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 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.

• 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.

• 👉 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 @13valleysultra

Help the show grow

👉 AAAAAND Finally Like, follow, and rate the show—it really helps us grow!

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

This is a bit of a do-over - last episode I managed to muck up the audio - doh.

In this solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own training in the lead-up to my next race, the 13 Valleys ultra which as this launched,In this solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of my training as I prepare for my next race, the 13 Valleys ultra, which, as this episode launches, is just two weeks away.

I'll be honest — it hasn't been the smoothest lead-up. I've been dealing with confidence dips, carrying a bit of extra weight, and managing the added stress of personal challenges. But through it all, I've kept training, and that's the story I want to share today. I hope it can help some of you who might be feeling a bit off at the moment.

In this episode, I discuss:

- What my training has actually looked like over the past few months.

- How self-doubt and weight gain have affected my mindset.

- The impact of stress and life challenges outside of running.

- Psychological theories and tools that can help reframe these struggles.

- Practical takeaways you can use if you're experiencing something similar.

This episode is about showing up even when things aren't perfect and finding ways to keep moving forward.

If you'd like to work with me as a coach, you can find me here: David Taylor – Team RunRun Coach. I would love to support you on your own running journey.

And if you've been enjoying the West Coast Ultra Podcast, it would mean a lot if you could take a moment to rate and review the show. Your feedback really helps more people discover the podcast and join our community of trail and ultra runners.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you take something valuable away from this episode.

Would you like me to create a short, punchy blurb for social media to promote this episode? will be only two weeks away.

I’ll be honest — it hasn’t been the smoothest build-up. I’ve been dealing with confidence dips, carrying a bit of extra weight, and managing the added stress of personal challenges. But through it all, I’ve kept training, and that’s the story I want to share today and hopefully help some of you that are just a bit meh at the moment.

I talk about:

• What my training has actually looked like in the past few months.
• How self-doubt and weight gain have impacted my mindset.
• The role of stress and life challenges outside of running.
• Psychological theories and tools that can help reframe these struggles.
• Practical takeaways you can use if you’re going through something similar.

This episode is about showing up even when things aren’t perfect and finding ways to keep moving forward.

If you’d like to work with me as a coach, you can find me here: David Taylor – Team RunRun Coach. I’d love to support you on your own running journey.

And if you’ve been enjoying the West Coast Ultra Podcast, it would mean a lot if you could take a moment to rate and review the show. It really helps more people find the podcast and join our community of trail and ultra runners.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you take something valuable away from this episode.

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

🎙️ West Coast Ultra – Episode: ADHD, Fueling, Gear, Recovery & Cadence in Trail Running

I asked a number of athletes that I coach what they would like to hear more about and here are the topics of most interest:

• 🧠 Neurodiversity & ADHD in running – what ADHD actually is, what the science says about exercise and focus, and insights from Dr. Josie Perry on how to coach athletes with ADHD effectively.
• 🎒 Gear that works for you – why comfort, fit, and context matter more than hype.
• 🏔️ Running with poles – when they’re worth it and key technique tips.
• 😴 Recovery & Sleep – why your biggest performance gains come during rest, backed by science.
• 👟 Cadence & Running Form – busting the “180 steps per minute” myth and showing how elites like Jim Walmsley succeed with much lower cadence.

💡 Whether you’re training for your first ultra or refining your trail efficiency, this episode packs science, coaching insights, and practical tips into one trail-ready toolkit.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and rate the show—it helps more trail runners discover the podcast.

And if you’re looking for a coach then why not get in touch and see how I can help you. You can find me at: 🔗 David Taylor Coaching – Team RunRun

🎧 Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you out on the trails!

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