6D AGO

Progress, Patience, and the Pull of the Start Line

In this episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I’m picking up right where I left off after my conversation with Llinos — diving deeper into resilience, rebuilding, and what it really means to trust the process when training isn’t linear. I share an honest update on where I’m at with my own training. On the bike, my FTP has gone up again, which is always a nice confidence boost. I explain what FTP actually is, why it matters, and why it shouldn’t become the thing that defines you. It’s a tool for progress, not a judgement of your worth as an athlete. Running is also heading in the right direction. My mileage is increasing, the pain is minimal, and I’m starting to feel like a runner again. And yes — the temptation to sign up for a race is getting dangerously high. I spend time talking about mental resilience: how to stay steady when things aren’t going your way, or when your next big event feels miles away. I explore the balance between discipline and flexibility, and why trusting the process is often harder than any workout. There’s also a look at what’s happening in the wider world of trail and ultrarunning — from hybrid training trends to the rise of backyard ultras, new tech, and the shift toward more sustainable racing. I bring in some ideas inspired by the Excellence Actually podcast, especially around consistency, identity, and the psychology of progress. These concepts have been hugely helpful for me and for the athletes I coach. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please share it, leave a review, or send it to someone who might need a bit of encouragement in their training. And if you’re looking for coaching support — whether you’re coming back from injury, building toward an ultra, or wanting more structure — you can find me on Team RunRun. I’d love to help you build something sustainable and meaningful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 min

JAN 30

Llinos Proctor's Epic Spine race Adventure

In this episode, I sit down with Llinos Proctor — someone whose journey into ultrarunning is anything but typical. She didn’t grow up sporty, she didn’t come from a running background, and she certainly didn’t imagine she’d one day be taking on the Winter Spine Race. What she did have was a love of wild places, a deep connection to the mountains, and a willingness to keep showing up when life got hard. We talk about how running first became a lifeline during a difficult time in her life, and how those early half‑mile efforts slowly grew into marathons, ultras, and eventually some of the toughest mountain races in the UK. Llinos shares how she rebuilt from long COVID, how she learned to trust herself in remote terrain, and how the trail community helped her find confidence she didn’t know she had. Then we dive into the big one — the Winter Spine Race. She takes us through the highs, the lows, the hallucinations, the bogs, the admin, the kit chaos, the night sweats, and the moments where she genuinely thought she was done… only to find another gear she didn’t know existed. We explore: How resilience is built through lived experience, not talentWhy “admin” is the real race, and the runners who finish are the ones who look after themselves earlyThe moment she nearly quit at Langdon Beck — and how the community pulled her backWhy suffering in these events is a privilegeWhat it means to run for a cause bigger than yourselfAnd what’s next now that she’s completed one of the toughest winter ultras in the world This is a conversation about grit, identity, motherhood, mountains, and the strange joy of doing really hard things on purpose. If you’re an ultrarunner, a dot‑watcher, or someone who loves stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, you’ll get a lot from this one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 50m

JAN 23

Training Through Winter...Lessons from the Spine

In this episode, I’m diving into the reality of winter training — the dark mornings, the cold miles, the shifting motivation — and how I’m trying to stay consistent while building my bike fitness and keeping my running steady. This is the time of year where everything feels harder, but it’s also where the biggest gains are made if you approach it the right way. I talk through what my own training has looked like recently: pushing the bike more seriously, working on power and efficiency, and trying to keep my running ticking over without forcing anything. It’s not perfect, but it’s moving in the right direction, and that’s the whole point of winter. From there, I get into the main theme of the episode: how to train well in winter. I share the systems, habits, and mindset shifts that actually work — the things I use myself and the things I coach my athletes to focus on. Winter isn’t about hero sessions; it’s about showing up often enough to build the foundations for spring. I also take a look at the recent Spine Race series and pull out some lessons that apply to all of us. The Spine is the ultimate example of winter resilience: adaptability, small decisions, forward motion, and community. There’s so much we can learn from it, even if we’re not racing 268 miles through the Pennine Way in January. In this episode, I cover: My current training update: bike improvements, running consistency, and winter fatigueWhy winter is the real foundation seasonHow I lower activation energy to make training easierWhy “good enough” beats “perfect”How I use the bike to support my runningThe role of strength and mobility right nowWhat the Spine Race teaches us about resilience and adaptabilityPractical takeaways you can apply straight away Key ideas I talk about: Winter rewards consistency, not intensitySystems matter more than motivationAdaptability is a performance skillSmall decisions compound into big outcomesCommunity keeps you accountable when motivation dips If you enjoy this episode, share it with someone who’s struggling with winter motivation. And if you want coaching support, you can find me on Team RunRun. Thanks for listening — keep showing up, keep building, and spring will thank you for it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 min

JAN 9

Goals, New Year Energy and Real Change

In this episode, I share a quick update on my own training — including my 100‑mile cycle on the 19th of December, what’s been happening on Strava, and why my physio has pulled me back to 5–6 km runs for now. I also dive into the whole “New Year, New Me” mindset and why most goal‑setting falls apart. Inspired by Rich Roll’s recent conversation with Mark Manson and the relentless approach Cam Hanes talks about in Undeniable, I explore how identity, consistency, and systems matter far more than motivation. If you’re setting big goals for 2026 or trying to build more structure into your training, this episode will give you a clear, realistic way to approach it — with plenty of parallels to ultrarunning. If you’re interested in coaching, feel free to reach out to me here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/ or if you like then sliiide into my DMs on instagram @davidultrarunner And as always… keep on running. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min

12/26/2025

Andy Darling: From Road Speed to Ultra Endurance + Borders 8 Hour Deep Dive

In this episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I’m joined once again by previous guest (S2E2) and friend of the show Andy Darling — a seriously fast road runner who has made a brilliant transition into the world of trail and ultra running. If you didn’t catch Andy’s first appearance on the show, don’t worry. I get him to reintroduce himself, talk about his background as both a runner and a personal trainer, and share what pulled him away from the road‑PB mindset and into the adventure, unpredictability, and challenge of the trails. In this conversation, we get into: Andy’s journey from road speed to trail resilienceThe mindset shift from chasing times to chasing experiencesHow his training has evolved — physically and mentallyWhat surprised him most about the ultra worldA full breakdown of his recent Borders 8 Hour raceHis pacing, nutrition, highs, lows, and the lessons he’s taking forwardHow his road background helped him — and where it didn’tWhat’s next for him, including his 2026 race calendar and long‑term goals I also share some coaching insights from my own work with athletes making the same transition, and talk about the common pitfalls I see when road runners step into the ultra world. 🔗 Connect with Andy Instagram: @andyd_thept 🔗 Connect with Me Coaching via Team RunRun — just search David Taylor Instagram: @davidultrarunner If you’re stepping into ultras, coming back from injury, or looking to build sustainable endurance, I coach athletes of all levels and would love to support your journey. ⭐ Support the Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share the show. It really helps grow the West Coast Ultra community and brings more incredible guests to the mic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 1m

12/19/2025

Its the most wonderful time of the year

This week on The West Coast Ultra Podcast, I’m diving into two themes that feel especially relevant right now: the impact of stress on our health and fitness as ultrarunners, and the balance between dreaming big adventures and actually being present in the moment. I start with a quick update on my own training. Running is coming back, but my Achilles has flared up a little — a reminder that stress doesn’t just live in our heads, it shows up in our bodies. Nights out, a bit more alcohol, less sleep, and even fighting off bugs from public transport have all played a part. On the flip side, cycling has been going really well, and I’m lining up my first 100‑mile ride this week as this episode goes live. From there, I explore how stress stacks up in endurance sports. Drawing on ideas from Scott Freda on the Singletrack Podcast, Scott McClean from Bulletproof Cycling, and the Excellence Actually podcast, I talk about how stress is cumulative, how resilience is about total load capacity, and why excellence is really about sustainability, not perfection. I then go into the second theme: dreaming versus presence. Ultrarunning is full of big goals — 100‑milers, FKTs, epic mountain adventures — and those dreams are powerful. But if we live only in the dream, we miss the richness of the moment we’re in. I share stories about how presence brings joy, reduces stress, and keeps us grounded, while dreams give us direction and motivation. The art is in balancing the two. Finally, I tie it all together: how stress can make dreams feel heavy, and how presence can lighten the load. I share practical tools like journaling, reframing training as storytelling, and celebrating small wins to keep both vision and joy alive. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s chasing their own endurance goals. And if you’re looking for coaching — whether you’re returning from injury, balancing life stress with training, or dreaming of your next big adventure — I’d love to help. You can find me through Team RunRun or on Instagram @davidultrarunner. Thanks for listening to Season 4, Episode 8 of The West Coast Ultra Podcast. Manage your stress, dream big, and stay present. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 min

12/12/2025

Gratitude, Balance, and Festive Nutrition

Gratitude, Balance, and Festive Nutrition In this episode, I share an honest update on my own training. Cycling has been a big focus lately, and I’m seeing real improvements, but I’ve also started back running properly again. It’s not perfect—I’m still a bit creaky—but I’m grateful for what I can do. That sense of gratitude is something I want to carry into every session, and I talk about the decisions I’ll face as I balance cycling and running in the months ahead. I also dive into the latest Excellence Actually podcast, which explored whether greatness is born or built. I connect that conversation to ultrarunning, showing how persistence, consistency, and resilience matter far more than raw talent. It’s a reminder that excellence in our sport is built step by step, not gifted overnight. Nutrition is another big theme this week. I break down the five top diet tips from the Roadman podcast and explain how I’m applying them myself using the Food Coach app. With the festive season here, I also share my own strategies for staying fairly good with food and drink while still enjoying the celebrations—because balance matters, and guilt doesn’t help anyone. Finally, I talk about mental fitness and recovery. Coming back from injury isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. I share practical tools like reframing setbacks, journaling, and leaning on community support to build resilience. If you enjoy the show, please like, rate, and subscribe—it helps more runners discover the podcast. And if you’re looking for coaching support, I work with athletes of all levels through Team RunRun. You can find me on Instagram @davidultrarunner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 min

12/05/2025

Planning Ahead, Finding Balance, and Practicing Gratitude

🎙️ Episode Overview I share an update on my training and return from injury.I talk about looking at events and challenges for the year ahead, and why I need planning time before committing.I explain how I break down goals, use journaling to track alignment, and why structure helps me stay on course.I apologize for the planned guest not being on this episode — diaries got away from us, but they’ll be on soon. Let me know who you’d love to hear on the show. 🏃 Training & Planning First runs back after injury — what they’ve taught me.The importance of breaking down goals into manageable steps.Journaling as a tool to track progress and check alignment.Weekly check‑ins: am I moving closer to where I want to be, or drifting? 🚴 Running vs Cycling Balance Loving both sports, but time is limited.Reframing the challenge as gratitude instead of frustration.Recognizing the privilege of having multiple passions. 🙏 Gratitude Practices (inspired by Excellence, Actually) Gratitude builds resilience and psychological flexibility.It helps avoid burnout and grounds us in the present.It strengthens identity by focusing on values, not just results.Practical tools:Daily journaling with specific gratitude entries.Gratitude runs or rides — noticing what’s good.Narrative reframing during tough patches.Expressing appreciation to teammates, volunteers, and supporters.I share a set of journaling prompts listeners can use right away. 📣 Community & Coaching Reminder to like, rate, and subscribe to the show.Share the episode with anyone who might benefit — that’s how we grow the West Coast Ultra community.👉 I now have space for more athletes - if you’d like coaching support to break down your goals, stay accountable, and build consistency, you can find me on Team RunRun: David Taylor – Glasgow Running Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 min

West Coast Ultra Podcast

Progress, Patience, and the Pull of the Start Line

Llinos Proctor's Epic Spine race Adventure

Training Through Winter...Lessons from the Spine

Goals, New Year Energy and Real Change

Andy Darling: From Road Speed to Ultra Endurance + Borders 8 Hour Deep Dive

Its the most wonderful time of the year

Gratitude, Balance, and Festive Nutrition

Planning Ahead, Finding Balance, and Practicing Gratitude

Trailer

West Coast Ultra - Trailer Episode

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West Coast Ultra Podcast

Episodes

Progress, Patience, and the Pull of the Start Line

Llinos Proctor's Epic Spine race Adventure

Training Through Winter...Lessons from the Spine

Goals, New Year Energy and Real Change

Andy Darling: From Road Speed to Ultra Endurance + Borders 8 Hour Deep Dive

Its the most wonderful time of the year

Gratitude, Balance, and Festive Nutrition

Planning Ahead, Finding Balance, and Practicing Gratitude

Trailer

About

Information

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