The Runna Podcast

Mike Wardian's ultra marathon training schedule is unlike anything you've heard.Full-time job. Two kids. 4:45am starts. And at 52 years old, he recently won the World Marathon Challenge for the third time - breaking the world record for seven 50Ks on seven continents in seven days by almost four hours!This week Kayla sits down with Mike to find out exactly how he does it. From early morning alarms to his positive mindset and focus on fun, this is a masterclass from a man who's stayed at the top of ultra marathon running for nearly 30 years.Whether you're training for your first ultramarathon or trying to fit marathon training around a full-time job and family, Mike's approach to consistency, recovery, and longevity will change how you think about the sport.In this episode: 🌍 The 7-7-7 challenge: What it takes to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days 💼 Training around a full-time job: His daily routine from 4:45am 🏃 The depletion mile: His unconventional recovery method after 100-milers 🧠 "Just be water": The mindset behind 30 years of consistent ultra racing 🎯 Longevity at 52: How Mike stays competitive, injury-free and motivatedFor anyone who wants to run further, last longer, and never stop enjoying it.🎙️ Share your thoughts on The Runna Podcast in our new audience survey here: https://runna.typeform.com/to/QaEpqhlk 🎧 New episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices from the running community.🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26 And if you're just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can a pro cyclist simply swap the bike for running shoes? 🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️In this episode of The Runna Podcast, hosts Ben and Anya sit down with Manon Lloyd, former Team GB pro cyclist and GCN presenter, as she swaps the velodrome for the road and trains for her first half marathon with Runna.Manon shares the brutal reality of being a beginner again after years at the top of elite sport. She opens up about stepping away from performance-driven goals and shares specific challenges cyclists face when transitioning to running, including impact tolerance and the ‘ego trap’.Highlights include: 🛑 The ‘Engine’ Trap: Why cyclists get injured 🧠 Ego vs. Reality: How to stop impatience from derailing your progress. 🩹 Injury Prevention: Specific advice for athletes coming from low-impact sports. 🤝 Community: Why running clubs and social support are vital for women in sport.Packed with Coach Ben's running advice (covering shoes, mileage, and sustainable training tips), this episode is great for cyclists starting to run, if you’re returning from injury, or if you’re training for your first race!🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community. 🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26And if you’re just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, which some listeners may find upsetting. If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. In the UK, Beat Eating Disorders offers confidential support at beateatingdisorders.org.uk. In the US, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) at nationaleatingdisorders.org. “It’s about what your body can do - not what it looks like.”Recorded in Chicago following the Marathon, Coach Anya Culling sits down with NCAA Champion Allie Ostrander to explore what happens when performance comes at the cost of health. Known for her success in the 3,000m steeplechase, 5K, and trail running, Allie’s career appeared picture-perfect. But behind the medals, she was being tested in ways her training never prepared her for.Allie reflects on her battle with an eating disorder, the female athlete triad, and RED-S, and how she rebuilt trust in her body, redefined success, and returned to a joy-centred approach in her training. Highlights Include:👟 Alaska Roots: Growing up outdoors & learning to love running 🏆 Elite Performance: The pressure of being an NCAA champion & pro athlete 🧠 The Perfectionism Trap: Navigating an eating disorder, RED-S, and running burnout❤️ Injury Cycles: How to rebuild trust in a broken body 🏃‍♀️ Joy-First Training: Redefining success beyond times, medals, and resultsThis episode is a powerful reminder that in running, what your body can do will always matter more than how it looks!🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community. 🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26And if you’re just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The number one thing that helps me mentally is physical movement”.This week on The Runna Podcast, hosts Ben and Anya sit down with broadcaster and presenter Roman Kemp as he begins his Return to Running journey with Runna.Listen as Roman shares why he’s picking up running again, and how movement truly improves his mental health - providing structure, perspective, and anxiety relief. Roman shares how running sparks his best ideas, why removing vanity has changed his training approach, and the damaging impact of rigid life goals.From men’s mental health, to Harry Styles, and his recent Celebrity Race Across The World victory, this hilarious, yet deeply human episode is perfect company for your next run or rest day! Highlights Include:🔁 The mental health benefits of running🎯 “Preparation meets opportunity” - the secret to luck🌍 Behind the Scenes on Celebrity Race Across The World If you’re returning to running yourself or looking for a powerful tool to boost your mental wellbeing, you’ll love this conversation! 🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community. 🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26And if you’re just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting running is easy. Sticking with it is the hard part.In this New Year episode, Ben and Anya break down exactly how to build running consistency and avoid another stop-start cycle that fades by February. Whether you’re looking for beginner running advice, returning after time off, or setting your goals for 2026, this episode is designed to help you build consistency without burnout, avoid the all-or-nothing mindset, and finally make running part of your life - not just your race calendar. What You'll Learn: 👟Why most runners struggle to stay consistent (and how to fix it) 🧠The all-or-nothing trap that leads to burnout, injury, and quitting 👥 Why starting smaller than you think leads to bigger long-term results📅 How scheduling your runs properly changes everything🎧 Finding joy in running - even when motivation is low📛 Why bad runs don’t matter (and how to bounce back fast)👟Simple tricks to reduce friction and actually get out the doorThis isn’t about chasing PBs or signing up for another event. It’s about becoming someone who runs.🎧 New episodes every Friday with Olympic legends, elite runners, and expert coaching advice.🎉Is this the year you become a Runna? Try our new and improved plans: https://www.runna.com/en-gb/training/new-to-running-plan🎁 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.