Chasing the Finish

The lads are back with another episode of Chasing The Finish and this time, they’re together face-to-face in Mike’s hotel room, complete with some absolutely dodgy camera angles. Ben is back from injury and ready to get stuck into running again, while Jake’s running journey continues to take a turn for the better as he starts finding some serious form. Mike also has plenty to talk about after finally breaking the 40-minute barrier for 5K - a milestone that’s been a long time coming! The lads also get into the less glamorous side of running: dieting, food, weight loss and trying to balance enjoying life with actually getting fitter. Because apparently you can’t just run and eat everything in sight… who knew? There’s also plenty of chat about what’s coming next, with potential races, challenges and events on the horizon. Ben’s back. Jake’s flying. Mike’s gone sub-40. They’re all in the same hotel room. What could possibly go wrong? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The countdown to the Birmingham Black Country Half Marathon is officially on....whether Mike's legs are ready is another story. This week, we chat about race preparations, the excitement (and slight panic) ahead of the big day and the not-so-glamorous reality of recovering from those annoying running injuries that always seem to appear at the worst possible time. We also put each other through a quickfire game of Running: This or That, where impossible choices are made, questionable opinions are shared and friendships are almost ruined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chasing The Finish, the lads cover absolutely everything... apart from staying on topic. Ben reveals the bizarre prank calls he's been receiving and attempts to convince the rest of us they're real. We break down our very different experiences at the Two Castles 10K, featuring personal triumphs, questionable pacing decisions and the mystery of the missing medal. Was it ever there? Has it entered the witness protection programme? The investigation continues. Mike takes us through his trip to London for Richmond ParkRun, a journey that can only be described as a masterclass in how not to prepare for a race. Delays, drama and despair all before the starting whistle. And to finish, we tackle one of the biggest questions in running: What do we think to the London Marathon becoming a two-day event? We solve the issue completely, so you're welcome. As always, expect running chat, questionable opinions, plenty of laughs and at least one story that sounds too ridiculous to be true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chasing the Finish we're celebrating a huge milestone, one whole year of podcasting! Join us as we look back at where it all began, revisit our very first episode, and marvel at how we've somehow managed to keep talking about running for 12 straight months without being banned from Spotify. We also recap our trip to Shustoke for the Centurion Summer Pub Run 10K, where the running was challenging, the pub was welcoming and our race-day decision-making was, at times, questionable. With the Two Castles 10K upcoming, we discuss our preparations, race goals, pacing plans and whether we'll be chasing PBs, survival or simply the finish line itself. Expect the usual mix of running chat, race nerves, questionable training choices and plenty of laughs as we celebrate our first birthday and gear up for another castle-filled adventure. Lace up, press play, and join us for a trip down memory lane — preferably at an easier pace than our last interval session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LIVE: Centurion Running Club ParkRun Cup Draw! The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here! Join Ben, Jake & Mike LIVE as the fixtures for the Centurion Running Club ParkRun Cup are drawn on air. Ben and Jake are together at the draw venue, pulling the all-important numbers out of the hat, while Mike takes on the role of fixture master, revealing the match-ups as they happen. Who will face who? And who will have the toughest route to ParkRun Cup glory? We’ll also be looking back on a packed week for the the lads, including: - Babbs Mill Parkrun - The Centurion RC Yacht Race - A preview of this weekend’s Summer Pub Run Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chasing The Finish, Ben explains the chaos behind his handicap-style Parkrun Cup — where maths, pacing and pure luck somehow all matter at the same time. Meanwhile, Mike continues the quest of “just trying to run consistently” without his legs filing a formal complaint. We also take a look at the rapidly stacking running calendar, with races, parkruns and questionable recovery decisions coming thick and fast. At this point, the diary is fuller than the carb-loading menu. Expect: Parkrun Cup drama Over-ambitious scheduling Tired legs and big plans The usual questionable decision-making Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we chat about the incredible Mental Health World Cup at Watford FC — a brilliant event showing the power of football, community, and talking openly about mental health. Expect heartfelt moments… quickly interrupted by the usual nonsense. We also officially launch CTF Running Bingo Season 2 — because apparently normal running wasn’t chaotic enough. More challenges, more questionable ideas, and more opportunities for someone to pull a hamstring while trying to complete a bingo square. Expect: Running chat that occasionally makes sense Football talk from people who definitely aren’t professional pundits Mental health conversations that actually matter Competitive bingo energy nobody asked for At least one terrible running-related decision Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chasing the Finish, we attempt to piece together what actually happened on Ben’s stag do in Amsterdam… with mixed success. Expect questionable decisions, hazy memories and at least one story that definitely didn’t need to be told on a podcast (but was anyway). We also (briefly) regain some professionalism to chat about the upcoming charity football tournament at Watford FC, where athleticism will be optional, but enthusiasm absolutely won’t be. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more chaotic… we officially announce Season 2 of CTF Bingo. New squares, new rules and even more opportunities to shout “THAT’S ON THE CARD!” at completely inappropriate moments. It’s messy, it’s unpredictable, and it’s probably our most on-brand episode yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week… things get shaken up. Ben grabs the mic and takes over hosting duties (power has officially gone to his head) Ben & Mike have a chat about Babbs Mill - heartfelt, real, and important. Mike opens up about switching up his lifestyle and running routine (goodbye bad habits, hello… slightly less bad habits) And of course, the lads wrap things up with another chaotic game hosted by Jake because what’s an episode without a bit of nonsense? It’s got everything:- A host takeover- A bit of real talk- Some running motivation- And the usual questionable decision-making Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chasing the Finish it's less "elite athletes" and more "enthusiastic blokes slightly out of breath"... Mike is chasing the mythical sub 40 5k (spoiler: his legs have other ideas), Mike makes his long awaited run club debut (nerves? yes, stretching? debatable.) and we spiral into a full blown existential crisis over... which parkrun to do this weekend? Expect: - Questionable pacing strategies - Big ambitions, mixed execution - Strong opinions on parkrun courses we've barely researched Will we break 40? Will Mike survive run club? Will we ever agree on a Parkrun? Unlikely. But we'll have a laugh trying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices