The Pyllon Ultra Pod

By Paul GiblinSports Health & Fitness Mental Health Running

The Pyllon Ultra Pod episodes

June 18, 2020 Ultra runner & record-breaker Mike Wardian - Finding Your Why
Series 2 Episode 1, with Compressport: 'Find your why' with ultra runner Mike Wardian

Well, that escalated quickly. Series 2 of the Pyllon Ultra Pod has kicked off and we have a couple of big changes to announce.

Our good friends at Compressport will be supporting this series and we will be joined by some of the biggest names in endurance sports.

Episode 1 starts with a bang as the effusive and indefatigable Mike Wardian joins Paul and James to talk about his mindset, his approach to training and racing and just how he keeps his positivity and energy going at seemingly superhuman levels.

We hear Mike talk about some of his novel FKT attempts during lockdown, swinging from Quarantine Backyard Ultra to a 5k racing series almost daily, what drives him day-to-day, and his upcoming plans. Meanwhile, James plants the 24-hour seed whilst Mike talks of his desire to do the West Highland Way race one day.

The range of chat is vast and Mike is a generous guest who is one of the true icons of ultra-running. This is a must listen. You cannot fail to be inspired by hearing from someone who has been steeped in the sport at the sharp end for so long.

It was a pleasure to have him on board to kick off series 2 of the Pyllon Ultra Podcast - supported by Compressport, who design the very best technical performance clothing for runners and multi-sport athletes.
----more----
You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13.
Mike is also on social as @mikewardian and is a fascinating follow!
To check out the latest Compressport kit, visit the website.

LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
Our previous podcast, S1: Episode 7 is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pyllon-ultra-pod/id1506803136
Find out more at http://www.pyllonultra.com/podcast
1 hr 5 min
June 06, 2020 Series 1 Finale: Kaz Williams - Lockdown Reflections and the Mountain Mindset
Pyllon UP Episode 7: A retrospective with a great guest

That is it done. Series 1 is over and we end on a high being joined by the incredible Kaz Williams to reflect on the previous 6 episodes in the series. Kaz is a brilliant athlete and accomplished coach. She brings with her alternative views on some of our past subjects and we go deep into conversations about mindset and adapting mid race to turn DNF into podiums.

In this special show we talk about:

• What Kaz has learnt about herself in lockdown
• How she handled training in Chamonix where restrictions were very tight
• The power of the mind in overcoming challenges
• Why Goggins really chimes with Kaz
• Where Kaz sits on the Hope v Optimism debate from last time round

It was a true honour having Kaz on board today as our first guest. A fitting way to close out series 1.
----more----
You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13

LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
Our previous podcast, Episode 6 is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pyllon-ultra-pod/id1506803136
Find out more at http://www.pyllonultra.com/podcast
1 hr 15 min
May 22, 2020 BONUS: A Brief Interlude and Moment of Reflection
Pyllon Ultra Pod: BONUS EPISODE

We take a step back and have a conversation about what we have learned from the last 6 episodes of the podcast and about the direction we'd like to take next----more----
We hit, in no particular order:

• 3 x things we've learned from our podcast
• That it's ok for opinions to evolve
• How we want the pod to be more than just a broadcast channel
• How we will finish up the 1st series of the podcast
----more----
You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13

LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
Our previous podcast, Episode 6 is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pyllon-ultra-pod/id1506803136
Find out more athttp://www.pyllonultra.com/podcast
26 min
May 14, 2020 Is Optimism Useful Right Now, Or Should We Abandon Hope?
Pyllon Episode 6: Where there is hope there is optimism. Or is there?

After last week’s chat on adventures Paul and James had a lightbulb moment when debating what subject to discuss next. The energy and positivity we have seen from the Pyllon and running communities really buoyed us after last week’s show was inspiring. So, this week we jump into the brilliant and wonderful subject of optimism.----more----
We hit, in no particular order:

• How to build optimism
• The importance of it as an emotional trait
• What we see as the big differences between hope and optimism
• Our own experiences of how optimism helped and hindered
• Whether hope is more destructive than helpful
• And Paul talks musical tastes
----more----
You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13

LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
Our previous podcast, Episode 5 is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pyllon-ultra-pod/id1506803136
1 hr 5 min
May 07, 2020 The Fun of Planning Your Own Running Adventure - from Epic to Micro Challenges
Pyllon Ultra Pod, Episode 5 Show Notes

Episode 5: The epicness and fun of planning your own running adventure

This Episode, Paul and James change the subject to adventures and experiences. More and more runners are looking to new and innovative ways to bring some excitement to their running. As ultra runners we are used to pushing limits and we discuss a myriad of things for you to think about as you plan your own endeavour.----more----
Some of the discussion points in this week’s episode are:

• Risk appetite and understanding that
• Stepping out of your comfort zone and avoiding the panic zone
• What excites us in an adventure
• Things to consider when planning something epic
• Training and peaking for a personal endeavour and why it is important to do so
• And James’s go-to album for running
----more----
You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13

LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
Our previous podcast, Pt. 3 of Adaptability is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pyllon-ultra-pod/id1506803136

Paul’s own winter adventure, On the Edge https://youtu.be/u3htxSoY8XE
1 hr 4 min
May 01, 2020 Adaptability - A Future Focus: Owning your Perspective and Identity
Pyllon Ultra Pod, Episode 4 Show Notes

Episode 4: Adaptability Part 3

It was never intended that adaptability would be a 3-part series, yet the conversation and community engagement has brought us to a 3rd and final chat on the theme. This time we look to the future and our evolving identities as athletes and humans.----more----
So, the items in this week’s episode are:

• What does the future look like from an athlete identity point of view
• The danger of badging ourselves with limiting identities
• Perspective and owning it for your own good
• The changing face of racing, will we ever fly again to compete
• Evolving quicker from racing to seeking experiences
• Community questions on training for very different races and balancing these and coaching philosophy
• And in ambush time, what food can you never eat again after a mid race stomach rebound?----more----
You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13
----more----
LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
You can listen to episode two, and part one of Adaptability here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pyllon-ultra-pod/id1506803136?i=1000472359849
1 hr
April 22, 2020 Adaptability (Part 2): Be Passionate Now and Forge Your Own Path
Pyllon Ultra Pod, Episode 3 Show Notes

Episode 3: Adaptability Part 2

It’s Part 2 of Paul and James’s chat on adaptability. This time it’s Paul’s turn to be quizzed and the conversation moves around his running and coaching life. There’s more backstory than a Tarantino thriller and Paul opens up on his fears and hopes as he stepped out of the corporate comfort zone and into the risky world of his own running business and the gulp the first month with no salary felt like.

In this week’s the pair discuss:

• Paul’s life in 2014 and what led to his leap into coaching
• How his life up to the point had helped give him the tools to make the step
• The part being adaptable played
• Why being passionate about what you are doing is critical to success
• What it was like to win races like West Highland Way and run for GB during this period
• A bit on Paul’s epic battle with Robbie at 2014 West Highland Way
• How Paul’s Compressport insta takeover was a bit White Stripes
• Competition winners announced, bad puns and all
• Paul ambushes James, again

You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13

LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
You can listen to Episode 2, and part one of Adaptability here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pyllon-ultra-pod/id1506803136

Sammy Wanjiru’s epic 2010 Chicago marathon win is here: https://youtu.be/ZFPhCJ4IKeE
52 min
April 15, 2020 Adaptability: One of the Most Important and Overlooked Skills in Running and Life (Part 1)
Episode 2: When imposed limitations can become an advantage
It’s episode number 2. We survived the trauma of putting the first one out there! Paul Giblin, Pyllon Coaching’s founder and owner, talks with long time coached athlete and GB 24 hour runner James Stewart on adaptability and how important it is a trait in runners.
----more----
These shows are about the ultra life but not only relevant to this great sport. The hope is you can take as much from this into your day to day as you can on your long runs on the trails.

In this show the pair discuss:

• How important is adaptability as a trait and to a team
• How to identify it when speaking to athletes
• Emotional intelligence and the part it plays
• Where it ranks against other skills
• The validity of mental toughness as a catch all statement for runners to work on
• How James had to adapt his race plan at the 2018 European championships
• Paul’s own adaptability experience and how it can be developed
• The story of jazz pianist who adapted to create a work of art in the genre
----more----
COMMUNITY QUESTION: Kevin Banks asks about the fear of failure and the duo’s reflections on it.

LISTEN, WATCH AND READ BONUS CONTENT
Listen to episode one:
----more----
You can watch Keith Jarrett’s famous Koln concert here: https://youtu.be/1FqH9mtxJnQ

And to find out more about Dave Alred you can visit his site at https://davealred.com/
Here is the link to Paul’s video about The Barkley Marathons from 2019. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel if you’d like to see more.
----more----
You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13
47 min
April 07, 2020 Turning Frustration into Opportunity: Running without Races
Paul Giblin, Pyllon Coaching’s founder and owner, talks with long time coached athlete and GB 24 hour runner James Stewart on taking advantage of chaos and the mindset needed to do that.

This is the first show in a new series of podcasts on how each of the hosts strive to live their own ultra lives through running. They'll discuss the sport they love, the people, the places, the culture and the training that makes up their endurance running lives.

In this show the pair discuss:

• Why this podcast and why now, and the vulnerability it brings
• How growth mindset is key to maintaining motivation and momentum
• The power of optimism
• How curiosity makes belief come to life
• Paul’s reflections on a tough start to the year and the cancellation of Barkley Marathons
• Advice on dealing with restrictions in time and space to train
• The importance of routine and communication
• Paul’s hopes for the future in the midst of the current challenges

COMMUNITY CORNER: The honour of the first listener question goes to Robbie Drummond who reflects on the value of rest days; Paul and James don’t necessarily agree.

You can connect with Paul on Twitter @Pyllon or instagram @Pyllon. James is on Twitter too, @james_stewart13 and on instagram as plain old @jamesstewart13

Find out more about the Podcast and Pyllon Ultra: Coaching, Racing and Events
44 min