When a race disappears… do you still show up?

In this episode, we sit down with ultra runner Kirsty Taylor to unpack one of the most unique and unpredictable race experiences you’ll hear this year.

Kirsty recently took on the Sea to Sea — a brutal 300km challenge — but this wasn’t quite the experience she signed up for. Just weeks before the start, Ourea Events ceased trading, throwing plans into chaos and leaving runners facing a completely different reality. What followed was a stripped-back event delivered under Centurion, where Kirsty took on the route fully self-supported, with no crew, no aid station or drop bag, and limited infrastructure.

We dive into what that actually looked like on the ground:

• How her approach changed overnight
• The logistics of racing without aid stations
• Moments where pulling out felt like the logical choice
• And power of community support along the way

We also explore Kirsty’s journey into ultra running — from 100k and 100 mile races to stepping up into the unknown of 300km — and what she’s learned about resilience, preparation, and decision-making when you’re deep in it and on your own.

As always, expect a mix of:
Honest storytelling
Icebreakers
Truth or Lie
Quickfire questions

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to go self-supported — or how you respond when a race doesn’t go to plan — this one’s for you.

Coaching enquiries

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We’re proud to be supported by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

Trailskin get 20% off with TTFS_20

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

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This episode is about the people you don’t always see… but who make everything possible.

We’re joined by Louise Fraser — a long-time volunteer and familiar face in the Centurion Running community. If you’ve ever run a Centurion race, chances are she’s been there at an aid station — handing you a cup of Coke, filling flasks, offering a bit of calm, and delivering exactly the words you needed at the right moment.

We dive into:

• What really goes on behind the scenes at ultra races
• The humour, and powerful moments of volunteering
• What runners don’t realise (but should)
• Louise’s journey from supporting thousands of runners to taking on Hundred Hills 50k herself
• Why volunteering might be the most meaningful way to be part of this sport

Plus our usual mix of icebreakers, truth-or-lie, and a volunteer-themed quickfire round.

This one’s about community, perspective, and the moments that keep people moving when it matters most.

Support the show via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠and buy us a coffee.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

For ⁠⁠⁠coaching enquiries⁠⁠⁠.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

This week we’re joined by Dutch ultra runner Noor Van der Veen, who has taken on some of the most demanding races on the planet — including Tor des Géants, Arc of Attrition 100 ), UTMB, and a full FKT of the Pyrenees. Most recently, she stepped up to the start line of the legendary Barkley Marathons.

We dive into her background, her mindset, and what it really takes to tackle extreme endurance challenges. Plus — our usual icebreakers and a quickfire round to finish.

This episode is supported by Runr — a UK-based running brand built by runners, for runners.

Runr started in 2016 with a simple idea: helping runners recognise runners. That quiet nod on a cold morning. That shared understanding at mile 18.

They create lightweight, sweat-wicking technical hats designed to stay secure mile after mile — and their race number magnets mean no more safety pins, no holes in your favourite race tee, and no interference with timing chips.

🎉 We’re also running a giveaway over on Instagram — you can win a Runr technical hat plus a set of race magnets. Head to our Instagram and follow the instructions to enter.

Love running? Wear Runr.

Support the show via ⁠⁠⁠Patroen ⁠⁠⁠and buy us a coffee.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

For ⁠⁠coaching enquiries⁠⁠.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

This week on Trails, Tales & Fails, we’re joined by Ben Potts — ultra runner, friend, and fresh off an incredible 12th-place finish at the Full Spine.

The Full Spine is one of the toughest endurance races on the planet: 268 miles/431km, 10,700m+ of elevation, winter conditions, sleep deprivation, and relentless forward motion. Ben takes us inside the race — how he prepared, how he managed fatigue over multiple days, the mental battles that matter most, and what events like the Spine and Dragon’s Back teach you about yourself when you’re pushed to the edge.

We talk training, decision-making under extreme fatigue, lessons learned from multi-day ultras, and what draws runners back to these brutal challenges again and again.

As always, we finish with our usual icebreakers, truth-or-lie, and a quickfire round.

Follow the podcast, leave a review if you enjoy it, and join the Trails, Tales & Fails Strava club — link in the show notes.

We’re giving away a RealMeal Endurance Pack on Instagram — running until 22nd February. Head to our Instagram page and check out the giveaway post to enter.

Support the show via ⁠⁠Patroen ⁠⁠and buy us a coffee.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

For ⁠coaching enquiries⁠.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

In ultra running, your brain isn’t just one voice — it’s two.

🐒 The Chimp: Emotional, impulsive, scared of pain and discomfort. It wants to stop when things get tough.
🧑‍💼 The Human: Logical, goal-focused, calm under pressure. It knows the long game and pushes through.

The trick?
Don’t fight your Chimp — work WITH it.

✅ Acknowledge when your Chimp screams “Quit!”
✅ Calm it down with positive self-talk and reminders of your why
✅ Let your Human plan, pace, and focus on progress
✅ Use your Chimp’s energy — channel fear and frustration into determination

Ultras aren’t just physical — they’re a mental battle.
Master your inner Chimp, and the miles become your playground.

What’s your go-to way to calm your Chimp mid-run? Drop it below! 👇

Support the show via ⁠Patroen ⁠and buy us a coffee.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

For coaching enquiries.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

In this episode, Max and Rob are joined by Dave from TrailSkin — ultra runner, founder, and someone who knows firsthand what the trails can throw at you.

Dave has completed races including the Arc of Attrition and UTS 100k, and this year returned to the Arc 100, where brutal conditions brought by Storm Ingrid forced many runners, including Dave, to make the difficult decision to stop at Land’s End.

We talk honestly about foot care, skin care, and why they matter in ultras and the story behind TrailSkin and how it grew from real trail-running problems

This episode is supported by TrailSkin, a UK-based, all-natural performance skincare brand trusted by runners at races including the Spine, UTMB, Dragons Back, Cape Wrath Ultra, and more.

Giveaway: TrailSkin are offering listeners the chance to win an Ultra Bundle worth £47 — head to our Instagram for entry details end (15/2/26)

Support the show via Patroen and buy us a coffee.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

Let’s get into it.

This week, we’re joined by Ben O'Connell, who many of you will already know from the coaching world and from YouTube, where he shares practical, grounded advice for runners of all abilities. Ben has taken on some iconic ultras — from Centurion 50‑milers to the South Downs Way 100, and the Swiss Alpes 100 — but this weekend, he stepped up to one of Britain’s most notorious winter races: the Arc of Attrition 100.

And this year’s Arc wasn’t just tough — it was savage.

Storm Ingrid brought 60–65mph gusts, torrential rain, flooding, and conditions that turned the Cornish coast path into a test of pure survival. Ben battled through the storm, into the night, and all the way to Land’s End before making the difficult decision to stop at mile 55. A DNF is never easy, but with over 60% of runners not making it to the finish, this is a story worth telling.

In this episode, we dive into the weekend, the weather, the decision, the lessons, and the Arc experience as a whole. We talk about what the race taught him, how he approaches big efforts as both an athlete and a coach, and what comes next.

Plus, we’ve got our usual mix of icebreakers, truth‑or‑lie, and a quickfire round to wrap things up.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

Let’s get into it.

This week on Trails, Tales & Fails, we’re joined by co-host Sarah Page, fresh off an incredible performance at the Montane Winter Spine Challenger South 2026.

In her first-ever Spine, Sarah claimed 1st female, 3rd overall, and ran the fastest women’s time ever recorded on the Challenger South, stopping the clock at 29:03 — nearly 40 minutes quicker than the previous best.

All of this came in truly brutal conditions. Storm Goretti dumped snow across the Pennine Way early on, followed by driving wind, rain, and ice through Saturday night and into Sunday. Classic Spine weather.

We break the race down in detail:

• The emotional build-up to her first Spine

• Snow, darkness, navigation, and the mental grind of the night section

• A pivotal 40-minute stop at Hebden Bridge

• Running deep into the race with Rich Bryars

• Picking off competitors and opening a decisive gap

• Diversions

• A tense podium battle in the icy final miles

Sarah reflects on the highs, lows, lessons learned, and what this race revealed about her as an athlete — and answers the big question:
👉 Does this performance tempt her toward Challenger North… or even the full Spine Race?

An honest, insightful deep dive into one of the standout performances of the winter ultra season.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠Protein Rebel⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠BV Sports⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠Näak Nutrition⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.