#66 - Q&A - Balancing Strength Training with Running, Training in the Dark, and Preparing Mentally for an Ultra
It’s time for some Listener Questions! Tommy dives into eight great questions from listeners from how to structure quality sessions, to balancing strength with running volume, to preparing for the mental battle of an ultra. We also get into the frustration of wanting to do more but being held back by niggles and injuries, finding consistency, and what really matters in long-term training. A practical, honest episode packed with takeaways you can use on your next run.---DECEMBER COACHING SLOTS OPEN NOWTommy's COACHING! New intake on the first Monday of every month!All experience levels welcome! Become the STRONG, DURABLE and GROUNDED runner you know you should be :)➡️ JOIN NOW! ⬅️ Click the link for more information, including Testimonials and FAQs!---SUBMIT A QUESTION: If you want to submit your own burning question, or a topic you think would be interesting to discuss on a future episode, record a short voice note. We would love to hear from you :)Sign up to the That's Runnable NewsletterFind out more about Tommy’s work hereBe sure to leave a rating/review and share the podcast with your mates if you've enjoyed this episode to support the podcast.
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#65 - [Guest] Drew Jonkmans, Land's End to John o' Groats... and Back!
Sit down with Drew Jonkmans - ultra-endurance adventurer, mental-health advocate and a guy who refuses to let the plan define the story. His recent project, “Project Endure,” set out to run 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats and then cycle the same route back, all in service of raising funds for two charities: Bigmoose (fast-access therapy for those in crisis) and BecomingX Foundation (life-skills for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds).BUT, it didn’t go according to plan. The terrain, the weather, the body and mind all pushed in directions he hadn’t fully scripted. And that’s what made it beautiful. Because the story became less about “mission accomplished” and more about “mission evolving.”Drew talks openly about what happens when goals falter, how running became his path back from a dark place, and why the real win is often in how we respond when things don’t go our way.To donate to Drew’s challenge, go to:https://www.projectendure.co.uk/---SUMS: SUMS is out to elevate trail culture through specialty products and shared experiences, starting with performance run socks.Get an extra pair when you buy two. Add three pairs to your cart and use the code “RUNNABLE”Tommy's GROUP COACHING! New intake on the first Monday of every month ➡️ JOIN NOW! ⬅️ Click the link for more information, including FAQs!---SUBMIT A QUESTION: If you want to submit your own burning question, or a topic you think would be interesting to discuss on a future episode, record a short voice note, we would love to hear from you :)Buy Me a Coffee ☕️: If you'd like to support Tommy directly and offer some small financial support, you can buy him a coffee ❤️Find out more about Tommy here and sign up the That's Runnable NewsletterBe sure to leave a rating/review and share the podcast with your mates if you've enjoyed this episode to support the Podcast.
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#64 - [Guest] Sarah Perry, Backyard Ultra World Record Holder
Sarah Perry recently broke the Women’s World Record in the Backyard Ultra with 95 “yards” (that’s ~395 miles or roughly ~637 km) at Big’s Backyard Ultra. Tommy and Sarah have some light chat about running, exploring, and her experience becoming the World’s Top female Backyarder!---TODAY’S SPONSOR: INOV8 is a renowned sports brand based in the mighty fells of the Lake District. They design innovative products that are light, fast and natural! Go and check out their running, hiking and gym gear and grab 15% off with the code "RUNNABLE"Tommy's GROUP COACHING! New intake on the first Monday of every month ➡️ JOIN NOW! ⬅️ Click the link for more information, including FAQs!---SUBMIT A QUESTION: If you want to submit your own burning question, or a topic you think would be interesting to discuss on a future episode, record a short voice note, we would love to hear from you :)Buy Me a Coffee ☕️: If you'd like to support Tommy directly and offer some small financial support, you can buy him a coffee ❤️Find out more about Tommy here and sign up the That's Runnable NewsletterBe sure to leave a rating/review and share the podcast with your mates if you've enjoyed this episode to support the Podcast.
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#63 - [Guest] Victoria Sekely, Train Smart Run Strong
Victoria Sekely is a New York based Physio Therapist and Running Coach. She’s the founder of Train Smart Run Strong, which provides running and strength training support for runners of all levels.Victoria joins Tommy to talk about all things running - from the realities of creating content online to the sneaky elitism that stains parts of the running world. The two dive into what it means to stay authentic in an industry that often rewards appearances, how social media can both connect and divide runners, and why strength training remains one of the most underrated parts of the sport.It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation between two coaches who care deeply about helping runners stay strong, grounded, and true to themselves.Find out more about Victoria by following the links below:Instagram: @trainsmartrunstrongWebsite: trainsmartrunstrong.com---Soar Running: If you’re looking for premium running kit, this is the place to goTommy's GROUP COACHING! ➡️ JOIN NOW! ⬅️ New intake Ever first Monday of the month! Click the link for more information, including FAQs!---
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#62 - Do you need a Running Watch? - A Deep Dive on Wearables
Tommy dives into the world of running wearables and asks the question: have they made us better runners, or just more distracted ones? He explores how data can both empower and control us, the rise of Strava culture, and why intuition still matters more than metrics. A grounded, practical listen for runners who want to train smarter, not just more measured.---INOV8 is a renowned sports brand based in the mighty fells of the Lake District. They design innovative products that are light, fast and natural! Go and check out their running, hiking and gym gear and grab 15% off with the code "RUNNABLE"Tommy's GROUP COACHING! ➡️ JOIN NOW! ⬅️ New intake THIS MONDAY (3rd Nov) Click the link for more information, including FAQs!
Built on the mantra “run the runnable,” we focus on what’s possible rather than the pressure of perfection. Everything we do embraces an accessible, light-hearted, and sustainable way of training and racing - welcoming runners of all abilities to join the adventure.
Inspired by nature and the freedom of the outdoors, we marry our laid-back approach to running with a tenacious desire to push the limits of what’s possible. We prioritise community, inclusivity, and a balanced way to run, encouraging everyone to embrace their own version of what’s “runnable.” That’s Runnable is here to inspire you to enjoy the run while building a friendly and supportive community around the sport.
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