The Inspirational Runner Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

We have Dave Proctor with us this week, if you don’t already know Dave why not check out episode #98 where we dive into the backyard ultra.

Almost three years later we are touching base again, this time to discuss the trials and tribulations of breaking the land speed record of running the 7,159km across Canada.

Starting in Newfoundland and ending in British Columbia, it took just over two months for Dave to break Al Howie's long standing speed record of 72 days 10hrs.

In just 67 days 10hrs, with an average of 105 - 106km a day, with a consistent daily finishing time of around 10 – 11hrs, this has to be one of the most outstanding ultrarunning achievements of our era.

Dave doesn’t disappoint as he shares his methods of dealing with the pain, fueling strategies, the highs during the challenge and lows that follow. Some great links to find out more...

Irunfar Interview Dave's request form if interested in Coaching 

Coaching Request Form

After a computer crash I thought I had lost this episode which was recorded in Feb of this year, so much has changed in the ultra running world since then with Backyard records being crushed, another fun year at the Barkley and numerous 100m, 100k & 50k records being broken.

That means we are back in full swing and I was delighted to find the 'lost episode' with Harvey Lewis who is the man that just doesn't stop running, he has numerous podiums to his name, including winner of the iconic Badwater, winner of the Backyard championship and former record holder, Barkley Marathon competitor, the list goes on, and on, and on...an amazing ultra runner who has fueled numerous podiums on a plant based diet. Check out his Ultra Sign Up - Harvey Lewis immense list of achievements

Once again we have the pleasure of Noel Hanna on the podcast, some of you will remember Noel from episode #51 where we unpack his adventure on the 135 mile Bad Water race across death valley, and his succesful summit of K2 the Savage Mountain amongst other crazy endurance accompishments.

In this episode we discuss his recent winter attempt on K2 where the team of Sherpa's historically made the first summit of the savage mountain, we also unpack his 10th summit on Everest which was an amazing achievement and one that not many world explorers carry on their CV.

Great to have Noel back on the podcast, he's local to the Mourne Mountains where I spend most of my time these days. If your interested in speding a guided hike in the Mournes with myself please check out the attached facebook page and contact me via messenger. Mourne Mountain Adventures Link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MourneMountainHikes

Seven Sisters Skyline Link (promo code Inspire10) Seven Sisters Skyline 2022 (njuko.net)

A winner of the Inaugural Last one Standing, winner of the pairs escape from Meriden, competed in over 100 marathons and ultra marathons including Marathon Des Sables but he wouldn’t tell you any of this as he’s one of the most humblest, nicest guys you'll meet on course.

In this episode we breakdown last week’s Tunnel Ultra where Bobbie was the last one to DNF to finish in 3rd place having completed 189 miles, only 20 loops from the finish in arguably the hardest mental race in the UK & Ireland.

We have Sean Smith from Newry Co.Down on the show this week, Sean has just earned his second 6 star medal by completing the world major marathons for a second time, I’m not aware of anyone else in Ireland who has achieved this amazing accomplishment so thought it was worth catching up and just having a chat about his experiences.

Sean hadn’t long crossed the finish line in Boston in 2013 when the two bombs went off, in this episode Sean talks us through his experience of the event and the chaos that it caused killing 3 people.

We record this on International Women's day which is very fitting as Catherine steps into the uncharted territory to win the ladies section of Last one Standing by completing 109.2 miles which equalled the course record.

What makes this remarkable is the fact Catherine registered to support a friend who pulled out the day before with sickness and then she went on to win the race which shows what the body and mind can actually do once challenged.

LoS is a great race held at Castleward by the Atlas crew Sammy and Adrian Daye which was won this year by Peter Cromie who completed 172.2 miles, with Andy Persson pushing him to the last lap.

Catherine has really recoloured her life through running, I hope you enjoy this general chat about the race which I feel drawn to next year.

An exceptional runner Matthew has taken his marathon running from 3:18 to sub 2.59, then taking on a coach he leap frogged his performance down to 2:44 in a very short period of time.

He was there when it happened, Boston 2018 where he amazingly ran another sub 3 marathon in the worst possible weather conditions that could be thrown at you during a race.

His Sub 2:45 time has opened the door to London 2019 where he has set the goal of running a world record for the fastest marathon time dressed as a letterbox.

So why would you do such a crazy challenge well there is a very good reason, Matthew is hoping that through his race that he will bring awareness and help to raise funds for Dementia.

This is a serious disease that can effect a third of the elderly population, there is a stigma around this which Matthew is hoping to break down as awareness often leads to prevention.

You can support Matthew by helping his London Fundraiser for Dementia on the following link; https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=postbox&pageUrl=1&fbclid=IwAR3NKkYDf65JphW3lHhgoZPMQzVv0RWE9fbf_yQR5kjR7bT3iPo5HJlyhf4

We have a very informative episode this week from Evan Scully who is a remarkable individual, diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at an early age he is a successful strength and conditioning coach on the top flight working with over 100 Olympians including the likes of Mo Farah, Eliud Kipchoge and Haile Gebrselassie some of the biggest names in the sport.

In this episode we ask the question why try and make sport fair if you have genetic advantages, we creep around the world of illegal enhancements in the world of athletics, and we learn what its like to live with the most common genetic and life shorting disease Cystic Fibrosis.

Check out his blogs, and clinic...

https://www.evanscully.com/

https://www.scullytherapyclinic.com/

Eileen has found her wellbeing improve since getting back into running at the age of 59, she is a determined woman who has taken on more challenges than she would like to admit battling four marathons in four days during the Donegal Quads at the beautiful age of 63.

It's all about the craic with Eileen, there is never a dull moment when she is around.....

Collette truly does shine a light for the rest of us to follow, she started to run at the age of 40 and has run almost 600 marathons which is an astounding amount for any person taking in her into an elite group of marathon runners.

I'm not sure there's to many have ran 100 miles or 10 marathons in 10 days at the age of 68.