West Coast Ultra Podcast

In this episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I’m joined once again by previous guest (S2E2) and friend of the show Andy Darling — a seriously fast road runner who has made a brilliant transition into the world of trail and ultra running.If you didn’t catch Andy’s first appearance on the show, don’t worry. I get him to reintroduce himself, talk about his background as both a runner and a personal trainer, and share what pulled him away from the road‑PB mindset and into the adventure, unpredictability, and challenge of the trails.In this conversation, we get into:Andy’s journey from road speed to trail resilienceThe mindset shift from chasing times to chasing experiencesHow his training has evolved — physically and mentallyWhat surprised him most about the ultra worldA full breakdown of his recent Borders 8 Hour raceHis pacing, nutrition, highs, lows, and the lessons he’s taking forwardHow his road background helped him — and where it didn’tWhat’s next for him, including his 2026 race calendar and long‑term goalsI also share some coaching insights from my own work with athletes making the same transition, and talk about the common pitfalls I see when road runners step into the ultra world.🔗 Connect with AndyInstagram: @andyd_thept🔗 Connect with MeCoaching via Team RunRun — just search David Taylor  Instagram: @davidultrarunnerIf you’re stepping into ultras, coming back from injury, or looking to build sustainable endurance, I coach athletes of all levels and would love to support your journey.⭐ Support the PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share the show. It really helps grow the West Coast Ultra community and brings more incredible guests to the mic.

This week on The West Coast Ultra Podcast, I’m diving into two themes that feel especially relevant right now: the impact of stress on our health and fitness as ultrarunners, and the balance between dreaming big adventures and actually being present in the moment.I start with a quick update on my own training. Running is coming back, but my Achilles has flared up a little — a reminder that stress doesn’t just live in our heads, it shows up in our bodies. Nights out, a bit more alcohol, less sleep, and even fighting off bugs from public transport have all played a part. On the flip side, cycling has been going really well, and I’m lining up my first 100‑mile ride this week as this episode goes live.From there, I explore how stress stacks up in endurance sports. Drawing on ideas from Scott Freda on the Singletrack Podcast, Scott McClean from Bulletproof Cycling, and the Excellence Actually podcast, I talk about how stress is cumulative, how resilience is about total load capacity, and why excellence is really about sustainability, not perfection.I then go into the second theme: dreaming versus presence. Ultrarunning is full of big goals — 100‑milers, FKTs, epic mountain adventures — and those dreams are powerful. But if we live only in the dream, we miss the richness of the moment we’re in. I share stories about how presence brings joy, reduces stress, and keeps us grounded, while dreams give us direction and motivation. The art is in balancing the two.Finally, I tie it all together: how stress can make dreams feel heavy, and how presence can lighten the load. I share practical tools like journaling, reframing training as storytelling, and celebrating small wins to keep both vision and joy alive.If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s chasing their own endurance goals. And if you’re looking for coaching — whether you’re returning from injury, balancing life stress with training, or dreaming of your next big adventure — I’d love to help. You can find me through Team RunRun or on Instagram @davidultrarunner.Thanks for listening to Season 4, Episode 8 of The West Coast Ultra Podcast. Manage your stress, dream big, and stay present.

Gratitude, Balance, and Festive NutritionIn this episode, I share an honest update on my own training. Cycling has been a big focus lately, and I’m seeing real improvements, but I’ve also started back running properly again. It’s not perfect—I’m still a bit creaky—but I’m grateful for what I can do. That sense of gratitude is something I want to carry into every session, and I talk about the decisions I’ll face as I balance cycling and running in the months ahead.I also dive into the latest Excellence Actually podcast, which explored whether greatness is born or built. I connect that conversation to ultrarunning, showing how persistence, consistency, and resilience matter far more than raw talent. It’s a reminder that excellence in our sport is built step by step, not gifted overnight.Nutrition is another big theme this week. I break down the five top diet tips from the Roadman podcast and explain how I’m applying them myself using the Food Coach app. With the festive season here, I also share my own strategies for staying fairly good with food and drink while still enjoying the celebrations—because balance matters, and guilt doesn’t help anyone.Finally, I talk about mental fitness and recovery. Coming back from injury isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. I share practical tools like reframing setbacks, journaling, and leaning on community support to build resilience.If you enjoy the show, please like, rate, and subscribe—it helps more runners discover the podcast. And if you’re looking for coaching support, I work with athletes of all levels through Team RunRun. You can find me on Instagram @davidultrarunner.

In this episode, I dive into the theme of consistency — both in the small, everyday habits and in the bigger picture of long-term resilience. I talk about how showing up, even when it’s hard, builds strength not just in ultrarunning but in life. I also explore the idea of impermanence: tough times don’t last, and if we keep going, we’ll get through them.I give a shoutout to my athlete Bert, who won a race at the weekend. Bert’s been on the podcast before, and his win is a brilliant example of what consistency looks like in action.I also reflect on Scotland qualifying for the World Cup finals. Now, I’m not trying to do one of those “lessons from football” posts you see all over LinkedIn — but there’s something powerful about just keeping going, even when the odds are against you.🩺 Injury Recovery & ReframingI share my own journey of coming back from injury and those first runs back. They’re small steps, but they’re forward steps. I talk about how we can reframe setbacks: focusing on what we can do, adjusting expectations, and setting new goals.I also explain why I’m swapping my annual 100K run for a very long bike ride this year — simply because it’s difficult. And I tie this into Jack Daniels’ teaching that you lose far less fitness than you think, especially if you’re cross-training.🏃 Key TakeawaysConsistency in the micro (daily habits) and macro (long-term resilience)Impermanence: tough times don’t last, but consistency helps us endure themScotland’s World Cup qualification as a story of persistenceInjury recovery: reframing setbacks and celebrating small winsCross-training and fitness retention📣 Coaching ServicesI coach athletes of all levels through Team RunRun, helping them bring consistency into their training and prepare for their biggest goals. If you’d like to work with me, you can find me on Team RunRun or Instagram @davidultrarunner.🎧 Call to ActionIf you enjoy the show, please like, share, and rate The West Coast Ultra Podcast. It helps more runners discover the community and keeps the conversation growing.

Hope you love the feet photo and doesn't make you puke (that's what 44 hours on them does)In this episode of The West Coast Ultra Podcast, I share an honest update on my Achilles injury and talk about how I’m using cross training to stay strong while I’m off running. I know how frustrating injuries can be, and I dive into the emotional side of being sidelined — the fear, the loss of identity, and the isolation that many of us feel.I also break down the practical side:How I’m structuring my cross training sessions to mimic running workoutsThe benefits of cycling, swimming, strength, and mobility work during recoveryWhy injuries can actually be the perfect time to fix weaknesses and come back strongerI’ll share some of my own experiences, as well as insights from coaching athletes who’ve returned better than ever after setbacks.If you’re dealing with an injury or want to train smarter, this episode is for you.Coaching Promo: I coach athletes of all levels through Team RunRun, and you can also catch me on Instagram @davidultrarunner. If you’d like support navigating your own training or recovery, I’d love to help.Call to Action:If you enjoy the show, please rate and review The West Coast Ultra Podcast. It helps more runners discover the content and join our community.

In this episode, I dive into the concept of the winter arc—a crucial phase in ultrarunning training that sets the stage for spring race success. We explore what the winter arc is, how to structure your training during this time, and how to use it to build durable fitness, mental resilience, and race readiness.💡 Topics include:What the winter arc means for ultra athletesHow to train smart through the colder monthsMindset shifts for off-season consistencyTransitioning into spring race prepWhy winter is the perfect time to experiment and reflectI also share coaching insights, personal anecdotes, and practical strategies to help you make the most of your winter training. Whether you’re gearing up for a spring ultra or just trying to stay consistent, this episode is packed with tools to help you train smarter.If you’re looking for personalised coaching, I’d love to work with you. You can find me on Team RunRun or follow me on Instagram @davidultrarunner.🎧 Don’t forget to rate and review the show—it helps us reach more runners like you

In this episode, I explore the science of fatigue and how it impacts ultra running—drawing from the Excellence, Actually podcast and key theories like the Central Governor Theory and Psychobiological Model. I also share updates from my own training, coaching insights, and review Sarah Perry’s record-breaking performance at the 2025 Backyard Ultra World Championships.💡 Topics include:Mental vs physical fatigueRecovery strategies beyond sleepFueling and mindset toolsHow fatigue shows up in ultras—and how to manage itIf you enjoy the show, please rate and review—it helps more runners find us. And if you're ready to take your training to the next level, check out my coaching services here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/

Episode Summary:Season 4 kicks off with a twist—the mic has been turned round again and I take to the hot seat to share my epic journey through the 13 Valleys Ultra, one of the toughest trail races in the UK. Interviewed by previous guest (S1E14) and friend of the show David Clarke, this episode dives deep into the preparation, mindset, and raw experience of tackling nearly 120 miles and 24000 feet across the Lake District.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:What is the 13 Valleys Ultra?A breakdown of the event format, distances, and why it’s more than just a race.Why take on this challenge?Motivation and what makes this race harder than anything he’s done before.Training for the impossible:Shifting my approach—more hills, less speed—and why muscular endurance mattered.Logistics & strategy:From campervan accommodation to nutrition planning and kit essentials.Highs and lows on the trail:The moments that made me smile (and nearly cry), and how he managed the mental battles.Crossing the finish line:The emotion, the lessons, and what’s next —both on the trails and on the podcast.Key Takeaways:Why rate of perceived exertion (RPE) beats pace for ultra pacing.The importance of mental resilience and self-talk in ultra running.How to train your gut for long races and avoid GI issues.Why preparation is everything—even when the kit list feels like a holiday packing list.Links & Resources:👉 Like, follow, and rate the show—it really helps us reach more listeners!Looking for a running coach? Check out my coaching page: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/Learn more about the 13 Valleys Ultra @13valleysultraHelp the show grow👉 AAAAAND Finally Like, follow, and rate the show—it really helps us grow!