Irish ultra running brothers chat all things running from Parkruns to UTMB and everything in between. As well as discussing their training plans, races and goals for the weeks and months ahead they share top tips from a collective 20 + years on the trail
With no races to report on this week, as well as delving into our weekly training updates, we tackle a big topic - are we actually addicted to running and what are the negative aspects of being dedicated to a sport we love in terms of the impact on our day to day lives. Trying to understand how our "Why" has changed over time and how we need to change and adapt as we get older to keep the joy
What a busy weekend we've had. Kevin was off representing Ireland in the inaugural Sky Snow European Championships in Italy while Mark stayed on home soil to take on Centurion Runnings season opener, the Hundred Hills 50km race. We review both races, how they went, what went well, what went not so well and as ever try to learn for next time - top tip being dont be an idiot and forget to drink!We hope you enjoy
This week we welcome the wonderful Milly Voice to the guest interview spot. We talk about her role as a Salomon ambassador, her love of the trails and mountains as well as delving into her insights on the added challenges of being a female out on the trails
This week we have our first in a series of (non-ginger) special guest interviews. Top UK ultrarunner Mark Innocenti joins us to talk us through what it is like to run 100 miles (or 402 laps) around a track, while chasing the 100 mile and 12 hour world record holder Aleksandr Sorokin
After our EXTENDED christmas break we are back talking about how the start to our 2025 has been, Kev's early season snow racing in Switzerland, Marks new "running friends" and both our upcoming races and training. We cover off a couple of things we do, want to do or should do when away from the trails to help our performance or as we callled it "Everything but running!" As ever we hope you enjoy
We wrap up 2024 and start to look ahead to the 2025 trail running scene. The competitive brother mentally comes out as we compare our total miles and elevation for 2024 to see who comes out on top, as well as a quick race review from Kevs end of season Trail des Chateau outing
This week the Running Gingerly team review their latest outing at the Chiltern Ridge Winter 50km, a first race back for Mark after the disappointment at CCC. Tune in to find out if repeat or redemption. The team also reveal their respective Christmas wish lists as we head into the festive season
This week as well as catching up on our running diaries we delve into Kev's first national team vest, representing Ireland at the recent World Skyrunning Championships in Spain. We discuss the many learnings from being in an elite environment including the discovery of tiny phones plus whether or not it was a "good" idea to run the 100km of CCC by UTMB 10 days earlier!
We are back with a long overdue review of our CCC race at UTMB, which sadly, for at least 50% of the Running Gingerly Crew, didnt go to plan! We cover the soul searching that goes on when a race doesn't go to plan, the doubts and questions that creep in and the ongoing quest to find answers and silver linings among the grey clouds. As always plenty to smile about in there too!
What's all the fuss and noise about UTMB? Is it really as good as it says on the tin? Well in our humble opinion….HELL YEAH! This week we reminisce on our UTMB experience, the atmosphere, the route, the climbs, the crowds and what we still rate as one of our absolute running highlights.
Coming in hot!!! With the temperature finally reaching the summer heights and the running vests coming into their own, we discuss our many (mis) adventures in the heat and how we are trying (and failing) to correct them. Plus a look back at the last two weeks including successful Bob Graham round crewing duties and Kevs latest local produce haul from another podium finish
This week we catch up on injuries and planned future adventures as well as discussing our favourite and least favourite workout sessions. Save to say, little love for the dreaded hill reps
The first ever Running Gingerly bookclub. This week we chat about what running books have inspired us, motivated us, educated us and entertained us on our running journey. From the obvious (Born to Run) to the more obscure (Running High) and plenty in between. Plus all the usual random chat on a low mileage week when special cushions were needed for this weeks recording.
This week we review the recent Ultra Trail Snowdonia 100km race review. The ups and downs of the route, the race and trying to deal with the scorching, yes scorching Welsh heat as well as reporting on the best Mr Freeze in the history of Mr Freezes
This episode we discuss the benefits and the disadvantages of working with a running coach as well as discussing other options to improve as a runner. We talk accountability, structure, having fun, data, feedback, training blocks, time management and everything else that goes into a decision on whether or not a running coach is right for you
This week we chat about the recent Maurice Mullins race in the Wicklow mountains which co-host Kev ran in as part of the Irish Trail Championships and also chat about how we like to do our R&R post a big race
This week we discuss the aftermath of co-host Kevin's accident that saw him go from completing UTMB to having to learn to walk again. We discuss the long hard road to get back running ultras again and how to keep a positive mindset in those difficult weeks and months
TDS by UTMB, the rougher remoter cousin of UTMB. A brute of a race no matter the conditions. After melting in the heat we can back for redemption in the snow. Here is how it all panned out…
This weeks focus is on the Centurion Hundred Hills race which took place at the weekend and was the first race of the season for one of our hosts! We talk race prep, tapering, race strategy, pacing, fuelling and the usual mental mind games that go on around races.
This week we discuss what happens when everything goes wrong in a race and how best to try and deal with it. We cover bad weather, bonking, getting lost, injuries, stomach issues and have a chat about what it feels like to DNF and how when it does go wrong what you can do to still learn and come back stronger. Plus how Kev survived a lap of Hampstead Heath on just wild leaves….
This week we talk about our latest adventure , Trail des Chateaux in Sion Switzerland. A short fast blast in the mountains with lots and lots of snow!
Talking about the great Welsh fell running round and our various attempts over the past couple of years. Tips and things we learned to manage to sneak under the coveted 24 hours in the end!
This week the lads chat their 2019 successful Bob Graham Round featuring a large dollop of idiocy, a severe lack of water, the luck of the Irish, the kindness of strangers, and the surprising delights of a car boot hotel! Oh and the small matter of running 42 of the lake districts biggest peaks in under 24 hours
This week the lads chat about their respective Centurion One Community challenges, why Robbie Britton is no longer welcome in the Shannon household, as well as discussing whether they are more likely to die attempting Badwater or Barkleys when debating bucket list races.
The difficult third pod: With a background of singing children and technical glitches the lads chat about hijacking dogs, swallowing flies and running 100 miles for the first time. Plus the results of the speed challenge and whether Kevin managed to complete his “breaking 3” project!
Alongside chatting favourite races and places to run the lads discuss Domhnall Gleeson, the nutrional value of a carrot, Paul Tierneys chewing gum and the many pitfalls of running in a desert.
The lads discuss each other's strengths and weaknesses as runners, answer some quick fire running questions, chat about training and race plans for the months ahead, how they are dealing with social distancing running and a potential race to Leicester Services...