After a short break, Rob, Ben and Emma are back — catching up on life, running, and everything in between.

In this episode, the trio reconnect to talk openly about work–life balance, coaching, and how injuries, setbacks, and winter training can shape both performance and mindset.

The conversation centres on Ben’s recent running journey, including injury frustrations, marathon training adjustments, and the mental challenges that come with interrupted plans. Alongside this, Rob and Emma share coaching insights on feedback, accountability, and why strength training and sensible progression are non-negotiables for endurance athletes.

They also dive into the psychology of training — from heart rate zones and long-run lessons to managing expectations, pressure, and enjoyment. With reflections on Christmas, snowy runs, local routes, and the balance between competition and community, the episode highlights how mental health, connection, and consistency underpin long-term progress.

Honest, thoughtful, and grounded in real coaching experience, this episode is a reminder to run your own race, adjust when needed, and lean on community when training gets tough.

• Reconnecting after a break and resetting priorities
• Work–life balance and managing training alongside real life
• Ben’s injury setbacks and marathon training reflections
• The role of coaching, feedback, and accountability
• Strength training and injury prevention for runners
• Heart rate training and endurance development
• The psychology of running and managing pressure
• Community support vs competition
• Winter training challenges (including snowy runs)
• Running for mental health, enjoyment, and longevity

Remember to follow us on Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, and watch us LIVE every Monday.

And don’t forget — join the Couch to Coached Strava run club by searching Couch to Coached on Strava.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!

🎄 Christmas Day Special – Couch to Coached Running Podcast 🎄

Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎅✨

In this festive Christmas Day episode of the Couch to Coached Running Podcast, Rob, Ben, and Emma settle in for a relaxed end-of-year chat and answer three fun (and slightly reflective) questions to wrap up 2025 in style.

They look back on their highlights from 2025, sharing the moments, milestones, and memories that made the year special. Then it’s eyes forward as they talk about what they’re most looking forward to in 2026, both on the running front and beyond. Finally, things get a little playful as they reveal what’s on their Christmas lists this year — running-related or otherwise. 🎁🏃‍♂️

It’s a light-hearted, feel-good episode full of laughs, gratitude, and festive cheer — the perfect companion for a Christmas Day walk, run, or food-coma recovery jog.

🎄🎙️ MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE — and thank you for being part of the Couch to Coached Running community!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Couch to Coached Gold, where we dust off the classics and bring you the very best moments from the early days of the podcast.

In this special Gold episode, we revisit one of our most powerful and meaningful conversations during our mental health week — our chat with Gareth Jones, also known as The Mental Health Wanderer.

Gareth joined Rob and Ben to talk openly about mental health, vulnerability, and why something as simple as walking can be a lifeline. Through honest storytelling and lived experience, he shares how movement, nature, and connection have shaped his own mental health journey — and why creating safe spaces for conversation matters more than ever.

If you’re navigating your own mental health, supporting someone else, or simply looking for a quieter, more thoughtful listen — this Gold episode is one worth revisiting.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.