Attention is Life: Focus and Distraction in Ultrarunning and Beyond

In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Podcast, Paul Giblin dives deep into the art of race planning. As you finalise your 2025 race schedule, it’s essential to choose events that align with your goals, capacity, and long-term ambitions. Paul challenges the belief that more races equal better preparation and shares practical advice on how to build a thoughtful, intentional race calendar. You’ll hear insights from expert coaches, real-life lessons, and tips to help you stay focused on what matters most. Whether you’re aiming for a major ultra, balancing training demands, or feeling the pressures of social influence, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable takeaways for runners of all levels. 🎧 Listen now and take your race planning to the next level! 🔗 Links & Resources: Website: www.pyllonultra.com Watch the podcast on YouTube: Pyllon Ultra YouTube Channel Follow us on Instagram: @pyllonultra Connect with us on Facebook: Pyllon Ultra Contact Paul directly: Instagram Collaborate with Paul: [email protected] Share & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your running friends and leave a review—it helps us reach more runners like you!

In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, Paul dives into the challenges of perfectionism in ultrarunning and life. Why do we chase the perfect training plan, race, or outcome? Paul reflects on his personal struggles with perfectionism, shares lessons from his own failures, and offers practical advice on how to let go of overthinking to embrace progress. What You’ll Learn: The psychological roots of perfectionism and its impact on performance. Personal stories of navigating imperfect races and projects. How to apply the principles of "progress over perfection" to ultrarunning. Why sharing your imperfect work can inspire others and strengthen your own journey. Quotes & References: “Mistakes aren’t detours. They’re the path.” Brené Brown: “Perfectionism is a shield.” Seth Godin: “Ship your work—even if it’s not perfect.” Links & Resources: Books: "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown, "4,000 weeks" by Oliver Burkeman

In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, host Paul dives into the concept of minimalism in ultrarunning and its broader application to life. Instead of just focusing on gear and packing light for races, Paul explores how a minimalist mindset can simplify our training, streamline our daily routines, and help us focus on what truly matters. Through personal stories and practical advice, Paul shares how embracing less can lead to more—more efficiency, more fulfillment, and more freedom both on the trails and in life. Key Topics Discussed: The essence of minimalism in ultrarunning and life. How to prioritise and make intentional choices in training and daily life. Personal anecdotes on the challenges and rewards of living with less. Practical steps to embrace minimalism in your running and everyday routines. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. Follow us on social media @pyllon for more updates and join the discussion.  Join Us: Don’t forget to join us on the 20th of September for the unmissable Pyllon XP7! Contact Information: Social Media: @pyllon @pyllonultra YouTube Channel, with video podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/pyllon Website: Pyllon Ultra

In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, host Paul dives deep into a topic that resonates with every ultrarunner—failure. While success stories often take the spotlight, it's the moments of failure that truly shape us as athletes and individuals. Paul discusses the reality of failure in ultrarunning, shares personal stories of setbacks, and explores how embracing failure can lead to growth and resilience. Whether you've faced a tough race or struggled through a challenging training block, this episode will remind you that failure is not the opposite of success—it's a crucial part of the journey. Join us as we turn failures into stepping stones toward greater achievements. Join Us: Don’t forget to join us on the 20th of September for the unmissable Pyllon XP7! Contact Information: Social Media: @pyllon @pyllonultra YouTube Channel, with video podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/pyllon Website: Pyllon Ultra

Welcome back to the Pyllon Ultra Pod, where we dive deep into the real issues faced by ultrarunners and endurance athletes. I'm Paul, and today, we're exploring a concept that extends far beyond running—attention. Inspired by the work of psychologist Timothy Wilson and other thought-provoking books, we discuss how our focus shapes our training, racing, and ultimately, our lives. Key Segments: The Distraction Dilemma:How modern distractions are costing us more than we realise. The impact of distractions on our running and training. Personal anecdotes about the cost of distractions in our daily lives. Attention and Training:The importance of being present during training sessions. Stories of how losing focus can derail your running goals. The Cost of Misplaced Attention:If you’re focusing on things you don’t truly value, you’re paying with your life. Engaging directly with experiences versus being distracted. Making Better Use of Your Attention:Practical questions to help align your attention with your values. The significance of being mindful and present in everyday activities. Quotes: "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." - Simone Weil "To be everywhere is to be nowhere." - Seneca Book Recommendations: "Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious" by Timothy D. Wilson "4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman Join Us: Don’t forget to join us on the 20th of September for the unmissable Pyllon Contact Information: Social Media: @pyllon @pyllonultra Website: Pyllon Ultra  

In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, host Paul delves into the often-overlooked topic of resistance and its impact on ultra-running. Rather than focusing on conventional training tips, Paul explores the deeper, more existential aspects of why we run and how resistance shapes our journey. Drawing inspiration from Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art," this episode discusses the dissonance between our desire to train hard and race well and the actual actions we take. Paul shares personal anecdotes, research insights, and practical advice on how to recognise and overcome resistance to find true passion in ultra-running. Key Topics Discussed: Understanding the concept of resistance and its forms: procrastination, self-doubt, fear, and distraction. The importance of acknowledging resistance as a natural part of any endeavour. Insights from "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. Practical tips for finding joy in the struggle, seeking passion over perfection, and being present in your runs. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. Follow us on social media @pyllon for more updates and join the discussion. Don't forget about Pyllon XP happening in September in the Highlands. It's a weekend filled with running, learning, and laughter. Join us for the best weekend of the year! Contact Information: Social Media: @pyllon Website: Pyllon Ultra

In this episode of the Pyllon Ultra Pod, host Paul dives into the importance of celebrating individuality in ultrarunning and endurance sports. Reflecting on recent races and personal experiences, Paul discusses why athletes often strive to conform and how embracing one’s unique preferences can lead to greater joy and success. This short episode encourages listeners to find their own path and highlights the benefits of authenticity. Show Notes: Highlights: Discussion on the tendency to mimic others in ultrarunning and the value of individuality. Quote from Oscar Wilde: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Insights into human instincts to fit in and the importance of personal journeys in sports. Personal stories about runners who improved by embracing their unique preferences. Study from the "Journal of Sports Sciences" showing better performance and satisfaction when training is tailored to individual strengths. Practical tips for embracing uniqueness: Identify your preferences. Tailor your training. Celebrate small wins. Ignore the noise. Seek inspiration, not imitation. Call to Action: Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast. Join the next Pyllon Experience event in September in Glenshee. Social Media: Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Join our community discussions and share your unique running stories If you'd like to spend a weekend with Paul and some of the other Pyllon coaches you can sign up to our next Pyllon Experience event - Friday 20th September. Find out more.  You can connect with the Pyllon Ultra team on twitter and instagram @pyllonultra or check out the website at www.pyllonultra.com  Pyllon is at @pyllonultra Paul is on X and instagram @Pyllon

A follow-on chat from last week! Quick update from the West Highland Way Race (and special guest appearance)! Paul returns to a past episode and the problem for athletes of not fuelling properly. Despite all the planning, so many struggle to adhere to their nutrition plan as the race progresses. Paul believes that this is more than just a bad stomach. There is a psychological resistance to eating.  After some additional research Paul provides a summary of his finding / theories. - Sensory fatigue - Mental fatigue - Emotional and Motivational Factors - Perceived Effort and Discomfort If you'd like to spend a weekend with Paul and some of the other Pyllon coaches you can sign up to our next Pyllon Experience event - Friday 20th September. Find out more. Discount code: PODCASTXP You can connect with the Pyllon Ultra team on twitter and instagram @pyllonultra or check out the website at www.pyllonultra.com  Pyllon is at @pyllonultra Paul is on Twitter and instagram @Pyllon

Paul is officially off-the-rails now (come back James Stewart!!) and takes the opportunity to talk to Alice before the start of the West Highland Way race early Saturday morning. Alice has a unique energy for sure :D This was recorded in the van on the way down to Glasgow - so please excuse the sound quality!  - What has Alice learned from her past WHW experience? - How does running help her work better? - What was it like crewing Paul on his run Across New Zealand! If you'd like to spend a weekend with Paul and some of the other Pyllon coaches you can sign up to our next Pyllon Experience event - Friday 20th September. Find out more. Discount code: PODCASTXP You can connect with the Pyllon Ultra team on twitter and instagram @pyllonultra or check out the website at www.pyllonultra.com  Pyllon is at @pyllonultra Paul is on Twitter and instagram @Pyllon

Pyllon Ultra Podcast.  Another short episode with some thoughts from Paul after a busy 10 days back in Scotland. Paul covers his thoughts on the importance of putting some time and effort into the planning of your race / event. He also covers the issue with nutrition that's seldom talked about. If you'd like to spend a weekend with Paul and some of the other Pyllon coaches you can sign up to our next Pyllon Experience event - Friday 20th September. Find out more. Discount code: PODCASTXP You can connect with the Pyllon Ultra team on twitter and instagram @pyllonultra or check out the website at www.pyllonultra.com  Pyllon is at @pyllonultra Paul is on Twitter and instagram @Pyllon