Running Won't Save You

byAllie Bailey

HealthFitnessSportsRunning

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...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Season 6 - Episode 5

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

Published: Jul 24, 2026Duration: 1h 3m 0s

Season 6 - Episode 4

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...

Published: Jul 17, 2026Duration: 1h 4m 12s

Season 6 - Episode 3

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...

Published: Jul 10, 2026Duration: 1h 13m 40s

Season 6 - Episode 2

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

Published: Jul 3, 2026Duration: 1h 14m 46s

Season 6 - Episode 1

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

Published: Jun 26, 2026Duration: 1h 12m 11s

Season 5 - Episode 10

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...

Published: May 1, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 41s

Season 5 - Episode 9

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. If 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...

Published: Apr 24, 2026Duration: 1h 7m 8s

Season 5 - Episode 8

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...

Published: Apr 17, 2026Duration: 1h 9m 4s

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.

Published: Apr 10, 2026Duration: 1h 11m 27s

Season 5 - Episode 6

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...

Published: Apr 3, 2026Duration: 1h 15m 13s

Season 5 - Episode 5

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.

Published: Mar 28, 2026Duration: 1h 17m 59s

Season 5 - Episode 4

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.<...

Published: Mar 21, 2026Duration: 1h 13m 55s

Season 5 - Episode 3

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...

Published: Mar 14, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 3s

Season 5 - Episode 2

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.

Published: Mar 7, 2026Duration: 1h 4m 22s

Season 5 - Episode 1

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...

Published: Feb 28, 2026Duration: 1h 3m 22s

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...

Published: Feb 17, 2026Duration: 41m 16s

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...

Published: Jan 24, 2026Duration: 1h 10m 29s

Season 4 - Episode 10

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...

Published: Dec 13, 2025Duration: 1h 10m 39s

Season 4 - Episode 9

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.

Published: Dec 6, 2025Duration: 1h 9m 56s

Season 4 - Episode 8

The Kendal Ket Club

This week Allie and Kirsty discuss being gaslighted by Hoka, the Kendal mountain festival, alcoholism, the not yet theory and emotional avoidance vs endurance plus we talk about our fave Xmiles snacks and try and answer the age old question am I ready for an ultra? What a show!The Running Won't Save You podcast is proudly sponsored by XMiles - you get 10% off all your orders using the code RWSY10.

Published: Nov 29, 2025Duration: 1h 14m 30s