking down her sub-3 performance, the perils of going out too fast, and what she learned from the race. Sitting next to Paula is Nicola Carragher, who was running for Alder Hey Children's Charity. Plus, legendary runner, commentator and coach Steve Cram, talks about the importance of pacing, race-day tactics, and how to best prepare before the London Marathon on the day itself. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.comTimecodes:1:21 - Paula’s Tokyo Marathon Experience5:48 - Mid-Race Struggles & Adjustments13:05 - Biggest Takeaways from Tokyo18:08 - The importance of pacing yourself early23:19 - Time on feet vs. distance-based training31:49 – The Power of Mental Strength in Marathons46:36 – Preparing for the London Marathon Start Line53:46 – Listener Questions & Recovery TipsThis podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15. Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/ Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World record-breaking runner Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian Chris Thompson guide you through week eight! In this episode, they're joined by renowned performance psychiatrist and author of 'The Chimp Paradox', Dr. Steve Peters to explore the mental strategies essential for marathon training. They talk about the importance of mindset, the psychological aspects of hitting 'the wall', techniques for pushing through fatigue, and strategies for managing anxiety and adrenaline on race day. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.comTimecodes:4:43 – Steady Pacing 10:59 – Introducing mental training and how a strong mindset is crucial.11:52 – Pre-planning responses to fatigue.17:30 – Mental rehearsal for unforeseen race events and having a clear plan.19:14 – Tackling the Wall29:27 – Facing Doubt: Using rational decision-making to counter inner fears.31:07 – Fuel vs. Feelings39:22 – Overcoming Late-Race Fatigue: Techniques like distraction and visualisingThis podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15.Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World record-breaking runner Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian Chris Thompson guide you through a crucial stage of marathon training—week seven! They discuss long-run strategies, fuelling for performance, and how to train your gut for marathon day. Paula also shares insights on overcoming illness while training and her fuelling experiments leading up to Tokyo. Plus, expert guest Wendy Rogers breaks down the science behind gels, hydration, and how to avoid the dreaded marathon wall. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.comTimecodes:4:25 – How Paula's adjusted her running after illness.10:00 – The science behind glycogen depletion.12:06 – Expert Wendy Rogers on Gels & Hydration25:00 – Why plain water isn’t enough.35:18 – Should You Use Caffeine Gels?39:40 – Should you wear your carbon racing shoes in training? (Q&A)This podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15.Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World record-breaking runner Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian Chris Thompson guide you through week 6 of marathon training. For this episode, they're joined by model-turned-impressive runner, Nell McAndrew - who went from running just for fun to clocking a 2:54 marathon! She shares her training secrets, biggest lessons, and how she balanced running with life as a busy mum.Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.comTalking Points:1:50 – The Importance of Timing Long Runs Around Race Day4:37 – Morning vs. Evening Running – Which is Better?6:07 – Recovery Tips After Long Runs & Balancing Training Load8:22 – How Paula Structured Her Marathon Training Week10:13 – Adapting Training Due to Injury or Illness13:21 – Knowing When to Push & When to Rest15:50 – How Nell McAndrew Went from Running for Charity to Breaking 3 Hours18:04 – How Nell Trained for a Huge Marathon Time Drop25:38 – Why Nell Trained 100 Miles a Week & Her Speed Work Strategy34:15 – Listener Q&A: Should You Add Speed Work to Your Training?39:03 – Listener Q&A: How to Avoid Cramping in the Marathon42:14 – Listener Q&A: How to Run Back-to-Back Marathons Without InjuryThis podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15.Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Andy Jones, a renowned sports physiologist known for his work with elite marathoners like Paula Radcliffe and the Breaking2 project, shares valuable insights into marathon training. He emphasizes that running economy may be more crucial than VO2 Max for performance. The conversation covers the necessity of training faster than marathon pace to avoid hitting the wall and discusses fueling strategies for marathon success. Jones also reveals the Kenyan secret to efficiency and how aging athletes can adapt their training routines.

Harry Judd, the McFly drummer and host of the Binge! podcast, shares his incredible transformation from smoker to aspiring sub-3-hour marathoner. He discusses his training journey, including preparations for the London Marathon and his collaboration with Joel Dommett. The conversation dives into the importance of pacing, recovery techniques, and mental strategies for long runs. Listeners also get actionable tips on motivation, visualisation, and selecting the right footwear for performance, all while supporting Children with Cancer UK.

World record-breaking runner, Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian, Chris Thompson guide you through week three of your marathon training, with expert Dr. Georgie Bruinvels. They share the best strategies for recovery, nutrition, and managing the mental and physical stresses of running. From the science behind ice baths to the link between hydration and glycogen replenishment. Plus, discover how hormones impact training, the best ways to stay healthy during winter, and the small daily habits that make a big difference. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.comTimecodes:1:40 - The importance of letting go of fear in marathon training5:00 - Dr. Georgie Bruinvels shares top recovery tips7:52 - Fuelling and sleep: The two pillars of marathon success12:47 - Self-monitoring tools: Resting heart rate, hydration, and mood19:04 - Signs of overtraining and how to adjust22:44 - Nutrition tips to boost immunity and avoid illness29:19 - How hormones affect training for both men and women34:00 - Ice baths: When, why, and how they benefit recovery40:00 - Small habits for sustained training improvementsThis podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15.Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World record-breaking runner, Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian and 2010 European 10,000m silver medallist, Chris Thompson guide you through your second week of marathon training, tackling the challenges of winter marathon training. In this episode, they're joined by former middle and long-distance runner, founder of the Brighton Marathon and commentator, Tim Hutchings, to share their tips to stay motivated, especially when facing setbacks. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.com Timecodes:5:00 - 7:30: Tips for running safely in icy conditions and when to consider cross-training.10:00 - 12:00: Paula shares her personal marathon mind games and fueling strategies.14:29 - 15:40: Tim Hutchings on staying motivated and the mental benefits of running.20:00 - 23:02: Chris' embarrassing race story and the lesson it taught him about perseverance.30:00 - 32:00: Listener tips and mantras for marathon success.This podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15.Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer.To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production.Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices