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.