Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

We're joined in this episode by Laura Watts.

By her own description, Laura is an ordinary girl doing extraordinary things. WARNING...you may feel very inspired by this episode!

Laura ran her first marathon in London in 2003, she's come a long way since, completing 179 marathons

Laura's running and her learning journey is all in this episode, the highs and lows, it's a no-holds barred extravaganza.

The focus of our episode is around the Badwater 135 event, Laura is the first UK based female to complete this event in three consecutive years, quite a feat indeed.

The appreciation of a fantastic support crew is covered, what it takes, what it means and how it should be done.

We cover the lot, hydration, nutrition, heat training, the euphoria of the finish line and being part of the wonderful Badwater family.

We speak about Laura's phenomenal powers of recovery, moving from event to event with apparent ease after only sometimes a few days rest in between.

Of course we enquire what Laura is up to next, and yes....it's a belter!

Laura's Red Spirit Video as discussed in the episode.

Join us as we round the bend for the home straight of Season 11. And we're doing so with a swagger.

The UTMB. The Champions League final of trail running. For many of our tribe it's a mainstay on the bucket list.

Dave Adams had that dream. In 2024 he made it a reality. And he joins us to share his UTMB experience.

In typical YHRF style we first find out about Dave's running background. Then he takes us over to Chamonix for the buzz and razzmatazz of the UTMB race week.

Recounting his massive endeavour on the gruelling 106-mile loop of the Mont Blanc massif. From pinching himself on the iconic start line to conjuring up a magical finish, the memories are fresh but everlasting.

Whether UTMB is on your bucket list or not this is an essential listen. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things? It ticks that box solidly.

Donate to oor pal Des Tinney who starts his epic run along the Camino De Santiago this week, he's raising funds for The Celtic Foundation https://www.justgiving.com/page/desmond-tinney-1694607211919

Destination Windermere for this week's bumper episode as we look back at our experience taking on The Lap Ultra Marathon.

And we've brought our pals!

First up we have the pleasure of a race debrief with John Robb. John finished up a superb 2024 racing with another outstanding outing in the Lake District. An honest account of his Lap ensues, oh that finish time!

As if one star guest isn't enough we then welcome the lass we know and love as our Yorkshire Correspondent. Mel Sykes had yet another stonking day bagging a sensational 2nd place. She was also the one who planted the seed for us to take part, do we still love her as much??!!

With so much to discuss from weather, route thoughts, checkpoint reviews and how each of our own races played out we could've easy made this a two parter.

John's Lakeland 100 redemption and Stevie Boy's back on the ultra saddle. We defo regale our own weekend tales in full YHRF technicolor style.

As is everlasting what shines through the most is the life affirming camaraderie that comes from spending time with your pals, and making some new ones along the way.

The Lap Anti Clockwise. We enjoyed you, maybe even loved it. Was it what we expected? Well you'll need to listen in to find out. This episode is a true snarler baby.

Let's dip back in time a smidge.  This week we're joined by Robyn Cassidy winner of the 2024 Lakeland 100.

Robyn took the top podium spot in Coniston, we focus on that terrific effort but delve into tons more.

Robyn runs us through her running career to date picking out highlights along the way.

A recap of a busy 2023 including a win at the Dragons Back, a brace of 2nd places at the Arc of Attrition and Ultra Trail Snowdionia and a 'different' day out at the 2024 Madeira Island Ultra Trail all covered.

Proud Somerset lassie Robyn then reflects back on her recent weekend in the Lake District in detail. Picking out the highs along with what seems an endless list of lessons learned.....despite the win!

Robyn, a physio to trade, also tells us about her day job mixing with her hobby. Tales of being part of support teams at The Spine and the Dragons Back ensue with a current study into injuries sustained peaking our interest.

Fire in all your YHRF favs with kit, scran and what's next into the mix and you've a belter of an episode.

Enjoy!! We mention the up and coming Pyllon XP7 weekend in the intro more info and sign up avail here https://www.pyllonultra.com/pyllon-experience-7

We also spoke about the Wildheart Runners The Female Athlete Workshop https://www.entrycentral.com/wildheartwomen

We take a momentary break from the 'Danger Zone' this week for a much-needed catch-up with your hosts.

No guest, but we throw a curve ball by posing 3 questions a piece to each other. Mixing things up, ken.

The kettle is just off the boil, mon in for a chill. Whether you want to hear about John's latest scran plan, looking for alternative races for 2025 or want to hear Stevie Boy's thoughts on who's making the biggest splash in the world of ultra running.

We've also a race or not plus a round-up of the latest running-related happenings that have caught our eye.

It's Young Heart Guest Free. It's the way we started this whole thing back in 2020. Just roll with it...

We've met some great folks along the way whilst doing this podcast malarkey. This week's guest sits comfortably in that bracket.

Dan Bentley is that man, you may have seen some of his work on your social channel timelines over the last few months.

Dan, a jogger, an ultra-runner and a helluva photographer.

In traditional YHRF style we first get to find out about Dan's own running. Just what led him to inadvertently bump into your hosts?

Then it's on to speak about Dan the man behind the lens. His work has always caught our eye, this year he has taken that to another level with a stunning collection of ultra-marathon finish pictures.

These portraits are more just a photo to be proud of, they tell their own individual stories of endeavour, of grit, of achievement.

Dan leads us through his thoughts on how he captures the raw emotion at finish lines, how these hard-hitting race pics end up being the pride and joy of their subjects.

Dan has stories to tell a plenty, it's his style, and we love it. He's had the privilege to rub shoulders with some iconic people but we're pretty sure he'd rather spend 36 hours cold wet in a gazebo avoiding midges, scavenging scran chasing that image of you at your moment of glory!

See more of Dan's work on his website here https://www.danbentleyphotography.com/

Follow Dan and get a regular dose of his work on Insta here https://www.instagram.com/danbentleyphoto/

Keeping safe out on the trails and hills. Could we be doing more?
This week we're joined by James Anderson, an ultra runner and volunteer member of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team part of Scottish Mountain Rescue.
We bumped into James at this year's Lakeland 100. He was taking part. Raring to go. Then his weekend took an unexpected twist.
James came across a stricken fellow competitor. His training kicked into gear. His race over.
Listen in as we find out the tale. We also get to know about James the runner, with a back catalogue of experience under his belt he's well placed to remind us all of some sensible steps we can take when out adventuring.
This episode has given John and Steven massive food for thought. It highlights the risks we all take and accept when we're training and racing. Crucially James reinforces some of the things we can all do to stay safe.
We can't always count on guardian angels like James covering our ass, now grab your bivvy bag and extra layer and come join us for an enlightening hour and half with James Anderson.
Want to take part in Nicky Spinks Bruce's Crown Race we mentioned on 4 April 2025? Find out and enter here https://www.brucescrown.co.uk/
Donate to Galloway Mountain Rescue Team here https://gallowaymrt.org.uk/team-base-fund-raising-page/

Neil Walker joins us this week to recount a memorable day spent on the Rob Roy Way. Drymen to Pitlochry. Come on and dive in to hear all about it.

Neil takes us through his recent attempt to grab the Fastest Known Time on the famed Rob Roy Way Trail.

He chose the tougher of the two route options, just shy of 90 miles with almost 11k feet of vertical ascent.

Neil, who previously repped for Scotland cycling in the Commonwealth Games, starts by giving us his running story. What from his cycling background he's used in the world of ultra running and how the goalposts moved rapidly for him on how far and fast his legs could take him.

A sense of togetherness and camaraderie is plentiful as Neil leads us through his attempt, from planning, logistics, and prep before getting on to the day itself.

Support crew, we speak about tons, Neil had quite the epic backing in his attempt from his pals. A hearty band of adventurers compiled of his running pals.

We cover the route and Neils highs and lows as he strived to reach the finish line before the Chippy shut up shop. Did he make it? Did he bag the chips?

Neil finishes up challenging others to have a bash at his FKT, even offering a hand to support anyone doing so. The spirit of ultra runners is strong in this one, enjoy!

Read Neils story of his FKT attempt plus some great pics captured from the day here https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/neil-walker-rob-roy-way-2024-08-03

The Auchterarder Running Festival 2024 is almost upon us and we've a competition for a DOUBLE DARE spot in this week's episode. Last remaining race entries are avail here https://www.entrycentral.com/ARF2024

We said we’d be back to unpack our Lakeland 100 weekender, let’s go!

Dusting ourselves off after another everlasting weekend in the Lake District John, Stevie Boy and Mel Sykes sit down for the big debrief! We’ve plenty to cover.

It proved to be a tough race for both John and Mel as the course threw all it had at them. Their outcomes differed with John battling injury and Mel battling the downright rude terrain.

We get tore into in typical warts n all fashion.  Kicking off with pre-race vibes, meeting pals old and new, and start line feels. Who forgot what? Did John leave his world-famous undercarriage obliterators at home?!?

There’s hunners of tails from the trails to cover before we reach what is a best-in-class finish line back in Coniston.

The fun doesn’t stop at the finish line though, no no no, this last weekend in July has turned into quite the spectacular for us so we can't not make time to have a good old blether about some memorable post-race celebrations.

Whether you’ve ran, plan to run or even if we’ve even peeked your interest in either the Lakeland 50 or Lakeland 100 our chat will have you laughing and a bit greety all at the same time.

These are the halcyon days we’ll look back on, now mon in and let us share our weekend adventuring with you!