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The Women's Running Podcast
Ep 242. Maranoia vs reality
Welcome to episode 242 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.
As we get closer to Marathon Day, our maranoia has reached epic proportions. We talk about comparing ourselves to other runners on social media, about not matching our training plans, and about the fear of the last long runs.
We have Jordan with us today, thankfully, so after 20 minutes of pure waffle, she stands in as Agony Aunt to give us a much-needed dose of reality in the face of our raging maranoia. Have we done enough mileage? Have we actually run enough? Have we eaten the things we should have eaten? Have we rested enough? We talk about logistics, we talk about crying, and the wobbles we have about those last long runs.
After we chat to Jordan, we are back to talk about another controversy – and we would love to hear your thoughts. This isn’t Lisbon this time, this is the practice of finish line proposals. What do you think?! Email us as ever at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk.
Do come and see us at the London Marathon Expo on Sat April 26th at 10:15am: you'll hear our live pod up close and personal, it’ll be lovely to see you.
And before we forget to mention it, come on to Patreon NOW cos changes are afoot. You can now join our official Inner Circle for just £6 to shape what we talk about, and to hear about the Big Exciting Thing that we’re doing in March 2026 first. And from there, jump into Discord to talk about it all with a bunch of lovely women. It’s ace! Go to patreon.com/womensrunnning to find out more.
Lovely extra bits
This episode is sponsored by Coopah. Coopah are offering all pod squadders a 2-week free trial of their app and then giving 20% off their standard annual subscription price. Download the Coopah app and use the code WOMENSRUNNING when you sign up. Or visit coopah.com/womensrunning.
We picked up our lovely hotel rooms through Marathon Tours: you can pick up hotel rooms for the Marathon here: TCS London Marathon 2025 | Marathon Tours & Travel UK. Do also check them out if you’re eyeing up one of the other marathon majors.@marathontours_uk on Instagram
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- Email us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
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301. Ep 301. Is it a running addiction?
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300. Ep 300. How did we get here?!
01:14:01||Season 1, Ep. 300Welcome to episode 300 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Episode 300! What?We are in a reflective mode today! It’s episode 300 – can you believe it? - so we try to remember what we did for our 100th and 200th episodes (booze may have been involved). We talk about how we’ve changed since those early episodes – mostly, I think, for the better!ControversiesWe also talk about a couple of controversies – those Nike billboards that sprang up, alongside a bit more on the whole Joe Wicks thing. Trigger warning – there’s a bit here on weightloss, and weight gain, please be careful if this is triggering for you.Go on, subscribe!If you’re fond of this pod, you are going to LOVE Women’s Running Magazine. Hop along to womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad to subscribe to the best running magazine there is and to bag yourself a tasty saving with a third off. That’s womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad.LinksBag yourself a third off the mag with womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
299. Ep 299. Running and romance
01:31:00||Season 1, Ep. 299Welcome to episode 299 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Inca and Ellie updateApologies for recording quality of the first bit as Hol and I are sitting in a tiny room with big windows! To begin with, we join SportsShoes ambassadors Inca and Ellie again to find out how they did during the London Marathon over the weekend. If you remember, they were both gunning for sub-3 marathons. Spoiler: there are tears!Joe Wicks!And then we’re back to just the two of us for a long, rambling episode, which takes us immediately into a bit of Joe Wicks controversy, which we’re enjoying greatly, into some London Marathon content, a little bit of Greek romance, followed by some trail marathon ramblings and a bit of bad back stuff to finish off. Fun!Pick up the mag!If you’re fond of this pod, you are going to LOVE Women’s Running Magazine. Hop along to womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad to subscribe to the best running magazine there is and to bag yourself a tasty saving with a third off. That’s womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad.LinksBag yourself a third off the mag with womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad Have a lovely tipple from the Athletic Brewing CompanySetting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
298. Ep 298. Totes Inappropes & running w*nkers
01:47:59||Season 1, Ep. 298Welcome to episode 298 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.SportsShoes ambassadors running LondonWe have a packed episode for you guys this week! First off, just so you know the order of service, we’re joined by lovely Ellie Bradley and Inca Padfield, who are both ambassadors for SportsShoes, and are going to be running the TCS London Marathon this weekend. From VERY different backgrounds, they are both attempting some seriously speedy times. We chat to them here about their training, and their hopes – and we’re going to be catching up with them after the race too! Enjoy for a bit of London Marathon excitement!Marathon spectatingThe it’s us for a bit of usual chat - Holly has been spectating a marathon – which is timely, given that it’s marathon season. And I’ve been slowly building up my mileage ahead of my trail marathon. I need to remind all of my wheezy sisters about remembering the battering we give our lungs when we push our endurance.Totes InappropesBut we are merely bookends for the main event in the shape of the dopamine hit of joy who is Totes Inappropes, aka Alison Stankard. We’ve been following Alison for YEARS – a woman who loves colour, community, and running. She’s written a brilliant book, full of all the swears – in fact, it’s called Are You a Running Wanker – and sadly it seems as though the answer to this is a firm yes. It’s coming out mid-May, and you can pre-order it now. Go on!LinksPreorder Are You a Running W*nker right now!Subscribe to Women’s Running to save 30% off the price you pay at the supermarket!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
297. Ep 297. Sophie Power and realistic goals
01:27:40||Season 1, Ep. 297Welcome to episode 297 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.PaceToday, Holly is feeling humbled by the paces that she’s been given to achieve a pretty speedy 5K goal, which leads us to talk about goals all round – what makes a good one?Sophie PowerWe interrupt our own gassing to introduce a very special guest in the shape of the brilliant Sophie Power. Sophie, as I’m sure many of you will know, is an incredible ultrarunner who has represented Great Britain, who rose to prominence after a photo of her taken at the UTMB while she breast fed her baby at an aid station went viral. She has used her resulting platform for good, setting up SheRACES with a goal to educate races to be more inclusive to female athletes. We talk to her here about her new book The Power Within, which delves into the key life lessons Sophie has learned through running. She talks to us about That Photo, her road to running stardom, and why and how she came to write the book. Make sure you pick it up, it’s amazing! Get the mag!If you’re fond of this pod, you are going to LOVE Women’s Running Magazine. Hop along to womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad to subscribe to the best running magazine there is and to bag yourself a tasty saving with a third off. That’s womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad.LinksGet yourself a copy of Sophie’s incredible book, The Power WithinSign up to Sophie Power’s SheRaces ultra in July! I might see you there (eek)Bag yourself a third off the mag with womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
296. Ep 296. Feminism, heckling, summer running
01:20:13||Season 1, Ep. 296Welcome to episode 296 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.LadeezThis episode, we talk about whether we prefer to be called ladies or women, and why it is that some races and runners prefer the term ‘lady’. We also wave our feminist flags about different distances in cross country. We know this is a contentious subject, so send in your thoughts!Running & safetyWe also talk about running and safety in the summer. Holly’s had some horrible experiences recently while running – we hope you’ve all been avoiding crap like this in your running; but if not, do please let us know what’s been going on, and how you’re dealing with it.Join the gang!If you’re fond of this pod, you are going to LOVE Women’s Running Magazine. Hop along to womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad to subscribe to the best running magazine there is and to bag yourself a tasty saving with a third off. That’s womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad.LinksPick up Helen’s book, How To Face Big Change And Come Back StrongerSign up to Sophie Power’s SheRaces ultra in July!Subscribe to us and get a third off!womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
295. Ep 295. Skin health and menopause
01:30:04||Season 1, Ep. 295Welcome to episode 295 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Mole and skin checksWe are talking skin health! I know, not really our bag in the past, but definitely our bag moving forwards. I have a PSA about checking your moles and protecting your skin as you run outside this summer. I had a full body check with The Mole Clinic, and I thoroughly recommend it for all runners – all the info here, including whether or not to wear your best pants.Menopausal runnersIn the middle, we have a treat in the shape of the lovely Dr Juliet McGrattan. Juliet has written her third book, and again it’s something we all need on our bedside tables – The Runner’s Guide To Menopause. She talks about what prompted her to write it, and we have many deeper questions about menopause itselfWe come back afterwards to talk about maintenance running, and why it’s sometimes everything that our soul needs after working towards a huge goal.If you’re fond of this pod, you are going to LOVE Women’s Running Magazine (our current issue has an exclusive interview with cover star Em Clarkson, which is worth the cover price alone). Hop along to womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad to subscribe to the best running magazine there is and to bag yourself a tasty saving with a third off. That’s womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad.LinksGet your skin checked out at https://themoleclinic.co.uk/Pick up a subcription to Women's Running for 30% off. womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad Pick up Juliet's brilliant book, The Runner's Guide To MenopauseSetting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
294. Ep 294. Sab Pace-Humphreys and faster running
01:30:50||Season 1, Ep. 294Welcome to episode 294 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Running fasterAt the start and finish, we talk about running faster and how Hol’s running is going now, and I come back afterwards to talk about how my recovery is going, as well as to posit the theory that maybe we should all be running three times a week, and NO MORE.Bath Half eventIn the middle we have a little treat for you in the shape of our chat with Sabrina Pace-Humphreys that we did during our event the night before the Bath Half. We took the opportunity to pick her brains about why she loves the Bath Half, as well as tips and tricks for half marathon running. Do make sure you pick up her new book, Start Where You Are!Pick up the mag!If you’re fond of this pod, you are going to LOVE Women’s Running Magazine (our current issue has an exclusive interview with cover star Em Clarkson, which is worth the cover price alone). Hop along to womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad to subscribe to the best running magazine there is and to bag yourself a tasty saving with a third off. That’s womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can save 30%Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories
293. Ep 293. Bath Half event and debrief
01:32:58||Season 1, Ep. 293Welcome to episode 293 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Bath Half debriefWe’ve got a huge debrief for you – last weekend we had our live event, and that was followed the next day by Holly running the Bath Half alongside a bunch of Pod Squadders. And, without wanting to give anything away, we had a brilliant weekend! We chat through the thrills and spills of the Saturday event, which we LOVED doing, and Hol takes us step by step through her Bath Half. Listen out for a spectacular story that involves a banana – I shall say no more.Get the mag!Also if you’re fond of this pod, you are going to LOVE Women’s Running Magazine. Hop along to womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad to subscribe to the best running magazine there is (even if we don’t have Harry Styles on the cover) and to bag yourself a tasty saving with a third off the cover price. That’s womensrunning.co.uk/podsquad Other lovely bitsSubscribe to Women’s Running – and you can save 30%Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories