The Runna Podcast

Keira D’Amato broke the American marathon record at 37.

She did it after a decade away from the sport - while raising two kids, building a real estate career, and rediscovering what running meant to her.

In this episode, Keira sits down with Anya and Kayla to unpack one of the most remarkable stories in modern running. From the injury that forced her out of the sport, to the identity crisis that followed, to the mindset shift that helped her run faster than ever before.

They talk about motherhood, longevity, learning not to fear failure, and why having fun became the key to her success.

Now 41 and recovering from hip surgery, Keira is chasing even bigger goals - including the 2028 Olympic Trials - and proving there’s no single path to greatness.

In this episode:
🏃‍♀️ How she went from walking away from running to breaking a 16-year-old American record
🧠 Why the mindset of "I don't care if I fail" makes you dangerous to race against
💥 Mile 16 of the Houston Marathon - the deal she made with herself to keep going
👶 What motherhood taught her about perspective, identity, and choosing your "hard"
🔄 Why she refuses to call this a comeback - and what she calls it instead
🎯 Her 2028 Olympic Trials goal and why she's more excited now than ever

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a devastating back injury to a 3:29 marathon at 50 - Ben Shephard just ran his first marathon in 16 years.

Whether you're returning from injury, chasing a marathon comeback, or trying to stay fit as you get older - this conversation will make you rethink what's possible.

Just days after crossing the finish line in London, the beloved British TV presenter sits down with Ben and Anya to talk honestly about the back injury that stopped him running, the long road back, and why consistency - not perfection - was the thing that got him there.

In this episode:
🏃 Why Ben's ADHD became his biggest asset in sport, his career, and marathon running
💔 The back injury that stopped him running - and the marathon comeback nobody expected
🎯 How he trained for a 3:29 marathon at 50 around a full-time TV career
🧠 Why consistency beats strictness - and how to apply it to your own training
👨‍👦 What he hopes his sons take from watching him fail, and keep going

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calli Hauger-Thackery won a marathon at 8 weeks pregnant. The world had no idea.

She joined us before lining up in Boston at 22 weeks - with her husband, coach, and training partner Nick Hauger racing alongside her.

This episode goes behind the scenes of one of the most unusual high-performance partnerships in elite running: how they train together, compete individually, and what it really means to chase world-class performances while stepping into parenthood.

In this episode, you'll hear:
🤫 The Houston secret - winning a marathon 8 weeks pregnant, and what Nick said at the finish line
🏃‍♀️From unsponsored and working every job going, to 2nd fastest British marathoner ever
🧠 How Calli's mindset broke the ceiling other coaches had put on Nick
👶 What training through pregnancy actually looks like week by week
🤝 How being each other's coach, competitor, and life partner works in practice
🎯 What elite athletes get right about balancing training with real life, and what most runners get wrong

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russ Cook, ‘Hardest Geezer’, joins Coach Ben and Anya Culling for a special live recording in London, chasing a blistering 2:35 marathon goal. Despite running across a continent, he shares how marathon training is pushing him in new ways.

From raw, often hilarious stories from Africa to his broader journey from rock bottom, Russ reflects on completing one of the toughest endurance feats in history - admitting he could never do it again.

From raw, hilarious stories of life on the road in Africa to his broader journey from rock bottom, Russ reflects on the grit required to keep going when things get tough. This episode explores why the real value of doing hard things isn’t the finish line, but the self-belief you build along the way.
If you're training for a marathon, chasing a PB, or need a shot of running motivation, you'll love this one.

Listen for more on:
🏃‍♂️ Why marathon training feels harder than ultra-endurance challenges
🧠 The marathon training mindset that got Russ through Africa
💪 How a “nothing to lose” mindset changes your running performance
🎯 What actually matters most on race day (pacing, fitness, and mindset)

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Everyone told me I'd peaked. Then I ran my fastest marathon at 40."

Whether you're questioning your running longevity, chasing a marathon PB after a setback, or wondering if the best is really behind you - this conversation with Sara Hall will make you think differently about what's possible.

Sara raced in Boston this week and called it the most painful race of her life. Hours later, she sat down with Anya - honestly, openly, and with the kind of perspective that only comes from two decades competing at the elite level. At 43, she's one of the fastest American marathon runners in history. And she's still not done.

In this episode, Sara opens up about winning the Masters field in Boston, her Olympic Trials DNF, and the mindset it takes to keep going when everyone assumes you've peaked.

Listen for more on:
🏃‍♀️The exact details of Sara’s 2:20 marathon training and recovery
🗓️ How she maximises longevity and prevents injury
🧠 The race-day mindset secrets for pushing through the "pain cave"
🚀 How to rebuild self-confidence after a major athletic setback

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST26: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST26
And if you’re just getting started, our New to Running and Return to Running plans are totally free 💛

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

📖 Check out Sara’s new book, ‘For The Love of The Grind’ here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Grind-Memoir-Sara-Hall/dp/1250404282

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.