Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

Frank McGaffney is back for his hat-trick appearance on the Young Hearts Run Free Podcast—and this time, he’s a 100-mile Backyard Ultra finisher! 🏆
In this weeks episode we sit down with Frank for a grippy, deeply honest and of course amusing 90-minute breakdown of his 24-hour / 100-mile journey at the Rasselbock Backyard Ultra.
From the "accommodation from hell" to vomiting in the corral, this episode covers the beautiful chaos of ultra running:

🤢 The Chaos: Abandoning a damp Mansfield rental for a Premier Inn, surviving a face-plant on Yard 10, and a salt-tablet-induced projectile vomit just seconds before the starting whistle.
🧠 The Strategy: How meticulous planning with Coach Fiona Watt turned previous "nutrition issues" into a masterclass of Pot Noodles, custard pouches, and perfectly timed gels.
🩹 The Grit: Dealing with "blisters from the underworld" and finding the mental strength to push through the night laps.
🌪️ The Finish: Hitting the magical 24-yard mark and what it means.

This isn't just a race report; it’s a story of resilience, achievement, and what Frank is already eyeing up 2027. 🏃‍♂️💨

Megan Boxall Tracker

In this episode we sit down with ultra-running powerhouse Anna Troup, winner of both Summer and Winter Spine Races including the 2025 Summer Spine outright. Anna opens up about training in the Lake District, navigating injuries, managing menopause, building resilience, and rediscovering her running identity.
Episode Highlights
Anna’s journey from Oxford rowing → triathlon → ultras
Living and training in Grasmere
Why she prefers early morning sessions
How cross-training keeps her running as she gets older
First ultra: Hardmoors 60, “baptism of fire”
Learning navigation the hard way on her first Spine
Winning the 2021, 2022 & 2025 Summer Spine, plus 2026 Winter Spine (1st female)
Handling recurring stress fractures & lessons from menopause
Why women thrive in long ultras
Cows, storms, lost moments, and the art of problem‑solving in big races
Fuelling: “Rice, cheese and butter — that’s my magic bowl”
Her go‑to kit: DexShell socks & ASICS Trabuco

Megan Boxall Tracker

After a four year wait, the legend himself finally returns. This week John and Steven welcome back ultra‑runner, adventurer, and all round good guy Martin Heggie for his hat‑trick appearance on the podcast and he brings with him one of the wildest race stories you’ll hear all year.
Martin has just completed The Tunnel, Mark Cockbain’s infamous 200 mile, 100 lap underground sufferfest in the darkness of the Combe Down Tunnel near Bath.
With 212 miles, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, chafing disasters, blisters, pot noodles, Irn Bru, and every emotion imaginable , this one has it all.

Allie Bailey Edinburgh Workshop
Megan Boxall Tracker

This week, Steven and John take the podcast on the road for a very special first: recording live from a professional podcast studio at Stravaig Sessions near Aberuthven.
Joining them for this landmark episode is Lee Campbell.
Lee is widely recognised across the Scottish running community for his infectious passion for trail running, his generous ‘Pentlands Socials’, and his adventures both at home and abroad. This episode dives deep into Lee’s story, humour, and heart - from learning to run after leaving football behind, taking part in the infamous Bed Run, and then taking to the trails and scaling alpine passes on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Did someone say ‘fucking nature!’
Lee shares his incredible journey from five a side footballer to adventure driven trail runner, opening up about everything from his first virtual marathon on his birthday to the life changing joy of adventuring on the trails.
We explore how the Pentlands became his playground, how his inclusive social runs have opened the hills to hundreds, and why he believes adventures beat races every time. We hear the story behind the Dinosaur route, tips for newcomers to the Pentlands, and is it Kips…or Chickens?
Expect stories of friendship, altitude, salted tatties, iconic Scottish hills, creative tattoos, community spirit, and a whole lot of laughter.
Whether you’re a seasoned ultrarunner or someone dreaming of your first trail pootle, this episode is full of inspiration, honesty, humour, and heart.
Lee on Instagram
Lee on Strava
Recorded at Stravaig Sessions

Would You Run If No One Was Watching?
​In this episode of Young Hearts Run Free, we sit down with ultra-runner, coach, and author Allie Bailey for a conversation that strips endurance running back to its raw, unvarnished truth.
​Allie isn't here to sell you the "running is a cure-all" dream. Instead, she challenges the modern obsession with metrics, exploring how watches, apps, and social media have transformed a simple joy into a performance to be measured and judged.
​In This Episode, We Discuss:
​The Comparison Trap: Why we’ve traded the joy of movement for the validation of the "upload."
​The Emotional Hangover: A candid look at the "crash" that follows legendary feats like the Dragon’s Back and the Spine Race. As experienced first hand by Allie.
​Sobriety & Mental Health: Allie shares her deeply personal journey through mental health struggles and the role of sobriety in finding her "purple patch."
​31 Days: Insights from Ali’s new book on the daily mindset shifts required to change how we think—not just how we run. A zero-bullsh*t mindset masterclass for the modern runner.
​Funny, fierce, and unflinchingly honest, this conversation moves far beyond the trails. It is an exploration of identity, the cost of resilience, and the vital importance of honesty and love when the finish line is long behind you.
​"Running isn't always the answer. Sometimes, it's just a place to hide. The real work happens when the shoes come off."
​Connect with Ali:
​Book: 31 Days (Available now here) https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/31-days-allie-bailey
​Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ab_runs/
​Enjoyed the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know.