Running Tales

Steve Cushing describes himself as a 75-year-old, retired GP and back of the pack runner with two artificial hips and a pacemaker. But that only tells half of his story.He's previously run extreme events including The Ice Marathon, becoming only the ninth person to complete a marathon in the Antarctic, and - at the other end of the heat spectrum - the infamous Marathon des Sables.Having recently overcome a spate of injuries, Steve is now training to take on the high altitude, multi-day Mustang Trail Race in Nepal.Running Tales spoke to Steve about why he continues to take on extreme challenges, the incredible charities he is running the Mustang Trail Race for, and how a horse riding accident that nearly killed him was the spark for him to run ultra marathons.Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsor Steve Cushing to run the Mustang Trail Race and find out more about the event: https://linktr.ee/stevecushMustangSteve is running the Mustang Trail Race for two fantastic charities:​PARTNERS IN EDUCATION SWAZILAND (PIES) ​EVERYBODY COUNTS (Northampton)

This is a repeat of an episode which ran in December 2024; more details below.As a sickly and frail child, Natalie Crawford avoided exercise at all costs. Poor attendance at school and a constant cough that wore her out led Natalie to be diagnosed with asthma. She spent time in and out of hospital with chest infections, would cough huge amounts of mucus up, and suffered from frequent bouts of pneumonia.For years, Natalie just thought that was the way her life was and that there was no particular rhyme or reasons to her bouts of illness. It was only at the age of 28 that she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), a chronic condition that causes malnutrition, breathing problems, frequent respiratory infections, and lung disease. Worse, at the time of her diagnosis, it came with a frightening life-expectancy of 37. And now Natalie was not just fighting for her own health. Her diagnosis had followed swiftly on from that of her son, who was diagnosed with CF while in the womb.A determined Natalie decided she had to act. Running was to become her weapon of choice.At first, she joined the gym, walking on the treadmill, and despite the agony in her lungs and constantly being sick afterwards, her fitness started to improve. With the help of her running coach, Aaron, she started to make real progress, learning how to eat, rest and recover like an athlete.Best of all, she found the exercise loosened the mucus in her lungs, helping her to breathe more easily. With a new diet that saw her take in 5,000 calories a day to help stabilise her weight, she felt healthier than ever before and her infections became fewer and further apart.A first 5k followed and then a series of half-marathons. The girl who had spent 28 years not exercising was setting new boundaries. Medical advice around CF said she should be resting, hiding away from the chance of catching bugs, but Natalie was convinced there was another way.Then, one day, she decided to take on the toughest challenge of her life - running the Birmingham Marathon. Doctors told her not to run a race they said would be "impossible" for her, but Natalie's mantra was to never take no for an answer.She duly completed the race, becoming one of the first women in the world with cystic fibrosis to run a marathon and inspiring multitudes of others with CF to take up running. Natalie has gone on to complete more marathons since then, constantly taking on medical orthodoxy and pushing herself to new limits. Throughout her journey, running has become something that will always define her, not cystic fibrosis.* This podcast first ran in December 2024, when Running Tales was part of the Everyday Athlete Podcast Network. Most of the episodes recorded there were done so live and we do not have access to the original audio, but this episode with Natalie was pre-recorded. We wanted to take this opportunity to share it again and add it to our feed. Of course, all of other episodes on the EAPN still sit on that platform and we'd always recommend people checking them out along with the other pods that sit there.

Stephanie Reents' new novel, 'We Loved To Run', tells the captivating story of a female US college cross-country team, delving into what makes them tick and the external challenges that threaten to pull them apart.It's a fantastic read that explores everything from why women run and the pressures it brings, to the relationships teammates build and the coaches whose sometimes dubious methods involve weighing them and punishing under-performing runners by making them lead the toughest sessions.Further, it dives into college life, addressing issues such as sexual consent, disordered eating, and alcoholism. It's a riveting, and ultimately, uplifting read that propels you into a world of sacrifice, pain, confused identity, and female friendships. Stephanie was a collegiate runner herself, who went on to run the New York Marathon in a little over three hours. 'We Loved To Run' is her latest publication following 'The Kissing List' - a collection of stories that was a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice - and 'I Meant to Kill Ye', a bibliomemoir chronicling her journey into the strange void at the heart of Cormac McCarthy's 'Blood Meridian'.Running Tales spoke to Stephanie about the power and pain of running, why she wrote 'We Loved To Run', and setting new targets as she comes to terms with not being able to run as quickly as she used to.Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy 'We Loved To Run' on Amazon

Nikki Lilley was a talented runner in her youth, but the pressures of competition sapped some of her love for the sport and it fell by the wayside.Life and raising a family - with five children - meant she was kept pretty busy over the next few years, but she eventually found her way back to running (and swimming and cycling) in the form of the triathlon.Age group success followed, but Nikki suffered a serious setback when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Surgery and chemotherapy, along with a temporary stoma, followed but she was determined to continue exercising.That included parkrun and becoming a part of 5k Your Way, the empowering community which encourages those with cancer to run, walk or volunteer at their local parkrun once a month.Nikki eventually had her stoma reversed and is now back to chasing her goals, completing her first marathon less than a year later - and in a smidge over three-and-a-half hours!Running Tales spoke to Nikki about the support 5k Your Way provides to those with cancer, her own running journey, and the power of community...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Further reading:How the 5k Your Way revolution is 'kindly, quietly, powerfully' getting cancer patients moving

In some ways, Tony Letts is your average club runner. He trains round his local parks, enjoys parkrun and is a member of his town club, Northampton Road Runners.Like so many other people, Tony starting running later in life, looking to improve his fitness. Along the way, he found a love of trail running and a desire to run increasingly long distances.And it's taken him on a journey which is far from average or ordinary. Earlier this year, Tony completed his long-held aim to run the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), one of the world's toughest races.UTMB covers 170km (106 miles) around Mont Blanc, starting in Chamonix, France, and traveling through France, Italy, and Switzerland. It has been immortalised by the performances of the likes of Kilian Jornet, Courtney Dauwalter, Jim Walmsley, and Katie Schide.But UTMB is not the only ultra marathon Tony has conquered, with the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia just one of the other famous races he's completed.Running Tales spoke to Tony about how he trained and raced UTMB, what made him first start running, and why he loves the sport...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠Further reading:How Northampton Road Runners is hoping to supercharge its over-50s

Trina Dawkins is a trail and ultra runner - and perhaps more importantly a champion of women in sport.She is passionate about women's safety in the running world, and recently ran at the Kielder Marathon - despite being injured - on behalf of the She Runs Free initiative.Operating in partnership with Altra and BOLDI, She Free Runs aims to promote confidence and security for women runners, especially in remote or less trafficked areas.Trina also writes her own Substack newsletter, 'Voices from the Trail', where she aims to "amplify voices, break barriers, and celebrate every finish line - visible or not".Running Tales spoke to Trina about her own running goals - which include taking on a first 100-miler next year, and how we can all work to promote women's safety in the running world...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Daniel Garner was a sporty child, but his life was turned upside down when his mum sadly died from cancer when he was just eight years old.His parents had already been in the process of a divorce, and Daniels' father left not long afterwards. Although he was able to grow up in a loving family, with his sister and her partner bringing him up, Daniel's loss changed him.He felt he was missing part of his identity and that he was different to other children. It was something he took into adulthood, and as he reached his early-40s Daniel had become slightly lost.Having fallen into something of a rut, he was overweight, drinking too much and spent his time finding any excuse to sit around doing nothing.That all changed when he found running. Happier and healthier, Daniel has become a parkrun regular, joined a running club and last weekend he took on his second ultra marathon in as many weeks.Running Tales spoke to Daniel about how the sport has changed his life, why it can be hard to take those first vital steps towards trying something new, and how he hopes his mum is proud of what he has done...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠

It's one of the leading athletic clubs in the Midlands, but the success of Rugby & Northampton Athletic Club goes far beyond the gongs it and its athletes win.Competing across track and field, cross country and road running, the club has more than 1,000 members ranging from eight years old to those over 80.It has recreational sport written into its very being - or at least, its constitution - and celebrates runners at all levels.That's not to say their members aren't competitive though, whatever their age - a fact best demonstrated by a recent first place finish in the Youth Development League Lower Age Group National Final.Running Tales was recently invited to the club's Moulton College training centre - one of two tracks it uses alongside Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Sports Centre in Rugby to talk about that achievement.We met with young athletics, coaches and Masters runners, as well as clubs chairman Adrian White...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠Other links:Find out more about Rugby & Northampton AC, including how to join the club via this link.

Lottie Banks was a keen runner at school, finishing 81st in the Mini London Marathon and winning a bucketload of medals.But when life and work came calling, running took a back seat.It was only in her late-40s that Lottie returned to the sport, taking part in races including the London Marathon, Great Eastern Run, and the Big Half.That last event in London, which was held as recently as September this year, was actually Lottie's 'Retirement Run'. A chronic back condition had become increasingly worse, and she has recently taken the decision to start a new stage of her athletic journey - as a wheelchair racer.In this episode of Running Tales, we spoke to Lottie about her early love of running, the joy of movement in whatever form in takes, and the cost of disability...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠Other links:Lottie is currently fundraising for a racing chair. You can donate here: https://gofund.me/4148aaf7d

Andre Cardin's big running goal is fast approaching.Next week (November 2, 2025), he will take on theNew York City Marathon, one of the most famous road races in the world.But if Andre's New York adventure is inspiring, it is nothing compared to how he get here.Unfit, overweight and unhappy, Andre took a decision to dedicate his life to becoming a healthier, fitter and happier version of himself.His tool of choice was running, and it has helped him achieve that goal and more.Andre has tracked his journey through his increasingly popular Instagram account, @andrerunz, a platform which proved integral to his entry into New York.In this episode of Running Tales, we spoke to Andre about his running journey, how the sport has changed his life and the big races he now has on the agenda...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠Other links:Follow Andre on Instagram

From crossing paths with farm dogs to shimmying over logs, ultra runner Kim Levinsky faced a plethora of physical, mental and altogether unexpected challenges as she set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) across New York State’s 358-mile Long Path.Now, a brilliant new feature film, 'The Long Path: A journey of becoming' has been released. It tracks the physical and mental struggle's Kim encountered during her epic run, as well as taking a deeper look at how society treats mental health issues.During the documentary, Kim reveals her journey from reluctantly starting therapy to becoming a mental health advocate in her community.In this episode of Running Tales, we spoke to Kim and filmmaker Shai Ben-Dor about the idea behind the film and how they were able to capture her experiences of the trails...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠Other links:Watch 'The Long Path: A journey of becoming'

Andy Goldsby's life was spiralling out of control. Overweight, he was drinking and smoking too much, and it was starting to effect his mental as well as physical health.It was a chance moment that changed his life. Desperate to make a change, he entered the London Marathon on a whim, never expecting to get in.The marathon lottery Gods were smiling on him, and to Andy's shock he was - at 20 stone and struggling to climb the stairs - on course to run one of the world's most famous running events.Buoyed by the chance to reverse a fitness journey that was heading in the wrong direction, he started training and clocking up the miles.Since then, Andy has become a regular runner, taking on distances from parkrun 5ks to marathons. Along the way, he has become a run director at Arrow Valley parkrun and more recently joined forces with YouTuber Tim Stent, aka The Middle Aged Running Man, to become one half of the Marmcast pod.In this episode of Running Tales, we spoke to Andy about how running has changed his life...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠Other links:Listen to ⁠Marmcast on Apple Podcasts

There isn’t much Sarah Lavender Smith hasn’t done in the world of running.The Colorado resident has run more than 100 ultras and marathons, winning several at the 50k distance and clocking up many thousands of miles during more than 30 years in the sport.In 2019, she won the Grand to Grand Ultra, widely celebrated as one of the toughest races in the world.But Sarah had a ten year itch she needed to scratch: an event as hard to get into as it is to run.It is a race which features 102.5 miles (165km) and 33,000 feet (10,000 m) of climb through an area of such spiritual significance to her that she can track her family roots there back to 1880.Sarah’s date with destiny arrived on July 11, 2025 in Silverton, Colorado.At 6am on that day, she toed the start line of one of ultra running’s most famous races: ⁠The Hardrock 100⁠.In this episode of Running Tales, we spoke to Sarah to find out how her Hardrock adventure turned out...Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠Other links:Visit Sarah's Mountain Running & Living Substack: ⁠https://sarahrunning.substack.com/

When Emily Moore was just 19 she suffered a knee injury which led to her being told she'd never walk unaided again, let alone run.Now, she's on the edge of taking on the toughest footrace in the world, the formidable Marathon des Sables, in April.After suffering her injury, Emily was determined she would run again, immediately entering the London Marathon. A painful period of rehabilitation followed, but her dream became a reality with her knee surgeon among those cheering her to the finish line.Since then, Emily has completed a number of marathons and triathlons, teaching herself to swim along the way. And last year she turned ultra runner, completing the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra in October 2022.That was followed by the five-day, 123-mile Capital to Country Ultra in Nepal last year. Her decision to powerwalk it, rather than run, saw her discover a unique way of tackling the endurance event that also featured a blessing at a school and a wedding.Running Tales spoke to Emily about running while pregnant, how the sport has helped her meet friends all over the world, and why the Nepal Capital to Country Ultra saw her find herself again after divorce... --------Visit Running Tales on Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠Search for Running Tales wherever you listen to podcasts to find our audio version of episodes.Read our story about the Capital to Country Multi-Day Ultra in Nepal on our Substack page: https://runningtales.substack.com/p/from-capital-to-country-the-spiritual 

Sho Gray has a big goal in 2024.The professional runner, who is the Tennessee state record holder for the 100-mile distance, is betting on himself to make the US national 24-hour race team.Sho is using his savings to dedicate himself to running in the hope of winning the American 24-hour race championship in November, and in doing so qualifying for the national team.It’s all a far cry from his first manoeuvrings in the world of running, when as a youngster at a Japanese international school he started taking part in the sport - with the somewhat disputed aim of beating his sister in the cross-country.Running Tales spoke to Sho about going from enthusiastic amateur to professional, entering the pain cave and exercising his toes, and how he wants to inspire everyone to do whatever their version of better is… --------Visit Running Tales on Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠Search for Running Tales wherever you listen to podcasts to find our audio version of episodes.

This week's Running Tales Podcast has a somewhat different theme.Our guest is Stan Robertson, the man behind Northampton-based rough sleeper charity Project 16:15.Running Tales is once again backing the 16:15 Charity Run, which will take place at The Racecourse in Northampton, England on Saturday, March 23.The event, which aims to raise awareness of and funding for rough sleepers in the town, will take place over six hours - with runners encouraged to run as long or as short a distance as they like over that period.There is more information about the event on our Substack newsletter page and on the 16:15 Charity Run Facebook group.Stan started Project 16:15 back in 2018, during the infamous Beast from the East cold snap, when he began delivering hot drinks and food to rough sleepers in Northampton town centre.His over-riding aim is bring dignity and respect to those on the streets.You can help fundraise for the 16:15 Charity Run here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/fun-run2024Running Tales spoke to Stan about the dangers rough sleepers face on the streets, how his own experiences of homelessness and addiction help him connect to those he now helps, and whether he will be doing any running himself on March 23...--------Visit Running Tales on Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠Search for Running Tales wherever you listen to podcasts to find our audio version of episodes.

Raziq Rauf is the man behind the increasingly popular 'Running Sucks' Substack, a tongue-in-cheek title for a newsletter that looks at the stories of people doing interesting things to further running culture.Raz's newsletter has covered subjects as varied as homelessness, racism, body shaming and alcoholism - all from the prospective of those in the running world.It aims to tell stories that go beyond people's favourite trainers or their marathon training plans. The result is a fascinating and occasionally raw dive into why running sucks and how, ultimately, it is a force for good.Raz's own running journey began at school, but he only fully embraced the sport as a way of escaping his busy live as a music journalist - no Spotify or Apple playlists for this runner!Running Tales spoke to Raz about running while being a 'minority of a minority' as someone of south Asian descent, why it's important not to ignore the impact of societal issues on running, and why he called his newsletter 'Running Sucks'... --------Visit Running Tales on Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠Search for Running Tales wherever you listen to podcasts to find our audio version of episodes.

Helen Ramwell didn't always wants to run, despite coming from a family that loved the sport.It was only as a teenager while celebrating New Year that she was provoked to take part in a race, after a family member said she would never be able to complete a half-marathon.The challenge was too much to resist and Helen's running career was underway. It has since taken in a host of marathons and ultra events, including the 'toughest footrace in the world' - the Marathon des Sables.Helen took part in that event alongside her father, Richard, who she regularly enjoyed running with. Sadly, Richard has since passed away but Helen honoured his memory at the end of last year when she took on another multi-day marathon. She said she felt his presence on her shoulder as she took on the inaugural Capital to Country in Nepal, a five-day, 123-mile romp through the foothills of the Himalayas.Running Tales spoke to Helen about the women's ultra running scene, running while pregnant, and her much-heralded competitive streak... --------Visit Running Tales on Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠Search for Running Tales wherever you listen to podcasts to find our audio version of episodes.

Liz Fraser has been a passionate runner since a young age, when her mother - who coached youngsters at the Oxford City Athletics Club - introduced her to the sport.Running has been her constant companion ever since, through the highs of many a 5k, 10k and half-marathon to helping her cope with mental health issues.A writer, broadcaster and best-selling author, Liz's memoir 'Coming Clean' tells the story of her life with an alcoholic partner, and running has provided solace in harder times.Now, as she approaches her 50th birthday in October, Liz is aiming to run her first marathon, as well as to roll back the years to record a sub-20 minute 5k and a sub-40 minute 10k.Running Tales spoke to Liz about how it's ok for women to fiercely pursue their goals and the joy of running in terrible weather...--------Visit Running Tales on Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠Search for Running Tales wherever you listen to podcasts to find our audio version of episodes.

Denny Krahe is an ultra runner and coach who runs one of our favourite podcasts about the sport: Diz Runs.We first caught up with Denny just over a year ago, when we chatted to him about his own running career and his life as an injury prevention specialist.With changes on the way at Diz Runs, we thought it was a good time to talk to Denny again and to see how he is getting on with some of his running goals.We also chewed the fat over some of the big issues in the running world, including the seemingly increasing numbers of people cheating in races and just how far he thinks the human body will allow endurance athletes to go... --------Visit Running Tales on Substack: ⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠Search for Running Tales wherever you listen to podcasts to find our audio version of episodes.You can learn more about Denny Krahe, his coaching, blog and podcast on http://www.dizruns.com/