Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast

Welcome back to Trails, Tales, and Fails! This week’s Ultra Tip Tuesday is all about the unsung heroes of your stride — your calves. Whether you're climbing, descending, or cruising through long miles, your calves are working overtime.We break down the difference between the gastrocnemius and the soleus, why most runners neglect one of them, and how to train both for better performance, injury prevention, and smoother movement. From straight-leg to bent-knee calf raises, we’ve got the tips to build bulletproof lower legs.🎙️ Want to support the pod? Check out our Patreon in the show notes.👟 Join our Facebook community to share your strength wins and fails — we’ve all had both.

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails, Max flies solo and is joined by returning guest Daniel, fresh off completing the 130-mile Leeds–Liverpool Canal Race.We dive into:UTMB 2025 — snow at 2,500 m, frozen hands at night, and nearly 1,000 DNFs. With Tom Evans storming to victory, Josh Wade taking 3rd, and Courtney grinding through injury to finish 10th, it was a year of resilience as much as speed.The Leeds–Liverpool Canal Race — Daniel takes us step by step through 130 miles of towpaths and mental battles.Race Toughness Index (RTI) — our brand-new scoring system breaking races down across 10 categories (terrain, weather, aid stations, fatigue, etc.) for a total toughness score out of 100. Daniel gives the Canal Race its first ever official rating.Quickfire round — bucket-list races, forgotten kit, irrational pre-race rituals, and more.👉 Join our ⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠Protein Rebel⁠ for your 15% discount.

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails we’re joined by Darren Evans, founder of The Green Runners and Pair Ups — two movements changing the way we think about running and sustainability.We dive into:🏃 Darren’s ultra running journey and what inspired him to combine running with environmental action👟 How Pair Ups helps extend the life of trainers and cut down waste🌱 Practical steps runners and races can take to reduce their footprint📝 Darren’s creative side with Three Word Odes — capturing the spirit of running in just three wordsIt’s an inspiring reminder that small changes — from repairing shoes to rethinking events — can add up to a big difference for the planet we love to explore.👉 Join our Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our Patreon — every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.🎧 Don’t forget to share the episode, leave us a rating, and help spread the word!

We’re back! After a bit of a hiatus (training, coaching, crewing — life got busy!), Max, Rob, and James are here, while Sarah preps to take on the Lakeland 100. This episode dives deep into the grit, gear, and glory of summer’s toughest ultras.We kick off with the Lakeland 100 & 50 — what makes it so brutal yet iconic? James shares his race mindset, and we chat about self-supported prep, and how runners handle mental lows without crew or course markings.Then it’s off to the heat of the Western States 100 and Badwater 135 — where bears, 45°C heat, and elite performances from UK runners took centre stage. We also pause to reflect on the tragic events at this year’s Hardrock 100.Finally, we break down Dan Lawson’s awe-inspiring South West Coast Path FKT: 630 miles in 9 days, 13 hours — no big sponsors, just trail shoes, guts, and a lot of trust in his crew.Expect laughs, deep dives, and maybe a few rants — just your usual dose of Trails, Tales, and Fails.📲 Follow, share, and drop us a rating if you enjoy the show!

In this episode of Trails, Tales & Fails, we delve into the remarkable journey of Susie Chan—a Peloton instructor, ultramarathoner, social media influencer, and award-winning author. From her humble beginnings to conquering some of the world's most gruelling races, such as Badwater 135 and MdS. Susie's story is a testament to the power of determination and resilience. Her memoir, Trails and Tribulations: The Running Adventures of Susie Chan, recently won the Sports Performance Book of the Year at the 2025 Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards . Join us as we explore her evolution from someone who did not run to becoming a beacon of inspiration in the endurance community.

In this ep, we’re joined by Paul from Performance Gains Nutrition — a performance nutritionist, university lecturer, and ultra runner with over 80 ultras under his belt, including the UTMB TDS, Bob Graham Round, and Northern Traverse.In this episode, we discuss gut training tips and strategies.Plus, we hit Paul with our trademark podcast gauntlet:🔥 Truth or Lie⚡ Quickfire Round🏃‍♂️ Celebrity Pacer🍫 Guilty PleasurePacked with laughs, insight, and no-nonsense advice from a guy who’s lived it — in the lab and on the trails.🔗 Follow Paul on Instagram: @ultra.endurance.nutritionist🌐 performancegainsnutrition.comIf you enjoy the episode, give us a share and leave a star review. It helps us reach more runners and tell more trail stories.

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails, we sit down with one of the most consistent and inspiring forces in the ultra world — Andy Glaze. A full-time firefighter, father, and ultra runner, Andy has racked up over 250 consecutive weeks of 100+ mile training — and he's still smiling.We dive into his epic Arizona 300 adventure, how he manages sleep deprivation, why kindness beats trolls, and the real mental tools that keep him moving through five-day races and daily chaos. From hallucinations and guilty pleasures to social media noise and the secret to sore feet recovery, Andy discusses it with honesty, humour, and heart.Plus: celebrity pacer, guilty pleasures, fails, quickfire round, and the ultimate advice he’d give his younger self before his first ultra. Whether you’re chasing your first ultra or your first 100-mile week, this episode is packed with the grit, laughs, and real talk you need.🎧 Grab your running shoes — and maybe some tape for your feet — and join us for a wild ride with Andy Glaze.