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From the boxing ring and football pitch to a 2:48 marathon with virtually no training! In this episode of The Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down for a chat with Northern Ireland-based runner Robbie Hagen, whose introduction to distance running is anything but conventional. Robbie grew up playing football and boxing, with running not necessarily on the radar. That was until he turned up for his first ever race and ran an incredible 10K in 33 minutes. Not long afterwards, he entered his first marathon and, without any structured marathon training, crossed the finish line in an astonishing 2:48. And that was just the beginning. Robbie's running journey has gone from strength to strength, and we chat about how it all started, his natural ability, the progression of his running and what has driven him to keep improving. It's a fascinating conversation about talent, passion, finding your feet in the sport and discovering just how far you can go when you give running a chance. A great story and an enjoyable chat with a runner whose journey into the sport is certainly not your typical one. Enjoy the episode! 🎧 The Run Sensible Podcast – available on all major podcast platforms.

The next episode of the podcast is live and available for download on all platforms! This week, we're looking back on the 2026 New York City Marathon and what a race it was! From Andreas Almgren's incredible marathon debut and victory in the men's race to a dramatic sprint finish in the women's race, there was plenty to talk about. We explore the podium performances, the athletes' finishing times, the latest super shoes from Nike, Adidas and On, and some fascinating stories from both the elite and wheelchair races. As always, we look beyond the results to discuss what everyday runners can learn from the world's best and whether the latest racing technology really makes a difference for recreational runners. Whether you're chasing a PB, preparing for your next marathon or simply love running, this one's for you. 🎧 Tune in and let me know what you thought of the race! #RunSensible #NYCMarathon #MarathonRunning #RunningPodcast #RunSensiblePodcast

The next episode of the Run Sensible Podcast is live! Dhanush and I sit down to reflect on the Dublin Marathon, discussing how I got on during the big day, the highs and lows of race day, and some of the lessons learned along the way. We also look at what comes next for runners after the marathon. How should you approach training in the days and weeks ahead? When should you start running again? And how do you rebuild towards your next goal without rushing the recovery process? Whether you ran Dublin, supported someone on the day, or are already thinking about your next race, there's plenty to take away from this conversation. Available now on all podcast platforms.

The next episode of the RunSensible Podcast is live and available for download on all platforms! This week, we're recapping the 2026 Chicago Marathon! 🏃‍♂️ We discuss: 🏆 The men's and women's podium finishes and times 🔥 Amos Kipruto's incredible victory 📈 A historic women's race with three athletes finishing under 2:15 👟 The latest super shoes from Adidas, Nike and Under Armour 🤯 Some fascinating performances, records and stories from the race 💡 What everyday runners can learn from the world's best We also explore the ever-evolving world of super shoes and ask whether the latest technology really makes a difference for recreational runners. Whether you're chasing a PB or simply love the sport, there's plenty to take away from this year's Chicago Marathon. 🎧 Listen now and let me know what you thought of the race! #RunSensible #ChicagoMarathon #MarathonRunning #RunningPodcast #RunningCommunity #MarathonTraining

The next episode of the Podcast is live and available for download on all platforms! This week, I’m joined by Dhanush as we dive into one of the most important parts of marathon preparation: getting to the start line ready to perform. We discuss what it actually means to taper for a marathon, how to adjust your training in those final weeks, what to eat, when to eat and what your race day nutrition strategy should look like. We also answer questions sent in by listeners, covering some of the common challenges and uncertainties runners face in the lead-up to marathon day. Because marathon preparation isn’t just about the miles you run. It’s also about recovering properly, fuelling your body and giving yourself the best chance of performing on race day. 🎧 Tune in now and get yourself ready for your next marathon!

Why do those niggles seem to appear just as you begin tapering for a marathon? In this episode of The Run Sensible Podcast, I explore the difference between an injury and a niggle, why aches and pains can suddenly become more noticeable as race day approaches and how stress, fatigue and increased body awareness can influence what you feel. I discuss how to assess symptoms sensibly, when to modify your training, and when a niggle deserves proper clinical attention. If you're approaching marathon day and suddenly becoming hyper-aware of every ache, this episode will help you understand what might be happening and how to approach your taper without unnecessary panic. Remember: don't ignore your symptoms, but don't automatically assume every ache means an injury. Run sensible, trust your preparation and arrive at the start line ready to go.

The next episode of the Run Sensible Podcast is live and available for download on all platforms. I’m back in the studio for another online chat with Dhanush and with the Dublin Marathon getting closer, this episode is all about what happens when the marathon starts to hurt. Why do athletes feel sore and injured during marathon training? What’s the difference between simply “hitting the wall” and experiencing pain? And how should runners understand the aches, fatigue and discomfort that come with pushing their bodies towards 26.2 miles? We chat about pain, fatigue, injury, the marathon experience and why not every sensation you feel while running means something is wrong. With Dublin getting closer, there’s plenty to think about for anyone heading towards race day.

In this episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down with Seamus Flannery to hear the story behind one of the fastest running transformations I’ve come across. Seamus grew up playing rugby before making the switch to running around the time of the Covid lockdown. He trained for his first marathon and ran a very respectable time for a complete running novice. Since then, his progression has been rapid. From 4+ hours, to sub-3:30, to 3:10, and then breaking the 3-hour barrier, Seamus has continued to improve at an impressive rate. But it sounds like he’s nowhere near finished yet. We chat about his transition from rugby to running, how his training has evolved, the races and experiences that have shaped his progress, and what might be possible next. And judging by the conversation, Seamus may only be getting started.

The Berlin Marathon never disappoints and this year’s race gave us plenty to talk about. I look at the men’s and women’s races, the standout performances from Guye Adola and Tigst Assefa, the incredible dominance of the adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 on the podium, and why big names Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha were missing. I also discuss the latest doping case involving Kenyan marathoner Philemon Kiplimo Kimaiyo and what it tells us about the ongoing challenges facing elite distance running. A look at the race, the performances, the shoes and some of the bigger stories behind Berlin 2026.

In this episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down in the studio with Daniel O’Mahony from Ageless VO2 Testing in Dublin to chat all about his training for and experience racing this year’s UTMB. UTMB is a race that has always intrigued me, so it was great to get a first-hand account of what it’s actually like to train for and take on one of the world’s most famous ultra-trail races. Daniel talks through his preparation, the demands of the race, what surprised him the highs and lows of the experience, and what it takes physically and mentally to get around UTMB. A fascinating insight into an event that, until now, I’ve only ever watched from the outside.

Are Carbon Shoes Really Causing Running Injuries? Carbon-plated shoes have transformed running but are they really responsible for more injuries? In this episode, I look at why I think we may be blaming the shoe for something that is actually more about training load, recovery and adaptation. Carbon shoes can make running feel easier and allow us to handle more load but that can also tempt us to run faster, train harder and do more than our bodies are ready to recover from. I talk about why the shoe itself may not be the problem, but rather what we choose to do when we feel so good wearing it. Because feeling like you can do more doesn't necessarily mean your body is ready to recover from more. A conversation about carbon shoes, injury, training load and the importance of giving your body time to adapt.

The next episode of the RunSensible Podcast is live and available, and this time I’m back chatting with Dhanush as we get closer to marathon day. We had a number of questions emailed in from listeners, so we decided to dedicate this episode to answering them and talking through some of the most important things to consider during the final weeks of marathon preparation. We discuss the importance of fuelling, how to approach the last six weeks before the marathon and what you should and shouldn’t be trying to achieve during this crucial part of your training. We also talk about the taper period, why reducing your training can sometimes feel harder than increasing it and how to arrive at the start line feeling fresh rather than carrying weeks of accumulated fatigue. And finally, we discuss the part of the marathon that everyone knows is coming but nobody can avoid the final 6 miles or 10km. How do you prepare for it? What should you expect physically and mentally? And how can the work you’ve done in training, along with your pacing and fuelling strategy, help you get through those final miles? A really practical episode for anyone heading towards a marathon and wondering how to get the best out of the final few weeks. 🎧 Listen in and as always if you have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode, get in touch.

In this episode of the RunSensible Podcast, I sat down for an online chat with Mark Cahill, another member of what I’ve affectionately started calling the Dublin Marathon Brat Pack! At just 21 years of age, Mark has already packed an incredible amount into his running journey. From taking on the marathon distance and breaking the 3-hour barrier, to winning a 100km ultra marathon, his progression has been seriously impressive. We chat about how Mark got into running, how his training has evolved, what motivates him to push himself over increasingly longer distances and what it’s like trying to balance ambition with being a young runner. It’s a great conversation about racing, training, ultra running, the marathon and where Mark sees his running going next. Another young Irish runner with plenty of potential and definitely one to keep an eye on! 🎧 Listen in and get to know Mark Cahill and another member of the Dublin Marathon Brat Pack.

In this episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down with Marcus Neill to chat about his remarkable running journey. Marcus only started running two years ago, initially running a sub-4-hour marathon before getting more specific with his training and discovering just how much potential he had. That progression eventually saw him run an incredible 2:46 at the Dublin Marathon last year. Since then, things haven't always gone to plan. Marcus has spent the last few weeks carefully navigating his way back from a bone stress injury, rebuilding his fitness and confidence with the goal of returning to Dublin in a few weeks and having another crack at his PB. We chat about his rapid progression, what changed when he started training more specifically, the lessons he's learned from injury, and what it takes to come back and chase another big marathon performance. A great conversation about progression, setbacks, patience and finding out just how far you can take your running.

In this week’s episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down with Dhanush for another weekly catch-up, looking back at the previous week of training and talking about how our own running is progressing. We get into all things running, from marathon training and how to improve your marathon time to the specific approach needed to train for a 5K and break the 25-minute barrier. But we also talk about something that I think holds a lot of runners back: the obsession with finding the next shortcut. From supplements and gadgets to complicated training methods and the latest “biohacks” there’s always something promising to make us fitter, faster and better with less effort. The reality is that most people haven't consistently executed the simple things that actually work. We discuss why getting the basics right training consistently, running appropriately, recovering well, getting stronger and giving your body enough time to adapt will usually take you much further than trying to biohack your way to fitness. Another honest, practical conversation about running, training and what actually works.