The Runner's World UK Podcast

The hamstring plays a critical role in the running gait, but it's also a likely candidate for injury. Leading running physio Tom Goom (running-physio.com) has a particular specialism in the hamstring, and comes on the show to tell us how runners can strengthen and/or heal their hammies.

We are joined by Emma Pooley, who did loads of proper elite racing on a bike and then stopped and now does loads of stuff, but running is front and centre and she's really good at it. Now representing Switzerland in trail and mountain world champs, we caught up with Emma to discuss how trail running is more friendly as a sport, how she doesn't want to sell anyone any kit, how here dad who went running everyday is her hero and much more.

Runner's knee (or patellofemoral pain syndrome) is one of the most common running ailments. It's characterised by a dull pain around the front of the knee and can get worse quickly if not addressed. On this episode of the Runner's World podcast, leading running physio Tom Goom (running-physio.com) offers his expert advice on how to identify, recover from, and avoid runner's knee.

Going out too fast. Trying something new on race day. Forgetting to do an strength and conditioning in training. Marathon mistakes are myriad – and Team RW have made most of them. But we're here to offer our hard-won wisdom on how to avoid these pitfalls and run the race of your life.

Our guest this week is Dr Richard Blagrove, senior lecturer of Physiology at Loughborough University as well as a strength and conditioning coach. We chat how much strength and conditioning work runners should do, what that looks like in the gym, what exercises should you be doing and how it'll benefit your running. It's surprising easy too!

On this week's episode, we attempt to answer that eternal running question: how do I get faster? To help us do this, we're joined by Tom Craggs, national endurance manager for England Athletics. He tells you how to introduce speedwork sensibly, how much of it you need to do, and why quick running in training isn't enough in itself to race quickly over long distances.

On this episode, Team GB star Matt Hudson-Smith gives us an insight into the pain and payoff of 400m training.

Ultra runner Sophie Power joins us to discuss She Races, an organisation aimed at getting more women onto the start line and having a brilliant experience when they race. They want to support more race directors to make their events as accessible and inclusive as possible. We discuss some of the issues that women face with races and what needs to change.

On this week's episode, film-maker and runner Joe French discusses his new book, Out of Mind, which details tragedy of Mount Everest – and how French was brought back to health by barefoot running. Pick up a copy of Out of Mind here.