Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast

In this episode, Max and Rob chat to fellow Protein Rebel ambassador, Alex Bance, who didn’t just run an ultra — he ran 300 miles, self-navigated, unrecced, and with minimal support, all to raise money and awareness for a children’s hospice close to his heart, Julia's House.We unpack the soaring highs to the crushing lows, kit disasters, hallucinations, moments of kindness, and the mental resilience needed to keep moving when everything says stop.Expect raw honesty, wild stories, training insights, and lessons for anyone looking to push beyond their perceived limits.If this episode inspires you, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies — it really helps the show grow.👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

Charlotte Fisher is having a breakout year — and we’re here for it. From her early win at North Downs Way 100 to podiums at UTS, Lakeland, and Mallorca by UTMB, she’s proving she’s one of the fiercest rising stars on the European ultra scene. In this episode, Charlotte opens up about the highs and lows of racing 140KM through technical terrain in Mallorca, how she’s evolved as an athlete in 2025, and what keeps her grounded when the trails get tough. We dive into training shifts, recovery rituals, race-day mindset, and yes — her guilty pleasure post-race treat. Whether you’re chasing your own ultra goals or just love hearing how the best do it, this one’s packed with insight, grit, and inspiration.👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

This week we sit down with Charlie Steward — fresh off what many are calling the worst conditions in Moab 240 history. Think rain, snow, high winds, falling trees, and actual mountain lions. Charlie says the race broke him in every single way — physically, mentally, emotionally — and yes, he really did cut open his own feet mid-race to relieve pressure.We talk Ironman roots, hallucinations, sleep strategy (or lack of), and what it takes to survive 238 miles of chaos through Utah’s desert and mountains. It’s raw, intense, and a masterclass in suffering with purpose.👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

This week on Trails, Tails and Fails, Rob and Sarah relive the Jurassic Coast Maverick 50K — a race full of coastal climbs, wrong turns, and one spectacular kit fail that nearly ended things before the start line. Sarah took the win and Rob had a great run to take 10th.👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

Ellen Cheetham went from London roads to French mountain trails — and landed on the podium at UTMB Nice 100 miler. In this episode, we unpack her transition to ultra running, the move to France, and what it takes to race 165 km from the Alps to the Mediterranean.👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

This week, we’re talking pacing — the skill that separates finishers from faders. Whether you’re running a 50K or a 100-miler, smart pacing protects your body from bonking, inflammation, and breakdown.We dive into the science behind restraint:Glycogen depletion and why fat-burning isn’t enoughCardiac drift and rising effort over timeMuscle fatigue, form collapse, and injury riskGut shutdown when blood flow prioritises your legs over digestionWhy walking early climbs can save your race laterPlus: the talk test, segment thinking, and why patience is power.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails, Max, Sarah Rob are joined by Victoria Henderson, fresh off her heroic finish at the Tor des Géants — a 330km monster through the Italian Alps with over 24,000m of elevation gain. That’s 145 hours of sleep deprivation, technical climbs, and weather that can swing from blazing heat to alpine snow.We break down the race step by step, score it using our Race Toughness Index, and dive into training, and finish-line emotions. Plus: celebrity pacers, truth or lie, ultra guilty pleasures, and a quickfire round.Victoria’s ultra resume is stacked: CCC 2021, TDS, 5th at Winter Downs 200, and 17th at Arc 100 earlier this year. But TDG? That’s a whole new level.👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails, Max and Sarah are joined by Seb Briggs and Emma Harris, fresh off their epic 37-hour, 57-minute finish of the Kerry Way Ultra. That’s 200km of Irish wilderness, bogs, climbs, and unpredictable weather. We break down the race step by step, score it using our Race Toughness Index, and dive into training, fails, and finish-line emotions. Plus: celebrity pacers, truth or lie, ultra guilty pleasures, and a quickfire round that reveals more than you'd expect.Seb and Emma are part of the George & Falcon Runners, a friendly, inclusive trail running crew based in Hampshire. They meet regularly for social runs, training sessions, and big race adventures. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

This week on Ultra Tip Tuesday, Max dives into one of the most overlooked performance boosters in ultra running: sleep. From muscle repair and glycogen replenishment to mental resilience and injury prevention, sleep is your secret weapon. Learn how to optimise your sleep routine, avoid common pitfalls like caffeine and screen time, and treat rest like the training block it truly is. Your legs will thank you.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠ for your 15% discount.

Welcome back to Trails, Tales, and Fails! This week’s Ultra Tip Tuesday is all about the unsung heroes of your stride — your calves. Whether you're climbing, descending, or cruising through long miles, your calves are working overtime.We break down the difference between the gastrocnemius and the soleus, why most runners neglect one of them, and how to train both for better performance, injury prevention, and smoother movement. From straight-leg to bent-knee calf raises, we’ve got the tips to build bulletproof lower legs.🎙️ Want to support the pod? Check out our Patreon in the show notes.👟 Join our Facebook community to share your strength wins and fails — we’ve all had both.

In this week’s Ultra Tip Tuesday, I'm diving into one of the most overlooked keys to endurance success: fuelling early and often. Whether you’re training for your first ultra or your fiftieth, timing your nutrition is just as important as what you eat.I’ll break down why waiting until you’re hungry is too late, how to keep your energy steady with small, frequent fuel hits, and how to train your gut to handle fuel on the move. From gels to real food, this episode is all about keeping your engine running strong — and avoiding the dreaded bonk.

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails, Max flies solo and is joined by returning guest Daniel, fresh off completing the 130-mile Leeds–Liverpool Canal Race.We dive into:UTMB 2025 — snow at 2,500 m, frozen hands at night, and nearly 1,000 DNFs. With Tom Evans storming to victory, Josh Wade taking 3rd, and Courtney grinding through injury to finish 10th, it was a year of resilience as much as speed.The Leeds–Liverpool Canal Race — Daniel takes us step by step through 130 miles of towpaths and mental battles.Race Toughness Index (RTI) — our brand-new scoring system breaking races down across 10 categories (terrain, weather, aid stations, fatigue, etc.) for a total toughness score out of 100. Daniel gives the Canal Race its first ever official rating.Quickfire round — bucket-list races, forgotten kit, irrational pre-race rituals, and more.👉 Join our ⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at ⁠Protein Rebel⁠ for your 15% discount.

Max and Sarah sit down with elite ultra runner and passionate coach Chris Kelly. From his jaw-dropping 273km win at Albi 24hr to course records and podiums across the UK, Chris shares the mindset, training, and grit behind his success — including his selection for Team GB’s 24-hour squad and prep for the upcoming World Championships in Albi. We dive into coaching insights, play our usual games, and explore what it really takes to go the distance.👉 Join our ⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠Patreon ⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.Use code TTF15 at Protein Rebel for your 15% discount.

Welcome to our very first Ultra Tip Tuesday! In this short, practical episode, Max shares how to master layering so you stay warm, dry, and strong on the trails.We’ll break down the three-layer system:🧥 Base layer – sweat manager🧣 Mid layer – insulation🌧️ Shell – outer defenseYou’ll learn about hydrostatic head, why breathability matters as much as waterproofing, and the common mistake most runners make at the start line.👉 Key takeaway: Start cool, go windproof when it’s dry, save the waterproofs for biblical weather.👉 Join our ⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠Patreon ⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.🎧 Don’t forget to share the episode, leave us a rating, and help spread the word!

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails we’re joined by Darren Evans, founder of The Green Runners and Pair Ups — two movements changing the way we think about running and sustainability.We dive into:🏃 Darren’s ultra running journey and what inspired him to combine running with environmental action👟 How Pair Ups helps extend the life of trainers and cut down waste🌱 Practical steps runners and races can take to reduce their footprint📝 Darren’s creative side with Three Word Odes — capturing the spirit of running in just three wordsIt’s an inspiring reminder that small changes — from repairing shoes to rethinking events — can add up to a big difference for the planet we love to explore.👉 Join our Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our Patreon — every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.🎧 Don’t forget to share the episode, leave us a rating, and help spread the word!

268 miles. 155 hours. A few wrong turns. One bull. And a whole lot of grit and resilience.In this episode of Trails, Tales & Fails, we sit down with an inspiring ultra runner who took on the Summer Spine and came out the other side with blisters, stories, and a finish line moment to remember. From getting lost in the forest, to stubborn livestock, and the mental rollercoaster of non-stop movement — this conversation is raw, funny, and extremely inspiring.We talk feet, planning, hallucinations, sleep strategy, and how belief — both from within and from others — can get you to the end of even the longest trail.An inspiring reminder that you don’t need to be at the front of the pack to have an epic story to tell.⁠Join our brand-new Facebook community group

We’re back — and this week we’re diving deep into one of the toughest and most well supported ultras in the UK: the Montane Lakeland 100.From Coniston to Coniston, the 103-mile loop through the Lake District serves up over 6,000m of elevation, technical trails, and usually unpredictable weather. Max and Sarah relive this year’s race:, sleep-deprived hallucinations, brutal climbs, and that unbeatable community spirit from all involved.Sarah shares what it took to finish 3rd female and 13th overall in 24h40m, and we answer some great listener questions too.Also, a shout out to Daniel and Rebecca, who we met at the campsite. Congrats to Daniel for getting his 500 slate.Join our brand-new Facebook community group Alan Bedford is raising money for Maggie's Centres⭐ Like the pod? Please share and give us a 5-star review — it helps more than you know.

From the West Highland Way to UTMB, the Spine Race to Western States—Debbie Martin-Consani has carved out one of the most enduring careers in UK ultra running. In this episode of Trails, Tales, and Fails, we go behind the finish lines to explore Debbie’s journey, her race philosophy, and how she’s balanced competition, coaching, and family across decades on the trails.We also dive into the whether female participation is becoming more balanced compared to male counterparts —what’s changed, what’s still missing, and what might start to level the start line.Whether you're new to ultras or deep in the sport, this one’s packed with stories and the kind of trail truth you’ll carry into your next race. Enjoy.

We’re back! After a bit of a hiatus (training, coaching, crewing — life got busy!), Max, Rob, and James are here, while Sarah preps to take on the Lakeland 100. This episode dives deep into the grit, gear, and glory of summer’s toughest ultras.We kick off with the Lakeland 100 & 50 — what makes it so brutal yet iconic? James shares his race mindset, and we chat about self-supported prep, and how runners handle mental lows without crew or course markings.Then it’s off to the heat of the Western States 100 and Badwater 135 — where bears, 45°C heat, and elite performances from UK runners took centre stage. We also pause to reflect on the tragic events at this year’s Hardrock 100.Finally, we break down Dan Lawson’s awe-inspiring South West Coast Path FKT: 630 miles in 9 days, 13 hours — no big sponsors, just trail shoes, guts, and a lot of trust in his crew.Expect laughs, deep dives, and maybe a few rants — just your usual dose of Trails, Tales, and Fails.📲 Follow, share, and drop us a rating if you enjoy the show!

Today’s episode is a special one. We’re diving into the 2025 South Downs Way 100—a race that’s not just a UK classic anymore, but now part of the World Trail Majors. That’s right, the SDW100 has officially gone global.While the front of the field was electric—Mark Darbyshire shattered the course record, Peter Newman went out like a rocket, and Lucy Gossage and Julie Davis delivered one of the most thrilling women’s races we’ve seen—we’re zooming in on a different kind of hero.Our guest is a good mate, cohost of the pod, a seasoned ultra-runner, and someone I had the absolute pleasure of crewing alongside co-host Sarah. He ran a blistering 19 hours and 13 minutes, and we’re unpacking the hot, emotional, and snack-fuelled miles that got him there.From the early climbs through the rolling Downs, to the dark hours of the night, to the final push into Eastbourne—we talk strategy, suffering, aid station saviours, and yes, a few fails along the way.So lace up, grab a flapjack, and let’s get into it.