The RunSensible Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down with Dhanush for another weekly catch-up, looking back at the previous week of training and talking about how our own running is progressing.

We get into all things running, from marathon training and how to improve your marathon time to the specific approach needed to train for a 5K and break the 25-minute barrier.

But we also talk about something that I think holds a lot of runners back: the obsession with finding the next shortcut.

From supplements and gadgets to complicated training methods and the latest “biohacks” there’s always something promising to make us fitter, faster and better with less effort. The reality is that most people haven't consistently executed the simple things that actually work.

We discuss why getting the basics right training consistently, running appropriately, recovering well, getting stronger and giving your body enough time to adapt will usually take you much further than trying to biohack your way to fitness.

Another honest, practical conversation about running, training and what actually works.

In this week's episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down with Dhanush for a more relaxed catch-up episode after we both spent a couple of weeks away.

Rather than focusing on one specific topic, we chat about everything running how our own training is progressing, what we've learned from our recent experiences and the realities of staying consistent when life gets busy.

We also dive into the importance of cross-training and why activities outside of running can play such a valuable role in improving performance, building resilience, and keeping you healthy for the long term.

I share my own experience of learning to swim at the age of 27, why I decided to take on something completely new and how adding different forms of movement can benefit runners of all levels.

A relaxed conversation about training, consistency, staying curious, and becoming a better athlete beyond just running more miles.

What do Tadej Pogačar riding Alpe d’Huez at around 7 watts per kilogram and two athletes running an official sub-2hour marathon have in common?

A lot more than you might think.

In this episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I compare Pogačar’s incredible Alpe d’Huez performance with Sabastian Sawe’s 1:59:30 marathon and Yomif Kejelcha’s 1:59:41.

Different sports. Different demands. Different ways of measuring performance but underneath it all is the same thing: an extraordinary aerobic engine, efficiency, durability and the ability to sustain a huge output for a very long time.

But this isn't just a conversation about elite athletes.

I look at what these performances can teach the everyday runner, particularly runners over 40, about building aerobic fitness, training consistently, recovering properly and understanding that fitness isn't about how hard you can train, it's about how much quality work you can consistently absorb and adapt to.

You don't need to run 2:50/km or produce 7 watts/kg to benefit from understanding how the world's best endurance athletes train.

The principles are surprisingly simple.

Build the engine. Build the durability. Train consistently. And give your body enough time to adapt.

Rest Days: Do We Really Need to Stop Completely?

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Mary O'Donnell for a conversation that goes far beyond running.

We kick things off with the obvious question: why on earth did she run the Dublin Marathon in a pair of jeans? What starts as a funny story quickly turns into a fascinating look at Mary's mindset and her willingness to take on challenges simply because... why not?

From there, we dive into some of her most ambitious adventures, including walking 70km in a single day and taking on a 400km cycle. We explore what drives her to push her limits, how she approaches training for these huge endurance feats, and why embracing the unconventional has become part of who she is.

Mary also opens up about the role social media has played in her journey both the opportunities it has created and the responsibility that comes with sharing her life online.

In one of the episode's most honest moments, Mary speaks candidly about battling an eating disorder as a teenager. She reflects on how that experience shaped her relationship with exercise, food and body image and how it continues to influence the healthy, balanced approach she brings to her fitness goals today.

It's a conversation filled with humour, honesty, resilience and perspective whether you're an endurance athlete, someone navigating your own fitness journey or simply looking for an inspiring story there's something here for you.

What starts with a single kilometre can end in extraordinary places.

In this episode, I sit down with Wynona Grant, whose running journey began with a simple goal: run 1km every evening after work because she was tired of feeling unfit. What started as a small daily habit quickly snowballed into something far bigger than she ever imagined.

Today, Wynona has completed an incredible 93km in a 12-hour window and achieved impressive times at some of the world's most iconic marathons. She shares the mindset shifts, consistency and resilience that transformed her from a reluctant beginner into an accomplished endurance athlete.

Whether you're taking your first steps into running or chasing your next big challenge, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical insights on the power of showing up, one kilometre at a time.

Follow Wynona on Instagram @wynonagrant

In this episode, Dhanush returns to the podcast to take a deep dive into one of the most popular race distances the half marathon.

Whether you're preparing for your first 21.1km or aiming for a new personal best, we cover everything you need to know to approach race day with confidence.

We discuss how to structure your half marathon training, the key sessions that will have the biggest impact on your performance and how to balance training with recovery to stay healthy throughout your build-up.

We also explore nutrition and fuelling, including what to eat in the days leading up to the race, whether you need carbohydrates during a half marathon, hydration strategies, and how to avoid common fuelling mistakes.

Finally, we break down race week and race day itself from tapering and preparing mentally to pacing your effort, managing your nerves and executing your race plan from the starting line to the finish.

If you've got a half marathon coming up, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you train smarter, fuel better, and perform at your best on race day.

Enjoy the episode, and if you have questions you'd like us to answer in a future Q&A, send them our way.

In this episode, Dhanush returns to the podcast for the first instalment of our Dublin Marathon Q&A series, where we answer the questions submitted by listeners through Instagram.

With marathon season ramping up, we dive into some of the most common concerns runners have as they prepare for race day. We discuss how to structure marathon training, strategies for staying injury-free throughout a training block, and the key principles of fuelling for performance and recovery.

We also take a closer look at supplements that are frequently discussed in the running community, including electrolytes, creatine, and iron—covering who might benefit from them, when they should be used, and some common misconceptions.

Along the way, we share practical advice, personal experiences, and insights that can help runners of all levels navigate their marathon journey with confidence.

This episode is part of an ongoing Q&A series leading up to the Dublin Marathon, so keep sending in your questions and we'll continue to tackle them in future episodes.

Whether you're chasing a personal best, running your first marathon or simply looking to train smarter, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to support your training.

Enjoy the episode, and don't forget to share it with a training partner who might find it helpful.

This was a live talk I recorded with Dublin Front Runners on Sunday 14th June 2026

The Enhanced Games promised a glimpse into the future of enhanced human performance. But after all the headlines, controversy and talk of performance-enhancing drugs, what stood out most to me was something completely different.

The athletes weren't suddenly miles ahead of the world's best. If anything, the competition highlighted just how extraordinary elite athletes really are. Talent, dedication, discipline and years of relentless work still matter more than any pharmaceutical advantage.

In this episode, I discuss why I don't have a major issue with the concept of the Enhanced Games, the honesty of a competition where nobody is pretending to be clean, why some athletes deserve credit for chasing the financial opportunity and how the event holds up a mirror to elite sport itself.

Most importantly, I explore what the Enhanced Games revealed about greatness: there are no shortcuts to becoming truly elite.