The Inspirational Runner Podcast

Podcast#45 Ian Bailey Mountain Running at an Elite Level taking on the World Champs and The Mourne Garmin Skyline

One of Ireland's best Mountain Runners Ian Bailey from Co.Down and winner of his home race the Garmin Mourne Skyline in both 2016 & 2017 which is arguably one of the most technical races on the mountain running scene.

In this episode Ian breaks down some of his recent races including what it takes to hold the Donard Race Record along with the competition faced in the world championships, we talk about the complex topic of nutrition and what it takes to compete at the highest level of the sport.

 

Podcast#46 Patricia Brown and the benefits of joining your local running club

In this podcast we catch up with Patricia Brown an exceptional runner who has gained a lot from joining her local running club, in this episode we share the benefits of club running and as the new memberships start to open across the country I hope that this will entice you to go along to your local club to see what it’s all about.

There is an ever growing social aspect to running, its a great way to meet new people and friends, it also can open the door to years of experience and ideas to help you with your own progression and sometimes it just opens some space to have great fun with like minded people.

 

Podcast #53 Louise Smart Couch to 24hr National Champion 200km

Superb podcast with a very humble and grounded runner Louise Smart who took up running in 2010 struggling to reach her first mile and progressed to become the National 24hr champion by running 126 miles during the Energia event 2016, since then Louise has gone from strength to strength making podiums on numerous ultra events and participating in the 24hr Championships in an Ireland vest.

In this episode we break down the three 26 extreme ultras to determine which is the most difficult, and discussed the Last One Standing event in Castleward the week before the race, where limits don’t exist.

Podcast #52 John McKeag 96 Years Old 78 years of Running History

What can I say about John McKeag from Ballydrain Harriers, he's just an amazing individual who’s been running and winning races for over 78 years.

At the age of 96 he’s a great advocate for looking after yourself and working hard, it was a real joy just being in his presence and sharing some of his stories although I’m sure he has many more wrapped up waiting to be shared.

I’ve tried to bring a lot of diversity in to the podcast.....a lot of people haven’t yet made the leap towards podcasts and can’t help feeling I’m not reaching far enough so if your enjoying it why not do me a favour and share it with your friends and help to share the inspiration

Podcast#51 Noel Hanna Badwater 135 Ultramarathon Death Valley 1st Irish Man to Successfully Climb K2 and 8 Everest Summits.

I really don’t know where to start with Noel the son of a farmer from Dromara in Co.Down he has forged a life time of achievements, he has won numbers adventure races, ran a lot of the Iconic Ultra marathons such as The Comrades,  the relentless Badwater which is a challenging 135 mile run through death valley where he amazingly placed 10^th, it was there that he met Lisa Smith who Noel paced in the Marathon Des Sables a few months later where she actually won it becoming the only American female winner of the race.

His Mountaineering success is endless however there are a few of his achievements that I found fascinating, he’s reach the summit of Everest 8 Times, been the first to summit many mountains including Burke Khan which has a dangerous snow laden ridge at the summit, and he was also the only Irish man to have successfully climbed K2 last year which won him the joint man of year award by the outsider magazine last month.

Podcast#50 Wesley McDowell Loses 4 Stone Progresses Marathon from 3hr39 to 2hr45

An exceptional runner at a very young age who drifted away from the sport only to return in his mid 30s, he lost four and half stone and ground out some amazing pbs in 2013 but at the age of 41 he knocked those times out of the park taking his 5k from 19:23 to 16:37, 10k from 38:00 to 33:55 and  Half from 89min to 77min and marathon from 3:39 to 2:45:38.

Wesley is a runner on form, in this podcast I’ve tried to pull out the secret formula that surrounds his phenomenal progression, part of Paul Pollock's DreamRunDublin team it was interesting to hear how his training was structured.

The key message in this podcast is that its never too late to achieve your best, you might just surprise yourself how far a bit of self belief and focus will take you...

Podcast #49 Banjo Bannon Everest The Open Grave Yard **Part 2**

This is part 2 of Banjo Bannon Everest The Open Grave Yard so if you haven’t already make sure you listen to part 1 first which can be found on Podcast #48.

This truly is a compelling story of being left behind, rising up against all odds and realising a dream, no matter how the fairy tale appeals nothing worth while in life comes easy, the picture on the front of the book may draw a dream like lifestyle but as we all know to well the chapters quite often read a different story.

As Banjo pointed out everyone has their own Everest, I’m glad I can look back over the last few years and identify those specific moments in my life where I’ve reached my own summits, hope you enjoyed this double feature, set goals, believe in yourself and no matter what obstacles you face just find a way....

Podcast #48 Banjo Bannon Everest The Open Grave Yard **Part 1**

Banjo is a great story teller and I was just engaged throughout the podcast as the real story of Everest unfolded.....from a young age Banjo had the urge to climb the highest mountain in the world Mount Everest.

 

He was ready during his first expedition only to be told it wasn't his time, feeling disappointed he had no other option but to descend without taking the summit.

 

This was never going to stop a deep burning desire to realise his dream and 10 years later he set course for the worlds most dangerous climb, listen in to find out what happened in Part 1 of Banjo Bannon Everest The Open Grave Yard!!

 

Its quite a colourful charged podcast so be warned there are a few curse words thrown out, enjoy....

Podcast#47 Conor Bannon Climbs Kilimanjaro Age 11 Youngest Person from N.Ireland to Summit

A short mid week podcast which is 20 minutes long to celebrate our youngest Inspirational Runner of the week Conor Bannon who recently became the youngest person from N.Ireland to climb the highest stand alone mountain in the world Kilimanjaro 5,895 metres, this lad has no fear, and his expedition raised much needed funds for the N.Ireland's Children's Hospice.

Podcast#43 Sean Nickell Escapes From Meriden and Completes his 10th 100mile plus race

A great episode to start off the new year, Sean Nickell came 2^nd in the recent escape from Meriden  running his 10^th 100 miler, in this episode Sean breaks down the  race in which he ran 110 miles in 24hrs to mark 96 miles as the crow flies.

I was intrigued by this unique race and the history it derived from, running solo to nowhere must take a lot of self motivation and mental strength which Sean consistently demonstrates in abundance.

What is it that drives us to explore our potential, there’s no doubt Sean is on a quest to find out how far he can push his body and mind, a superb athlete who has also run over 100 marathons gracing a pb of 3:09min.