Running Won't Save You

Allie Bailey

A podcast for people that hate running podcasts.

Hosted by author, coach and ultrarunner Allie Bailey, Running Won't Save You aims to be the most fun it can be whilst also offering a bit of insight, some proper advice and (sorry about this) some coaching tips in a way that won't make you want to throw your phone in the sea.

With a weekly rotation of incredible co-hosts including former GB athlete Holly Stables, and WMRA expert and decorated ultrarunner Kirsty Reade, Running Won't Save You is the antidote to the influencer fronted bullshit you might be used to. Gosh there is a LOT of that about, isn't there?

Each series is loosely based on a theme that carries through all ten episodes, allowing listeners to take action and hopefully create some results for themselves wherever they are in real time. It's an actual helpful podcast because I'm a coach and that's what I do.

As well as the useful stuff, there's all the usual nonsense that you should be used to with Bailey podcasts, including tales from the hill, light bullying thinly disguised as banter, race reports and briefings plus your listener questions answered by our experts every single week.

Send us your suggested topics, questions, thoughts, and feelings at runningwontsaveyoupod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @runningwontsaveyoupod

Series six's topic iiiiiiissssss CHANGE!

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

59 episodes
Updated Friday
Explicit

Episodes59

Newest first

Friday · 1 hr 2 min
Who Runs The World? Girls.
This week Allie and Laura are talking about all the amazing stuff that's been going on in the world of female ultrarunning. From Sophie Grant to Katherina Hartmuth to Sarah Perry, Mel Sykes and Hannah Rickman - they've all been out this week doing epic and inspiring stuff and we couldn't be prouder. Talking of which Laura is preparing for her Race Across Scotland in a few weeks and we ask who is more needy on a race - Laura or her husband Jean. Add to that some of your excellent uses for a buff and talking about Harry Styles a bit too much and you;ve got yourself a decent hour of nonsense. ENJOY! This seasons podcast are sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing - you can get 10% off all books using the code RUN10 at www.adventurebooks.com
July 24 · 1 hr 3 min
The Impatient Slug
Holly joins us from French France to tell us all about her most recent race and to discuss Kirsty's amazing Hardrock experience (yes we are still talking about that). We ask why more top level runners don't discuss their races when they don't go to plan, what Allie did with the dog she found and answer some of your training questions as well. This seasons podcasts are sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing - you can get 10% off all books using the code RUN10 at www.adventurebooks.com
July 17 · 1 hr 4 min
Hardrock 100 Special: Kirsty, are you Wild and Tough?
Kirsty is back just two days after finishing the loop at the Hardrock 100. She tells us all about it, from hanging out in the toilet with Courtney to seeing a bear up a tree and sliding on her arse down multiple scree slopes. We find out how she feels about the completion after the cut off, what her highlights were and what Hardrock can do better, plus she answers some of your ace questions! This seasons podcast are sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing - you can get 10% off all books using the code RUN10 at www.adventurebooks.com
July 10 · 1 hr 13 min
The Bum Buff
Please join us in welcoming out guest host for the season - the wonderful Laura Swanton Rouvelin! Join us for an in depth game of getting to know you that may go a bit too in depth and threaten to bring up your breakfast - but we are nothing if not honest, lads. Please make sure to send in your questions for Laura on the usual channels - she will back in a couple of weeks unless this episode gets us cancelled. This seasons podcasts are sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing - you can get 10% off all books using the code RUN10 at www.adventurebooks.com
July 3 · 1 hr 14 min
When not to race Cocodona
Holly's back for this episode taking us through the various changes she's been experiencing in the last few months - warning - they're a bit sad. We talk about her Cocodona DNF and why watching Western States was a joy plus we answer some of your ace questions - keep them coming! This seasons podcasts are sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing - you can get 10% off all books using the code RUN10 at www.adventurebooks.com
June 26 · 1 hr 12 min
Change Isn't The Exception - It's The Rule
Allie and Kirsty are back for season six! Allie has been running 200 miles round mid wales on the Wild Horse 200, while Kirsty reports from Colorado ahead of her taking on the Hardrock 100. GOD IT'S SO EXCITING! There's the usual waffle about stuff like what the circle pit was for and why Kirsty is sleeping in a tent, plus we answer some of your questions on change! Keep them coming! This season's podcast is sponsored by Vertebrate Publishing - you can get 10% off all books using the code RUN10 at www.adventurebooks.com
May 1 · 1 hr 18 min
The Reality of Being an RD with James Elson
In our final episode of the season we are joined by Centurion Race Director and highly decorated UK ultrarunner James Elson. James has spent 15 years building Centurion from the ground up and talks to us about the process behind making these races work, the reality of what goes into them, how much they cost and the future of UK ultrarunning. We also answer some of your questions. You can find your first ultra at Centurionrunning.com. This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
April 24 · 1 hr 7 min
P*ss Bags and The Sh*t Running Club
Theres more Community Contraversity this week as Allie and Kirsty (but mainly Allie) continue to be baffled by the 'not AI' weirdness that is their instagram feed. We also chat about whether mistakes are part of the process or you can always get it right first time? Plus we celebrate the best race companies we know and there are loads of them. I f you would like to make a donation to Scottish Mountain Rescue in memory of the incredible David Parrish you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-parrish-1 and if you would like to donate to the Samaritans and support Megan Boxall's Run Britain adventure you can do so here: https://meganboxall.com This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
April 17 · 1 hr 9 min
When is a Club a Cult?
This week Allie and Kirsty talk about clubs, cults and other things starting with the letter C. Can you guess what they are? Do all clubs have a duty to support runners of all abilities? Are any of them actually nice? Plus we dive deeper into the Community Traverse debate and end up just as confused as we were before. What are your thoughts about this? Keep your comments and messages coming in! This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
April 10 · 1 hr 11 min
There Has To Be Some Sort of A Struggle
This week Allie and Kirsty talk struggle, Imo Body and the curious case of the Community Traverse. What are your thoughts on the CT starting as a race company? Would you give money to a company who have little to no info about their races on their website? Let us know! This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
April 3 · 1 hr 15 min
Sitting With The Stuff You Don't Want To Sit With
TW - this podcast contains talk of suicidal ideation and mental illness. This week Kirsty steps in for Holly as we cover everything from wholesome weekends away to quantification fixation. There's some proper talk around acceptance and grief here, as well as a short discussion around suicidal ideatuon and mental health. If this podcast has effected you and you feel like you need to talk to someone or need some help in this area you can contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 or the Samaritans on 116 123. Please talk to your friends or a healtcare professional if you need to. This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
March 28 · 1 hr 17 min
The Best You Can Be
This week Allie and Kirsty talk about the importance of human interaction within the process with regards to running and book writing; especially when it comes to learning, growing and sharing ideas. We also have some great listener emails and discuss why curiosity is always better than judgement. This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
March 21 · 1 hr 13 min
After The Event
Holly is back fresh of her win at the Green Man with some brilliant advice about how to process your brain after your event. We talk The Dip - depression, impermanence and post race crashes - as well as covering the awful news about ourea events and Allie plans for 2026 and beyond. We also talk about poo. Again. And there's a Sean Dyer update! This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
March 14 · 1 hr 18 min
Why Do We Value Outcome Over Process?
This week Allie and Kirsty discuss everything from Kirsty's hotly anticipated return to road running to why being a dick to yourself makes you a member of the partricahy, ladies. We also ask why it is that we as a society value outcomes over process - we don't have an answer for this - if you do please let us know! And we also make known our feelings on the UTS mess. Can you guess what they are? There's a bit of a plug for Damos new book as well - you can get your copy here: https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/run-forever-damian-hall This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
March 7 · 1 hr 4 min
The 200 Mile Process
Holly is back and she has got some epic advice re: Process for those of you with 200 miles plus on your to do lists. Apologies in advance about how juveille and all over the place this episode is - I recorded it, then lost the recording, then made us record it again 12 hours later......but I actually think it's a really good episode! This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
February 28 · 1 hr 3 min
The Delicious Struggle
We back! Welcome to the season opener where Allie and Kirsty spend ten minutes talking absolute shite before introducing the topic for season five - PROCESS. We discuss what process actually is, why it's important and how a lot of us are getting it wrong, plus we marvel at how the women of the winter olympics are getting it right and why it's important to keep two eyes on the path. The book Kirsty mentions is The Score by C.Thi. Nguyen. We'd love to answer your questions on process - send them to us via instagram or email and we shall get on it! This series is once again sponsored by our friends at XMILES - your one stop nutrition shop, You can get 10% off your orders using the code RWSY10.
February 17 · 41 min
The 2026 Barkley Marathons Special with Damian Hall
It's the morning after the two days before and we have an exclusive interview with Damian Hall, one if only two runners who made it to the end of loop three at the Barkley Marathons 2026. Here we get a very tired insight into the conditions and route this year, and clarification on whether or not Damian actually did run the third loop with no shoes on. In addition we have some crew insight from Allie on what it takes to crew a person with no tracker and no phone and with no idea of where they are or when they are coming in. What fun we had. This podcast is proudly sponsored by Xmiles - the one stop nutrition shop for all your running needs - get 10% 0ff using the code RWSY10.
January 24 · 1 hr 10 min
Montane Winter Spine 2026 Recap with Allie, Holly and Kirsty
In this one off episdoe, Allie chats to Holly and Kirsty about her 2026 full WInter Spine experience. As well as Allie's view from the race, there are also some great nuggets from Kirsty who was working on the Byrness CP, reflections on the race and a whole load of helpful tips from future Spine runners. I'd say the pace of this pod is slow at best - sorry about that! But we will be back in February with more mega banter filled podacs to keep you trotting along! The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - you get 10% off all your orders using the code RWSY10.
Dec 13, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Once it's Scone, it's Scone.
In the final episode of the series, Allie and Kirsty cover every topic ever including Kirsty's miraculous place at Hard Rock, who is the hardest on the podcast, Allie's new book, Sarah Perry doing Sarah Perry things and what the most tasty snack they have discovered via xmiles is, plus there's a bit of correspondence to end the season on. Thanks so much for listening to season four - we will be back in the new year! The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - you get 10% off all your orders using the code RWSY10.
Dec 6, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Seventeen Coffees and some Correspondence
Allie is joined by Holly for the penultimate pod of the season and it's a correspondence special! There are a load of questions answered plus some TV chat and an update on the Boston Bellend - how far will we go to get him banned? The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - you get 10% off all your orders using the code RWSY10.