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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!

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  • 59 episodes
  • Updated Friday
  • Explicit

Episodes59

Newest first
  • Apr 18, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min

    Comparing hallucinations on the Northern Traverse with Kirsty Reade

    What have poodles, umbrellas, VIP boxes and the sky falling in got in common? They are all things that Kirsty saw on her incredible run from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay on this year's Northern Traverse. In this episode Kirsty talks about comparing events when you've done them more than once, and how to know when you're ready to take on these huge distances. She also shares with us her newest endurance challenge - reading the Hardest Geezers book. There are some of your questions anwsered as well as the usual waffle - let us know what you think in the reviews/comments. The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk. We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow or review wherever you get your pods.

  • Apr 11, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min

    The Speed Project Special with Holly Rush

    This week Allie is joined by Holly straight off her incredible second place at The Speed Project - we talk about the highs and lows, the blood, sweat, tears and people telling you wrong distances. Theres a great 15 mins section at the end where we have all the hosts on for the first time ever, as Damian and Kirsty celebrate completions, wins and records set at the 200-mile Northern Traverse. What a bunch of overachievers eh? The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk. We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow oir review wherever you get your pods.

  • Apr 4, 2025 · 59 min

    Comparing Cruelty: Can you Compare a Barkley to a Spine? With Damian Hall and John Kelly

    Thie weeks podcast is a bit different, and some might find it distressing from the start. Please jump straight to the interview at about 10 mins in if you don't want to hear about Allie's struggles with depression over the last few days. The main feature today is a brilliant interview between professional frenemies Damian Hall and John Kelly. They discuss what made the Barkley so hard this year and ask the question can you compare Barkleys, Spines or Tors? They also talk about what comparison means to JK who comes up with some very wise and really helpful answers. Thanks to John and Damian for stepping in. The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk. We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow or review wherever you get your pods.

  • Mar 29, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min

    Don't Measure Yourself Against Someone Else's Ruler

    There is discussion about mental health crisis and suicidal ideation from the start. This week Allie is re-joined by podcast fave Kirsty Reade who has once again 'done the research' and has a whole host of interesting stuff to share. You can expect chat about Bullshit Comparisons (the excellent book by Andrew Brookes) Josie Perry's top tips for not comparing yourself to others and why our sense of perspective is totally fucked. It's a proper banger of an episode. Recommended today are the Billy Monger Comic relief documentary The Race is On (iPlayer), and The Finisher (Jasmin at the Barkley) on YouTube, plus Josie Perrys excellent book The Ten Pillars of Success. The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk. We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow or review wherever you get your pods.

  • Mar 22, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min

    Unsound Mind, F*cked Body

    Brace yourself! (that's a super funny joke about this week's pod....) This week is a Holly Stables special where we talk about all things Speed Project before she jogs off into the sunset via some horrendous roads, deserts and bitey things. This episode has some ace questions for you lot plus a brilliant conversation about what we shall call Inspiring Comparison - the stuff that lifts us up and keeps us pushing in a super positive way. To keep up to SPEED with Hollys fun adventure you can follow @thespeedproject @rushbynature and search Make Running on YouTube. You can also watch the new Barkley documentary 'The Edge of Possible' on YouTube now. The Running Won't Save You Podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk. We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow or review wherever you get your pods.

  • Mar 15, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

    Would you still do this if nobody was watching?

    Damos back! And he's fresh of a 40-mile race that he DIDN'T win....so we have a great opportunity to talk about who DID win, and how an elite athlete see's comparison and competition. Huge congrats to Ellis Davis and big ups to Limitless Trails for their excellent events. There's a good chat on comparable races actually ARE when there are so many variables, and we answer a couple of listener questions and talk about the incoming Northern Traverse and how that feels different to Damos FKT. The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport, and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow or review wherever you get your pods.

  • Mar 8, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min

    What is the result you want to create?

    Podcast favourite Kirsty Reade is back as my co-host and it doesn't disappoint! This week we're talking about why Kirsty didn't actually want to cover comparison as a topic - and what that has made her find out about herself, why thinking "I'm onto you" is a sign your in the comparison trap, and how upward social comparison may make you a better runner. We also ask how can we make comparison bring out the best in us as opposed to the worst in us and find out why Kirsty is once again taking on the 200-mile beast that is The Northern Traverse. PLUS there's a bit of homework for you all - we would love to hear ho you are getting on! The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk. We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport, and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow oir review wherever you get your pods.

  • Mar 1, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min

    The dark side of comparison

    Welcome back dear listener! It's time for season two - and this season theme is COMPARISON! I'm joined by my co-host and coach Holly Stables (AKA the hot woman on the treadmill) for a quick catch up to find out why she's wearing a ski suit in the gym, what she's been up to since the last time we chatted and to go through whether Comparison can ever be a good thing (we think it can). We also answer - or try and answer - some of your questions and give you a bit of homework - remember it's not Strava, IG or Garmin Connect making you feel shit - it's your thoughts about that stuff. The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - get 10% off all web orders using the code RWSY10. www.xmiles.co.uk. We are also proud to support The Green Runners, Pre-Loved Sport and the Re-Action Collective. Give them a google to see how you can get involved. And finally, if you have time, give us a like, follow or review wherever you get your pods.

  • Feb 8, 2025 · 1 hr

    The Masterclass with Brad Stulburg

    It's the end of season special, and I have only gone and got the King of Consistency, The Master of Change Brad Stulburg on to talk to me about sustainable excellence and the mindset stuff that takes people from bang average to sort of OK at running. We cover everything from tragic optimism to activation energy and discuss the differences between consistency, motivation and action and ask is discipline really a dirty word? I loved this interview and want to thank you all for your amazing questions - let us know what you think by leaving a comment and see you all next season! I really hope it was helpful. Please send us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.

  • Feb 1, 2025 · 58 min

    Consistency, Community and how to keep this sh!t up

    And now...the end is near. It's the last 'normal' episode of Season 1! In this episode myself and Damian talk about how to be consistenctly green (spoiler - you can't), how much fun we had in the Village Green and also talk about Damos move from INOV8 to NNormal. We have a final update from Gemma (or is it) we review the best jokes of the pod and we announce what our new theme for season two will be - and it's a great one! Please send us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.

  • Jan 25, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min

    Maximum Economy of Ass

    We are thrilled to be joined by not one but SEVEN of the female Spine competitors on this episode as they drop in to tell us what consistency meant to them on and before their races. In addition, Allie and Kirsty chat about the genius of Oliver Burkeman, what really went on in those Spine checkpoints and why you really should Stay on the Bus. Please send us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8. (Audio credit to https://tinyurl.com/2882rmyt)

  • Jan 18, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min

    Coaching and Correspondence Special

    This week we have a correspondence and coaching special - a little catch up on the questions that you have been sending through to the pod for the wonderful Holly. There is some absolute coaching gold in here, so make sure you save this one and send it everywhere as we cover everything from heart rate to RPE to why we get mega sad after big races. We also have an update from our own experiment Gemma on how her consistency project is progressing and a little reminder to come and see the both of us at the National Running Show next weekend. Please send us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.

  • Jan 11, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

    268 Miles of Consistency: Spine Week Preview 2025

    It's Spine week! Basically, this is like Christmas for Damian, so we've done a little Spine preview for you, detailing the runners and riders for the 2025 edition plus we talk about the value of consistency during a 268-mile race. We answer a couple of your questions, debated the "8 year" rule, plus we reveal who out incredibly special end of season interviewee is. Please get your questions for Brad Stulberg in ASAP via email or Instagram and we would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.

  • Jan 4, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min

    Doing the Basics Well

    Happy New Year! Strap in, this ones a good one - and please don't talk to us about new years resolutions. This week Kirsty and I tackle the quagmire around motivation vs discipline, routine and consistency and try to work out how to make running more like Duolingo because we all love Duolingo right? There are some really interesting questions and comments from the listeners and we share why the language you use around your training is as important as your training itself and how doing the basics well will change the game. We've also got some suggestions for Ultra specific strength training - we'd love you to send us yours! Kirsty's book recommendations are available on her Instagram page which is @kirstyreade72 and please keep sending us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.

  • Dec 28, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min

    The Comparison Trap

    Welcome to episode four with Allie and Holly! This installment brings with it a super-duper exclusive announcement about Holly's next challenge and it's a HUUUUGE one, plus its Christmas, so we have approximately zero Christmas content for you. There's a catch up with our experiment Gemma, and update on what Lemmy the dog has been eating this week (it's disgusting) and a rather good conversation about Comparison - when it's useful and when it's not and what you can do to help yourself to not be such a prick to yourself. We also have some great questions from our wonderful listeners focusing on Strength work, why it's the most important work out of the week and why if you not getting shit done, you need to get a coach. Please send us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com.

  • Dec 20, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min

    The Courage Not to Run

    On this weeks episode Allie is joined by Damian Hall - you say consistency, he he says consistant TEA. LOLZ. There's quite a lot of chat about Allie's recent outing on the Winter Downs 200, and Damo's experience of crewing her (he's been offered counselling) but we're staying relevant here and chatting about how to maintain a consistent pace and why it's important to do the basics well on these long, long efforts. We've also got some great questions from you guys - keep them coming please - and Damo offers us his take on what consistency means to him, which is actually surprisingly useful. There's also an update from our Experiment Gemma which we will chat about next week and some exciting news about a new Spine race. Please send us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.

  • Dec 14, 2024 · 1 hr 12 min

    Consistency Yes, Monotony No.

    Episode two is here and I'm thrilled to be rejoined by one of the best - it’s Kirsty Reade! Kirsty’s take on consistency is just fucking brilliant and, in this episode, we talk about the importance of showing up, being a “B” grade student and why is impossible to be consistent AND hot every goal. We’ve got some great advice from super ultra endurance machine Lucy Gossage, a catch up with The Experiment Gemma, we discuss apps vs coaches and how buying a set of Lego may well change your life. Word of the week here is nuance. Please send us your questions and conundrums and let us know what you think about consistency via our Instagram (@runningwontsaveyoupod) or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.

  • Dec 7, 2024 · 1 hr 20 min

    The Consistency Crisis

    Welcome one and all - episode one is here and it's a belter - if you like people catching up because they haven't seen each other for a bit and talking about poo. Allie and Holly are at the helm for episode one, discussing everything from job changes to coaching chemistry and laying the foundation for the theme of the season which is CONSISTENCY. In this episode you get to meet our real-life experiment Gemma and hear what consistency means to both Allie and Holly - and you might be surprised by what they have to say. We've got some great questions from you lot (keep them coming) and some really good tips to help kickstart you into being consistent in whatever it is you want to do - remember it's not the big efforts we're looking for; it's the little ones that make the difference. Please send us your questions, conundrums, and opinions on this topic via our Instagram @runningwontsaveyoupod or on email runningwontsaveyou@gmail.com. We would also love you to leave us a review wherever you get your pods because reviews mean discovery. Running Won't Save You is proudly sponsored by INOV8.