The friends we make on the trails.
In their first proper episode, Dawn and Becky catch up on where they're both at — Dawn's coming back from 18 months of injury and reflects on her recent Racing the Planet Ultralight in Mongolia (44K on the long day, wild horses, and a camping experience she's still not over), while Becky is five weeks out from the OCC — one of the UTMB World Series races in Chamonix — after the course was extended to 64K with 3,500m of climbing. We also dig into some genuinely hot UTMB news: Chamonix's new mayor is raising concerns about the race's impact on the town and the Alps, and runner numbers may be heading for a cut. But the heart of this episode is what we keep coming back to — the community. Dawn tells the story of her “kinder introduction to trail running” (spoiler: it was anything but kind), and Becky shares how a stranger on the Spine Race became one of her closest friends — the kind of trail bond that turns up with water bottles when you've forgotten yours, 40 miles from home. In This Episode ● Dawn's comeback from long-term injury and her Racing the Planet Ultralight experience in Mongolia ● Becky's build-up to the OCC at UTMB week — the course changes, the cutoffs, and the nerves ● This week's UTMB news: Chamonix's new mayor and the debate over runner numbers ● Why trail running conversations are never about pace — it's “have you had a poo?” energy ● Dawn's unforgettable first proper trail outing on Kinder Scout in the Peak District ● Becky's Spine Race story — meeting Darren, a Mountain Rescue volunteer who became a lifelong trail friend ● Why there's “no ego” in ultra running, and how shared struggle builds real friendship Get In Touch Got a story about a trail friendship, or a question for us? We'd love to hear it — email us at stillrunningstrong@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram and Facebook. Still Running Strong is for general interest and entertainment only. We share our own personal experiences, not professional medical, nutritional, or training advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making changes to your training, diet, or health.