Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This is the second upload of this as the audio didn't come out great the first time around, especially in the first couple of minutes. Thanks for the feedback.

In this episode of Trails, Tales, and Fails, Max and Sarah sit down with ultra runner Tom Joly, who shares his incredible journey from triathlons to ultra running. We dive into his breakthrough performances, including finishing 16th at UTMB 2023 as the top UK finisher, setting course records, and transitioning from Ironman to elite ultra running. Tom opens up about his training, sponsorship deal with Kailas Fuga, and his goals of becoming a professional ultra runner. Tune in for a candid conversation on pushing limits and chasing big dreams in the world of ultra running!

Today, we’re joined by the incredible ultra runner Laura Watts, an endurance powerhouse who has tackled some of the most brutal races on the planet. She’s a three-time Badwater 135 finisher (with a fourth attempt coming up!), winner of the Winter Downs 100, Leeds Liverpool Canal Race, and Kennet and Avon Canal Race, and—just for fun—ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks. Whether it’s scorching heat or relentless mud, Laura doesn’t just survive—she thrives.

We dig into:
🏜 Surviving Badwater 135 – Running 135 miles through Death Valley at 50°C.
❄ Battling the Winter Downs 100 – Cold, hills, mud, and total darkness.
🏃 52 Marathons in 52 Weeks – How do you keep going when your body says no?
🔥 Extreme Heat vs. Cold – Which is tougher, and what’s next?
🤣 Fails, epic moments, and unexpected trail surprises.

Grab your hydration packs, lace up, and hit play! 🎧

If you love the pod, share it, rate it, and leave us a review—it helps more runners find us!

Join me as I interview ultra runner, full-time teacher, and busy mum, Sarah Page. Since starting ultra running in 2023, Sarah has won the UltraX Spring Series 75k, Centurion SDW100, NDW100, and finished a respectable 7th female in her first international race at the UTMB Istria 110k. We discuss how she fits ultra training into her busy schedule, also reveals her dream celebrity pacer.

What does it take to survive 268 miles of brutal winter conditions, 10,000m of climbing, and almost a full week of sleep deprivation? Meet Tim Secker, an ultrarunner who conquered the Montane Winter Spine Race in 166 hours and 17 minutes.

Tim is in his 50s and proves that grit, resilience, and mental toughness can prove to be more important than speed. In this episode, we break down, previous Spine failures, and his 2025 Spine Race experience, from battling extreme cold and relentless bogs to pushing through his darkest moments.

If you’re into ultra running, endurance mindset, or extreme racing, this one’s for you.

Arc of Attrition 100 – Debrief with Rob Nugent, Max Stuart & 2nd Place Female Sarah Page

Brutal weather before, relentless mud, and 100 miles of Cornish coastline—this year’s Arc of Attrition was one for the books! 🏃‍♂️💨

Join Rob Nugent as he sits down with Max Stuart and Sarah Page (2nd place female!) to break down their epic race experiences. From the toughest sections of the course to unexpected challenges and hard-earned lessons, they share the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Whether you're training for your own ultra or just love a good race story, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and some serious grit.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to like, share, and follow us on Spotify!

In this festive yet ultra-focused episode of Miles, Mishaps, and Mayhem, Max, Sarah, and Rob dive into the challenges of staying motivated and training over the Christmas period—balancing indulgence with endurance. They discuss preparing for the notorious Arc of Attrition 100, including kit essentials, and whether having a crew is worth the drama (spoiler: it depends who’s crewing!).

Expect plenty of laughs and some valuable tips to get you through the darkest days of winter running.

Whether you’re gearing up for an epic race or just trying to stay on track during the holidays, this episode has something for every ultra-runner. Tune in!

Max, Sarah and Rob dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of ultra-running from two distinct perspectives: James Yeardley, an experienced ultra-runner who has completed numerous races including Lakeland 100 and MDS, and Meg, a 22-year-old female athlete starting out in a sport where her demographic is significantly underrepresented. Through their stories, the podcast explores themes of mentorship, empowerment, and redefining limits across generations and genders.

Get ready for an episode packed with laughs and insight as Miles, Mishaps, and Mayhem chats with legendary Portsmouth runner Daniel Del Piccolo! We dive deep into the highs and lows of ultra running and how to survive the ultimate endurance challenge: balancing it all with relationships. Join hosts Max Stuart, Rob Nugent, and Sarah Page as they discuss secrets to keeping the peace at home. It’s ultra advice with a dash of chaos – don’t miss it!

Join Rob, Sarah, and I as we unpack some truly outrageous ultra running stories. From a stag do in Gdansk, to a bizarre encounter on the Centurion North Downs Way 100, the stories get wilder with every mile. And just when you think it can't get stranger, Rob reveals 2 Truths and a Lie that will leave you questioning reality. Plus, could peanut butter really solve a common ultra running problem? You won’t want to miss this one!

In this episode, I answer the question, 'what is the best exercise to do for ultra runners?'. Also, I interview road and ultra runner, and Instagram content creator, Gary Blackman. Join us, as Garry opens up on injury, social media, and his running journey, which has included 55 ultra events and marathons spanning 25 years. Enjoy.