The RunSensible Podcast

When Running Saves You: Helen Ryvar's Extraordinary Story

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode, I sit down with Helen Ryvar to explore an extraordinary journey of resilience, healing, and rediscovery. After facing profound life challenges, including mental health struggles and the devastating loss of her husband, Helen found herself searching for a way to rebuild her sense of self, her health, and her purpose. What began as a simple step forward through running gradually transformed into something remarkable. Helen went on to complete 1,000 half marathons in 1,000 consecutive days, an achievement that speaks not just to physical endurance but to the strength of the human spirit. In our conversation, Helen shares the raw reality behind the miles: how running helped her reclaim her self-worth, navigate grief, rebuild her mental and physical health and find meaning through movevent and community. This episode is packed with honesty, lived experience and powerful life lessons about perseverance, healing, and the transformative power of putting one foot in front of the other — even when life feels impossible. Whether you're a runner, someone facing your own challenges, or simply looking for inspiration, Helen’s story will stay with you long after the episode ends.

London Marathon 2026 Review: Sub 2, World Records & Shoes

The 2026 London Marathon may go down as one of the greatest races in marathon history. In this episode we break down the stunning performances that redefined what’s possible over 26.2 miles. Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe made history by running 1:59:30, becoming the first athlete to break the two-hour barrier in official race conditions at the London Marathon. Behind him, Yomif Kejelcha also dipped under two hours, while Jacob Kiplimo completed one of the fastest podiums ever assembled. On the women’s side, Tigst Assefa delivered a historic run with a women’s-only world record, holding off marathon stars Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in an incredibly deep race. We also look at the role of super-shoe technology — including the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 — and how modern racing shoes continue to reshape elite marathon performance. Finally, we tackle the difficult but important conversation around doping in Kenyan athletics. With historic performances and ongoing anti-doping concerns, how should fans interpret these results, and what does it mean for trust in the sport? Topics covered: * The historic men’s race and the first official sub-2 marathon * Women’s podium and the women’s-only world record * The super-shoe arms race in elite marathoning * Doping controversies in Kenyan athletics and the impact on the sport

Boston Marathon 2026: Course Records, Super Shoes & Perfect Conditions

In this episode we break down one of the fastest and most exciting editions of the Boston Marathon in recent memory. I dive into the elite men’s and women’s races, analyse the podium finishers and look at the incredible performances that defined the day on Boylston Street. I also take a closer look at the shoes worn by the top three men and women  from cutting-edge carbon super shoes to unreleased prototypes and how footwear technology continues to shape the modern marathon. With ideal racing conditions and a helpful tailwind, this year’s race produced blistering times and even a historic course record. I discuss how the wind may have influenced the race, key tactical moments from the elite fields, and some standout statistics from the day. If you’re a fan of marathon racing, running technology, or the history of the Boston Marathon, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Marathon De Sables: Padhraic Maguire

The next episode of the podcast is live and available for down load on all platforms... Today I sat down in the studio with Padhraic Maguire to talk about his recent completion of the Marathon des Sables, one of the toughest endurance races on the planet. In this episode, Padhraic takes us inside the journey that led him to the Sahara from the months of preparation and training, to the logistical challenges of taking on a multi-day race across the desert, carrying everything you need on your back. We dive into the realities of preparing for such an extreme event: balancing training with everyday life, dealing with setbacks, and building the physical and mental resilience required to keep moving when conditions are at their toughest. Padhraic also shares what it’s actually like out on the course, the heat, the terrain, the camaraderie among runners and the moments that test your limits. It’s a fascinating conversation about dedication, resilience and the power of committing to something that once seemed impossible. If you’re interested in endurance sport, pushing personal boundaries, or hearing the story behind an incredible achievement, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.   The Skool link: https://www.skool.com/runsensible-4557/about?ref=9a9178f6565e4023b74c066c50480acf

Paris Marathon 2026: Podium Performances

The next episode of the podcast is now live and available for download on all platforms. In this episode we recap the 2026 Paris Marathon, breaking down the men’s and women’s races and the standout performances that defined this year’s event. We take a closer look at the podium finishers, the decisive moments in the closing kilometres, and the super shoes many of the elite athletes raced in as carbon-plated technology continues to shape the marathon landscape. We also discuss the broader storylines coming out of Paris, including what the results might mean for the European marathon scene and how the race unfolded on one of the most iconic courses in the world. Looking ahead, we preview the upcoming Boston Marathon and what makes the historic course such a unique challenge for elite and amateur runners alike. Finally, we cover the latest news from the London Marathon field, including the withdrawal of Vincent Kipchirchir from the elite roster and what that could mean for the race dynamics. If you’re following the spring marathon season or simply love the sport of distance running, this episode covers the key results, talking points, and storylines you need to know.