The Tea & Trails Podcast

This week, Eddie shares her Wild Heart Runners weekend experience, packed with learning, trail running, and friendships.

Gary heads to Hartlepool parkrun for his first attempt at breaking 20 minutes. Did everything go to plan?

Russell and Gary take over the microphones to tackle a Lap and Lakeland 50 puzzle. Meanwhile, over on Strava, you lot show us exactly how it's done, with plenty of races, adventures, and achievements to celebrate from our club members this week.

Our Fornside Farm Cottage competition continues, and to round off the show, Eddie shares some timely advice on...

Back in 2022, Tommy Price and his friend Max were out on a Bob Graham Round recce when Tommy collapsed with a hypothermia induced cardiac arrest. Max’s quick thinking kicked off a life‑saving chain of events, and more than 30 mountain rescue volunteers raced to help. Tommy was airlifted off the fell with a body temperature of just 18°C as emergency teams worked together to bring him back.

Four years later, Tommy has returned to the fells and finish what he started, completing the full 66‑mile Bob Graham Round.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tommy-Price13

Gary eases his little feet off the gas this week as all that recent racing finally catches up with him. Meanwhile, Eddie is fully back in the Spine groove, lots of time spent settling into that steady, stubborn Spine Race pace.

Overseas, we all saw the Moab 240 get cancelled, a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change out on the trails. Thankfully, everyone made it off safely.

To wrap up the show, we chat about our favourite footwear of 2026. It’s a perfect example of how subjective shoe choice can be, both hosts choosing co...

Sophie Raworth joins us for a brilliant conversation, journalist, BBC newsreader, author, and a runner with a serious love for the long stuff. Her book Running on Air hit the shelves in 2026, capturing the joy, grit and sheer stubbornness that keeps her lacing up day after day.

We chat about life in the newsroom, the pull of the start line, the stories behind her biggest races, and how running has shaped her world far beyond the miles.

HARRIER - https://harrierrunfree.avln.me/c/qXhnTgIdEMea

XMILES UK - Receive 10...

Both hosts are feeling the load from recent races and training. Eddie finally took her foot off the gas, and Gary trotted off to Kielder for the Kielder Marathon. Surprise, surprise, he’s even more tired now. But to be fair, those Kielder trails did serve up an absolutely sensational day out.

No Tales from the Trails this week… sad times. Please send some in. It’s the best part of the show and such a brilliant way to celebrate what you’ve been up to.

Strava delivered some big miles too, with a few li...

Yes… a little indulgent. Well, maybe very indulgent for Gary to share his 5 & 2 Valleys experience, but he’s doing it anyway. Nearly fifty of the most beautiful miles this country has to offer, taking in epic summits, dreamy trails, and sharing it all with thousands of like minded runners.

The 13 Valleys and the Lake District National Park did not disappoint. It’s a firm favourite of the podcast, and judging by the sheer number of runners, families, and friends who descended on Keswick, it’s clearly a favourite of the trail running community too.

Big love and...

Three races. One weekend. Greedy Gary was back at it again, taking on the 5 Valleys Ultra and the 2 Valleys, while Eddie headed to the Ochills Ultra 50. It turned into quite the adventure for her after a full on week of driving up and down the country. Meanwhile, Gary had an absolute blast in the Lakes and somehow came home clutching his four times finisher charm.

An injured runner reached out to the coaches this week, something every one of us has had to face at some point. Over in the Strava Club, it’s a very 7 Valleys he...

Damian Hall joins us for a lovely, meandering chat about all things running, records, tea, and a bit of football thrown in for good measure. You always get good bang for your buck with Damo, and this episode delivers too.

His latest book, Run Forever, hit the shelves earlier this year. It’s a perfect read for runners drifting past 30 and hoping to keep moving for as many decades as possible.

Damian digs into the reasons why our strength and speed might start to fade and why it’s far from inevitable if we actually do s...

Eddie has levelled up her double threshold game and is loving it. Gary, meanwhile, has had a quiet week of training, two days missed, thanks to life getting in the way and his body whispering, “Mate… be kind to your future self.”

This week’s Brew With the Coaches is a good one, especially for our dear listeners who keep getting that annoying mid run stitch. Some cracking tips in there.

You lot continue to entertain and inspire over on Strava, Tales from the Trails, and of course the mighty Heavy Flex corner. We truly have a c...

Lucy Gossage joins us today for an absolute powerhouse of an episode. Fresh off the Pennine Way FKT, she’s just conquered 268 miles of bogs, mountains and truly awful weather, all stitched together with joy, grit, friendship and adventure.

Anna Troup set a seriously stout record, and it took bravery for Lucy to step up and take on the challenge. But take it on she did. She pushed all the way to Edale in 70 hours, 47 minutes and 15 seconds, shaving nearly two hours off the previous mark.

It’s a story of courage, community and what happ...

Both hosts are well and truly in the groove of training, tackling long runs, hard sessions, parkruns, and hitting the weights too. We also dive into the world of the double-threshold workout day, as Eddie slips a double-day into her week!

We've got a V50 Heavy Flex, plus a remarkable feat of mental and physical endurance over at Tales from the Trails.

Eddie shares some back to back long run wisdom. Gary likes the idea of a double long-run, but he definitely prefers a rest day in between to catch his breath! The coaches also...

This week we sit down with Laura Watts, fresh off her brilliant run at the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Race. An awesome victory, made even more impressive considering she’s still not fully recovered from her fifth finish at Badwater.

We absolutely loved this chilled chat with Laura. From bumping into famous passengers during her day job, to training stories, to what it’s actually like running through Death Valley again and again, to the power of CurraNZ as part of her training and racing, it’s all in there.

And of course, Laura rounds things off wi...

Eddie’s been busy heading south this week, supporting Lucy Gossage as she storms her way down the Pennine Way on a record breaking FKT. Meanwhile, Gary popped north of the border and treated himself to some glorious East Lothian trails.

Over on Strava, the miles are big, the birthday shout‑outs are bumper, and this week’s Tales from the Trails brings a mix of inspiration and a good dose of perspective.

Stu & Eddie have a brew with the coaches takeover as we follow Eddies journey to the 2027 winter spine race. Stu has been on the...

We all know nothing is guaranteed in ultra running, and the longer the race, the higher the jeopardy climbs.

This week, we share the story of two runners who are no strangers to the sharp end of some of the UK’s toughest events. Both lined up at the 2026 Race Across Scotland, but their races unfolded very differently. For one runner, it ended in an agonisingly close to the finish DNF, for the other, it became a come from behind victory.

It was incredibly brave of Anna to share her race, and Laura, being the cl...

Gary has been racing! Well… not quite racing, but he definitely wasn’t taking it easy. Either way, he loved his time up on the Moors at the Hardmoors Roseberry Topping Trail Marathon.

Eddie’s been in full entertainment mode, and with the kids finally back at school it’s back on the horse, juggling life, training, and trying to squeeze everything in.

The coaches step in to help a listener who needs some guidance on fueling multi‑day adventures, perfect timing with the Dragon’s Back Race just around the corner.

And warming up…...

As the ballot opens for the 2027 Lakeland 50 & 100, we thought it was the perfect time to spend an hour with one of the main men behind the event, Marc Laithwaite.

Marc brings a mix of funny, heartwarming, and genuinely inspiring stories that capture exactly why this race is so special. And beyond the running, the event has now raised over £1,000,000 for charity, which is just incredible.

It’s one of the absolute highlights of Gary’s year, and he cannot wait to toe the line again in 2027.

And with the race celebrating its 20th anniv...

This week we kick things off with two brilliant listener intros, and, believe it or not, both hosts are out there getting after it and building some fitness. It’s all very upbeat at the moment. Long may this new trend continue!

We’ve also got a smoking fast potential Dragon looking for advice ahead of a possible 2027 attempt, plus a few taper tips as we roll into a busy autumn race season. If your big day is creeping closer, this one’s for you.

You lot have been absolutely crushing it on Strava. We’ve got a...

Will Howard joins us on Tea & Trails to share the remarkable story behind his debut at the Lakeland 100. In his first ever crack at the course, Will stormed to 3rd place, announcing himself as one of the freshest, most exciting new names in UK ultra running.

From a childhood spent trying every sport under the sun, through modern pentathlon, marathon racing, and a breakthrough ultra win in Minnesota, Will’s journey has somehow, almost inevitably led him to the fells. Will brings a blend of talent, perspective, and pure enthusiasm that makes this conversation a joy. It’s up...

We are shaking things up this week! Simon from Run the Wild shares his top 5 UTMB tips. To be honest these with serve you well whatever the trail ultra you choose.

Run the Wild - https://runthewild.co.uk/

Stu & Eddie have a brew with the coaches takeover as we follow Eddies journey to the 2027 winter spine race. Stu has been on the podcast before and Eddie has kindle agreed to share her session as she follows The Unbreakable Athlete mindset program.

Endurance Mindset Coaching - https://www.endurancemindcoaching.com/

Also...

This week we’re catching up with Charlotte Mountford. We first met Charlotte on a frosty Tea & Trails Ultra recce, she later reached out to see if we’d be up for a chat about neurodivergence in ultra running, and of course we said yes.

Charlotte has been diagnosed with ADHD and autism, so we dive into the traits, the challenges, and the joys of running as a neurodivergent athlete.

Autism Central - England's Peer Education Programme

Podcasts:
Neuroshambles - The Autism, ADHD & PDA Parenting Podcast - https://neuroshambles.com/epis...

Eddie’s been racking up the miles in Morzine, catching up with friends and cruising around familiar trails. Fun times in the mountains! Meanwhile, Gary was nervously pinning on a race number at the Hardmoors Farndale Trail Marathon… which, was actually 28.5 miles. Better value for money, though!

Over in our Strava club, you lot have been stacking big miles and big climbs. Always showing up, always delivering. We’ve got a lovely family inspired Heavy Flex this week, plus a poetic Lakeland 100 Tale from the Trails.

Eddie and I dive into a tricky but important topic...

This week we’re joined by Sam Shepherd, Head of Sports Science at Precision Fuel & Hydration. Sam came to Precision after twelve years as a Lecturer and Reader at Liverpool John Moores University, where he specialised in exercise metabolism — particularly how the body uses carbohydrates and fats, and how training and nutrition can be shaped to improve both health and performance.

He’s not just a scientist, either. Sam is a practising sports nutritionist and a keen triathlete, with eight IRONMAN® finishes since 2018, including the World Championships in Kona in 2022.

HA...