Our next guest on the Any Given Runday podcast is international ultra runner and running coach, John O'Regan (@johnoregan777 on Instagram). John has represented Ireland on the European and world stage, including in the Anglo Celtic plate, 100km Championships and World Trail Championships. He's a multiple time Irish 24 hour running champion and has also run a marathon on seven continents running in every type of climate and terrain imaginable. He is on the advisory panel with Athletics Ireland for ultrarunning, and is the host of the No Finish Line Podcast.

In this episode, John shares his insights on ultra running, recounts his experiences in extreme marathons, and offers valuable tips for improving endurance and performance. Learn about his journey, from running 24-hour championships to tackling seven marathons on seven continents, and discover how he uses his experiences to inspire and coach others. We also do a deep dive into the Anglo Celtic Plate coming up this weekend, names to look out for, history of the event, tactics and more

08:36 John's Ultra Running Goals
12:06 Training and Preparation for Ultra Marathons
14:14 Challenges and Experiences in Extreme Marathons
35:14 Altitude Training and Preparation
39:54 Choosing the Right Race and Crew
41:37 Journey into Coaching
51:50 The Evolution of Ultra Running in Ireland
55:52 Challenges and Strategies in Ultra Running
58:14 Team Dynamics and Preparation for the Anglo Celtic Plate

Be sure to check in on the Irish Team to see how they are getting on this weekend by following @ultrarunningireland on Instagram

In the intro to this week's podcast episode, we also talked about Ger Copeland's documentary, which you can watch in full by clicking the link below:

https://youtu.be/5MIvsK2FbBc?si=UOLEpYPmju9yFynO

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com

This week on the Any Given Runday podcast, we welcome Jason Williamson (@jasonwilliamsonultra on Instagram). Jason is a pilot turned endurance runner and aviation entrepreneur who has podiumed in numerous races, including the Kerry Way Ultra and the Double Mountain Trail Running Festival. He has the fastest known time for running the length of Ireland and is gearing up for his biggest challenge yet: 4,000 kilometres across Australia starting this August.

In this episode, Jason shares his transformation from a 5K runner to tackling ultra-marathons, the motivation behind his demanding races, and his upcoming adventure Down Under. Tune in to hear about Jason's journey, training, the mental and physical demands of ultra-endurance events, and the charities he's supporting through his endeavours.

00:00 Introduction to Jason Williamson

01:10 Jason's Early Life and Introduction to Running

02:26 Transition to Long-Distance Running

03:56 The Turning Point: Embracing Ultra Running

05:54 First Ultra Marathon Experience

06:49 Balancing Life Between Australia and Ireland

13:12 Training and Coaching Insights

18:56 The Length of Ireland Challenge

35:22 Choosing Between Different Challenges

37:14 The Importance of Crew and Support

48:28 Balancing Family and Extreme Running

51:04 Raising Awareness for Mental Health

55:44 Preparing for the Ultimate Challenge

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com

This week on Any Given Runday podcast we have Ironman World Champion, Becky Woods (@beckswoods on Instagram) . Becky has gone from representing Ireland on a European stage and cross country to dominating the world stage in Ironman 70.3 with multiple AG wins, including the European Championships in Estonia 2023 and the World Championships in New Zealand in 2024.

Becky discusses her journey from swimming, gymnastics, and basketball to her current dominance in Ironman 70.3 events. She shares anecdotes about her transition to triathlons, overcoming injuries, and training during the pandemic. Becky also reveals the mental and physical challenges of preparing for and competing in world championship events, including her recent triumph at the World Championships in New Zealand. Join us for an inspiring conversation with this world champion as she reflects on her past achievements and contemplates her future goals.

06:34 Introduction to Becky Woods

07:26 Early Sports Journey

10:39 Competitive Basketball Years

14:22 Switch to Running

29:40 Injury and Introduction to Triathlon

34:04 First Triathlon Experiences

35:47 COVID-19 Training and Long-Distance Triathlon Training

53:21 Racing at the World Championships in Finland

57:23 Improving Transitions for Better Performance

58:34 Challenges and Lessons from Domestic Races

62:01 The Toughest Race: The Lost Sheep

68:43 Mental Strategies and Race Psychology

72:07 Training and Preparation for the World Championships

76:44 Race Day in New Zealand: Overcoming Doubts

86:22 The Final Push: Winning the World Championship

93:20 Future Goals and Aspirations

98:31 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

And check out our NEW website:
https://www.anygivenrunday.com/

You can listen to this week’s episode of the Any Given Runday Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts from

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com

This week, we have not one, but two guests on the Any Given Runday Podcast .Our first guest despite losing his sight at aged 10, has gone on to represent Ireland in two sports, as well as becoming a multiple-time National Champion in Paratriathlon & has podiumed on the World Stage with his guide, coach,friend and second guest of the podcast who has competed internationally as a professional triathlete, has a level 3 triathlon qualifiation and has a masters degree in sports & exercise physiology, Donnacha McCarthy & Sean Husband (@allthewaytola on Instagram).

Donnacha lost his sight at age 10 but went on to represent Ireland in multiple sports, including becoming a national champion in para-triathlon. Sean, a very accomplished triathlete and Level 3 triathlon coach, partners with Donnacha to race on the world stage. Dive into their captivating stories, their unique training challenges, and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of para-triathlon. From getting to know each other on their first race in Europe to their aspirations for future events, this episode is a deep dive into resilience, teamwork, and the power of determination.

14:43 Donnacha's Journey into Sports

18:04 Sean's Introduction to Triathlon

21:01 Challenges and Training in Triathlon

24:26 Communication and Trust in Training

31:21 Race Experiences and Reflections

48:38 Navigating Race Dynamics and Strategies

50:01 Challenges and Tactics in Competitive Racing

52:09 The Importance of Point Systems in Paralympic Qualification

53:23 Classification and Fairness in Paralympic Sports

61:21 Reflecting on Recent Competitions and Challenges

70:46 Future Plans and Training Strategies

77:35 Looking Back and Moving Forward

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com

In this episode of the Any Given Runday podcast, Sean and Eric dive into their experience at the inaugural Dublin City Half Marathon over the weekend. They discuss their feelings pre and post-race, the organisation of the event, their race performances, the overall atmosphere and interactions with fellow runners.

00:45 Race Day Preparations and Challenges

02:40 Starting Line Feel

04:15 Navigating the Course

08:16 Community Support and Atmosphere

09:46 Mid-Race Reflections and Strategies

14:04 Hydration and Those Plastic Cups

17:54 Running with Headphones

26:06 Pushing Through the Half Marathon When You’re Struggling

28:38 Support from the Dublin Community

31:08 The Finish Line Experience

33:34 Medals, Goodie Bags, and Post-Race Reflections

36:46 Shoutouts and More

47:44 Upcoming Events and Website Launch Date

50:41 Eric Throwing Out a 10k Challenge for Dunshaughlin to a Previous Guest

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com

In this episode of the Any Given Runday podcast, we welcome running coach Barry Mullin (@barrym_running_ on Instagram). Barry shares his impressive journey from running his first marathon at 19 to achieving a personal best time of 3 hours and 2 minutes. He discusses the impact of having a pacemaker, his studies in sports science, and offers invaluable tips for runners of all levels. Barry emphasises the importance of consistency, patience, and the benefits of cross-training.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced marathoner, Barry’s insights are sure to inspire and educate.

15:49 Barry's Early Running Journey

17:53 Why Barry runs with a Pacemaker

24:30 Understanding Zone Training

28:12 Marathon Training Insights

37:47 Warm-Up and Interval Training Tips... why Barry's programmes what may be considered LONG warm-ups

42:35 Running in Kenya

45:36 The Mental Game of Marathon Running

48:59 Breaking Down the 10-10-10 Marathon Method

41:29 The Journey to Sub-Three Marathon

59:16 The Importance of Cross Training

53:06 Coaching and Common Misconceptions

67:21 Tips for New Runners

55:20 How to get coached by Barry

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com

On this week's episode of the Any Given Runday Podcast, Eric and Seán, fresh off the night of celebrating running the Barcelona Marathon and the first AGR Marathon Trip, discuss how they got on and how the Barcelona Marathon compares to Dublin.

Thank you to everyone who trusted us and travelled with us for our inaugural marathon trip! It has been a fantastic experience that has far exceeded our expectations!

00:53 Barcelona Marathon Experience

01:16 Travel and Organization Challenges

03:55 Expo Adventures and Pre-Race Preparations

09:15 Race Day: From Start to Finish

23:06 Calculating the Distance

23:37 Mental Planning and Confidence

25:02 Navigating the Crowds

27:22 The Final Stretch

28:18 Crossing the Finish Line

29:46 Post-Race Reflections

30:24 Smooth Organisation and Logistics

32:13 Celebrating with the Group

34:55 Looking Forward to Future Marathons

44:17 Wrapping Up the Experience

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com

This week on the Any Given Runday podcast, we welcome Niamh Fitzpatrick (@niamh.fitzpatrick on Instagram), an accomplished fitness coach, personal trainer, ultra runner, trail runner, and martial artist.

From running 100K in the Dublin BYU to back-to-back ultras and earning her purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu all in the previous 12 months, Niamh shares how she balances various passions. Dive into her rigorous training routines, her love for sea swimming and yoga, and how she aims for podium finishes. If you're looking for motivation and practical advice on fitness and endurance, this episode is a must-listen!


14:27 Niamh's Journey into Fitness and Travel
17:31 Transition to Trail Running
18:22 Competitive Trail Running and Achievements
20:53 Balancing Training and Recovery
25:42 Sea Swimming and Lifestyle Changes
28:32 Martial Arts and Multisport Balance
32:43 Challenges and Motivation
34:52 Joining the Kerry Way Ultra
36:36 The Barclay Event Experience
37:26 Dublin Backyard Ultra Challenge
40:07 Training and Preparation Insights
43:28 Upcoming Races and Goals
46:06 Reflections on Trail Running
53:07 Advice for Aspiring Runners
55:13 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

This episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Ice Cold Menthol Gel is  instant fast acting and cooling savior.

You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:

Ultrapurelabs.ie

You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkout

PerformNutrition.com