Cari started running 23 years ago, when she was 10 years old. It has played a massive part of her life, with just few interims away from running. Cari started running Track and after a a period away from running she rediscovered the sport and specifically road running in her twenties. Cari had a long-time goal to complete a Marathon before her 30th Birthday. One month away from her 29th she reminded herself of this goal, and got training.

Cari is a great example of when - sometimes we need to alter our daily and weekly schedule slightly in order to juggle everything swapping her morning/evening runs to lunchtime runs. 

Cari tells us she is stubborn and self-motivated, She explains just how she achieved a massive PB of 13 minutes in the Marathon this year at London Marathon, achieving a time of 3:01. Like most episodes, Cari shares with us the do’s and don’t’s to Marathon Training, and her top tips to getting started with running as well as her #WhyIrun. 

Links:

Cari’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/therunninglifeofcari/

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/

Simon Grace, AKA @runfatboyrun2017 has inspired me greatly over the past year. He has achieved not only his first Marathon this year at Manchester Marathon start of April, but he also went on to run London Marathon just three weeks later and then his third Marathon in Berlin this October where he achieved his goal of a sub 3:30 Marathon. Yet, when he started running towards the end of 2015 he did not enjoy it, and struggled to run a mile. 

Simon has a brilliant attitude to running, training and life. Being a father of three, Simon knows too well the art of juggling work and family life with running and training. He tells us how he manages to schedule in his running and training, and he gives some great advice in this chat.

Simon tells us just how he got into running, where he struggled with running less than a mile - to completing three marathons this year. He has had incredible progress within his running, progressing from a 2:00 hour half marathon - 90 minutes. 

Me and Simon also chat about post race/event Blues, How Instagram can be used as a Diary, and Memory Board to help motivate us, and hold ourselves accountable, and also the importance of setting small achievable goals in order to succeed as a runner.

Links:

Simon’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/runfatboyrun2017/

Simon’s Blog

https://fatboy.run/

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/

Carly, a wife and mother of two started running around three years ago. Unfortunately like many, Carly did not identify herself as a Runner immediately, until one day she no longer judged herself and had fallen in love with running and then saw herself as a runner. 

Now - Carly loves to get outdoors, she loves running the trails with friends; Opting to run with others and socialise over any lone runs.

Carly has had an epic year, from completing her first 10k in September 2018, to running her first half the Forest of Dean Half in March 2019, to falling into longer distances; tackling a trail Marathon and then taking on the Threshold Trail Series' Race to The Tower Ultra-marathon and running 41 miles!!! Sadly injury dictated the end to her day, and meant Carly could not finish the race, but nonetheless Carly has achieved and gained so much in just a small space of time. Along the journey she has made great friends, and has inspired her daughters, she has raised money for brilliant charities, and become an Ambassador for the incredible movement and mission that is Runners Heal. 

A beautifully inspiring person, with big goals set for 2020. 

Links:

Carly Barnes

girl_run_the_shire Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/girl_run_the_shire/ 

Threshold trail Series

https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com/

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/

Twelve Day Marathon

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/twelvedaymarathon/

Website:

http://www.twelvedaymarathon.com/

Runners Heal

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/runnersheal/

Website:

https://www.runners-heal.com/

Catrin is a Runner, this past year she has worked part time as a Diabetic Specialist Dietician, whilst also studying for her Masters in Sports Nutrition. Catrin has inspired and amazed me as she has managed to continue running and racing, swimming and cycling and leading a healthy active lifestyle despite the busy and stressful year she has had. Catrin is proof that you can find time in a busy schedule, and she explains how the power of exercise is a great tool to cope with stressful, overwhelming times as well as an activity that brings joy and health benefits. She agrees that "you never regret going" and also agrees how "finding your why" can truly benefit you in staying motivated and driven. Tune in to hear just how Catrin managed to juggle everything; what running has brought to her life, and her greatest tips in getting started in running as well as hearing some of her goals, both academically and in running.

Links:

Catrin’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/runningwithcatrin

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/

Mat is a husband, a father of three and an ultra runner.

Mathew started running in 2016 as a way to get fitter, and to get some headspace. Prior to finding running Mat was 20stone and eating takeaways. When he first started running, he found it incredibly hard,

Nowadays Mat runs three marathons on a weekly basis. He gets up 3:30am on three weekday mornings to run a marathon distance, Mat will do this before work and before breakfast, he opts for the early morning run because he works full time and family life is busy, with his children and their hobbies. Mat’s dedication to his passion and training is incredibly inspiring.

Mat prefers to train for the longer distances, preferring marathon - ultra distance.

Mat has recently participated in the Leicestesheire Ultra - a 54 km Ultra Marathon, this was only his second official race/event, and he placed 2nd! His first race was the Rat Race’s infamous The Wall (110km Race) in 2017, and placed 20th.

Tune in to hear just how one Challenge set by a work colleague was not achieved due to a fear, but how a different and epic challenge was set, and since then Mat’s life has changed and he has never looked back. 

Links:

Mat’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mat_runsuk/ 

Rat Race

https://ratrace.com/

Rat Race’s The Wall

https://ratracethewall.co.uk/

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/

[External Links at bottom of page]

Sophie started running 2009, she found herself signing up to the infamous Marathon des Sables before she had even run a mile, having been inspired by a friend who’d completed the multi stage event of 250+ over 7 days in 50+ degrees Celsius. Sophie has accomplished so many incredible things, including a Full Ironman with only 9 months of training, a Spartathlon - 155 mile non-stop race, Nepal Multi Stage Ultramarathon, Impact Marathon, Transgrancanaria Ultramarathon, Spine Fusion 270 mile unaided race, and a whopping 40 Ultramarathons in total.

in 2018 Sophie had qualified again for UTMB, having been unable to defer her entry to the prestigious Ultramarathon in 2014, Sophie was determined to make the start line in 2018, but the logistics soon found her just 3 months Postpartum for Race Day! Incredibly, Sophie made the start line, and was able to complete the race - all while breast feeding along the way. Sophie attributes her ability to complete this epic Ultramarathon not only to her resilience and having a true, and meaningful goal, but furthermore the team she chooses to surround herself with, and the important factor of goals and shared goals within her marriage and family. Her outlook on her achievements is incredibly humbling, and a credit to who Sophie is as a person.

Tune in to hear more about the following:

- How Sophie first got into running

- How Sophie found herself signing up to Marathon des Sables having only ever ran a mile before

How Sophie’s first race was an ultra marathon.

- Initially qualifying for UTMB in 2014 but was unable to participate

- How she qualified for UTMB a second time - but would be three months postpartum

Her initial UTMB goal and why she changed her goal

What Sophie really thinks of the UTMB Photo that went viral

The importance of engineering a good support network

How her and her husband are able to share their joy for endurance events

Nepal Multi Stage Marathon

Iceland

How Sophie signed up and completed an Ironman in just 9 months

Why you can’t compare in Ultramarathons

The Spine Fusion 270 Mile Race - unsupported race

Links:

Sophie’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ultra_sophie/

https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/motivation/a776612/sophie-power-interview/

Marathon des Sables -

https://marathondessables.co.uk/

Impact Marathon

https://www.impactmarathon.com/

Spine Fusion Ultra Stage 268 Mile Race along Penine Way

https://thespinerace.com/

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/

Easy Thrills Podcast

https://anchor.fm/easythrills

Interview with Easy Thrills Podcast

https://anchor.fm/easythrills/episodes/Natalie-Hawkins---Not-another-runner-e488pg

Gemma AKA @gymwithgemma, is 26, originally from Surrey but now lives up North. Gemma started running when she gave herself the challenge of running a Marathon whilst she was at University, Gemma was fortunate to get into the London Marathon and she tells us all about the crazy story of her first marathon, Gemma tells us what not to do when training for a Marathon, and her advice if you do take on an endurance event. Gemma’s First Marathon experience meant she would not run for a while, but took the sport up again in 2017.

Gemma loves to hike and climb mountains, camp and generally be outdoors exploring, she believes that everyone should push themselves beyond their abilities just once - at least! She is a firm believer in - having a reason WHY, which we love here on this Podcast, she reminds us that if you have a big enough reason then you CAN finish the goal you set out to achieve. 

Gemma has been injured, and has struggled with a knee injury since she was 16, she is currently rehabilitating her injury, and is attempting to make progress with a return to running.

Despite the injury Gemma has completed two ultramarathon’s this year, including Penine Barrier Ultra 50 Mile, and Threshold Trail Series Race to the Stones 100k Race under very emotionally painful circumstances. 

Tune in to hear all about Gemma’s adventures, why she loves the outdoors so much, what motivates and inspires her, some great tips on getting outdoors, secret tips to solo adventures as she calls them, her scariest solo adventure, Why Gemma loves to go out alone exploring plus more tips to getting outdoors and enjoying your surroundings. 

Links:

Gemma’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gymwithgemma/

Threshold trail Series

https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com/

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/

Easy Thrills Podcast

https://anchor.fm/easythrills

Interview with Easy Thrills Podcast

https://anchor.fm/easythrills/episodes/Natalie-Hawkins---Not-another-runner-e488pg

 Jordan Foster, AKA Project Marathon Girl, Athlete, Coach, Head of PMG Coaching, Marathoner and Ultrarunner. Jordan started running again 4 years ago, when she wanted to improve her fitness, and ran her first Marathon @ London Marathon 2016. Since then Jordan has put in serious work with her Marathons, attributing her successful progression of times and 2:57 Marathon to working hard, staying consistent, and being dedicated to the training process. 

Tune in to hear more about what Jordan’s running looked like at the very beginning, how she found her first Marathon Experience, and what commited and consistent training has taught her over the years, and why her goal has altered slightly these past few months. 

During the Podcast you will get to hear all about: 

-PMG Coaching, where and when the idea came 

-What Jordan’s Running looked like when she first started

-Jordan’s First Marathon Experience and how she found this

-Eastnine Fit - what is it? How it could benefit you. 

-Adidas Infinite Trails World Championships in Austria

-Race to the Stones and placing 2nd just two weeks after Infinite Trails

-What goals Jordan has next

-Jordan’s advice for running an Ultra Marathon 

-Jordan’s next epic challenge: Ultra X Jordan Ultra Marathon - 5 days, 250km in Jordan

-New York Marathon

-Why Chasing Times in the Road Marathon isn’t important to Jordan right now 

-What Jordan thinks enables her to dig deep during endurance events

-Jordan's top tips to starting running and advice for improvement 

Links: 

Jordan’s Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/projectmarathongirl/

Jordan’s Blog 

https://projectmarathongirl.com/blog/ 

Threshold trail Series 

https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com/ 

Natalie - Not Another Runner

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/

Blog:

https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/ 

Easy Thrills Podcast 

https://anchor.fm/easythrills

Interview with Easy Thrills Podcast

https://anchor.fm/easythrills/episodes/Natalie-Hawkins---Not-another-runner-e488pg