The RunSensible Podcast

Why do those niggles seem to appear just as you begin tapering for a marathon?
In this episode of The Run Sensible Podcast, I explore the difference between an injury and a niggle, why aches and pains can suddenly become more noticeable as race day approaches and how stress, fatigue and increased body awareness can influence what you feel.
I discuss how to assess symptoms sensibly, when to modify your training, and when a niggle deserves proper clinical attention.
If you're approaching marathon day and suddenly becoming hyper-aware of every ache, this episode will help you understand what might be happening and how to approach your taper without unnecessary panic.
Remember: don't ignore your symptoms, but don't automatically assume every ache means an injury.
Run sensible, trust your preparation and arrive at the start line ready to go.

The next episode of the Run Sensible Podcast is live and available for download on all platforms.
I’m back in the studio for another online chat with Dhanush and with the Dublin Marathon getting closer, this episode is all about what happens when the marathon starts to hurt.
Why do athletes feel sore and injured during marathon training? What’s the difference between simply “hitting the wall” and experiencing pain? And how should runners understand the aches, fatigue and discomfort that come with pushing their bodies towards 26.2 miles?
We chat about pain, fatigue, injury, the marathon experience and why not every sensation you feel while running means something is wrong.
With Dublin getting closer, there’s plenty to think about for anyone heading towards race day.

In this episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down with Seamus Flannery to hear the story behind one of the fastest running transformations I’ve come across.
Seamus grew up playing rugby before making the switch to running around the time of the Covid lockdown. He trained for his first marathon and ran a very respectable time for a complete running novice.
Since then, his progression has been rapid.
From 4+ hours, to sub-3:30, to 3:10, and then breaking the 3-hour barrier, Seamus has continued to improve at an impressive rate.
But it sounds like he’s nowhere near finished yet.
We chat about his transition from rugby to running, how his training has evolved, the races and experiences that have shaped his progress, and what might be possible next.
And judging by the conversation, Seamus may only be getting started.

The Berlin Marathon never disappoints and this year’s race gave us plenty to talk about.
I look at the men’s and women’s races, the standout performances from Guye Adola and Tigst Assefa, the incredible dominance of the adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 on the podium, and why big names Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha were missing.
I also discuss the latest doping case involving Kenyan marathoner Philemon Kiplimo Kimaiyo and what it tells us about the ongoing challenges facing elite distance running.
A look at the race, the performances, the shoes and some of the bigger stories behind Berlin 2026.

In this episode of the Run Sensible Podcast, I sit down in the studio with Daniel O’Mahony from Ageless VO2 Testing in Dublin to chat all about his training for and experience racing this year’s UTMB.
UTMB is a race that has always intrigued me, so it was great to get a first-hand account of what it’s actually like to train for and take on one of the world’s most famous ultra-trail races.
Daniel talks through his preparation, the demands of the race, what surprised him the highs and lows of the experience, and what it takes physically and mentally to get around UTMB.
A fascinating insight into an event that, until now, I’ve only ever watched from the outside.

Are Carbon Shoes Really Causing Running Injuries?
Carbon-plated shoes have transformed running but are they really responsible for more injuries?
In this episode, I look at why I think we may be blaming the shoe for something that is actually more about training load, recovery and adaptation.
Carbon shoes can make running feel easier and allow us to handle more load but that can also tempt us to run faster, train harder and do more than our bodies are ready to recover from.
I talk about why the shoe itself may not be the problem, but rather what we choose to do when we feel so good wearing it.
Because feeling like you can do more doesn't necessarily mean your body is ready to recover from more.
A conversation about carbon shoes, injury, training load and the importance of giving your body time to adapt.

The next episode of the RunSensible Podcast is live and available, and this time I’m back chatting with Dhanush as we get closer to marathon day.
We had a number of questions emailed in from listeners, so we decided to dedicate this episode to answering them and talking through some of the most important things to consider during the final weeks of marathon preparation.
We discuss the importance of fuelling, how to approach the last six weeks before the marathon and what you should and shouldn’t be trying to achieve during this crucial part of your training.
We also talk about the taper period, why reducing your training can sometimes feel harder than increasing it and how to arrive at the start line feeling fresh rather than carrying weeks of accumulated fatigue.
And finally, we discuss the part of the marathon that everyone knows is coming but nobody can avoid the final 6 miles or 10km.
How do you prepare for it? What should you expect physically and mentally? And how can the work you’ve done in training, along with your pacing and fuelling strategy, help you get through those final miles?
A really practical episode for anyone heading towards a marathon and wondering how to get the best out of the final few weeks.
🎧 Listen in and as always if you have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode, get in touch.

In this episode of the RunSensible Podcast, I sat down for an online chat with Mark Cahill, another member of what I’ve affectionately started calling the Dublin Marathon Brat Pack!
At just 21 years of age, Mark has already packed an incredible amount into his running journey. From taking on the marathon distance and breaking the 3-hour barrier, to winning a 100km ultra marathon, his progression has been seriously impressive.
We chat about how Mark got into running, how his training has evolved, what motivates him to push himself over increasingly longer distances and what it’s like trying to balance ambition with being a young runner.
It’s a great conversation about racing, training, ultra running, the marathon and where Mark sees his running going next.
Another young Irish runner with plenty of potential and definitely one to keep an eye on!
🎧 Listen in and get to know Mark Cahill and another member of the Dublin Marathon Brat Pack.