The Women's Running Podcast
Esther Newman
Running is the one thing that we all like talking about. Every week on the award winning Women’s Running podcast, we talk all things running, women, health and fitness with our own brand of happy, irreverent chat. Esther and Holly talk through their training highs and lows, and all the bits and pieces in-between. Every so often, we invite an expert to join us to help us figure out the confusing worlds of training, recovery, nutrition, health and more. And sometimes we get to talk to an incredible woman from the world of running, from Anna McNuff to Paula Ra...
Ep 236. Menopause ranting and injuries
Welcome to episode 236 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah. Coopah are offering all pod squadders a 2-week free trial of their app and then giving 20% off their standard annual subscription price. Just download the Coopah app and use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up. O
Ep 7. Start to Run: Injuries
Welcome back to the Start to Run podcast series. As part of the Women’s Running podcast, we’re sharing these special episodes every Monday to help you get yourself moving, and you can find the first 6 episodes now wherever you get your podcasts. Whether you’re a newbie or an old hand, welcome to the gang – let’s get back to basics, cut through the crap and make running simple again.Before we get into it, we’d recommend joining our Patreon if you want to chat to other runners just like you. From
Ep 235. Supplements & menopause
Welcome to episode 235 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Supplements for sleepFirst off I’m chatting about supplements: I’ve discovered magnesium – both in cream form (shout out Ancient Minerals) and also in tablet form, and think it’s been helping a lot with the whole perimenopausal sleep thing. More menopau
Ep 6. Start to Run: Strength
Welcome back to our brand new podcast series that we’re calling Start to Run. As part of the Women’s Running podcast, we’ll be sharing these special episodes every Monday to help you get yourself moving. Whether you’re a newbie or an old hand, welcome to the gang – let’s get back to basics, cut through the crap and make running simple again.Why do I need to do strength training?Notoriously, us runners avoid strength training like the plague. But we absolutely need to be doing it. And the good ne
Ep 234. Toenails and runner's high
Welcome to episode 234 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Toenails & runner's highToenail trigger warning right from the start here, as we start off by talking about black toenails, so sorry about that. We also talk about runner’s high, and the fallacy that this is, and try to reframe it a little bit.Coopah t
Ep 5. Start to Run: Training plans
Welcome back to our brand new podcast series that we’re calling Start to Run. As part of the Women’s Running podcast, we’ll be sharing these special episodes every Monday to help you get yourself moving. Whether you’re a newbie or an old hand, welcome to the gang – let’s get back to basics, cut through the crap and make running simple again.What kind of training plan should I use?Esther and I are talking training plans this week – what are they, what do they look like and how do you know which o
Ep 233. National Running Show
Welcome to episode 233 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.National Running ShowToday, we’re talk about the National Running Show, which we’ve just come back
Ep 4. Start to Run: Kit
Welcome back to our brand new podcast series that we’re calling Start to Run. As part of the Women’s Running podcast, we’ll be sharing these special episodes every Monday to help you get yourself moving. If you’ve missed the first coupe of episodes then don’t stress – you can find episodes one and two out now wherever you get your pods. We’re not following a specific plan together, so set yourself whatever goal you want to achieve – we’ll be checking in and catching up each week to support you a
Ep 232. Training, psychology, Traitors
Welcome to episode 232 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.Marathon trainingWe’re talking training, and we’re talking pop psychology – two of our most favouri
Ep 3. Start to Run: Motivation
Welcome back to our brand new podcast series that we’re calling Start to Run. As part of the Women’s Running podcast, we’ll be sharing these special episodes every Monday to help you get yourself moving. If you’ve missed the first coupe of episodes then don’t stress – you can find episodes one and two out now wherever you get your pods. We’re not following a specific plan together, so set yourself whatever goal you want to achieve – we’ll be checking in and catching up each week to support you a
Ep 231. Marathon training and Quitter's Day
Welcome to episode 231 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.MarathonToday, we’re almost immediately talking about our marathon training. I’ve taken on Jordan’s
Ep 2. Start to Run: pace & distance
Welcome back to our brand new podcast series that we’re calling Start to Run. As part of the Women’s Running podcast, we’ll be sharing these special episodes every Monday to help you get yourself moving. Whether you’re a runner who’s been around the block a few times or this is all completely new to you, these episodes should have all the tools you need to make running feel simple. Each week, we’re tackling a different FAQ as we get back to basics, cut through the crap and make running simple ag
Ep 230. Marathon training begins with Coopah
Welcome to episode 230 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.Marathon trainingWe’ve got a corker of an episode for you today – top of the bill, we’ve got Jordan
Ep 1. Start to Run: walking
In this brand new series from the Women’s Running Podcast, we’re making running simple again. Every week on Start to Run, Esther and Holly will cover a common myth, frequently asked question or tricky topic and get back down to basics. Whether you’re a seasoned runner returning from some time off or a total newbie, we’re here to help you get moving and to remind you that running doesn’t have to be complicated.Walking, ‘Jeffing’ and taking it slowAre y
Ep 229. Happy new year!
Welcome to episode 229 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.New year runningHappy new year, Pod Squad! We’re straight into it, thinking about resolutions and r
Ep 228. Boxing Day running
Welcome to episode 228 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year. Boxing DayIt’s boxing day, and we’re already talking about ripping down the decorations
Ep 227. Christmas food, fun and quiz
Welcome to episode 227 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.Christmas partyAt time of recording, it’s the day after our Christmas party, so we complete all thi
Ep 10. Am I Nuts... for worrying about Christmas?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the last episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many of our worries, we’ve thought we were the only ones. We thought we were nuts. During this series, we’ve been chatting about the worries that make us feel that way – and ten episodes isn’t enough! If this episode resonates with you, or you have somet
Ep 226. Christmas, running, booze
Welcome to episode 226 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.ChristmasChristmas is creeping up and we’re getting stressed about it, which shouldn’t shock anyone
Ep 9. Am I Nuts... For worrying about friends?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the 9th episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.In this podcast, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many of our worries, we’ve thought we were the only on
Ep 225. Alcohol, Dry January and running
Welcome to episode 225 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Coopah, the running app. Use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up for 2 free weeks and a further 20% off for a whole year.We start off by talking about running. Controversial. But then for some reason move on the Bath Chr
Ep 8. Am I Nuts... for worrying about worrying?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the 8th episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.In this podcast, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many of our worries, we’ve thought we were the only ones. W
Ep 224. Storms and awards
Welcome to episode 224 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.StormsWe start off by talking about the man of the moment: Storm Bert. We’ve both had some experiences and are keen to chat about whether or not we deserved the weather that we got. I ran in it and Holly drove in it, and I think she came off worse.Award
Ep 7. Am I Nuts... for worrying about poo?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the 7th episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.In this podcast, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many of our worries, we’ve thought we were the only on
Ep 223. Make-up, Garmins, marathons
Welcome to episode 223 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Berlin and bad germsHolly is back from Berlin and has brought all the germs, and also the controversy of German pubs still allowing smokers in them. This leads on to my weird sense of smell, which *then* and you have to forgive us - leads us on to prete
Ep 6. Am I Nuts... to worry about sleep?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the sixth episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.In this podcast, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many of our worries, we’ve thought we were the only
Ep 222. Garmin, weightloss, controversies
Welcome to episode 222 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by Precision Fuel & Hydration – you can get 15% off their whole range here!GarminWe dive straight into your emails as we’ve had loads as a result of our chat about Garmin. You have had a lot of thoughts and have lots of i
Ep 5. Am I Nuts... to worry about sugar?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the fifth episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.In this podcast, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many of our worries, we’ve thought we were the only
Ep 221. Media star, marathon worries
Welcome to episode 221 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by Precision Fuel & Hydration – you can get 15% off their whole range here!Hol and I have had very busy weeks, and very different ones. I talk about running abroad, as well as running with kids – with varying degrees of s
Ep 4. Am I Nuts... to worry about other people's opinions?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the fourth episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.To coincide with World Mental Health Day this October, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many o
Ep 220. Running nutrition and roast dinners
Welcome to episode 220 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by Precision Fuel & Hydration – you can get 15% off their whole range here!Roast dinnersWe’re discussing the hottest topic in running– where to get the best post-run roast in the Bath area. Running is optional. This is al
Ep 3. Am I Nuts... to worry about change?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the third episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.To coincide with World Mental Health Day this October, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, but with many of
Ep 219. Marathon times and Garmin stats
Welcome to episode 219 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by Precision Fuel & Hydration – you can get 15% off their whole range here!Marathon times and GarminToday we’re talking about predicted marathon times, and whether we should be realistic or whether we should aim high. And we a
Ep 2. Am I Nuts... to worry about aging?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the second episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.To coincide with World Mental Health Day this October, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running. Hol and I are natural born worriers, and we’ve reali
Ep 218. Gyms, half marathons, race cut offs
Welcome to episode 218 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by SportsShoes.com. Download the app now for 20% off!In person podWe are recording live in person! We’re sitting on Holly’s sofa in her brand new home, having a few technical issues. Do please note at this point: when Hol
Ep 1. Am I Nuts... to worry about cancer?
Welcome to Am I Nuts. This is the first episode in a special series of ten weekly podcasts from us at the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor.Mental healthTo coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10th October, we wanted to explore some of the things that we’ve talked about on our big podcast – that’s the Women’s Running podcast (do seek it out if you don’t already listen to it) – that don’t necessarily have anything to do with running
Ep 217. Trail marathon vs road marathon
Welcome to episode 217 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by SportsShoes.com. Download the app now for 20% off!Marathon nerves I’ve just got back from completing my Trail Escape marathon, which – if you listened to episode 216 – I was enormously nervous about. But it turns out there
Ep 216. Big changes and trail marathons
Welcome to episode 216 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.House move So Holly has finally arrived in her new house, and as we all know a house move is a Big Change, so we talk about that and how she’s coping, aside from getting irritated with Doug. Marathon nervesOn my side, I’ve got my Trail Escape
Ep 215. Race report, Tales from the Pod
Welcome to episode 215 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. • This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. London Vitality 10,000 We’re recording the day after completing the London Vitality 10,000 and we have
Ep 214. Vitality 10K, Trail, Men
Welcome to episode 214 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. • This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. Big changeHolly is feeling unwell, and is super-stressed with a house move, so there’s lots to talk about r
Ep 213. New term, menopause, Tales from the Pod
Welcome to episode 213 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. • This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. New termI’ve had a stressful start to Sept, but finished off the first week with a very un-Esther trip to a
Ep 212. Holidays and body neutrality
Welcome to episode 212 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.• This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. London Vitality 10,000We’re back from all our various holidays and have much to discuss. First up, though, a quic
Ep 211. Physio, illness, menopause
Welcome to episode 211 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Physio successIn big news, Holly has been to the physio, and as a result she’s been spending a bit of money buying her first indoor gym kit, which unsurprisngly leads me on to being a bit teachery and chatting about kettle bells at length (sorry).
Ep 210. Helen Thorn, V10K, strength training
Welcome to episode 210 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. • This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots.London Vitality 10,000 We have a special guest for you today in the shape of the very brilliant Helen Thorn,
Ep 209. Holiday running, Pod Squad guest
Welcome to episode 209 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. • This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots.Holiday running We’re back after a bit of a break (that hopefully you won’t have noticed, but obviously the
Ep 208. Strength for runners
Welcome to episode 208 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. • This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots.Strength for runners The main part of this podcast is all about a runner’s worst nightmare: STRENGTH. We kne
Ep 207. End of term, Pod Squad guest
Welcome to episode 207 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.• This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. Summer holidaysToday, we’re talking about general end-of-term exhaustion – shout out to all of you who got to the
Ep 206. Summer running and heat training
Welcome to episode 206 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.• This episode is sponsored by Runna For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots.Niggles Holly is managing a bit of a niggle – why do they always come and bite us on the arse, when things are goin
Ep 205. Saucony London 10K debrief
Welcome to episode 205 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.• This episode is sponsored by Runna For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. Saucony London 10KIt’s the morning after the day before. We’ve just returned back from our Saucony London 10K. And
Ep 204. Saucony London 10K, classic questions
Welcome to episode 204 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.• This episode is sponsored by Runna. For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. Saucony London 10KWe’re gearing up for the Saucony London 10K, so we need to chat about all of our training in th
Ep 203. 10K training, 5K controversy
Welcome to episode 203 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. We have a bit of a Glasto catch up cos it’s the Monday after the main event and obviously we have thoughts, which leads on to Holly’s big singing weekend. I’ve had a weirdly sporty weekend, with my own version of a very prolonged triathlon.5K cont
Ep 202. Strava, routine tests, why we run
Welcome to episode 202 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Runna For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING and fill your running boots. StravaWe start on the thing that seems to have riled you the most – whether Holly’s Strava is working against her. W
Ep 201. 5K PBs, boring runners, events
Welcome to episode 201 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by Runna For a FREE two-week trial of Runna, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING 5K PBs In this episode we start off by talking about life (and death) getting in the way of running plans, and how we’re managing that. Holly’s a
Ep 200. Celebrations, drinks, highlights
Welcome to episode 200 of the Women’s Running podcast. This episode is sponsored by Runna. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. 200 celebrationsWhoop whoop! It’s our 200th episode and we are celebrating in style with a drink and a bowl of peanuts and a little look back at some of our favourite moments over the last year or so. I start on
Ep 199. Heat training and feedback
Welcome to episode 199 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Heat trainingThis episode, we explore the idea that running is something we can do to give us energy, as much as deplete our energy. We also talk about running in the heat, with some actual science that we read on the internet to back up the way t
Ep 198. Unexpected Bake Off, maintenance fitness
Welcome to episode 198 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Bake Off returnsWe have a lot to talk about - mostly because we’ve been out to see Janusz from The Great British Bake Off talk about his new cook book, and had a very fun time indeed. 2025 marathon?We’re then talking about maintenance running
Ep 197. Running controversies
Welcome to episode 197 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Emotional loadThere’s a lot of chat that doesn’t touch on running to begin with, as Holly has had another exciting weekend, and I’ve been having some stressed parenting moments, which leads into some general emotional load chat. Please relate to o
Ep 196. Eurovision, your suggestions, marathons
Welcome to episode 196 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.This episode is sponsored by the Coopah run coaching app. For a FREE two-week trial of Coopah, just use the code WOMENSRUNNING2 and fill your running boots. Weekend runningThe sun has finally been out and Holly has been having a joyous weekend, so
Ep 195. Feet, massages, recovering with Coopah
Welcome to episode 195 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Running recoveryThis includes our second chat with Jordan from Coopah, who talks to us at around the 25 minute mark about recovery - we’re talking about sleeping, eating and drinking water, and doing all those things in the right amounts at the ri
Ep 194. New York women's half marathon
Welcome to episode 194 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by the brilliant Coopah running app - listen in for an exclusive discount. New York Live!This podcast is brought to you LIVE from New York! We went out there last week with the very wonderful Sports Tours International an
Ep 193. Cautious running, MS Awareness
Welcome to episode 193 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Running and MS We have a special guest this episode in the shape of brilliant Lianne the co-founder of Monkey Sox, who is talking to us this this week specifically, because it’s MS Awareness Week, and MS, and raising awareness and funds for MS rese
Ep 192. Half and marathon tips from Coopah
Welcome to episode 192 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Coopah tipsIn this special episode we’re joined by Jordan Foster from the Coopah running app. Jordan is the OG of instagram running, who I first new as Project Marathon Girl. Now she’s part of the establishment and part of Coopah. She chats to us
Ep 191. Last long runs and tapering
Welcome to episode 191 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Avoiding parkrun Holly’s been on a hen do and has managed to avoid going to parkrun, or in fact run at all for a whole five days. And does she feel guilty? No she does not. She explains why here, but it also leads us neatly on to how we’re going to
Ep 190. Running and safety
Welcome to episode 189 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Trigger warning: sexual attacks and attempted rapePlease go to Rape Crisis for support and advice. Running and women's safetyWe’ve got some very big topics to discuss on the podcast today. We talk about the recent news of Alison Walker, who w
Ep 189. Half training, physio treament
Welcome to episode 189 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Half training and physiosWe start by talking about running. I know. What have we become? I’ve been to the physio, so we have lots of dry needling things to discuss, and Holly’s training has been going annoyingly well. We have a slight handbra
Ep 13. Office chair to 5K finale
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a 13-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our weekly 5
Ep 188. Bath half, running and volunteering
Welcome to episode 188 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Bath HalfIt’s the day after the Bath Half, and I want to talk you through it. First we talk about vlogging or not during a race – I’m not very good at doing this, and decided against it during this one (sorry). So I ran it and have many thoughts,
Ep 12. Office chair to 5K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our weekly
Ep 187. Booze, tapering, non-runners
Welcome to episode 187 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Booze and running And we’re definitely NOT talking about running to begin with. We’re talking about booze. Our weekends have been very different because of it: Holly’s had a jolly time at the pub, while I’ve been getting acid reflux after half a gl
Ep 11. Office chair to 10K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our weekly
Ep 186. Yoga, half marathons, grievances
Welcome to episode 186 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. YogaYou catch us in the middle of chatting about our recent yoga efforts, which have had various degrees of success. Running has also had some ups and downs, as we prepare variously for our New York Half and the Bath Half, which I’ve snuck in the
Ep 10. Office chair to 5K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our weekly
Ep 185. Anxiety, kit, half marathons
Welcome to episode 185 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Anxiety In this episode we talk about nerves and anxiety on a run, and also we chunter on a bit about how sleep unsurprisingly can have a huge effect on our running and our moods. KitWe also talk about kit, and the shoes we currently like to r
Ep 9. Office chair to 5K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our w
Ep 184. Bad runs, simple running
Welcome to episode 184 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Bad trainingHolly has had some ups and downs with her half marathon training, including an almost literally crappy run, so we have a lot to talk about with that. Half marathon training is not easy, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Sim
Ep 8. Office chair to 5K special
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our w
Ep 183. Strava, parkrun, half marathons
Welcome to episode 183 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Barcelona half marathonI’ve just got back from Barcelona where I ran a half marathon and there is much to discuss. Yes, we talk about the race itself (which was lovely), but we quite rightly spend much of the time talking about food, hotels and lo
Ep 7. Office chair to 5K special
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our w
Ep 182. Fatigue, training plans, half marathons
Welcome to episode 182 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. What is Jeffing?To begin with, we’re slightly more deflated than the last episode – we’re TIRED, for a couple of different reasons. Once we stop whinging, we get on to the running conundrums – such as, does stopping at water stations count as Jeff
Ep 6. Office to 5K special
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners. Week 6:&nb
Ep 181. Wall of Shame special
Welcome to episode 181 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Running therapyIn this episode, we kick off with a chat about our little therapy sessions – ie, this actual podcast. Holly has been getting herself back on an even keel, and I have been getting very worried about some upcoming races. Running
Ep 5. Office chair to 5K
Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners. Run 1: 3x 5 min run / 2 min walkRun 2: 3x 5 min run / 2 min walkRun 3: 3x 5 min run / 90 second walk More supportSign up to our weekly 5K support emails for more advice with your training and a check-in on your progress. You’ll also get a free mini magazine! Running
Ep 180. Running shows, races and the Squad
Welcome to episode 180 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. The National Running ShowWe start – and continue for some time – on the NRS. The National Running Show was this weekend just gone, and it was a total blast. We’re still getting over it. But there is much to discuss, from the famous people who met
Ep 4. Office chair to 5K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.More supportSign up to
Ep 179. Race ideas and motivation
Welcome to episode 179 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Marathon season We launch into marathon and training season with a big dollop of wobbles because we completely forgot our rule of only recording on a Friday. We’re recording on a Monday morning and have no beans at all, so we come at this glass ha
Ep 3. Office chair to 5K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Run 5K with usFancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.More supportSign up to
Ep 178. Goals, marathons, ultras
Welcome to episode 178 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. We’re British, so we begin today’s podcast talking about the weather. Because, well, the weather has been insane. New York half marathonThen we move on to our goals and some chats about one of them, which is running a half marathon in New Yor
Ep 2. Office chair to 5K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you by the Women’s Running Podcast, and sponsored by Vivobarefoot. This is a ten-part special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. Fancy joining along? Grab hold of your perfect training plan here. There are lots to choose from, but for our sessions with Cara, we’re taking on the 10-week 5K training plan for beginners.Sign up to our weekly 5K support emails&n
Ep 177. Nutrition with the Runner Beans
Welcome to episode 177 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Happy new year! We’ve got a treat this episode in the form of Charlie Watson, otherwise known as Runner Beans, who we’ve had on the pod before, and we wanted to drag on for our first podcast of 2024, because of her running know-how, but also becau
Ep 1. Office chair to 5K
Welcome to a brand new special series of podcasts, brought to you from the Women’s Running Podcast. This is a new ten-part podcast special in which we introduce our friend and colleague Cara, who is keen to take on 5K with our help. In this episode we find out a bit more about her, and her training, and we go through the first week in the training plan and how we can adapt training plans to suit our lives. We hope you can join along with us! LinksThis episode is sponsored by Vivobarefoot. F
Ep 176. How to make a running habit
Welcome to episode 176 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Running habitsWelcome to the perineum of Christmas. This is our second slice of Anna Harding, in which she talks to us about habits, training over Christmas, and how to fit in the training but also to be kind to ourselves. She introduces the brill
Ep 176. Running habits-ADFREE
Welcome to episode 176 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Running habitsWelcome to the perineum of Christmas. This is our second slice of Anna Harding, in which she talks to us about habits, training over Christmas, and how to fit in the training but also to be kind to ourselves. She introduces the brill
Ep 175. Anna Harding, V02 max, parkrun
Welcome to episode 175 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Anna HardingHol and I are bookending this super brilliant episode with the ever wonderful Anna Harding. Because of recent running queries we’ve had, we talk to her about V02 max, which I hope you’re not completely bored with, and she offers the an
Ep 174. Hungover running, half marathon plans
Welcome to episode 174 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Hungover runningNow. Seasonally appropriate content warning here. Would you run with a hangover? We have many experiences of doing just that, and so we discuss what we reckon is actually happening inside us when we decide to go for a run after hav
Ep 173. V02 max, Christmas training, parkrun controversy
Welcome to episode 173 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. V02 maxWe start off with a lengthy complaint against Chillblains, which quickly segues into some stuff about pub quizzes, before moving on to today’s hot topic: V02 max. Why does it go up when you least expect it? And go down when you’ve been trai
Ep 10. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. So here we are, turning it into its own spin off so we can dissect each episode properly. We’ll be chatting about all
Ep 172. Post marathon blues, self-care
Welcome to episode 171 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Marathon recoveryAfter some over excited chat about meal delivery companies, we get on to the important stuff – marathon recovery. I’ve had a bit of a time of it, with my lungs not getting back up to speed as quickly as I’d like. Self careAs
Ep 9. Bake Off Special
Bake Off series 14 episode 9: Patisserie Week It’s the semi final! There’s a lot to love about the semis, in terms of the actual bakes, which are mouthwatering. But also a lot to hate. Still crying over here. Signature: FinanciersTeeny tiny little sponge cakes with a big ol’ chunk of icing. Like a long, thin cupcake with a fancy name that Esther can’t pronounce. Dan pulls it out the bag, Matty’s are a bit of a mess. *Someone* gets a handshake… Technical: Tartes aux pommesWeirdly,
Ep 171. New York – the details
Welcome to episode 171 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. New York, no runningThis is our New York round-up of everything apart from the running nonsense. We had a total ball, from start to finish, so this is our little travelogue covering flight, food and fun times. Restrooms and bagelsWe talk abou
Ep 8. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. So here we are, turning it into its own spin off so we can dissect each episode properly. We’ll be chatting about all the highs and lows from the Bake Off te
Ep 170. Pod Squad Live: 10K
Welcome to episode 170 of the Women’s Running podcast This episode is sponsored by Randox Health. Use the code RUN10 to get 10% off in-clinic and home health tests. This episode is a recording of a very special live podcast, that took place last Thursday in person at the Sweaty Betty store in Battersea Power Station. We had special guest Jenni Falconer come to join us to chat about running a 10K, which fits rather nicely (it’s almost as if we organized it, really) with the launch of ou
Ep 7. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. So here we are, turning it into its own spin off so we can dissect each episode properly. We’ll be chatting about all the highs and lows from the B
Ep 169. New York, New York
Welcome to episode 169 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.New York marathon race report Finally it’s race weekend! There is so much to talk about, that we’ve decided to do two podcasts about the weekend, starting with this one which details the boring bits, aka the running. In our next New York pod, we’ll
Ep 6. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. So here we are, turning it into its own spin off so we can dissect each episode properly. We’ll be chatting about all the highs and lows from the B
Ep 168. NY Marathon, race day prep, Halloween
Welcome to episode 168 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. This episode is sponsored by Randox Health. Use the code RUN10 to get 10% off in-clinic and home health tests. New York MarathonI’ve got lots of scary thoughts about the New York marathon, which is happening this weekend. Holly has lots of lo
Ep 5. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. So here we are, turning it into its own spin off so we can dissect each episode properly. We’ll be chatting about all the highs and lows from the B
Ep 167. Run events, tapering, marathons
Welcome to episode 167 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. Run eventsIn this episode we’re chatting to Lucy Wood from RunThrough events. RunThrough runs absolutely hundreds of events throughout the UK, and she’s here to talk to us about the stuff they’re doing to make their events more inclusive, more fun
Ep 4. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. So here we are, turning it into its own spin off so we can dissect each episode properly. We’ll be chatting about all the highs and lows from the B
Ep 166. Confidence tricks for race success
Welcome to episode 166 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Psychology tipsWe have a treat for you this episode in the shape of the wonderful Josephine Perry, Sports Psychologist extraordinaire. As a friend of the pod, a previous guest, and our secret weapon at the Paris Half, she got in contact with us last wee
Ep 3. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. So here we are, turning it into its own spin off so we can dissect each episode properly. We’ll be chatting about all the highs and lows from the Bake Off te
Ep. 165. Cancer and running
Welcome to episode 165 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running. 5K Your WayWe’ve got a sandwich episode for you this episode. We’re bookending the wonderful Lucy Gossage here. Lucy is an oncologist (and a superstar triathlete) on a mission to debunk the myth that “rest is best” for people undergoing cancer tre
Ep 1. Bake Off Special
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. Despite being total failures at baking ourselves, we’ve decided that we simply have far too much to say about the show – so here we are, turning it into its
Ep 2. Bake Off Special: Biscuit week
Welcome to the Women’s Running podcast: a very special Bake Off edition. We’re your hosts, Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, and usually you can find us chatting about life and running – though, let’s be honest, it’s mostly the life bit. Every year we get terribly overexcited for the Great British Bake Off and discuss it at length on the pod. Despite being total failures at baking ourselves, we’ve decided that we simply have far too much to say about the show – so here we are, turning it into its
Ep 164. Marathons, training, New York
Welcome to episode 164 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. We are both firmly average runners who don’t take life, or running, too seriously. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Now that Vitality 10K is a million miles away, we’re back to real life. And real life means we’re knackered, we’re hating September, and we are overwhelmed by Marathon tr
Ep 163. 10K training & race day joy
Welcome to episode 163 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. We are both firmly average runners who don’t take life, or running, too seriously. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.London Vitality 10KThis episode is about one thing – London Vitality 10,000, which we ran at the weekend with absolutely shedloads of you, our glorious Pod Squad. It was
Ep 162. 10K training and race day tips
Welcome to episode 162 of the Women’s Running Podcast. Your hosts Esther Newman and Holly Taylor are both firmly average runners who don’t take life, or running, too seriously. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Today, we’re recording in person! Which is quite exciting, but a bit odd. We start by talking skanky university behaviour, with some next level tips on student cookery and some discussion on some sad
Ep 161. 10K training, race reports, stress dream reality
In this episode, we talk about September stresses and, forgive us, but we’re already chatting about Christmas. Esther has a race report, as she ran the New Forest half marathon at the weekend. We chat about what it’s like to run a smaller race – compared with, say, the Great North Run which was happening on the same day.10k trainingWe also talk about the London Vitality 10,000, happening on September 24th, and what to wear when we run – if you’re coming, we’re asking Pod Squadders to wear blue,
Ep 160. UTMB, interval training, race nightmares
Welcome to episode 160 of the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor. We are both firmly average runners who don’t take life, or running, too seriously. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.UTMBWe’ve had a bazillion technical difficulties, and here we are on Zoom, which feels very 2020. As ever, bear with. Holly has had a very exciting week, hanging out w
Ep 159. Pelvic floors, hormones, race anxiety
Welcome to episode 159 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor. We are both firmly average runners who don’t take life, or running, too seriously. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Pelvic floorsWe have our Kate with us again this episode. This week, we’re chatting pelvic floor exercises, time-poor training plans, and returning to fitness after ha
Ep 158. Pregnancy, marathon training, technical runs
Welcome to episode 158 of the Women’s Running Podcast. Esther and Holly are both firmly average runners who don’t take life, or running, too seriously. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Pregnancy and runningTrigger warning: pregnancy, postnatal depression and mental health. In this episode, we invite our friend and colleague Kate Sellers on to chat to us about pre and postnatal training, as she’s a PT and s
Ep 157. Holiday running, 10Ks, marathon training
We are back from our holidays! Holly has been swanning about in luxury, and has lots to talk about, but as an over-thinker we still manage to circle back to the busyness of our brains.Holiday runningWe talk about our various holidays, and I’ve actually done a bit of holiday running, so there’s even something relevant to talk about. And the reason that I’ve been keeping up with it is because of some Big News.New York MarathonVery excitingly, Holly and I are off to New York in November with Sports
Ep 156. IBS, hay fever, racing solo
Welcome to episode 156 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she is your other host Holly Taylor. We are both firmly average runners who don’t take life, or running, too seriously. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.IBS, hay fever, endoIn this episode, we have a super useful chat with our resident health expert Juliet McGrattan who answers all our questions about IBS, hay fever and
Ep 155. Chub rub, periods, the media
Holly’s had a lovely non-running weekend, because why not, and the discussion of which moves on to the necessity of chub rub shorts in warmer weather, and for posh dos. Holly’s favourites are Snag, we can also recommend Runderwear for both running in, and wearing under posh frocks.Running and periodsTW: Miscarriage, pregnancy and fertility. This episode, we talk to the lovely Dr Juliet McGrattan, our resident health expert, about periods, fertility and running, including some super valuable stuf
Ep 154. Menopause, therapy, big goals
Welcome to episode 154 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor. We’ve got a menopause special this episode, with a smashing chat with our resident health expert Dr Juliet McGrattan at the halfway point about all things menopause and running.MenopauseWe chat to her about the good things about menopause, and also what happens to us and our fitness during perimenopause and beyond. We also chat about nutrition and RED-S, as something
Ep 153. Couch to 5K, mental health, HRT
Welcome to episode 153 of the Women’s Running podcast. Holly has just completed her first run on the Couch to 5K app, and she is giddy with it. She had felt some trepidation to begin with, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to all her next runs.Mental healthBecause it’s us, we talk about mental health and anxiety, just cos that’s the way we roll, and it wouldn’t be a proper episode if we didn’t.HRT updatesThen there are some more HRT updates, courtesy of me, my lovely G
Ep 152 Perimenopause, running apps, Bad Boy part 1
Welcome to episode 152 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she is your other host, Holly Taylor. We have a sandwich episode for you, in the shape of a second chunk of Bad Boy Running nonsense in the middle of the usual chat.Bad Boy RunningDavid and Jody join us to talk about the things that happen in men’s loos (because we all want to know) as well as things that men can do to not make women runners feel anxious. It’s a very sweary mary section, and I’m too scared for
Ep 151. Menopause, hay fever, Bad Boys
Welcome to episode 151 of the Women’s Running podcast with your hosts Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. This is a sandwich episode, with the usual chats either side a chunk of something else. This time, the chunk is our crossover podcast with David Hellard and Jody Rainsford from the Bad Boy Running Podcast., who we were invited to drink beers with and record a chaotic podcast with. This, you’ll be pleased to hear, is part 1 of 2!Decision runningBefore we chat to them however
Ep 150. 10 training and self care
Welcome to episode 150 of the Women’s Running podcast. Esther Newman and Holly Taylor, your hosts, begin this episode talking about parenting guilt, self care, trying to impress our other halves with taking the bins out, and feminism.10K trainingWe also talk about training for a 10K. Holly is concerned it might be harder than a half – as it’s supposedly faster than a half marathon. And she’s never run a 10K race! So we launch into how we should train for it, and how we should frame it in order t
Ep 149. Slow running, parkrun and controversy
Welcome to episode 149 of the Women’s Running Podcast, hosted by Esther Newman and Holly Taylor. We have a lot to talk about this episode, not least a bunch of unrelated stuff about online shopping and game shows that we’ve packed off into an extra podcast for everyone on the Cheer Squad tier on Patreon (patreon.co.uk/womensrunning). Coming soon!80/20 runningFor the rest of us, we’re talking about the 80/20 method and how that’s working out for us – again we’re finding the easier running very lo
Ep 148. Slow running and Garmin hacks
Welcome to episode 148 of the Women’s Running podcast. Because it’s pretty hot right now, and layers are being discarded, we launch into body positivity – or at least the wish for body neutrality that we both want. Slow runningWe’re also still talking about slow running, as that’s been a topic of interest since our last podcast. Esther has attempted to follow an 80/20 plan this past week, and she has some thoughts on that. Garmin hacksAfter our usual random chat, we introduce the lovel
Ep 147. Slow running, endurance, wild swimming
Welcome to episode 147 of the Women’s Running Podcast. We get straight into it this week with a spot of imposter syndrome, which is something both Esther and Holly feel a *lot*, especially when it comes to running.Slow runningWe then charge into the idea of slow running and how it can affect our pace and endurance and our health much more positively than the usual running we do, which tends to be staying vaguely in heart rates zone 3 and 4. We discuss how hard this it is to run slower.Better rec
Ep 146. Hot running, alcohol and anxiety
This episode is brought to you by the triple whammy that is hot running, half term juggling and booze.Running in the summerNow that the sun's out, we talk about sunscreen and sweat, and finding the elusive sun block that doesn’t sting. We also talk about dehydration in the heat, and how to prevent that, which brings us neatly to our next point.Running and alcoholWe talk about managing moderate drinking and training, and how that’s tricky especially in the summer when you may have more social eng
Ep 145. Injuries, anxiety and chiropractors
Welcome to episode 145 of the Women’s Running podcast. We start this issue talking injuries! A runner’s favourite subject, right?Running injuriesWe’re chatting about all the injuries that we’re suffering from, and most of them have been on Esther’s hit list: from runner’s knee to ITB irritations, weird toe things, and a pulled quad. Plus, also, as ever, lower back issues. A catalogue of running disasters.Running injury curesBut we come bearing good news, because Esther has been to the chiropract
Ep 144. Eurovision, injuries, depression and control
Welcome to episode 144 of the Women’s Running Podcast with your hosts Esther Newman and Holly Taylor. In this episode, we delve into various topics, including Eurovision, running injuries, mental health, weight and running, and finding the balance between gentle and punishing running practices.Eurovision DebriefWe start with Eurovision, because that’s the way we roll. Yes, we’re going to talk about running, but we need to prioritise here. Of *course* Holly is hugely invested in this, but it may
Ep 143. Injuries, healing and cross training
In this episode, we’ve moved on from training for a marathon, to recovery from that marathon, and ploughed straight into injuries.Injury preventionEsther has got a catalogue of them, and what we’re discussing here is, is it common to fall prey to injuries once you’ve completed a marathon – not in your training block, and not on the day itself, but afterwards, when you’re slowly beginning to start running again.And it sounds like it’s a resounding yes, as many of you have already responded to on
Ep 142. DOMs, recovery, new goals
In episode 142 of the Women’s Running Podcast, Esther and Holly talk about recovery and finding new joy in exercise regimes.It’s a week after the London Marathon, and this episode is a load more joyful than episode 141, because Esther is no longer in huge physical and emotional pain! We talk about running and routines and how we discover ourselves again after we’ve achieving huge running goals like, for instance, a marathon.Muscle sorenessWe also discuss marathon recovery – you have to listen to
Ep 141. London Marathon, mental strategies, recovery
It’s time for the London Marathon debrief. At time of recording, it’s the morning after the day before, and Esther feels a bit broken.London Marathon and recoveryWe need to talk about marathon recovery here, which we’ll go into more next episode of the Women’s Running podcast, bearing in mind how blue many of us will feel in the days after a big race, for so many reasons.Periods and hormonesAnd then, hormones. Because of one thing and another, Esther was running the day before her period. This,
Ep 140. London Marathon taper, menopause symptoms & tactics
Welcome to episode 140 of the Women's Running Podcast, hosted by Esther Newman and Holly Taylor. In this episode, we discuss Holly's exciting weekend and hanxiety which leads us to talk about our usual state of generalised anxiety in the face of challenges, especially with the London Marathon just around the corner.London Marathon Taper and Dealing with AnxietyEsther shares her nervousness about the upcoming London Marathon and being in the taper phase, which involves less running and more eatin
Ep 139. Run buddies, pet peeves, tapering
Today, we’ve got a couple of things to get off our respective chests, running-wise. We talk about how running with other people can be “unexpectedly good” for those of us who tend not to. We also chat about time management and my favourite topic, emotional load. You can get a lot more of this sort of thing if you subscribe to Women’s Running magazine btw, currently with a stupendous offer of 3 issues for the price of 2. Bargain.Running hatesWe also return to one of favourite ever previous sectio
Ep 138. Derailed training, fasted running, emotional load
I start with the chaos in my life at the moment, and because that’s included a trip to A&E, I have a little weep within about five minutes. While it isn’t directly running related, it is something I wanted to talk about in the context of the emotional mental load that women so often carry. I’d be really interested to hear what you think about with. But It’s an important topic to discuss because the fact remains that we are the ones that carry the majority of that load, and how on earth do we tra
Ep 137. Long runs, new goals, London Marathon, incontinence
Welcome to episode 137 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. We’ve got a lot to get through this episode, not least because of the reaction to my controversial parkrun comments last episode, so of course that means we spend the first 20 minutes discussing Oodies for kids and British Summer Time.London MarathonThen we truck on with some dedicated running chat. I’ve just completed my penultimate long run before the London Marathon – s
Ep 136. Parkrun controversy, weird yoga men, magnesium
We launch into this episode with a dabble in what Holly’s been doing with her running, but then swiftly into a controversial topic: and that’s parkrun. And we want to know what you think: do you love it? Or are you a little more ambivalent?Parkrun ponderingsDon’t get me wrong here, we both know how brilliant parkrun is, it’s bloody wonderful and it has singlehandedly persuaded countless people to move their bodies and to enjoy the feeling of running who wouldn’t otherwise have done so – and it’s
Ep 135. Recovery, rest and rude books
This episode is all about recovery! I ask Holly what she’s been doing to recover from the Paris Half and, without consulting a single google search, it sounds like Holly is doing all the best things.Resting upShe’s doing exercise for the fun of it, rather than for a goal, and she’s also been eating and drinking for pleasure and whenever she damn well wants. The trick here, however, is to view your recovery as something that’s just as important as your last few weeks’ training, because it’s your
Ep 134. Paris Half Marathon: Live!
This is a very special episode indeed, so it makes sense to release it on International Women’s Day. To be fair, in a roundabout way, we celebrate women in every episode, but this one has real significance.Pod goes liveWe recorded a portion of this episode live in front of an actual audience. This was in Paris, an hour or so after we ran the Paris Half Marathon with 50 Pod Squad listeners, thanks to Sports Tours International. We gathered together with a glass of something chilled in a
Ep 133. Half marathon, derailed training, disastrous long runs
In this episode we’re covering everything from anxiety and post-covid concerns to half marathon techniques and long run disasters.Paris half marathonNew coffee addict Holly is buzzing about caffeine, but also about our Paris half marathon coming up in just a few days. We’re both enormously excited, but also extremely nervous. Holly’s training isn’t where she’d like it to be, so we figure out some easier Jeff splits for her (find out more about walk/running) and she tries to calm her anxious brai
Ep 132. Jeffing, adjusted goals, half marathons, nutrition
Holly opens this pod giddy with a recent purchase – while I’m not entirely positive that she’s target market, I am absolutely NOT judging.JeffingMoving on to actual running, Holly has made the decision that she’s going to definitely walk/run Paris, and all her confidence has come back in droves, in no small part due to all the messages she received after the last episode. She had been feeling so stressed and so ill, and was so unsure about everything. But she has now faced up to her anxieties, a
Ep 131. Mental health, anxiety, training worries
Welcome to episode 131 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman, and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. This episode is all about illness and recovery, because Holly is firmly in the doldrums, in terms of her physical training, but also her overall health and the impact that’s having on her mental health.Running therapySo it turns into a bit of therapy session between us, to which you are all cordially invited. Holly is finding herself enormously stressed about our impending
Ep 130. Mental health, menopause, feeling old
Welcome to episode 130 of the Women’s Running Podcast, sponsored by Runna. Holly is talking health and mental health. Both have taken a bit of a pounding over the past month and it’s overwhelmed her training and exercise schedule, no matter how hashtag-be-kind she’s been to herself.MenopauseI’ve had a big old menopause symptom and it’s made me feel like SHIT, so I fess up all of it, which has taken a bit of courage because we know that not only do you lot listen but
Ep 129. Half marathon training, insecurities, menopause
Welcome to episode 129 of the Women’s Running Podcast. This week, we are sponsored by Runna. We have a LOT to talk about today. We’ve got to cover off training for the Paris Half, insecurities about that training, motivations for running in the first place, menopausal symptoms and, lastly, figs.Half marathon trainingSo first of all we chat about Holly’s training for the half. She’s having all the wobbles about Paris, post Covid. Her long runs haven’t quite hit the mark,
Ep 128. Running show, race nerves, Strava fails
Welcome to episode 128 of the Women’s Running Podcast – this episode is sponsored by Runna. We launch right into it, with some vegan nonsense, but then very quickly we move on to the National Running Show, which we attended at the weekend in Birmingham. We had an absolute blast, we saw so many of you Pod Squadders, and are just giddy with the happiness of it all. We talk here about just some of the brilliant people we met, about Holly getting the spooks in her hotel room, dog biscuits, flapjack,
Ep 127. More covid, vegan fails, food bank run
This episode is again bought to you by the powers of Covid. I’ve picked it up for the first time, unfashionably late to the party as ever. Apologies here for covid coughing throughout. We talk through health anxiety, symptoms, and worrying about the unknown. We also have a chat about the guilt of missing out on training through illness.VeganismMoving on from covid, we talk about our ongoing experiments with veganism, which are mostly positive with a few tofu pitfalls. This, unsurprisingly, segue
Ep 126. Chaos, covid and training hiccups
Welcome to episode 126 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman, and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. This episode is our first chat since Christmas so we’re a bit giddy with it. Hol has had a bit of a cruddy start to the new year, and it’s mostly Covid based. It’s obviously knocked her training a bit, and she’s been worried about the Paris Half as a result – something I think that will resonate, with so many of us getting bugs at this time of year. If you need help with th
Ep 125. Nutrition, diet culture, body image, healthy motivations
Happy new year to all you lovely listeners! We start off today as usual, with me complaining – this time it’s about my back pain, which went a bit crazy just before Christmas. All good now, though. Aside from that, it’s a corker of an episode as today we’re talking to Laura Barnhouse, nutritionist, PT and friend of the pod.Diet cultureWe’re after a bit of a health rejig in January, even if we are all perfect already (which we are), so we hauled Laura in to help us do exactly that, and to talk ab
Ep 124. Perineum, going vegan, half marathons
This episode we have the wonderful Molly from the Simply Vegan podcast (and also from our company, so we know her well and have got hugely drunk with her – we are mates!) to chat to us about all things plant-based before we head into Veganuary. We start off by discussing our past drunkenness, but quickly move on to actual food.Running foodWe discuss what we’re eating for Christmas – even though this is, as we all know, what Holly refers to as our ‘perineum episode’. So our tenses are all over th
Ep 123. Bake off legacy, Christmas quiz, future goals
Welcome to episode 123 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I am your host Esther Newman and she is your other host Holly Taylor. We start today with Bake Off, which might seem like a bit old hat, but we’re talking about new things, I promise. Then, obviously, we move on to favourite TV comedies, before eventually settling on Christmas. Because, like it or not, it’s Christmas and there is no rest for the wicked. Or the runners.Running QuizWhile we loosely chat about the running we’ve been doing (whic
Ep 122. Back injuries, food and diet culture
Welcome to episode 122 of the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor. We’re kicking off with some advent calendar content, just so Hol can eat some chocolate live on the pod. InjuriesMeanwhile, I’m being a Moaning Myrtle cos I’ve done my back in, and take the opportunity to talk about it here at great length (Anna McNuff did something similar last year and has brilliant advice about injury prevention). While it’s not a running injury p
Ep 121. Running 5K, resolutions, mindset and going vegan
Welcome to episode 121 of the award-winning Women’s Running podcast! I am your host Esther Newman, and she is your other host Holly Taylor. We recorded this on the 1st December, so we’re in the middle of some strong Advent content. We then slowly move on to our very excitable chat about our big award win. We are chuffed to bits that the Women’s Running Podcast – this podcast you’re currently listening to - has been voted Podcast of the Year for the second year in a row, and we hav
Ep 120. Winter motivation, strength training, body issues
Welcome to episode 120 of the multi-award winning Women’s Running Podcast. We don’t scream about it here, because we recorded before we knew, but we have won Podcast of the Year at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards last Friday – for the second year in a row! We are giddy with it, and will chat about it to DEATH in the next podcast. For now, we’re talking about being ill, not washing our duvets, and how marvellous our Podcast Live was last week. New date for the next one coming soon!Running in
Ep 119. Trail running for beginners: routes, navigation and confidence
This episode we have a special guest in the shape of Claire Maxted, co-founder and formed editor of Trail Running magazine, the owner of the Wild Ginger Running YouTube channel, and the author of the Ultimate Trail Running Handbook, so she knows a thing or two about trail running! We talk here about PE days again, because I’m slightly obsessed with them, and how they can give us such a negative experience of sport and movement, and as we chat about here, it’s not necessarily the sport itsel
Ep 118. Favourite shoes, tights, tech and Bake Off bits
BIG shout out to join us on Patreon to chat to us on our Podcast LIVE on Wednesday 23rd November at 7pm (GMT), exclusive to patrons on all levels. We start with Bake Off, obviously, but the issue here is that Holly hasn’t seen the most recent episode, and so I have to lie to her and tell her that everything is okay and Janush is definitely still in it. She knows now, it’s fine, but I just needed to make sure *you* knew that she knows and I’m not being a bad person for mention
Ep 117. Exercise at school, running in our 20s, advice for younger selves
This episode is sponsored by Sweaty Betty. In this episode, it’s the morning after I’ve been out-out. I’ve been to see the Scummy Mummies and begin this episode retelling a joke that’s too rude to repeat here. After a long section on hair removal, for which I make no apology, we have a bit of a chat about what we’re up to. And then we decide to go back to the beginning to discuss where we’ve come from and where we’re going. This is a little bit like one of those Insta squares where people go, “o
Ep 116. Winter motivation, SAD, RED January, Paris Half
This episode is sponsored by Sweaty Betty. We start off by talking about herbal teas and Hoovers, because that’s the way we are. We then move reluctantly on to running. Holly is planning her first 5K post half marathon, and I have some ideas about keeping her running oar in so to speak. At this point we chat about the Paris Half on March 5th 2023, as this will be her biggest motivator when it comes to winter running. This is big for us as we want you to join us! We’ve partnered with Sports
Ep 115. Half marathons, mental strategies, carb loading
This episode is sponsored by Wine52, which is thoroughly appropriate. Today’s episode is about one thing, and one thing only – and that’s Holly’s half. Mine too, but mine is nowhere near as important. We start this conversation the day after the Bath Half talking about French school songs and novelty loungewear. But then we’re into the meat of it, with Holly talking through her nerves, her carb strategy and how she felt on the morning of the race. She was really nervous ahead of the day, bu
114. Runner Beans, races, nutrition and top tips
Today we have a very special guest in the shape of Charlie Watson, who you might know better as Runner Beans. Charlie was one of the first runners I followed on Instagram many, many years ago, and her enthusiasm and realism when it came to training, goals and nutrition have been fundamental to my own running journey, so we were thrilled to speak to her here. Charlie has had an adventurous journey so far, from aspiring marathon runner, to NHS employee in the face of the pandemic, and she ha
Ep 113. Pregnancy and running, conkers and Bake Off
First things first – I need to give you a big old trigger warning here, as we’re chatting about pregnancy and I also bring up the topic miscarriage. Please stop here, if this chat isn’t for you.This episode we welcome our third, very beautiful, wheel in the form of Kate, who works with us on Women’s Running and is – SPOILER – up the duff. We wanted to bring her on as she is a personal trainer and a runner and a pregnant person, and we thought it would be wonderful to combine all those things and
Ep 112. London Marathon! Race day strategies and surprises
This episode is about one thing and one thing only (with a few tangents): the London Marathon! We’re speaking here at 10.30am on a Monday morning, the day after the London Marathon and this is the first chance I’ve had to talk to Holly about it all. There is so much to discuss! We talk about the sleepless night beforehand, the famous people I had pep talks from, and the surprises along the way. The actual running was almost just a secondary part to a day that I’ll remember for the rest of my lif
Ep 111. Bake Off, long runs, mind tricks, pace, run coaches
Welcome to episode 111 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host, Esther Newman, and she’s your other host, Holly Taylor. We start this podcast just as you might imagine, with a full debrief of the first episode of Bake Off. Then we’re on to the boring running bits: we talk about preparing for the long runs, and the psychological tricks our minds play on us.I am SO proud of Holly, her long runs have been going spectacularly and she’s surprised herself with how brilliant she’s felt
Ep 110. Anna Harding, tapering, GNR, race day strategies
In this episode we welcome back Friend of the Pod, Anna Harding, a woman who has knocked out a number of marathons and ultras. I wanted to get her back to pick her brains about tapering. However, turns out she’s an old hand at the Great North Run, which I’ve just run, so we kick off by talking about that... We talk about the brilliance of the great north run – the crowds, the route, the atmosphere – it was all such an incredible day, and it’s lovely to reminisce.Then I pick her brains
Ep 109. The long run, DOMs, living with non-runners
Welcome to episode 109 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m Esther Newman, your host, and she’s Holly Taylor, your other host. We kick off this week’s episode by talking about corrective eyewear, as you would probably expect. This segment finishes (finally) with Holly explaining how we can all get a “Beers For Life” token from her family. We finally get on to running and then chat about distraction techniques on longer runs, which Holly has been using as she’s upping her mileage in her&
Ep 108. Strength training, last long runs, boob chafe
Welcome to episode 108 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman, and she’s your other host, Holly Taylor. Holly’s half marathon training is going well, and she’s tentatively enthusiastic about tackling longer distances with her running buddy, and considering potentially a bit of walk running.We talk here about strength training, and the stuff we can do to support our running, and make everything easier. I talk to Holly about some simple bits of strength training she can d
Ep 107. Anxiety, mental health, marathon training, heckling
Welcome to episode 107 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host, Esther Newman, and she’s your other host, Holly Taylor. So in this episode it’s a bit of a game of two halves – despite our podcast dropping every week as normal, we’ve actually had a bit of a break, it being the summer holidays and all. But while I’ve been not-eating Cornish pasties, Holly has had a very different time of it. As candid as ever, she talks about the swerve in mental health she’s suffered over the past fortnight
Ep 106. DOMs, body neutrality, weight loss and running
Welcome to episode 106 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman, and she’s your other host, Holly Taylor. We’re started recording this at 2.30 in the afternoon, but we immediately start talking about cocktails. Turns out we’re nowhere near as sophisticated as we thought we were. After an enormous ramble on the perfect way to mix a Margarita we eventually get on to running. Holly’s in the thick of her half marathon training, and she’s having issues with DOMs (tha
Ep 105. Training in heat, anxiety in running, heckling
Welcome to episode 105 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m Esther Newman your host, and she’s Holly Taylor your other host. We’re both in the thick of our training this episode. Holly is a few weeks into her half marathon training, and it’s going well, albeit hampered slightly by the glorious weather we’ve been having. I’ve been holiday running, which has had its ups and downs. We’re both finding the temperature a struggle, and it’s made me question my fitness and whether I’m entirely
Ep 104. Holiday running, sweat, sport at school, wildlife adventures
Welcome to episode 104 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I’m your host, Esther Newman, and she’s your other host, Holly Taylor. We start off by catching up after Holly’s holiday. Has she run while in Italy? I am firmly bating my breath, obviously. We then catch up on everything we’ve been doing in the huge heat that we’ve just experienced. I’ve been running as usual, but I’ve made sure to adjust my running to allow for the heat – taking walking breaks up the hills, and drinking
Ep 103. Ultrarunning, the Spine Race, trails and emotional rollercoasters
Welcome to episode 103 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman, and she’s your other host, Holly Taylor. In this episode of the podcast, we’re talking to the very lovely Sabrina Pace-Humphreys. But before that, Holly and I chat about ultrarunning and the races we’d be keen to take on. Then we chat to Sabrina, who we’ve had on the pod before but wanted to get on again because of three huge things. Firstly, she’s just completed the very brutal Spine Rac
Ep 102. Nutrition, supplements, shoe tech, social media nasties
Welcome to episode 102 of the Women’s Running podcast. I am your host, Esther Newman, and she’s your other host, Holly Taylor. We start today chatting nutrition and supplements. I’m a bit of a fan of things that promise the earth, but I also enjoy taking things that I *know* will help me recover quicker and potentially help me to prevent injuries – along with my strength work of course. So that leads us to discuss all things turmeric and collagen.We also talk about the shoes that
Ep 101. Running shoes, hydration in summer, the appeal of triathlon
Welcome to episode 101 of the Women’s Running podcast. We have a special guest with us this episode, Sophie Coldwell, Team GB triathlete and all-round good egg. She’s also going to be a Women’s Running cover star in August. But before we talk to her we have some important things to discuss, such as the many holidays we’re going on this summer. We also talk about the trainers we’re currently running in, the start of my marathon training, and the nutrition that we’re using on o
Ep 100. Celebrations, fave episodes, emotions run high, the joy of running
Welcome to the hundredth episode of the award-winning Women’s Running Podcast! It’s our hundredth episode! We are so thrilled, so we’re having a celebration – this is our second plonkcast, and this time it’s thoroughly In Person. In the actual same room! We pop the cork on a rather lovely bottle of English sparkling, and we start off by chatting through our very favourite episodes. We talk about Josie Perry our most favourite psychotherapistwho made us cry in episode 97, the wonderful
Ep 99. Tempo running, race plans, hangovers, famous runners
Welcome to episode 99 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I am your host Esther Newman, and Holly Taylor is the other one. In this episode, Holly and I are talking about the night before. We were out last Tuesday at the BSME Talent Awards, in which we had been shortlisted for two awards. We didn’t win the one for our podcast (boo) but we DID win the Diversity and Inclusion Award. We got very very drunk, and we are giddy with our win here. Especially as I got to meet my Cbeebies hero Dr Ranj who
EP 98. Sweating, marathon and half training hacks, race day mistakes
Welcome to episode 98 of the Women’s Running Podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your co-host, that’s Holly Taylor. We recorded this on that super hot Friday a week or so ago, so you’ll have to forgive us for kicking off proceedings by discussing underboob sweat and cold showers. This week we have a special guest on the show, Anna Harding from The Running Channel, who we’ve had on before, along with a very special appearance by Ralphie the interrupting dog. I wanted to
Ep 97. Running as punishment, sport addiction, disordered eating, psychology
In this episode, Holly and I are delving into the psychology of running and nutrition. We have a special guest with us for much of the episode, Josephine Perry, a sports psychologist who has genuinely blown our tiny minds. Josie got into sports psychology after doing an Ironman, while facing a scary ocean for the swim section. The tannoy shouted out to the assembled athletes: “You guys can’t change those waves, but you can change the way you feel about them” and it switched her brain into gear,
Ep 96. Training plan fails, charity racing, running records and trivia
In this episode Holly and I have a bit of a confession to make, because my Mac crashed halfway through this and we had to re-record what was actually a ludicrously funny half an hour talking about wine drinking. So we hastily recorded another podcast and the first half of this is the result. We start off talking about various skin conditions – and let us know if you can sympathise here. Moving on we chat about afternoon drinking, adapting training plans, and running when we shouldn’t really run.
Ep 95. Half and full marathon training plans, nerves and rewards
In this episode Holly and I are talking training plans. Well, first of all, we’re talking about Holly’s very big life decision, of which I will say no more – you’ll just have to listen in to find out more. And *then* we’re talking training plans and running diaries. We talk about how to manage your training and your own expectations when things go slightly off the rails, and we talk about some of the fundamental issues that can affect our running – in this instance, it's sleep. For those of us s
Ep 94. The Big Women's Running Podcast Quiz!
This week we have something truly special for you. Firstly, we have a bit of a pooey story to start us off, with which I know we’re truly spoiling you (and it’s not even anything to do with Runner’s Trots), but the main event here is our very first Big Running Quiz. Holly is in the hotseat, while I’m doing my very best quizmaster impression, possibly channelling Anne Robinson. But it’s all for a good reason – running is jam packed with weird lingo and we’re here to demystify with the help of som
Ep 93. Chafing, the things we listen to, the worst annoyance ever
In this episode, Holly and I begin with a rather burning issue. We’re talking about the dreaded chafe here, and Hol is giving her all in this podcast so we must be supportive, even if her choice of running pants is questionable. We chat through our running, and we’re both on the up in that regard. Then, today, we want to talk about the stuff that entertains us while we’re running – in my running career, I’ve moved from music, to radio, to podcasts to audiobooks and I have a LOT of opinions about
Ep 92. Mugs, menopause, HRT and Eurovision
In this episode Holly and I start by chatting about her very brilliant mug. So it’s all very standard really. Honestly, we go on about it for AGES, so if you want informed running chat you have definitely come to the wrong place. Try that boring podcast over there. There is a bit of running, I promise, but I’m afraid we then quickly disappear into a little Eurovision love-fest.But then we have a very special guest – the brilliant Dr Juliet McGrattan, who is a runner AND a doctor, two good thing
Ep 91. Stress, safety, breathing techniques, embarrassing moments
In this episode Holly and I are talking about the National Running Show, which took place last weekend. This was a big event for the podcast, as we were doing a talk on stage, and we were a little bit nervous about it – thankfully it’s all over and done with now, and it went better than we could ever have expected! Did you see us there? We also talk about stress, and how that can affect our training negatively, something I’d be interested to hear from you about if this is something that has also
Ep 90. Seagulls, Scummy Mummies, 10K races
In this bumper episode, Esther and Holly launch into it with the week’s headline event: Holly’s fight with one of Bath’s resident Herring Gulls. One stressful day later, and bolstered with a tetanus jab, she is FINE, and has used the experience to boost our stats on the podcast. Good girl. Then, less interestingly, Esther ran the London Vitality 10,000 on Monday, so lots of chat about the experience, the runners, the course, the time. Then Esther and Holly talk to comedians Scummy Mummies, one o
Ep 89. Accidental ultras, 10K training, embarrassing moments
In this episode Holly and I are talking about how doing this podcast is our therapy (sorry for that). We also talk about how incredibly awful netball is, and the old “thank you marshall” email rears its head again. We are firmly in two minds here. Then I get the chance to debrief the trail run at the weekend that allows me to officially describe myself as an ultrarunner. In short, it was ace – find out more about my first ever just-about ultra, and the best way to start doing this too. We also t
Ep 88. Ups and downs, FKTs, more annoyances
This week, Holly and I are chatting utter nonsense as ever, as well as a bit of running chat you’ll be pleased to hear, from tales of woe around her poorly foot, to my nerves ahead of a fast approaching trail marathon.I interrupt our gassing to have a lovely chat with Anna-Marie Watson, an ultrarunner like no one I’ve ever met before. Over the last ten years she’s trained and raced across the globe, and has achieved podium positions at multiple ultras, and has competed in three Ironman World Cha
Ep 87. Berlin! Berlin! Berlin!
This is our special we’ve-just-got-back-from-Berlin podcast. Holly and I have a LOT to talk about, so brace yourselves. We start off with Drag Race – standard – and then move on swiftly to a whistle-stop tour of our exciting trip to Berlin with Sports Tours International. We talk about hotel etiquette – and most importantly, the concern about which loo to poo in to be the most neighbourly. And we talk about our impressions of Berlin itself – and let me say right here, it’s absolutely bloody AMAZ
Ep 86. Postponements, injuries, annoying pedestrians
In this episode Holly and I are talking about how our running is going in the lead up to the Berlin Half. It’s a game of two halves really, as you’ll soon find out. Changes are afoot, but never fear, we’re still lacing up our lederhosen in anticipation.We also want to talk about the Bath Half controversy – as you might know, this is a race that’s dear to our hearts, being our local half and the first half marathon that both of us have ever done – albeit about 15 years apart. It has been postpone
Ep 85. Hormones, perimenopause, creeps in the gym
This week we’re talking hormones. Well, first of all we’re talking about creepy blokes in spinning classes, swiftly followed by Wordle tactics. It’s all going on. At one point, we even start talking about running. Then after a bit, I have a chat with Dr Nicky Keay from Forth who offer blood tests to track your hormones. This can be massively beneficial for women runners, as she explains. She talks to me about how mapping your hormones over the course of a month can benefit your general health an
Ep 84. Tapering, periods, running to feel
In this episode, Holly and I are talking all sorts of rubbish, and we start off discussing coffee, disappointments at yoga, and other random stuff until we eventually get into running. Mine is going well, the hip niggle appears to have subsided, and Holly has actually jeffed, and jeffed brilliantly, thank you very much. Both of us are running to feel – neither of us feel like doing hill sprints, so we’re jolly well not doing them. But, gloriously, we are enjoying running - and so much more than
Ep 83. Hydration, sweat, dogs and Drag Race
Welcome to episode 83 of the Women’s Running podcast. Today, Holly and I are (belatedly) celebrating International Women’s Day with a bit of random ramblings including the joy of Drag Race, and whether or not Harry Styles or Morten Harket would fancy us. We also talk about more running related stuff, including practising our jeffing, listening to our hips and being kind to ourselves and our training. In a lovely, sweaty interlude I speak to Abby, head scientist from Precision Fuel and Hydration,
Ep 82. Covid recovery, half marathon training, running annoyances
This week on the workshop we have a lot to get off our collective chests. The big news is that Holly has tested negative TODAY and is feeling super happy and looking forward to her first trip to Sainsbury’s, and also her first post-Covid run. We talk about how she should approach that, and how we can both train and run our half marathon in berlin sensibly, so that we enjoy it and don’t collapse. So yes, we start wanging on about the walk/run method, and I get all finger waggy with Holly about th
Ep 81. Chrissie Wellington OBE, World Ironman Champion
In this episode I speak to Chrissie Wellington. Chrissie is so enormously famous in the world of running (and cycling and swimming) that she really needs no introduction. Chrissie is actually part of the Women’s Running family – if you read the magazine you may have noticed her crop up in our annual Product Awards, in which she plays a big part. So we’ve spoken before, and it is to my utter shame she hasn’t appeared on the podcast to this date. We talk about her meteoric rise into professional s
Ep 80. Workshop. Covid, injuries and imposter syndrome
Welcome to episode 80 of the Women’s Running podcast. Holly is in the house – but not my actual house, because she has actual COVID. She’s been dancing around the Covid lurgy for the past couple of weeks, but now it has firmly struck. She’s feeling okay, though, so I cracked the whip and we did this podcast despite the virus. So we talk about that, and we talk about other things that have put the kibosh on our running, including my self diagnosed hip bursitis, which is worrying me ahead of the B
Ep 79. Hannah Beecham, founder of RED January
In this special edition, we speak to Hannah Beecham, the founder of RED Together to find out the answer to the biggest question of all: how we can all attempt to be active every day. I did RED January this year, something I’ve felt increasingly confident about doing because of the shift in recent years from Run Every Day to Active Every Day. We have a lovely, and enormously inspiring (and moving) chat, as Hannah tells me about how she started it all up to support her mum, who had been struggling
Ep78. Workshop. Cross training, motivations, and stress incontinence
In this episode, Holly and I are talking about a load of running bits and pieces that have got us incensed recently. First up: spin classes (which we love) with seats made for men (which we hate). Who out there is going to make a bike seat that doesn’t bruise our undercarriages? It seems ridiculous that in order to boost our cardiovascular health we also have to bruise our vulvas. Second on the list is motivation: we talk about how to keep trucking in the face of race postponement, and – thanks
Ep 77. Paula Radcliffe, running royalty
In this episode I speak to Paula Radcliffe, my biggest running hero. Paula’s record breaking win in 2003 is something I think will always stay with me as not only a highlight in the world of athletics, but an inspiration for women everywhere. So I was a bit giddy to be speaking to her. We talk about her marathon achievements, and what it was like to nab that record on that day. We also talked about what it felt like to have that record taken 17 years later. I also ask her about her first love: c
Ep 76. Workshop. Training curve balls & sports bra fitting
In this episode of the workshop, Holly and I are hugely excitable about several things all at once. Holly’s running has been going brilliantly, so she’s feeling hugely positive about that. Mine isn’t too bad either – I’ve even done some hills, so am feeling a little bit smug. But all that positivity is against a backdrop of the disappointment of our half marathon being postponed, which we’re both gutted about – although we are still looking forward to running it in May. But as far as our trainin
Ep 75. Workshop pro. Cross training and motivation
This episode, Holly and I are chatting to Kate, who is not only our digital assistant on Women’s Running, but she’s also - very usefully – an F45 instructor AND a yoga instructor. And she runs! So she is perfectly place to answer all our questions about cross training, basically. Holly and I are a bit rubbish about doing anything other than running, and we know that cross training is the sensible way forward, but we have lots of questions: WHAT should we be doing, how OFTEN should we be doing it
Ep 74. Workshop. Diets, body neutrality and running recovery
In this episode Holly and I are chatting about running recovery and our experiences with diets. You find us in the middle of chatting about my new haircut, so sorry about that, but I included a bit because it segues brilliantly to a comment we’ve had on the podcast, as you’ll discover. We also talk about running through illness when you should actually be recovering. We talk about how we need to be mindful of the recovery period as much as the running period, both when we’re in training and when
Ep 73. Nell McAndrew, runner and January cover star
In this episode we’re having a chat with Nell McAndrew, who just happens to be gracing the cover of our January issue right at this very minute. Have you got your copy yet? We are so chuffed to have bagged Nell on our cover - now you might remember Nell from back in the 90s when she transformed into Lara Croft and ended up on many a bedroom wall. But these days, she’s better known as a marathon and fitness superstar. She bagged an impressive marathon sub-3 PB back in 2012 at the London Marathon,
Ep 72. Workshop. Resolutions, weight loss and body image
This week on the Workshop Holly and I are talking about this in-between week, the perineum of Christmas. We have a chat about sitting around in your pants watching The Two Ronnies, and getting up off your bum for a new year’s day run. We chat about the anxiety of thinking people are looking at us while we’re running, and general imposter syndrome. We get a bit philosophical in this episode, because we’re looking towards the new year and we know that a lot of people will be adopting a new fitness
Ep 71. Workshop Pro. Resolutions and goals
Welcome to episode 71 of the Women’s Running Workshop, and we’re treating you to a bonus Workshop Pro episode just before Christmas. I’m your host Esther Newman, and in this episode Holly and I are on the receiving end of much wisdom from running coach Laura Fountain. Laura has worked with Women’s Running for YEARS. She writes a column every month for us, and she’s the brains behind all of our training plans. If you’ve torn one of these out of the mag in the last few years, you have Laura to tha
Ep 70. Workshop. Booze, control, Covid & Christmas
Welcome to episode 70 of the Women’s Running Podcast, and in this workshop Holly and I are on the countdown to Christmas. I start this one super hungover, so I use my delicate state to introduce the idea of running and booze. We talk about how covid has changed our drinking, with some big confessions on both sides – Hol and I are coming from very different angles on this. And we also talk about how we are going to manage booze and running over Christmas, which can be a tough thing to do. The key
Ep 69. Suzanne Shaw, popstar, actor and wellness guru
In this episode I have a chat with Suzanne Shaw. Yes, that Suzanne Shaw from Hear’Say. Suzanne is currently gracing the cover of Women’s Running – available now in actual shops – and she’s there for a reason. It’s not just because she was a member of a band that provided the soundtrack to some regrettable moments in my 20s. It’s because she made some very big decisions a couple of years ago that ended up being pretty life-changing. She gave up the booze, she embraced plant-based eating, and – gu
Ep 68. Women's Running Workshop. Winter running & Recovery
Welcome to episode 68 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman, and this is another workshop with me and Holly. I’m not sure why we can even pretend to call this one a workshop, because basically we cackle pretty much all the way through it. So what we’re here to talk about is the massive secret joy that is that we’ve won an actual award – for this actual podcast! One we couldn’t even begin to imagine we would win, so we are utterly thrilled. The award is the PPA Independent P
Ep 67. Workshop Pro. Training for a 2.30 and a 2hr half marathon
This week Holly and I have brought out the big guns to help us with our training for our half marathon next year, as we both have big goals. The big guns are Tina Chantrey. Tina is our Women’s Running Fitness Editor and she’s a running coach. She basically knows everything there is to know about running. So we wanted her to come on to the podcast to throw loads of questions at her about our training, among which are – should we be aiming for a time for our next race, or should we just run for fu
Ep 66. Workshop. 25. Run leading, sports bras & Crohn's
This episode’s chat with Holly is very much a mixed bag. A game of three parts (is that a thing?) we talk about our running, then we talk about a bit of gear that we’ve been running in, and THEN we introduce a brand new feature in which we have a chat about an email we’ve had from a listener. But first, we start with some general Covid chat, because I’m bracing myself for the onslaught and it’s all I can talk about. Then we move swiftly on to running, in which Holly tries to distinguish between
Ep 65. Carla Molinaro. Ultrarunner, adventurer and coach
In this episode I speak to Carla Molinaro. Carla is a runner and adventurer of epic proportions – and even more importantly, if you read the magazine, you might remember her adorning the cover of our April issue this year. She first came to my attention in 2020 when she smashed the Land’s End to John O’Groats record by about 10 hours during lockdown. Turns out this wasn’t her first adventure by a very long chalk. She tells me about her start in running, which actually came from triathlon, and ho
Ep 64. Women's Running Workshop. 24. The winter gear we run in
In this episode we’re talking gear. And there’s a reason for this – We’ve just stumbled past Halloween, and you interrupt us having a giggle about that, and then next up it’s firework night, and before you know it, it’ll be Christmas. Don’t hate me for saying that. So if you’ve got some favours to pull in, it’s worth thinking about those big ticket items first, so you get exactly what you want on Christmas Day. And by that, I mean shoes and jackets. So this is us having a chat about the shoes we
Ep 63. Workshop with Anna Harding: Race day nerves and winter training
Welcome to Episode 63 of the Women’s Running Podcast. This is one of our hybrid episodes – it’s part workshop chat with me and Holly, and part chat with one of our favourite people to give us some advice. Our expert this week is the very lovely Anna Harding from the Running Channel. She���s been on here before – way back in the mists of time in episode 8. Check that out to hear all about how she started running in the first place, and her journey from non-runner to running expert. In this episod
Ep 62. Women's Running Workshop. 23. Parkrun!
In this episode Holly and I are talking about parkrun. Yes, we actually went after talking about it for months. After a bit of an early start, and some not inconsiderable nerves, we got Holly through her very first parkrun – and only my second since lockdown lifted, so it felt very new to both of us. We talk about our experiences, but most specifically Holly’s – how she found the course, the experience itself, and how she feels now. It turns out she was quite overwhelmed by it, in a good way, an
Ep. 61. Nikki Love. Adventurer, ultrarunner and menopause advocate
In this episode, I speak to Nikki Love, runner, adventurer and menopause goddess. I love talking to women who speak frankly about their bodies and their experiences of the weirdnesses being female can throw at us, and Nikki does all of that and then some. We pile straight into the menopause, as Nikki’s experience is pretty grim listening, but also incredibly inspiring for those of us staring menopause in the face. She talks about the stuff that she had to push for with her GP, as traditional HR
Ep 60. Women's Running Workshop. 22. Marathon inspo and running holidays
It’s the 60th episode of the Women’s Running Podcast, and our 22nd Workshop. Goodness we’ve done a lot of podcasts! In this episode Holly and I have a lot to catch up on. We’re talking the day after the London Marathon and we have had ALL the feels about that iconic race, particularly because I didn’t get to run it as planned. We talk about how inspiring it is, how weepy it is, how nerve-wracking it is, and how – sort of secretly – we’d both like to take it on next year. We also talk about the r
Ep 59. Elise Downing, the youngest person to run the coast of Britain
In this episode I speak to Elise Downing. I first heard of Elise when her brilliant book Coasting landed on my doormat. Elise is the youngest person ever to run the coast of Britain, and she has written a masterful memoir of that experience, detailing the literal and figurative ups and downs in the kind of voice that makes you want to go for a pint with her. What makes that feat even more remarkable, as I discover during this discussion, is that she set out with very little preparation and absol
Ep 58. Women's Running Workshop. 21. Kate Percy tells us what to eat
Welcome to episode 58 of the Women’s Running Podcast, and the 21st Workshop. This time, Holly and I have an actual guest. And this has been a long time coming: Kate Percy has worked with Women’s running loads, she’s the utterly lovely brains behind Go Bites, those beautiful balls of loveliness that keep us going on long runs. I wanted us to talk to her, as I thought both Holy and I could do with a bit of guidance when it came to our nutrition. What’s lovely about Kate is that she’s a realist and
Ep 57. Sue Anstiss MBE, presenter and author
Welcome to episode 57 in which I speak to Sue Anstiss. Sue is one of the most passionate champions of women’s sport I think I’ve ever spoken to – and I’ve spoken to a lot of women who are passionate about it! As a founding trustee of the Women’s Sport Trust, co-founder of the Women’s Sport Collective, and CEO of Fearless Women, her over-arching ambition is to forge forward in terms of equality in sport: whether that be representation in the actual sports themselves, or through representation in
Ep 56. Women's Running Workshop. 20. The plonkcast
Welcome to episode 56 of the Women’s Running podcast, and our 20th workshop. So in the spirit of full disclosure, this week it just wasn’t all about the running. If you’ve been following our workshops, you’ll know that it’s been a chequered summer in terms of our training, so this week we’re having a tiny bit of a break. Welcome, my lovelies, to the booze cast. Or the plonkcast. Or the booze pod – we couldn’t decide on an appropriate name. Here we are, drinking a cool glass of wine – at a very a
Ep 55. Rachel Ann Cullen; runner, author and mental health advocate
Welcome to episode 55 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m Esther Newman, editor of Women’s Running, and in this episode I speak to Rachel Ann Cullen. I was originally due to chat with Rachel two years ago at RunFestRun, but she was struck down with a nasty chest infection and it wasn’t meant to be. Rachel is a runner, writer and author: her bestselling debut book, Running For My Life, describes her journey to discover a better version of herself through running following years of mental and phys
Ep 54. Women's Running Workshop. 19. Mental health, part 2: anxiety & panic
Welcome to our 19th Workshop. I’m back chatting with Holly, digital editor of Women’s Running. We have some very big things to talk about in this workshop. Holly has had a grim time of it, but in true Holly style, was more than happy to talk about everything with me here. Obviously it’s not all grimness, because we do tend to stagger off at very peculiar tangents, so we start by chatting about the crap emails we receive and by banging on about Duran Duran. We also talk about other good things to
53. Eilish McColgan, Olympian and record breaker
In this episode I speak to running royalty and three-time Olympian Eilish McColgan. Eilish is an Olympic, World and Commonwealth Finalist who has just returned from her third Olympics in Tokyo where she competed in the 5000 metre and 10,000 metre races. Eilish is an avid user of Polar, the world leader in wearable sports and heart rate technology. Polar are pioneers in wearable sports technology, helping athletes and coaches at all levels to improve their health, performance, and overall wellbei
Ep 52. Women's Running Workshop. 18. Overtraining, adrenal fatigue and finding balance
My partner in running crime Holly is on holiday this week so in a small change to the advertised programme I talk to Kate Sellers, our digital assistant. Kate has been part of the women’s running team since January. She is a fitness enthusiast, a keen runner, a yoga teacher and an F45 instructor, so she’s pretty mega. But her journey with running and fitness has not been entirely smooth. Two years ago she was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue after she presented with a number of symptoms, including
Ep 51. Nicky Spinks, Queen of the Fells
In episode 51 I’m speaking to the legend that is Nicky Spinks. Nicky was a cover star for Women’s Running on the issue before I started, so for me she has always been the one that got away. Not any more! Here she is chatting about her incredible running career so far. Nicky is one of the greatest fell runners of all time, if not the greatest. She set women’s records for the Ramsay Round (that’s 58 miles in Scotland including Ben Nevis), The Paddy Buckley Round (that’s 65 miles in Snowdonia with
Ep 50. Women's Running Workshop. 17. Race day nerves
We’re celebrating our 50th episode by chatting about random stuff with a bit of running thrown in, as ever. We’re a couple of weeks away from our 10K and half marathon races in the middle of August. Along with some highly relevant content about nice mugs to drink tea from, what we mainly talk about is race day nerves, and all the various worries we have that constitute that. So that’s worrying about our sluggish pace, and also worrying about what other people might think, as well as our concerns
Ep 49. Jess Judd, 5000m British champion and Olympian
In this episode I speak to Jess Judd, British 5000m champion and soon-to-be Olympian. Jess is on the plane to Tokyo any minute now, I think, and I’m so excited about watching her race while she’s there – she’s due to be running the double: the 5000 metres and the 10,000 metres. She talks to me here about her modest start with running, her dad’s love of the sport, and how his enthusiasm was infectious. How she took to it like a duck to water, falling in love with both track and cross country. I a
Ep 48. Women's Running Workshop. 16. Running and mental health
In this episode, Holly has a bit of a confession to make. So we start off by talking about shifting our expectations with our running, and how that is perfectly okay – what’s not okay is pushing yourself so that you’re uncomfortable with your goals: these goals are supposed to be rewards for our training, not a stick to beat ourselves up with. We also talk about the bits of cross training we’re doing, and the wonderful Yoga with Adrienne. Then the big topic this episode is mental health. We chat
Ep 47. Natasha Acres, founder of Earth Runs
In this episode I talk to Natasha Acres, the founder of Earth Runs. There are several brilliant things about Tash. First off, she’s the brains behind Earth Runs; this virtual running initiative plants trees according to the number of miles you run. And, if you wish, you can further reward yourself with one of her truly original, and very magnificent seed bomb medals. Secondly, because this initiative is truly awesome, and because she managed to cobble together an entry at the very last minute, T
Ep 46. Women's Running Workshop. 15. Periods and running
Welcome to episode 46 of the Women’s Running podcast, and our 15th Workshop. We kick off this one by talking about Holly’s concerns about our upcoming half marathon. I do my best to allay her fears about coming last, and general anxiety about a smaller race, in terms of runner numbers. On the one hand it’s a bit of a relief not to have the pressure of so many people, but both of us are concerned about feeling a bit exposed. But we are determined to enjoy it, to take it slow, and to keep hydrated
Ep 45. Catherine Foster, the Great Run Company
In this episode I speak to Catherine Foster. Now, not many of you will know who Catherine is, but I bet a million quid that LOADS of you have enjoyed running in her race. Catherine works for the Great Run Company, and the flagship event that they organise is the biggest half marathon in the world, the Great North Run.Pre-lockdown, I think a great deal of us took running events for granted – they were a fixture on our calendars, and something to look forward to and to motivate us. It never occurr
Ep 44. Women's Running Workshop. 14. Heart rate training
Welcome to episode 44 of the Women’s Running Podcast and our 14th workshop. This episode is our virtual Vitality 10K debrief: we’ve got a LOT to unpack here. We talk about our 10K, and annoyingly listening back to this I say that we “failed”. We didn’t fail, we did the damn thing, but we didn’t do what we promised ourselves we would do. So we chat about that and tactics to avoid lying to ourselves in the future. The big discussion point here is that we’ve got a half marathon coming up on 15th Au
Ep 43. Becca Burns, ASICS FrontRunner and triathlete
In this episode I speak to Becca Burns, otherwise known as This Bunny Runs. Becca is an ASICS FrontRunner and an all-round running ambassador. I first met Becca way back in 2019 at RunFit in Liverpool, but everything has changed since then – including all the things she loves. Back then she was an ardent road runner, and was just about to take on the Liverpool marathon. Shortly after I spoke to her there, however, she made the move into diversifying her sporting loves, embracing both trail runni
Ep 42. Women’s Running Workshop. 13. All the kit we wear
This is our 13th workshop, and in this one Holly and I talk about one of our favourite subjects: running kit! I wanted to chat about what we’re going to be wearing for the virtual Vitality 10K, and in the course of that discussion just chat about our favourite bits and pieces, and what we’re going to be investing in next. We’ve both learned so much over the last few years in terms of the kit and shoes that work for us – in a surprise move even for her, Holly comes out and confesses that she actu
Ep 41. Anna McNuff, adventurer and author
In this episode I speak to Anna McNuff. Again. This is a bit of an anniversary episode as Anna was our very first podcast guest in May 2020 – check that out in episode 1. I’d interviewed her then a few months previously at the National Running Show in person, when life was very, very different, when I didn’t even know how to spell coronavirus. And here she is after having quite an epic year. Not content with just surviving the pandemic and lockdown, she also decided to get pregnant, buy her firs
Ep 40. Women's Running Workshop. 12. Hydration and new races
Welcome to the 12th Women’s Running Workshop with me, Esther Newman, and Holly Taylor. It’s a fortnight, or thereabouts, off from our virtual Vitality 10K (and I believe there is still time to enter if you’d like to join us. And please DO join us, because we’ve been chivvying each other along as best we can, but nothing supports us as runners more than the knowledge that there’s loads of us everywhere all doing the same thing! So we talk about that, and about how our training has been going. We’
Ep 39. Dr Juliet McGrattan, on periods, menopause and running
In this episode I speak to Dr Juliet McGrattan. Juliet has written for Women’s Running for YEARS, lending her considerable medical expertise to our conversations about women’s physical and mental health. She’s basically our go-to expert on pretty much everything. She’s a doctor, as well as a writer, and is also a director of Fearless 261 here in the UK. She’s written two books – the latest of which, Run Well, is every runner’s complete guide to healthcare, from shin splints to menopause, it’s al
Ep 38. Women's Running Workshop. 11. 10K speed sessions
In episode 11 of our Women’s Running workshop, Holly and I are building up to our virtual Vitality 10K at the end of May. You join us in the middle of a heated debate about recycling – so you may want to gloss over that. I talk about my 20-mile run/walk that I completed the weekend before (spoiler: it was LOVELY) and show off my medal (tricky on a podcast), and Holly talks about her improved running since recovering from not-Covid. I then try to include a bit of structure into the remaining week
Ep 37. Linda Jaros, running recovery expert
In episode 37 of the Women’s Running podcast we’re talking about recovery with Linda Jaros, a breathing and wellness coach. Linda has been passionate about caring for athletes for her entire career – and that’s more than 30 years now. The thing that made me immediately warm to her was her statement that “we don’t run with just our legs”. It can be borderline dangerous if you seek professional help for a running issue, and they only focus on that one bit. Linda, as all the best professionals in r
Ep 36. Women’s Running Workshop. 10. Taking 10K easy
Episode 36 of the Women’s Running podcast is our 10th Workshop. In this episode Holly and I are talking easy running. We have the virtual Vitality 10K at the end of May to train for, but after 2020 and also us training for our virtual half in March, I want us both to take this easy. We begin by talking about imposter syndrome, which it turns out both of us suffer from without explicitly mentioning it, in terms of team sports at school. And how our lacklustre performances at which have lead to us
Ep 35. Bryony Gordon, author and Mental Health Mates founder
Welcome to episode 35! This week I’m chatting to Bryony Gordon. Author, columnist, podcaster, founder of Mental Health Mates, underwear marathon runner and champion of body positivity, Bryony has always been firmly on our radar. I first met Bryony just over a year ago, before our first lockdown and the world tipped off its axis. We met as part of the Celebrate You crew, a bunch of women all running the Vitality 10,000 or the London Marathon with the ambition of encouraging more women to do the s
Ep 34. Women's Running Workshop. 9. Hip strength and injury prevention
In this episode of the Women’s Running Workshop, Holly and I have something different for you. Ever since her first half marathon in 2020, Holly has complained that she’s had a little bit of a hip niggle, and knowing that hip injuries are frighteningly common in runners we thought we’d track down someone to help with that and dedicate this episode to hip injuries and hip strength for runners. So here we are chatting with Victoria Smith a physio who specialises in hips and hip strength for runner
Ep 33. Mel Bound, founder of the We Will campaign
In this episode I speak to Mel Bound. This is the second time we’ve had Mel on the podcast, and there’s a very good reason for that. In recent weeks, we’ve launched the We Will campaign. We have been appalled at what feels like a recent rise in the harassment and heckling of women runners, and we got together to talk about that. And once we started talking about it, we realised that this wasn't recent at all: this is every woman's lived experience - always. At Women’s Running we had se
Ep 32. Women's Running Workshop. 8. The half marathon debrief
So Holly and I have made it past the half marathon date – and this is our debrief. Did we succeed? And, actually and more importantly, what did success mean to both of us? It turns out we both wanted very different things from our half marathon experiences, and we had very different runs. We talk about what we had hoped for, and what actually transpired, and how the differences between those two things have coloured our opinions of ourselves and of our running.. For me, it has challenged everyth
Ep 31. Jada Sezer, model and marathon runner
In this episode we chat to the very joyful Jada Sezer. I first met Jada at the beginning of March 2020 – a month most of us remember pretty well for some reason. Before all of that kicked off, and long before we knew our worlds were going to change so radically, we met up at the New Balance pub in London, with an impressive bunch of women including Bryony Gordon, Deborah James, Anna Harding, Emma Campbell and Andrea McLean, all of us booked in to run either the London Marathon or the London Vita
Ep 30. Women's Running Workshop. 7. Race day prep and recovery
Welcome to episode 30 of the Women’s Running Podcast. This is our 7th Running Workshop, in which I chat to Holly Taylor about our training ahead of our half marathon this weekend. We open this episode with the mother of all confessions in terms of that virtual half, so hang on to your hats. Mainly, though we talk about tapering, race day prep and a bit about recovery too. So we talk about Holly’s walk/run strategy, which has been brilliant and has worked fantastically for her, and we also talk a
Ep 29. Lucy Hurn, expert run coach and personal trainer
In this episode we speak to Lucy Hurn. Lucy is a personal trainer, a running coach and a triathlete, and she works with the fitness and wellness app Auro. I wanted to speak to her because she basically knows everything about running – she’s an absolute goldmine of running information. Now that Holly and I are coming to the end of our training for our virtual half marathon, I wanted to speak to a trusted running coach to ask her all our questions, and so that you could ask her your questions too.
Ep 28. Women's Running Workshop. Nutrition and tapering.
Welcome to episode 28 of the Women’s Running podcast: this is our 6th Women’s Running Workshop. In this episode, we’re getting closer to our half marathon start line, and we hear how Holly’s running has been going over the last four weeks – spoiler: pretty good actually. Endurance is coming on apace, but I obviously need to slap her wrists about the strength training, but I let her off the hook because runners always avoid strength and conditioning, so I just see it as Holly becoming a Proper Ru
Ep 27. Jo Pavey, five-times Olympian
In episode 27 of the Women’s Running podcast, we speak to Jo Pavey. Yes, Jo blooming Pavey. It’s difficult not to feel starry eyed about five-time Olympian Jo Pavey, but she instantly puts you at your at ease. She’s warm, lovely and super enthusiastic about running at all levels. She’s more than happy to offer advice to us amateurs and is keen to get us all out running. “Running is amazing!” she says, And she’s right. We talked to Jo on a chilly January day over Zoom. We start off by talking abo
Ep 26. Women's Running Workshop. 5. Guided interval run with Auro
Welcome to episode 26 of the Women’s Running podcast. This is our 5th Workshop, and this time we’ve got something a little different for you. In the last four workshops, you may have tuned in to hear Holly and me banging on about our running as we gear up for our virtual half marathon in March. We are still training for that and very much banging on about it – do please listen in to our next workshop at the end of Feb for our next exciting instalment. But in this episode we have a special treat
Ep 25. Denise Stephenson, founder of Emancipated Run Crew
In this episode we speak to Denise Stephenson. We had a chat at the end of 2020, just before the third lockdown came in. We discovered Denise by chance as the founder of the Emancipated Run Crew in South London, and fell in love with her passion for inclusivity and her joyous approach to running. Denise is, as we discover, busy. She is a solicitor by day, a profession that she only realised might have a place for her after a black lawyer came to speak at her secondary school. That experience, al
Ep 24. Women's Running Workshop. 4: Strength training
Welcome to episode 24 of the Women’s Running podcast, and our fourth Women’s Running Workshop. In this I speak to Holly Taylor, Women’s Running digital editor, about how her training for her half marathon is going. We’re both signed up to do a virtual half marathon in the middle of March, and we’re working together to make her feel confident and strong ahead of that. If you’d like to train alongside us, that would be great! Do please drop me any questions about your training, if you have any.In
Ep 23. Special episode: Eddie Izzard
In this very special extra episode we speak to Eddie Izzard. Eddie is a big runner and a trans woman. She made headlines recently when her decision to use she/her pronouns came to light. We wanted to talk to her about her running experiences, and to demonstrate the inclusivity and support of our community. Last year, Eddie decided it was time to do something big, and she wanted to use running to achieve it. Throughout January 2021, under the banner of Make Humanity Great Again, Eddie is running
Ep 22. Holly Rush, ex GB road runner and ultra runner
Welcome to episode 22 of The Women’s Running podcast. In this episode we speak to relentlessly positive ultrarunner Holly Rush. Holly is the co-host of the Marathon Talk podcast with lovely Martin Yelling, she’s the Asics Frontrunner manager, an ASICS studio coach, and an online coach and mentor. As an ex-GB runner, she has represented Britain at the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games. She talks to us here about how she discovered her talent for running, and her training for the G
Ep 21. Women's Running Workshop. 3. Form
It’s episode 10, series 2 of the Women’s Running podcast! This is our third Women’s Running Workshop. In this episode, Esther chats with Holly, the Women’s Running digital editor about her running, as she builds towards running a virtual half marathon in March 2021. If you’d like to do this with us, it would be great to hear from you – do please email Esther with any questions you have – address below. Over the next few workshops, we’re going to be chatting about how she’s going to increase her
Ep 20. Jenni Falconer, TV and radio presenter
In this episode, we speak to the very lovely Jenni Falconer, TV presenter, radio broadcaster and avid London marathoner. We had a chat last October, just before Halloween and the second lockdown kicked in. She was as charming as she sounds on the radio and on her podcast: enthusiastically talking about her great love of running while brushing away her recent stress fracture. We chatted about her very first on screen appearance – on Blind Date, no less, just after she’d completed her A Levels. An
Ep 19. Leanne Davies, founder of Run Mummy Run
Welcome to episode 8, series 2 of the Women’s Running podcast. In this episode we speak to Leanne Davies, the founder of Run Mummy Run. Run Mummy Run have just reached their 8-birthday milestone, and we spoke to Leanne just beforehand, and her passion for women’s health and wellbeing is extraordinary. From an initial group of just three runners, Run Mummy Run has grown into a unique community that supports and nurtures thousands of members, all abiding by Leanne’s overriding ethos, which has kin
Ep 18. Women's Running Workshop. 2. Warm ups and technical running
This is the second podcast in our series for beginner runners, or for those getting back into it, or just if you’re interested in unbefuddling some of the weirder running lingo. In this episode, Esther and Holly have a chat about how Holly's running has been over the past couple of weeks. We also talk about her current warm -up routine, and the sort of moves she can do to warm her muscles and joints up a bit more than, as she says, “putting her leggings on and going downstairs”. We talk about wa
Ep 17. Gabby Logan, Broadcaster
In this episode we speak to Gabby Logan. Gabby is a mainstay on our TV, presenting Match of the Day and Question of Sport, as well as reporting on the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, and the London Marathon. Coming from a very sporty family, it’s perhaps not surprising that Gabby excelled at sport as a child, becoming an accomplished gymnast in her teens. Injury put an end to her gymnastic career, but an appearance on Blue Peter tapped into her ambition to launch a career in broadcasting, whic
Ep 16. Women's Running Workshop. 1. Start to run, with Esther and Holly
Welcome to the Women’s Running Workshop. This is the first in a new series of podcasts for beginner runners. In our first episode I have a chat with Holly, our Women’s Running digital editor. She’s eyeing up the virtual Bath Half in spring 2021, and I want to help her get there. So we got together to talk about her training, to figure out where she thinks she is running-wise, and to chat about what she can do in the next few weeks to get her fitness levels up. This is the perfect opportunity to
Ep 15. Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, founder of Black Trail Runners
Welcome to episode 4, series 2 of the Women’s Running podcast. In this episode we speak to Sabrina Pace-Humphreys. We weren’t sure what to expect by the time we spoke to her: at that time she had garnered quite a bit of interest partially because she’s one of the founders of Black Trail Runners, and had already been a cover star on a different running magazine. What we didn’t expect was just how inspiring, how brilliant, how funny she was: in many ways, Sabrina has been one of the most fun conv
Ep 14. Jess Piasecki, winner of the 2019 Florence Marathon
It’s episode 3 series 2 of the Women’s Running podcast! And in this episode we speak to Jess Piasecki, the winner of the Florence Marathon in 2019. We like to talk about journeys at Women’s Running – we’re much like Strictly Come Dancing in that respect – and Jess’s journey in particular is compelling. She came to our attention when she won that marathon in 2019, in so doing becoming the third fastest GB woman of all time. But how she got to that startline in the first place is a rollercoaster j
Ep 13. Tasha Thompson, founder of Black Girls Do Run
In this episode, we talk to Tasha Thompson, the founder of the online community and running group Black Girls Do Run. She set her group up a year ago to inspire black women to run for their fitness, their health and their mental wellbeing. Tasha’s always been a runner, but she had noticed that very few other black women were joining her at the start line of races, and she quickly realised that there were a ton of barriers that prevented black women from taking up running. She set up Black Girls
Ep 12. Susie Chan, ultrarunner and presenter
In episode one of season two of the Women’s Running podcast, we talk to Susie Chan. Susie is a hugely inspirational ultrarunner, having taken on dozens of endurance challenges across the globe. She’s a popular woman in the running industry, and you might have seen her popping up on your TVs or at the National Running Show interviewing other runners and commenting on races. We talked to her about exploring her local area during lockdown, going from a “few half marathons” to the running the Marath
Ep 11. Marathon special: Deborah James and Emma Campbell
This is the special Marathon Edition of the Women’s Running podcast. On Sunday 4th October Esther, along with 43,000 others, ran the virtual London Marathon. Two women who also ran it were Deborah James and Emma Campbell, both of whom have been on the podcast before. This time we wanted to talk to them both about our experiences running our virtual races. They ran together, supporting each other every step of every mile, while raising money for their beloved Royal Marsden, a hospital that has su
Ep 10. Sophie Power, ultrarunner and entrepreneur
In episode 10, we speak to the very aptly-named Sophie Power. Ultrarunning star, Women’s Running cover star, and ardent campaigner on women’s health, Sophie is a hugely inspiring woman. She found sudden fame two years ago when she was photographed breastfeeding at a checkpoint at the UTMB. She allowed this beautiful picture of her to be taken, hoping that it would in some way influence event directors of ultra races into allowing pregnant runners to defer their places. She talks to us here about
Ep 9. Deborah James, author and presenter
In episode 9 of the Women’s Running podcast we talk to Deborah James, who you might know better as Bowelbabe. If someone can be the ‘face’ of bowel cancer, Deborah is that person. She is vivacious, uncompromising, witty and incredibly honest about life with cancer. She’s been documenting her experiences publicly for the past four years, but really came to our attention last year when she ran the Vitality 10K in her pants with a bunch of other brilliant women including Bryony Gordon, Women’s Runn
Ep 8. Anna Harding, founder of The Running Channel
In this episode, Esther Newman, editor of Women’s Running, speaks to Anna Harding, the founder of the Running Channel. Anna has gone from non-runner to running expert in a ludicrously quick time. Just a few years ago, she made the leap from couch to marathon, and hasn’t stopped running since. She talks to us here about starting the Running Channel, and supporting a community that she truly loves, as well as how an ex boyfriend prompted her to start running in the first place (by telling her that
Ep 7. Jemma Lewis, This Girl Can Run Far
In episode 7 of the Women’s Running podcast, editor Esther Newman chats to Jemma Lewis, better known as This Girl Can Run Far. She’s a runner we can all relate to, having taken up running as an antidote to gym-going after the birth of her daughter. But the thing is with Jemma is that a) she’s really *really* good, and b) she’s incredibly down to earth. Here, she talked to me about taking on her first ultra with the proceeds of a last-minute modelling gig with This Girl Can, and how Joe Wicks has
Ep 6. Emma Kirk Odunubi, coach, Under Armour runner and shoe geek
Emma knows everything there is to know about running shoes: she's a total running shoe nerd and has put in the hours: she's worked in the running industry for over 10 years and is a sports scientist to boot. But where many of you will know her from is Instagram as @emmakirkyo, where her brilliant videos on shoe lacing had me hooked from the start. And that's not to mention the drills, the strength training, and the general no-nonsense, smart attitude to running fitness. And in terms of running,
Ep 5. Emma Campbell, author, runner and cancer thriver
Emma Campbell has a list of labels as long as your arm: author, writer, speaker, three times cancer thriver, mum of four, Women’s Running columnist, runner. There are more, too, but for now let’s concentrate on these ones. She’s such an incredible woman that when I first spoke to her at the end of last year, I’d signed her up to be a columnist within half an hour. She talks here honestly and beautifully about her experiences with cancer, and how she has dealt with those diagnoses while simultane
Ep 4. Lisa Jackson, author of Your Pace Or Mine
Ah Lisa Jackson. If you ever wanted to be inspired to run anything – but particularly a marathon – Lisa is your woman. I met her first last year at Run Fest, and then again at the start of this year, and both those times, I left feeling energised, inspired and pretty invincible, to be honest. She has run over a hundred marathons, and one of the many wonderful things about her is that she is fully proud of coming last in 25 of those marathons. She’s a back-of-the-pack runner, and she loves it the
Ep 3. Mel Bound, founder and CEO of This Mum Runs
We talked to Mel Bound back in September 2019. She's incredible. After undergoing life-changing back surgery and having kids, she tentatively put out a post on Facebook for some running buddies, and from there This Mum Runs was born. These days, it's gone from a local free weekly running group to an organisation with a truly global reach, with TMR running groups all over the world, a clothing range, and a manifesto to inspire women to move that will bring tears to your eyes. Mel has recently lau
Ep 2. Susannah Gill, 777 World Champion
We talked to Susannah back in November 2019. She's a force of nature, emphasised by her win at the World Marathon Challenge in January 2019. In this, she ran seven marathons, on seven continents in seven days. It's exhausting just typing it. The thing that makes it even more incredible than the feat itself is that we've been shown videos of Susannah before she was coached at the Running School. She went there just months before taking on the challenge, and her coach and mentor, Mike Antoniades,
Ep 1. Anna McNuff, legendary barefoot adventurer
We talked to Anna McNuff back in January 2020. Anna is the stuff of legend: most recently she has run over 2300 miles across the UK barefoot, fundraising and raising awareness for GirlGuiding as she went. She also amassed a whole raft of admirers and fellow runners along the way. But this wasn't Anna's first adventure: from clambering over Hadrian's wall (dressed as a Roman centurion - obviously) to cycling through every single state in North American, Anna loves a bit of a challenge. We talk to