Running Commentary

Rob's very ready to pick Paul's brains post Marathon Des Sables on a very gentle recovery run round the park - and he's brought us back his desert diaries. Featuring various attitudes to preparation, the Tent 105 crew, Paul's resistance to briefings, nights under canvas, finding flow and becoming feral, how he took on the long, double-marathon stage, volunteers and running buddies, sandy eyes and sore feet, tears on the trail, a little light hallucination, becoming self-sufficient, embracing a simple existence, emotions outside the box, cool runnings, desert demographics, the grubby life, and a spiritual moment based on fizzy pop. 'After this, no more hard things.' SUBSCRIBE for early access, ad-free listening and more... and BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444 - and you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270 You can sponsor Rob's London Marathon here: https://rb.gy/fty8wh Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/runningcommentary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On their monthly visit to Hampstead Heath, Rob and Paul can see Spring coming on apace. Featuring the magic of mixing it up, when it's time to change your shoes, last mile: fastest mile, fun on a hamster wheel, golden daffodils and wild dogs, parkrun-and-book reports, what the younger generation of Tonkinsons and Deerings are up to, your RunComPod memories and PBs, and a quintessential two-bottle Sunday. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can pre-order Paul's NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013, you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s award-winning classic 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob went for a run with our friend Andi Osho, who's doing so much exciting stuff at the moment it's impressive she found the time. Featuring running - and health in general - in perimenopause, acting for the RSC, the success of BBC's Blue Lights, and the inspiration for her new book Most Wanted.(Which you can get here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/most-wanted/andi-osho//9780008431013)Thanks Andi! Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Andi, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all manner of exclusive content.BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reunited on the Parkland Walk, Rob and Paul take it easy after Paul's boozy journey home from his tour. Featuring treadmills in Dubai, gig report, what the youngest progeny are up to, the late Philippe Gaulier, a couple of parkruns and a long one, running with John Robins and Esther Manito, Rob squeaking in, a glimpse of Paul's wife, and some sunglasses-related science.Sponsor Rob's Daughter's Cambridge Half for Macmillan here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/daisy-deering-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=020 SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob takes a turn with the comedian, who has a new running podcast - with another friend of ours Zoe Lyons - recently ran a Half Marathon in a fantastically iconic location, and is working on how to keep running with a chronic injury. Plot spoiler: it involves very strong legs. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Esther, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all manner of exclusive content.BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Price stands in for Paul on a muddy, mizzly turn around Finsbury Park, Woodberry Wetlands and Clissold Park. Featuring dad hair, charity wars, exercises and neurodiversity, parenting techniques, dialling codes, 'showering a St. Bernardoodle's back end', plank talk, podcasts, wild swimming wives, where and where not to find friendliness, procedures and pop music.Thanks Tom.PAUL TONKINSON WILL RETURN. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob is out in the country with John Robins, who's running the London Marathon for Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse. Featuring managing marathon training on a shonky ankle, the mental health benefits of running in the woods and the hills (the Chilterns in this case), recovering from addiction and how running and exercise fits into that - not to mention therapy and meditation - and ultimately owning the more uncomfortable moments in running, and in life.You can sponsor John - and maybe get him to the massive fundraising total he's closing in on - here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/johnrobins?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLAnd his book Thirst is available to pre-order here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/thirst/john-robins/2928377356323The 'pain cave' woman is Courtney Dauwalter! Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from John, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all manner of exclusive content.BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As February begins, it's definitely still winter on Hampstead Heath. Featuring the death throes of Dry January, 2026 fitness developing, 'feel the [SOMETHING] and do it anyway', the wisdom of Steve Martin, wellness world, Mark Maier and modes of momentum, movie chat, a farewell to wonderful Catherine O'Hara, another Ultra for the schedule?, the heath at its most blasted, and running through the doldrums. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A pretty grim day sees Rob and Paul heading out East from Leytonstone to Wanstead. Featuring another bingle for Rob, finding focus in training, Spring Half Marathons left right and centre, Dry January continues, motivation on Mondays - and other days, finding dynamic pacing, gig report, birthdays and anniversaries, Paul marshalling the next generation of comedians, Rob meeting a LEGEND, last mile / fastest mile, and some more movie-based parkrun inspiration.Happy Birthday Julia!GET Coast-to-Coast Comedy Night tickets: http://hilaritybites.co.uk/runningcommentary SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a surprisingly sunny morning Rob catches up with our friend, writer, comedian and classicist Natalie Haynes. Featuring, appropriately, a little bit of Jason and a lot of Medea, plus understanding monsters, and allowing for later life choices. Thank you Natalie. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Natalie, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all manner of exclusive content. BUY NATALIE'S BOOKS: https://www.waterstones.com/author/natalie-haynes/450500BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob and Paul run down to Finsbury Park and back, in a slight break with tradition. Featuring an Escheresque detour, past and future theatre trips, the continuing adventure that is Dry January, making and breaking habits, maturity and the moment, being ill and running, obligatory parkrun and plank chat, Guildford and other places, late-life living arrangements, and a look ahead to the Coast To Coast. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul takes his first turn with our fellow North London-based mature comedian-runner Mark Maier, in training for this year's London Marathon. But will he even make it to the start line?Thanks for sharing your journey Mr Maier. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to hear more from Mark, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all manner of exclusive content.BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A surprise return to Hampstead Heath on a chilly Saturday, Featuring all the reports - parkrun, drinking, gigging, writing - plus the toilet in the woods, a sad accessory loss, cycling on ice, Lisa Jackson - more of that soon - Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - listen if you haven't already - the youth getting on board, soundtracking a plank, last mile fastest mile, incoming road trips, and a surprise George. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our old friend Lisa Jackson - back-of-the-pack angel and author of Your Pace Or Mine - has now written a book of bereavement, grief and her journey back to running - Still Running After All These Tears. Paul took a turn around the Heath with her to find out more. Is she still a powerhouse of good vibes? Amazingly, but unsurprisingly - yes.Thanks so much Lisa.Lisa's book is available here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/still-running-after-all-these-tears/lisa-jackson/vassos-alexander/9781837997374?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=626889&awc=3787_1768397523_8aabb52e805f5ee23bdb8bc057b8aca1&utm_source=626889&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=adstrongWhile we're on books, you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob and Paul run out just as the flakes start to fall. Featuring dismantling Christmas, removing or living with temptations, the great abstemiousness, different takes on 2026 exercise regimes, enjoying the journey, dump catharsis, normalising long runs, foot trouble, and general glee about the great snowfall (that turned out not to be). SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a bleak winter's day in the Royal Parks, Rob had a really great chat with brilliant Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, writer and Ultra Marathon runner, about women getting into running, Black Trail Runners, and her incredible life so far, running and beyond.Thanks so much Sabrina - good luck with the new book. Subscribe to the Fan Feed at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ to hear more from Sabrina, plus get early access, ad-free listening, and all manner of exclusive content. Start Where You Are - The Beginner's 5k Running Guide For Women  - out January 15th - is available here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/start-where-you-are/sabrina-pace-humphreys//9781399423311?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=626889&awc=3787_1767860401_f4f363a8a46d357f6f410be285d54bbf&utm_source=626889&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=adstrong.And while we're on books... You can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy New Year! Here we have a little look back at what went down in 2025, running wise. New Year's resolutions? Maybe next week. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob's back in chilly Brockwell Park with comedian Jenny Collier to find out how her epic trek in Vietnam went - along with some abstemiousness talk, a report on how her search for a new home, and an explanation of the state of his shoes. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ - and you can pre-order his NEW BOOK here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-through-sand/paul-tonkinson/9781399404013 Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You provided the Qs - here are the As! In the twinkle of the tree at Tonkinson Towers, Rob and Paul dig deep into your brilliant questions.Part Two features talk of London, Manchester and Taskmaster, runs when it all came together, and the long-hoped-for, John Cage-style silent episode. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - and you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270⁠ Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You provided the Qs - here are the As! In the twinkle of the tree at Tonkinson Towers, Rob and Paul dig deep into your brilliant questions.Part One features favourite distances, silly voices, bucket list ambitions (or lack of), stand-up comedy today, and some chat about where it all began.  SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more...BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - and you can get Paul’s book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270 ⁠Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices