Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast

Max Stuart
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Welcome to Trails, Tales, and Fails! Dive into the world of ultra running with host Max Stuart, and co-hosts Rob Nugent, and Sarah Page as they discuss tales and fails of ultra running. Each episode features quirky facts, unforgettable guest stories, and plenty of laughs. From training tips to race-day surprises, they blend practical advice with good humour, making this the perfect podcast for both seasoned runners and curious newcomers. Tune in for a fun and informative journey through the highs and lows of ultra running!

  1. Ben Potts: The Full Winter Spine Race

    5D AGO

    Ben Potts: The Full Winter Spine Race

    This week on Trails, Tales & Fails, we’re joined by Ben Potts — ultra runner, friend, and fresh off an incredible 12th-place finish at the Full Spine. The Full Spine is one of the toughest endurance races on the planet: 268 miles/431km, 10,700m+ of elevation, winter conditions, sleep deprivation, and relentless forward motion. Ben takes us inside the race — how he prepared, how he managed fatigue over multiple days, the mental battles that matter most, and what events like the Spine and Dragon’s Back teach you about yourself when you’re pushed to the edge. We talk training, decision-making under extreme fatigue, lessons learned from multi-day ultras, and what draws runners back to these brutal challenges again and again. As always, we finish with our usual icebreakers, truth-or-lie, and a quickfire round. Follow the podcast, leave a review if you enjoy it, and join the Trails, Tales & Fails Strava club — link in the show notes. We’re giving away a RealMeal Endurance Pack on Instagram — running until 22nd February. Head to our Instagram page and check out the giveaway post to enter. Support the show via ⁠⁠Patroen ⁠⁠and buy us a coffee. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. For ⁠coaching enquiries⁠. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

    1h 18m

  2. FEB 10

    Ultra Tip Tuesday #8: The Chimp Paradox & Ultra Running: Your Mind’s Secret Race

    In ultra running, your brain isn’t just one voice — it’s two. 🐒 The Chimp: Emotional, impulsive, scared of pain and discomfort. It wants to stop when things get tough.🧑‍💼 The Human: Logical, goal-focused, calm under pressure. It knows the long game and pushes through. The trick?Don’t fight your Chimp — work WITH it. ✅ Acknowledge when your Chimp screams “Quit!”✅ Calm it down with positive self-talk and reminders of your why✅ Let your Human plan, pace, and focus on progress✅ Use your Chimp’s energy — channel fear and frustration into determination Ultras aren’t just physical — they’re a mental battle.Master your inner Chimp, and the miles become your playground. What’s your go-to way to calm your Chimp mid-run? Drop it below! 👇 Support the show via ⁠Patroen ⁠and buy us a coffee. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. For coaching enquiries. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

    5 min
  3. David Johnson: TrailSkin

    FEB 6

    David Johnson: TrailSkin

    In this episode, Max and Rob are joined by Dave from TrailSkin — ultra runner, founder, and someone who knows firsthand what the trails can throw at you. Dave has completed races including the Arc of Attrition and UTS 100k, and this year returned to the Arc 100, where brutal conditions brought by Storm Ingrid forced many runners, including Dave, to make the difficult decision to stop at Land’s End. We talk honestly about foot care, skin care, and why they matter in ultras and the story behind TrailSkin and how it grew from real trail-running problems This episode is supported by TrailSkin, a UK-based, all-natural performance skincare brand trusted by runners at races including the Spine, UTMB, Dragons Back, Cape Wrath Ultra, and more. Giveaway: TrailSkin are offering listeners the chance to win an Ultra Bundle worth £47 — head to our Instagram for entry details end (15/2/26) Support the show via Patroen and buy us a coffee. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies. Let’s get into it.

    1h 16m
  4. Ben O'Connell: Arc of Attrition 2026

    JAN 30

    Ben O'Connell: Arc of Attrition 2026

    This week, we’re joined by Ben O'Connell, who many of you will already know from the coaching world and from YouTube, where he shares practical, grounded advice for runners of all abilities. Ben has taken on some iconic ultras — from Centurion 50‑milers to the South Downs Way 100, and the Swiss Alpes 100 — but this weekend, he stepped up to one of Britain’s most notorious winter races: the Arc of Attrition 100. And this year’s Arc wasn’t just tough — it was savage. Storm Ingrid brought 60–65mph gusts, torrential rain, flooding, and conditions that turned the Cornish coast path into a test of pure survival. Ben battled through the storm, into the night, and all the way to Land’s End before making the difficult decision to stop at mile 55. A DNF is never easy, but with over 60% of runners not making it to the finish, this is a story worth telling. In this episode, we dive into the weekend, the weather, the decision, the lessons, and the Arc experience as a whole. We talk about what the race taught him, how he approaches big efforts as both an athlete and a coach, and what comes next. Plus, we’ve got our usual mix of icebreakers, truth‑or‑lie, and a quickfire round to wrap things up. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies. Let’s get into it.

    1h 37m
  5. Montane Spine Challenger South 2026 Debrief: Sarah Page

    JAN 13

    Montane Spine Challenger South 2026 Debrief: Sarah Page

    This week on Trails, Tales & Fails, we’re joined by co-host Sarah Page, fresh off an incredible performance at the Montane Winter Spine Challenger South 2026. In her first-ever Spine, Sarah claimed 1st female, 3rd overall, and ran the fastest women’s time ever recorded on the Challenger South, stopping the clock at 29:03 — nearly 40 minutes quicker than the previous best. All of this came in truly brutal conditions. Storm Goretti dumped snow across the Pennine Way early on, followed by driving wind, rain, and ice through Saturday night and into Sunday. Classic Spine weather. We break the race down in detail: The emotional build-up to her first Spine Snow, darkness, navigation, and the mental grind of the night section A pivotal 40-minute stop at Hebden Bridge Running deep into the race with Rich Bryars Picking off competitors and opening a decisive gap Diversions A tense podium battle in the icy final miles Sarah reflects on the highs, lows, lessons learned, and what this race revealed about her as an athlete — and answers the big question: 👉 Does this performance tempt her toward Challenger North… or even the full Spine Race? An honest, insightful deep dive into one of the standout performances of the winter ultra season. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠Protein Rebel⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠BV Sports⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠Näak Nutrition⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

    1h 17m

  6. 12/30/2025

    2025 End of Year Quiz & Reflections + Spine & Arc Prep Learnings

    Welcome back to Trails, Tales, and Fails — the podcast where we celebrate the highs, the lows, and everything in between on the ultra-running journey. Today’s episode is a little different. It’s just the three of us — Max, Rob, and Sarah — catching up, talking training, and looking back on 2025 with a fun (and slightly chaotic) quiz based on our previous guests. Expect confident guesses, very shaky answers, and a surprising amount of disorder. We also dive into where everyone’s at right now: Sarah is deep into her build-up for the Spine Challenger South, juggling winter miles, kit admin, and long dark days. Rob is gearing up for the Arc 100, while Max is preparing for the Arc 25. We talk honestly about training through winter — the highs, the setbacks, the kit that’s actually working, and the mindset shifts needed when motivation dips and conditions get tough. As always, we share lessons and tips that might help you navigate your own winter running. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠Protein Rebel⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠BV Sports⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠Näak Nutrition⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

    1h 13m

  7. 12/30/2025

    Ultra Tip Tuesday #7: The Traffic Light Decision System

    Ultras aren’t usually lost because you’re not fit enough — they’re lost because of one bad decision made when you’re tired, cold, or emotional. In this week’s Ultra Tip Tuesday, we introduce the Traffic Light Decision System: a simple framework to help you make smarter calls during long runs and race day. Learn how to: Keep moving when things are green Monitor and manage problems early when they’re amber Act immediately when things turn red — no ego, no delay This episode is all about staying calm, avoiding unnecessary stops, and knowing when stopping is the smartest move you can make. Train smart. Race smart. Finish strong. For coaching enquiries, DM me on Instagram or ⁠click here⁠. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

    4 min
  8. Ultra Tip Tuesday #6: Train on Terrain That Matches Your Goal Route

    12/23/2025

    Ultra Tip Tuesday #6: Train on Terrain That Matches Your Goal Route

    This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails, we dig into one of the smartest — and most overlooked — ways to build race‑day confidence: training on terrain that actually mirrors your goal route. Rocky, muddy, flat, hilly, or wildly technical, every surface teaches your body something different. In this Ultra Tip Tuesday episode, we break down how to sharpen your weaknesses early in the training cycle, build durability without pressure, and dial in true race‑day specificity as your event approaches. You’ll learn how to balance technical skill‑building with injury prevention, get creative when you don’t have access to the perfect trails, and discover why even one long run on race‑like terrain can transform your confidence. If you want fewer surprises on race day — physically and mentally — this episode gives you the blueprint for showing up ready, not rattled. For coaching enquiries, DM me on Instagram or click here. We’re proud to be supported by ⁠Protein Rebel⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠BV Sports⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠Näak Nutrition⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10. Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements. 👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

    4 min
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About

Welcome to Trails, Tales, and Fails! Dive into the world of ultra running with host Max Stuart, and co-hosts Rob Nugent, and Sarah Page as they discuss tales and fails of ultra running. Each episode features quirky facts, unforgettable guest stories, and plenty of laughs. From training tips to race-day surprises, they blend practical advice with good humour, making this the perfect podcast for both seasoned runners and curious newcomers. Tune in for a fun and informative journey through the highs and lows of ultra running!

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