EP29 - George Foster, European mountain races, race culture and his epic Bob Graham Round
“I Just Thought I Was Being Disciplined” – George Foster on Red-S, Recovery & Racing CultureThis week’s guest is George Foster — elite fell runner, fifth-fastest Bob Graham Round finisher in history, and a man with hard-earned wisdom on the dangers of pushing too far.In his first RUNcensored appearance, George joins Gary and Ben to talk about the performance-cost of under-fuelling. What starts as a light-hearted chat quickly digs into how a calorie deficit, mistaken for discipline, led to serious health consequences. It’s an unfiltered conversation about the pressures of the running world, how easily things can tip into disordered habits — and what recovery really looks like.Alongside this, we dive into George’s recent race at Trofeo Nasego in Italy, a brutal European mountain running classic featuring a Vertical Kilometre and a technical up-and-down course. He explains the unique challenge of VKs, and how the European race scene compares to the UK’s.There’s also big opinions on kit, club colours, and whether poles belong on a Bob Graham Round — plus the usual laughter, roastings, and chaos you expect from RUNcensored.🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:⚠️ George’s experience with Red-S and why awareness matters⛰️ European mountain races: VKs, altitude, and race culture🥣 Under-fuelling, false discipline, and the path to recovery🏃♂️ George’s take on the Bob Graham Round and use of poles🎽 Debates on kit, club rules, and racing etiquette😂 Gear mistakes, roastings, and classic trail running chaosWhy You Should Listen:This episode tackles serious issues in endurance sport with honesty and humour. Whether you’re training for your next big race or figuring out how to fuel properly, George’s story will hit home. Unfiltered, insightful, and essential listening for runners at every level.👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!00:00 - Intro & Banter01:32 - Race Stories & Lessons Learned01:54 - Mental Strategies05:37 - George’s Background22:42 - Gear Talk27:27 - Training Philosophy49:56 - Nutrition & Recovery01:15:56 - Rapid-Fire Finale01:22:05 - Wrap-Up & What’s Next#RUNcensored #TrailRunning #FellRunning #UltraRunning #RedS #RunningPodcast #GeorgeFoster #BobGrahamRound #TrofeoNasego #MountainRunning #VKRace #RunCulture #EatToPerform #ClubRunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:23:55
EP28 - Fastest 100-Mile Trail Run in UK History?! Centurion South Downs Way 100 Recap
Records fell, legends were made, and Gary nearly takes out Mark Darbyshire mid-race.This week, Gary returns from filming the Centurion 2025 South Downs Way 100 — one of the most stacked and exciting UK trail races we’ve seen in years — and sits down with Ben to relive it all. From Darbyshire’s outrageous new course record to the epic showdown between Lucy Gossage and Julia Davis, this was a weekend that raised the bar for UK ultrarunning.We talk tactics, course conditions, the golden hour, team battles, pole debates, and why this race might be a turning point for trail running on home soil. And yes, we still find time to discuss Greggs, dodgy plug sockets and whether Wetherspoons has the best post-race kit aesthetic.🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:🏁 Behind the scenes at one of the UK’s biggest 100-milers🎥 What it was like filming the front of the race🏆 Mark Darbyshire’s course record – and Mark Perkins handing over the baton🔥 The Gossage vs Davis battle – both under the old women’s record🗣️ Why the field was so deep this year (and what it means for the UK scene)🥵 Tales from the golden hour and near-miss moments⚡ Ben’s take on pacing, poles, and future UK race potentialWhy You Should Listen:If you care about the future of UK trail running, this one’s for you. Whether you ran, watched, or are just curious how close Gary came to being flattened by an elite runner, this is the full breakdown of a race weekend we’ll be talking about for years.👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!Chapters:0:00:00 Intro 0:04:30 How Gary Covered the SDW100 0:10:21 Filming with Drones and Lead Bikes 0:13:32 Fastest 100 Mile Trail Race in the UK? 0:19:12 Mark Darbyshire's Record-Breaking Run 0:23:41 Who Is Hugh Tibbs? Back-to-Back Podiums 0:29:30 Morgan Glazier's Incredible Performance 0:34:06 Lucy Gossage vs Julia Davis: Epic Women's Race 0:39:35 Why UK Ultras Are Getting More Competitive 0:45:13 Golden Hour Finishes and Emotional Stories 0:49:37 Age Group Winners and Veteran Legends 0:54:46 Wrap-Up and What’s Coming Next on RUNcensored#RUNcensored #SDW100 #MarkDarbyshire #LucyGossage #UltraRunning #TrailRunning #CenturionRunning #WorldTrailMajors #RunningPodcast #GoldenHour #UKUltras Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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59:08
EP27 - Sub-14 Bob Graham: Andy Berry’s Brutal, Brilliant Year
Fresh off the back of a stunning sub-14-hour Bob Graham Round, inov-8 athlete Andy Berry joins Gary and Ben for one of the most open and inspiring episodes yet.Recorded in the inov-8 office, this episode covers the highs of Andy’s record-breaking year and the lessons learned along the way — from big UK mountain rounds like the Tranter and Bob Graham, to moments of burnout, difficult decisions, and ultimately, rediscovering joy in running.This is a conversation about ego, identity, coaching, and what happens when you step away from chasing results — and return stronger for it. 🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🏔️ What went right in Andy’s sub-14 Bob Graham Round🥾 Lessons from Dragon’s Back, Tranter’s, and supporting others🍽️ Diet, fuelling and recovery breakthroughs🧠 The mental toll of elite-level expectations🗣️ Coaching other runners while quietly burning out🎯 Why stepping back helped Andy fall back in love with running Why You Should Listen: Whether you’re training for a mountain round, recovering from a rough patch, or figuring out your own balance between performance and passion — Andy’s story will speak to you. ⏱️ Chapters:00:00 - Intro & catching up with Andy Berry02:30 - How Dragon’s Back started to unravel07:45 - Underfuelled, overcooked: the crash begins13:20 - Ego, identity & what kept him pushing18:50 - Being filmed during the breakdown23:40 - The real reason Andy stopped running28:30 - The aftermath: guilt, pressure & self-worth33:10 - Coaching other runners with a new mindset39:00 - What performance means beyond the podium44:15 - Is Andy stepping away from big rounds?49:50 - Navigating expectations from sponsors & social media55:20 - When not running becomes the right choice01:01:00 - Redefining goals & running for joy again01:06:30 - Could Andy return to Dragon’s Back?01:12:10 - Reflections on past FKTs & future plans01:18:40 - Rethinking training & avoiding burnout01:24:00 - Final thoughts on growth & identity01:30:10 - Wrap up & sign offWhy You Should Listen:This is a rare look behind the curtain of elite trail running. If you’ve ever questioned your goals, pulled out of a race, or felt the weight of expectation — this one will hit home. It’s raw, reflective, and still full of laughs from three mates who’ve all blown up a few times.👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe! #RUNcensored #BobGrahamRound #AndyBerry #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #MountainRunning #FellRunning #RunningPodcast #inov8 #RunningMotivation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:33:55
EP26 - Barefoot Shoes, Downhill Fear & Sport’s Most Awkward Debate
It’s the return of ChatGBT – and you lot didn’t hold back. In this episode, Gary House, Ben Mounsey, and behind-the-scenes Chris tackle listener-submitted questions about running, gear, van life and (gulp) one of the most controversial debates in sport today.Expect brutally honest answers, thoughtful tangents, and more laughs than any coaching session should legally allow. From shoe drops and descending fears to gender categories and pub-run logistics, nothing is off limits.🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Downhill fear and how to overcome itAre barefoot and zero-drop shoes good for trail running?Transitioning to minimalist footwear without injuryTrail shoe trends (La Sportiva Prodigio and more)Campervan weekends, wild running spots, and pub runsWhy women’s and men’s shoes are designed differentlyThe transgender debate in sport: fairness vs inclusivity⏱️ Chapters:0:00 – Intro, fish finger sandwich trauma & Gary’s digestive gamble4:05 – How to build confidence when descending trails9:20 – Are barefoot shoes a good idea or a marketing gimmick?13:40 – Transitioning to minimalist footwear safely17:10 – La Sportiva Prodigio and what’s coming in trail shoes21:45 – Chris asks about Ben’s campervan pub-run in Wanlockhead26:30 – Wild running spots, Dales pubs, and van life chaos31:15 – Gendered shoe design: Men’s vs Women’s lasts35:00 – Should we have an open category in competitive sport?42:40 – Outro and closing thoughtsWhy You Should Listen:If you’re into shoes, trails, banter, van-based adventure or unfiltered honesty, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. It's one part running advice, one part pub chat, and one part full-send honesty about the culture of our sport.👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!#RUNcensored #TrailRunning #BarefootRunning #ZeroDropShoes #RunningPodcast #DownhillRunning #OpenCategory #RunningGear #MinimalistRunning #GenderInSport #GaryHouse #BenMounsey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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43:37
EP25 - Why Relay Races Are Taking Over Trail Running
Episode 25: Why Relay Races Are Taking Over Trail Running | RUNcensored Podcast EP25In this episode of RUNcensored, Gary House and Ben Mounsey explore one of the fastest-growing trends in trail and fell running: relay races.From grassroots legends like the Calderdale Way Relay to newcomers like the Spine Challenger North Relay, Gary and Ben look at why runners across the UK are trading solo suffering for team chaos—and loving every minute of it.🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:🟢 Why relay races are booming across the UK🏔️ We explain how the relay formats works for trail events🏃 Ben’s love for the iconic Calderdale Way Relay and the Hodgson Brother Relay🥵 Stories of carnage, chaos, and club camaraderie🏔️ Highlights from British Fell Relays, and the best relays on the European Circuit Trofeo Vanon,i the ASICS Coast to Coast and 9\\]The Rifugi🧠 Why relays might be the antidote to ultra-running elitism📣 Listener shoutouts and love for team racing culture⏱️ Chapters:0:00 – Intro: Weekend catch-up and podcast housekeeping2:40 – Gary introduces today’s topic: relay races4:50 – Why relays are more fun than solo ultras7:20 – Ben’s love for the Calderdale Way Relay11:05 – How relay formats bring people into the sport14:45 – The Lap, Green Man Ultra & Highland Ultra Relay19:30 – Spine Challenger North Relay – new in 202523:40 – Chaos and teamwork: the best and worst of relays28:15 – Old-school club racing culture32:00 – Team tactics and navigation pressure36:50 – Are relays the future of UK trail running?41:10 – Funny stories from Ben’s club relay days47:25 – The psychology of running as a team53:05 – Why relay race reports are better58:30 – Listener shoutouts and community love1:05:00 – Tips for relay organisers and new runners1:11:20 – Final thoughts and relay wishlists1:17:45 – Next week’s episode tease & outroWhy You Should Listen:If you’ve ever wondered why more and more runners are racing in teams—or if you’ve survived a mud-soaked club relay yourself—this episode is for you. It’s got banter, memories, and a genuine look at how relays are reshaping the UK trail scene.👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!#RUNcensored #RelayRaces #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #CalderdaleWayRelay #SpineRace #RunningPodcast #GaryHouse #BenMounsey #ClubRunning #TeamRunning #MountainRunning #UKTrailRunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The RUNcensored Podcast with Gary House and Ben MounseyProduced by Chris Davies, Eastwood MediaWelcome to RUNcensored — the no-nonsense running podcast where chaos reigns, the laughs are real, and nothing is off-limits. Hosted by trail runner and coach Gary House and fell running legend Ben Mounsey, this weekly show is packed with unfiltered stories, bold opinions, and brutally honest banter.Whether it’s a world record at the London Marathon or a meltdown halfway up a mountain, Gary and Ben tackle the highs and lows of running with humour, heart, and zero ego. If you’re into trail running, ultrarunning, fell races, or just enjoy hearing two mates take the mick out of running culture — this is your new favourite podcast.What to expect:• Trail tales & race fails – from DNFs to daft ideas that somehow worked• Epic guests – including elite athletes, adventurers, and everyday legends• Hot takes & debates – hydration vests at 5Ks? Robot marathons? We’ve got thoughts• Community questions – funny, weird, relatable Q&As from listeners• Gear & training chat – occasionally useful, often ridiculous• Unfiltered conversations – running, life, mental health, and whatever else comes upNo coaching plans. No polished performance talk. Just a proper chat about what it’s really like to run, race, and mess it all up — and maybe laugh about it later.🎧 New episodes every Tuesday.🐾 Suitable for trail warriors, road runners, and anyone who’s ever cried into their race vest.RUNcensored: Running, stories, and absolute chaos — uncut and uncensored.#TrailRunning #RunningPodcast #Ultrarunning #FellRunning #OutdoorAdventures #RunningCulture #RunningWithDogs #Canicross #MentalHealthAwareness #FitnessHumor #RUNcensored Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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