Ep10 - The Races That Stayed With Us

This week on Get Out In It, we’re diving into the Beyond Bristol Trail Race — a tough, beautiful 25km that delivered everything you’d expect from a proper day out on the trails. We break down the experience from start to finish: the build-up, the course itself, the highs, the struggles, and everything in between. From pacing and terrain to the mental battles that come with longer trail races, we share an honest reflection on how it felt out there and what we learned along the way. This isn’t just a race recap — it’s a real look at what trail running demands, how unpredictable it can be, and why that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. If you’ve ever taken on a trail race, are thinking about it, or just love hearing the raw, unfiltered reality of race day, this one’s for you. James's Fundraiser: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/james-bale    

This week on Get Out In It, we’re diving into the races that have stayed with us long after the finish line. Not just the best performances, but the moments that stuck — the breakthroughs, the blow-ups, the unexpected highs, and the days where everything didn’t quite go to plan. Because those are often the races that teach us the most. We reflect on the nerves at the start line, the battles during the race, and the lessons that shape how we train and show up today. It’s a mix of honest storytelling, shared experiences, and a reminder that racing is about far more than just the result. Whether it was your first event or your toughest day out, this episode is all about the stories that make the journey memorable — and why those moments are the ones that stay with us. James's Fundraising Link: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/james-bale

In this Mother’s Day episode of Get Out In It, we’re celebrating the mums who first got us moving. For many of us, our earliest memories of being active began with a mother or parent — walks in the countryside, bike rides, trips to the park, or simply being encouraged to get outside and play. Those small moments often shape a lifelong relationship with movement. We talk about the lasting impact of those early experiences, how active mums inspire healthy habits in their families, and why movement can be such a powerful way to connect across generations. We also reflect on how sport is slowly becoming more supportive of motherhood, with brands and organisations recognising that athletes don’t stop being athletes when they become mums. This episode is a celebration of the women who helped us discover the joy of getting outside — and a reminder that sometimes the best way to say thank you is simply to move together.

Bideford Half Marathon Recap This one was meant to be a full-send race… until a slightly grumpy hip flexor had other ideas. So the plan changed: treat it as a sensible long run, keep the ego on a leash, and see if the hip behaved itself. The early miles were deliberately chilled while everyone else blasted off like it was the Olympics. Things ticked along nicely until about 17 km when the hip politely reminded me it hadn’t done this distance for a while. Pace eased back a touch, crisis averted, and it settled down again. Finished in 1:52:01, which wasn’t the time I originally went for — but the real win was getting through 21 km without breaking the hip or my marathon training block. Sometimes the smartest race is the one where you don’t try to be a hero.

In this episode of Get Out In It, we explore why movement isn’t just training — it’s therapy, clarity, and confidence rolled into one. Have you ever gone out feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or flat… and come back feeling lighter? That shift isn’t accidental. It’s physiological. It’s emotional. And it’s powerful. We talk about how simple movement — whether it’s a run, a ride, or a walk outside — reduces stress, sharpens thinking, improves sleep, and builds resilience far beyond fitness. This isn’t about chasing PBs or smashing intervals. It’s about using movement as a tool to regulate your nervous system, reset your mindset, and remind yourself what you’re capable of. If life feels heavy, this episode is your reminder: sometimes the answer isn’t more thinking — it’s more moving.

In this episode we explore the benefits of a plant-based approach for athletes and active people — without turning it into an all-or-nothing conversation. We discuss recovery, inflammation, gut health and long-term consistency, and why more athletes are experimenting with reducing animal products rather than eliminating them overnight. We also tackle the biggest concern head-on: protein. How much do you actually need? Is plant protein “incomplete”? Do you have to combine foods perfectly at every meal? We break down the myths, explain what really matters for muscle repair and performance, and show how total daily intake beats obsessing over individual meals. Finally, we share practical ways to build high-protein plant-based days using normal foods — not complicated recipes or extreme diets — so you can fuel training confidently while keeping nutrition simple and sustainable.

Injury is something every athlete faces eventually — but how you respond can make all the difference. In this episode, we break down injury management and rehab in a practical, realistic way: what to do when something first goes wrong, how to stay calm instead of spiralling, and why rehab should be treated as purposeful training rather than time lost. We also talk about the mental side of being sidelined, common mistakes people make when returning too soon, and how injury can actually become an opportunity to come back stronger. Whether you’re dealing with a niggle or a full layoff, this episode gives you clear, actionable guidance to recover smarter and keep your long-term progress on track.

Routines are great — until life gets in the way. In this episode of Get Out In It, we’re talking about what happens when your usual routine disappears. Whether it’s work, travel, family commitments, illness, or just a busy patch of life, being out of routine can quickly lead to frustration, guilt, and the feeling that you’ve “fallen off”. We explore why routines feel so important, how to approach changes without trying to force your old structure onto a new reality, and how to reset expectations around training, movement, and progress. This episode is about adapting rather than quitting, maintaining momentum rather than chasing perfection, and recognising that sometimes simply showing up — even imperfectly — is enough. Most importantly, we talk about being kind to yourself when things don’t go to plan, and how compassion often gets you back into routine faster than self-criticism ever will. A practical, reassuring conversation for anyone trying to keep moving when life gets messy.

This week on Get Out In It, we’re talking about the brands we run in — and what they stand for when we’re not thinking about pace, splits, or PBs. The episode was sparked by a simple but uncomfortable question: what happens when you love the gear, but feel conflicted about the values behind the brand? Using Nike as a starting point — and the recent headlines around co-founder Phil Knight’s personal political donations — we explore the tension between performance, ethics, and consumer choice. From there, we zoom out to look at how money, influence, and brand leadership shape the world runners and outdoor lovers exist in, before shifting the focus to brands genuinely trying to do better. We highlight companies like Patagonia and Allbirds, alongside smaller running and outdoor brands putting sustainability, transparency, and social impact at the heart of what they do. This isn’t about telling anyone what they should or shouldn’t wear. There are no perfect brands — and no guilt trips here. It’s about awareness, curiosity, and giving ourselves permission to ask better questions about where our money goes. A thoughtful, honest conversation about running, values, and how small choices can still matter.

If you’ve already started slipping on your January goals, this episode is for you. If you feel like your motivation has disappeared, this episode might change how you see it. More often than not, it’s not motivation that’s missing — it’s that our expectations don’t match real life. This episode is about resetting the bar, staying in the game, and learning how to keep showing up. We don’t lose motivation — we lose belief that we can meet the expectations we set.