Running 44@60 - tips, ideas and advice for your first ultra marathon or marathon

Regular contributor to this podcast, Andy Williams had a fantastic run at the Roseland August Trails (RAT) completing the extraordinarily tough 100 km /64 mile event known as the Plague in 17:31:52

The Plague starts at the Porthpean near St Austell race HQ at 12:05am on the Saturday morning and takes the runners 32 miles down the Cornish coast path to St Anthony's Head where they turn around and run back

 Andy had a terrific run and when I saw him afterwards was feeling still full of energy - a complete contrast to me and I'd only run a third of the distance!

So I was keen to know why he was still feeling energised

What had he done with regard to nutrition and hydration?

Andy shares how he completely changed his view of nutrition within the last two months before he successfully completed the Plague.

He talks about Precision Hydration gels and electrolyte tablets and Cliff Blocs 

Andy’s nutrition plan clearly worked for him 

There is a mention for Andy as the Race Director for the fabulous Truro Half Marathon which is on Sunday, September 15th

This is episode 153 of the Running 44@60 podcast.
 
 To celebrate reaching 150 episodes I'm offering listers the chance to win one of six copies of 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. 

Simple leave a rating / review for the show and then use the 'send us a text message' link at the top of these notes to say you've left a review, that you would like a copy of the book and where you want it sending. 

You can access and download the previous 152 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

I ran my first, and so far only, ultra marathon in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - to celebrate a landmark birthday which was a few weeks before the run. 

This podcast started as a way of me learning how to do that - hence why it’s called Running 44@60. The adventure then turned into a book and as a business consultant it became both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. 

My run raised over £7000 for Childrens Hospice South West Music Therapy programme and every book bought on Amazon generates another £5 for the programme.
 
 My big running goal remains the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

Saturday August 3rd - The Black RAT (Roseland August Trail) - 32 miles from St Anthonys Head to Porthpean.

I pulled at the 21 mile checkpoint at Gorran Haven. Not injured. Just not able to go on.

What happened?

Nutrition - did I eat enough and of the right things at the right time? - maybe not.

Hydration - did I get that wrong? I thought it was ok but I almost certainly didn't drink enough water

Training - did I do enough and of the right sort? Definitely not. I just didn't do the mileage and I did no training on the course.

Lessons learnt? - Plenty.

Will I still do the Arc 50? - As I was nearing Gorran Haven it was a definitely not but now maybe it's a possibility. I need to focus and create a proper training plan starting at the beginning of September.

Big thanks to everyone at Mudcrew for putting on a great event and to all the marshals and supporters out on the course.

This is episode 152 of the Running 44@60 podcast.

To celebrate reaching 150 episodes I'm offering listers the chance to win one of six copies of 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon.Simple leave a rating / review for the show and then use the 'send us a text message' link at the top of these notes to say you've left a review, that you would like a copy of the book and where you want it sending.

You can access and download the previous 150 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

Shane Benzie is a  Running Coach and Movement Specialist described by his client Damien Hall as 'the Indiana Jones of the Running World'

Shane has travelled the globe working with, filming and analysing the movements of not just runners but indigenous people and tribes who still move in the way that humans were ultimately designed to do so.

Shane has used all of this knowledge and experience and observation to help all types of runners from beginners to elite think about their running and improve it as a result.

We met when Shayn came to Truro and delivered a 2 1/2 hour workshop three times for athletes in groups of eight with lots of video analysis and focus on foot landing, pushing off, the inner tripod of the foot, running with the whole body and whipping through the legs from the hip to complete the ideal running action.

Shane describes his work as helping runners run more effortlessly, more efficiently and more enjoyably.

As runners Shane suggests we need to think more about our form and our movement.

One of his top tips for club runners is to focus on their head position as the natural thing for runners to do is to look down rather than keeping their head up with their  eyeline looking ahead.

For the likes of me and my new coaching friends he suggests we apply the mind of the beginner so every time we do something we learn something.

You can find out more about Shane at RunReBorn

Shane's book is 'The Lost Art of Running'

This is episode 151 of the Running 44@60 podcast.

To celebrate reaching 150 episodes I'm offering listers the chance to win one of six copies of 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Simple leave a rating / review for the show and then use the 'send us a text message' link at the top of these notes to say you've left a review, that you would like a copy of the book and where you want it sending.

You can access and download the previous 150 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

On this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast Colin Bathe returns to tell us how he got on in the 2024 West Highland Way Race 

On episode 148 we heard all about Colin's preparation - and Colin is a meticulous race planner.

During the event Colin and Becca, who was one of his crew and his second half pacer, recorded snippets. For this episode we play the snippets and then Colin talks us through each snippet. It's the first time we've done something like this so I hope you like it!

The West Highland Way Race got underway at 1am on Sunday June 22nd 2024 starting from Milngavie which is about 10 miles north of Glasgow.

The 95 mile route with 15,000 feet of elevation makes it way to Fort William

300 runners entered and 217 made the start line. 

Throughout you will hear Colin giving himself a score out of 5 in terms of how he was feeling. 

You will hear first hand how Colin's race unfolded. And not all races end as you hope they might.

What happened? Listen in to find out!

This is episode 150 of the Running 44@60 podcast.

To celebrate that I'm offering listers the chance to win one of six copies of 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Simple leave a rating / review for the show and then use the 'send us a text message' link at the top of these notes to say you've left a review, that you would like a copy of the book and where you want it sending.

You can access and download the previous 149 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

As an athletics correspondent for Running Magazine (the forerunner of Runners World), the Daily Telegraph and as a freelance Tom Knight covered 7 Summer Olympics and several World Athletic Championships

In that time Tom witnessed some amazing athletic feats that were controversial, inspirational, unbelievable

For this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast I asked Tom to share the top 5 Memorable Athletics  Moments he covered during his career

Its a fascinating insight into what it was like to be on the ground reporting on these amazing moments 

Tom recalls Lewis v Johnson in Seoul, Kelly Holmes in Athens, Kathy Freeman in Sydney, Jonathan Edwards in Gothenburg and London 2012

Tom and I met on the England Athletics running coaches course we are on

Tom works with athletes from the Bourton Road Runners

I also talk about the Smugglers Scuttle race from Bus Vyken events and the Trelissick Parkrun 

If you want to interact with the show you can send a message via the link at the top of these show notes 

This is episode 149 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 148 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

On this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast I'm talking to Colin Bathe as he is busy preparing for the West Highland Way Race 

The West Highland Way Race gets underway at 1am on Sunday June 22nd starting from Milngavie which his about 10 miles north of Glasgow.

The 95 mile route with 15,000 feet of elevation makes it way to Fort William

The 300 runners, which the race is restricted to, have 35 hours in which to complete the route.

There are a few rules not always seen on other ultras

All runners must have 2 crew members and a crew vehicle. One of those crew must be capable of running the second half with them as a support runner if needed.

If you on schedule for 24 hours or less you are mot allowed a support runner

Poles aren’t allowed but iPods and mp3 players are

You are advised not be noisy on your way to the first checkpoint when passing through the village called DryMen

Checkpoints don’t offer food only water 

Crews and the runner have to carry all the food and drink required 

And they weigh you at registration but not anymore out on the course 

Colin’s crew will record snippets with him during the race and we’ll have him back on post-race to tell us all about it.

This is episode 148 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 146 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

On this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast I'm talking to Wez Swain

In 2023 Wez had an idea that became the Scilly60

A 60km race that takes in the five inhabited islands of the Isles of Scilly

75 places were available and 65 runners started with 24 finishing. If you missed the cut out you missed the boat to the next start line! The average pace needed to make the cut offs is 7.30 mins / km 

For 2024 Wes has doubled the number of places and added the Scilly60% 'fun run' which is a 40 km event taking in four of the islands - with an average pace needed of 8.30 mins / km 

These events take place on Friday, June 14th for the Scilly60% and Sunday, June 16th for the Scilly60

Places have largely sold out but there may be the odd place that comes available so if you are interested the best thing to do is email Wes via [email protected]

The Tide Race which will happen on 22nd August. It sounds like an amazing almost one-off opportunity because it’s the only day of the year essentially where this could occur given you have to run from Tresco to Merrick Island and back in calf/knee deep water, then its a lap of Tresco before running across the sands to Bryher and back hence the need to run on the day when the tide is lowest. There is currently no limit on the number of competitors for what will be a half marathon in total distance. 

And then at the end of August Wes is putting on a series of Swim Run events as part of the first Ocean Scilly Festival

You can find out all the details of all the fantastic events that Wes is putting on via the website https://scilly60.co.uk

This is episode 147 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 146 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

On this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast I'm talking to Fergy - who is now the Event Director of Arc of Attrition by UTMB -  about the Arc of Attrition, how it started and how it’s going to look as part of the UTMB World Series.

There has been a tremendous amount of chatter on social media since the announcement that UTMB is taking over the ARC and Ferg explains some of the differences but also reassures those who don’t like change that much of what runners have become used to over the last few years will continue, including the involvement of the Arc Angels.

Whilst we cover off some of the changes we don’t get bogged down in the detail because all the various rules and regulations are available on the website: https://arcofattrition.utmb.world

Fundamentally some of the changes include no deferrals, no waiting list and no support crew for the 50 race

But there will be more aid stations, there will be potentially staggered starts with two waves for each race and there is a new 25 event starting in St Ives

It is amazing to think that here in Cornwall we will be hosting one of Europe’s most iconic winter trail running events and with the addition of the new 25 mile event there will be more runners taking part than ever before, certainly more than the 53 hardy souls who shared the dream back in 2015 when they took part in the first ARC 100.

If you are planning or have done something interesting in the ultra or marathon running world, ideally that we haven’t covered in previous episodes, and would like to be a guest on the show please drop me a line to [email protected]

This is episode 146 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 145 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

On this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast I'm talking to Mark Roby about how he went from struggling to walk because of a back injury to a sub 3 hour marathon in less than 3 years. 

Mark ran his first London Marathon when he was 23 years old back in 1999 in a time of 4:18

He didn't really run then until he discovered parkrun in 2017 but his running was scuppered in 2021 with a significant back problem which he gradually recovered from and in 2022 he joined a running club for the first time and did his first race in July that year.

That was the start of a journey that less than two years later took him across the line at Brighton in 2:55:51, a time which in 2021 would have felt completely impossible.

So how did he make such a massive improvement at the age of 48?

Mark shares in the podcast episode the way he changed his diet, the way he stuck to a training plan which included regular course sessions some built around yoga and how he used parkrun to measure his speedwork progress.

He also talks how we did a lot of easy 45 to 60 minute runs, essentially because they were not too difficult to fit into his daily working schedule.

Mark also talks about Man Down Cornwall and how they helped him when he wasn't able to run.
 
Mark offers two tips two be would be Marathon runners: 

1. Commit properly to a plan and avoid the temptation to skip some sessions
2. Work at different paces during your training 

If you are planning or have  done something interesting, ideally that we haven’t covered in previous episodes, and would like to be a guest on the show please drop me a line to [email protected]

This is episode 145 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 144 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West 

Landmark Birthday Run Challenges for St Petrocs with Rachel Thomson 

On this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast I'm talking to Rachel Thomson about four running challenges she has set herself to celebrate a landmark birthday and raise money for St Petrocs, the homeless charity based in Cornwall. 

You can support Rachel through her Local Giving page.

The four challenges Rachel is undertaking:

April 21st - London Marathon - Rachel will be wearing a bright yellow St Petrocs top and if you want track her its bib number 31523

June 14th - Scilly 60% - 38 km over four of the Isles of Scilly: St Martins, Tresco, Bryher, St Agnes - if you miss the cut off on any stage you literally miss the boat to the next stage.

Aug 2nd 7pm start  - The BOYD (Bring Out Your Dead) - 24 hours of running a 5 mile loop which includes 500 steps. If you stop at any point for more than 10 minutes you're out! Only 9 runners completed in 2023.

Sept 14th - The Woods - 12 hours of a 4 mile loop in Tehidy Woods.  Also available in 3,6 and 9 hour options.

If you are planning or have  done something interesting, ideally that we haven’t covered in previous episodes, and would like to be a guest on the show please drop me a line to [email protected]

This is episode 144 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 143 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from  Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West