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

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

Our Classic Episode season concludes with this legendary adventure, wherein Rob loses Paul's... well, listen and find out.This is Part Three of the epic trilogy. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to access the whole back catalogue - plus 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

Our Classic Episode season concludes with this legendary adventure, wherein Rob loses Paul's... well, listen and find out.This is Part Two of the epic trilogy. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠⁠ to access the whole back catalogue - plus 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

Our Classic Episode season concludes with this legendary adventure, wherein Rob loses Paul's... well, listen and find out.This is Part One of the epic trilogy. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ to access the whole back catalogue - plus 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

Deepest December sees Rob and Paul having a variety of adventures in Wanstead. Featuring full-on festivities - including many more movies, wild wee fun, chastening cocktails, sun-kissed skiing, Christmas drama, a wonky wisdom-tooth whip-out, supplementary Shakespeare, empty pond shenanigans, parkrun report, noisy neighbours, birds and cows - but not horses - and a couple of very inspiring PBs.Happy Christmas guys. Lots of love. 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/9781472975270⁠Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another classic Christmas episode, as we revisit our most illustrious guest ever - from December 2017, this is our run with the man himself - SANTA CLAUS! 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A walking-commentary-episode from the Parkland Walk as Paul rests his sore back. Featuring the trouble with sitting, Paul's many socials, muddy puddles, letting the devil in, taking poison, the finished bridge, a modicum of woo-woo, live back spasms, parkrun report, bad manners, arm use, Rob's op - what a brace of wrecks Paul and Rob are! - and some more Shakespeare chat.'We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time' - TS Eliot 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

Manchester, December 2016 - and in this classic episode, Paul & Rob have just done South Manchester parkrun - where Paul clocked some bad behaviour on the course, and Rob remembers some bad behaviour at a gig. Also, turns out they were faster nine years ago.You can access all our old episodes - and playlists - if you SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠, as well as getting 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.Read more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Glorious sunshine on Hampstead Heath as December - and advent - begins. Featuring Paul's literary endeavours, Rob's parkrun-on-the-road, a dramatic moment in A&E, Tom Stoppard RIP, trouble getting on and off stage in Leeds, some new running clothes, some slide-into-Christmas films, and your great PBs. 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

On a dreich day in Hyde Park, Rob catches up with comedian Ivo Graham. featuring the colour orange, the quest for sub-3, the sound of great bands, healthy family competition, running for charity, further music-related shenanigans and more marathons to come.Thanks Ivo! BUY IVO'S MONKEY SOX and support Stop MS: https://monkeysox.org/products/classic-ms-society-sports-socks-stop-msSUBSCRIBE 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

A long trot round Alexandra Palace and along the less familiar bit of the Parkland Walk back to Highgate Wood in the November sunshine. Featuring Rob's band's gig - and comedy gigs, Paul's latest theatre visit - and writing limbo, some sterling work from the wives, Rob's parkrun success, a stunning skyline, some notes on Christmas - particularly the classic movies, Paul's progeny's professional possibilities, the ebb and flow of fitness, tortoises and parakeets, anticipating '26, Q&As, Paul's internet offer, Rob's fear of falling over, exercise vs age, and whether 5ks are harder than marathons (plot spoiler: they aren't). 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