2 Weeks Before a Marathon: Hydration, Nutrition & Race Prep Tips | Couch to Coached Podcast

This week on the award-winning Couch to Coached Running Podcast, it’s officially two weeks until marathon day — and the nerves, excitement, and planning are all starting to build.

Rob, Ben, and Emma dive into the realities of this crucial phase of training, where it’s all about fine-tuning, staying healthy, and getting the details right. From recent runs (including Rob’s South Cheshire 10K) to training while on holiday — yes, even alongside a fishing trip in France — this episode blends real life with real training.

The focus shifts to what really matters now: hydration, nutrition, pacing, and race day logistics. What should you be eating? How much should you be drinking? What are you actually wearing on the day? The team break it all down with honest insights and practical tips.

There’s also plenty of chat around mindset, managing nerves, and why trusting the process is key as the hard work is already done.

🎧 Highlights include:

• What to focus on 2 weeks out from a marathon
• Hydration & nutrition strategies in the lead-up
• Race day planning: kit, weather & logistics
• Training updates and recent race reflections
• Balancing life, holidays & running
• Mental prep: staying calm and trusting your training

A relatable and informative episode that captures the calm before the storm — perfect for anyone approaching race day or looking to nail those final weeks of preparation.

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Family Running Journey: Parkrun, YouTube & Kids Fitness with Martin & Isabelle | Couch to Coached Podcast

This week on the award-winning Couch to Coached Running Podcast, Rob, Ben, and Emma are joined by a truly inspiring duo — Martin and Isabelle, a father-daughter team making waves in the running world and on YouTube.

From building a growing running YouTube channel to smashing parkrun PBs, Isabelle shares her incredible journey as a young runner chasing big dreams — including one day becoming an Olympian. Alongside her, Martin gives an honest insight into balancing family life, training, and content creation, and the effort that goes into building something meaningful together.

The conversation dives into how running has become more than just fitness — it’s about family bonding, confidence, and creating lasting memories. They also explore the power of social media to inspire others, the challenges of growing a channel, and why keeping things fun is the key to long-term success.

🎧 Highlights include:

• The story behind Martin & Isabelle’s YouTube journey
• Isabelle’s running achievements and future goals
• Why parkrun is at the heart of their running experience
• Balancing family, fitness, and content creation
• Inspiring other kids (and adults!) to get active
• The importance of fun, goals, and community in running

A wholesome, motivating episode that shows running isn’t just about times and distances — it’s about connection, confidence, and enjoying the journey together.

Catch Isabelle on Youtube here - Isabelle Sparkle - YouTube

Catch Martin on Youtube here - Martin Boyce - YouTube

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Couch to Coached – AWARD-WINNING Running Podcast

Our 5 With The Listeners series has been refreshed and rebooted — new questions, new logo, new vibes.

Rob, Ben, and Emma sit down with our latest featured listener to explore their running story in a whole new way. We dig into:

• What their running shoes would say about them
• What’s in their desert-island running survival kit
• What running has taught them

And joining us for this exciting episode is Cazzaruns

Rob, Ben and Emma also check in on this week’s Strava leaderboard — who’s on top, who’s rising fast, and of course…

who gets the all-important SHOUTOUT OF THE WEEEEEEEEK!

Don’t forget:

✅ Follow us on Instagram

✅ Subscribe on YouTube

And while you’re at it, join the Couch to Coached Run Club on Strava — just search for “Couch to Coached”.

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This week on the award-winning Couch to Coached Running Podcast, it’s just Rob and Ben as they catch up on training, progress, and the realities of preparing for race day.

From long runs and speed sessions to managing those inevitable niggles, the lads share honest updates on where they’re at — physically and mentally — as marathon day approaches. Rob reflects on completing a 21.1 mile run with varied pacing, while also discovering a new love for speed work (who saw that coming?!).

Ben brings the coaching insight, helping navigate a recent illness wobble and reinforcing the importance of balance, recovery, and staying healthy above all else. Because right now, it’s all about one thing — getting to the start line in the best shape possible.

🎧 Highlights include:

• Rob’s long run breakdown & pacing strategies
• Why speed sessions are becoming a game changer
• Managing niggles (hello IT band 👀)
• The importance of recovery: stretching, foam rolling & listening to your body
• Coaching insight on staying race ready
• Balancing training intensity with staying injury-free

A real, honest episode about the fine line between pushing forward and pulling back — and why sometimes the smartest move is protecting the bigger goal.

📺 Watch us live on YouTube every Tuesday at 20:30

📩 Email – couchtocoached@outlook.com

📲 Instagram / TikTok – @couchtocoached

🐦 Twitter/X – @couchtocoached

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Running for Mental Health: The Sad Miles Club Story & 125 Challenge | Couch to Coached Podcast

This week on the award-winning Couch to Coached Running Podcast, Rob and Ben are joined by Daniel Leggett, founder of the Sad Miles Club — a movement using running to open up honest conversations around mental health.

Dan shares his powerful journey, from experiencing bullying and personal struggles to discovering running as a way to cope, grow, and clear his head. What started as a personal outlet has grown into a community-driven brand, raising awareness and funds for mental health charities.

The conversation explores how running can be more than just fitness — it can be a lifeline. From building resilience to finding purpose, Dan talks about the importance of starting conversations, supporting others, and creating a space where people feel understood.

They also dive into the upcoming 125 Challenge, designed to bring people together, raise awareness, and make a real impact for mental health — one mile at a time.

🎧 Highlights include:

• The story behind the Sad Miles Club
• How running became a tool for mental health
• Turning personal struggles into a positive movement
• The importance of community and open conversations
• The 125 Challenge and how to get involved
• Using running for personal growth and resilience

A powerful, honest, and inspiring episode that shows running is about more than miles — it’s about mindset, connection, and supporting each other through it all.

📺 Watch us live on YouTube every Tuesday at 20:30

📩 Email – couchtocoached@outlook.com

📲 Instagram / TikTok – @couchtocoached

🐦 Twitter/X – @couchtocoached

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Marathon Training Tips: Pacing, Confidence & Long Runs Explained

Setbacks, Comebacks & Community Wins

This week on the award-winning Couch to Coached Running Podcast, Rob, Ben, and Emma are back with a real, honest look at the highs and lows of training — from health setbacks to big community milestones.

The trio kick things off with personal updates, including a few challenges that have impacted training, before celebrating a brilliant Couch to 5K graduation and the power of seeing new runners cross that finish line. It’s a reminder of why we all started — and how important community is in keeping us going.

From there, the conversation dives into marathon training realities — long runs, pacing worries, mental battles, and building confidence for race day. Emma shares her progress (and a few tough moments along the way), while Rob opens up about pacing concerns and learning to trust the process. Ben brings the coaching insight, keeping things grounded with structure, accountability, and a focus on what really matters.

There’s also chat around training with others, evolving coaching styles post-COVID, and why accountability and support can make all the difference when motivation dips.

🎧 Highlights include:

• Honest chat about health, setbacks, and staying on track
• Celebrating a Couch to 5K graduation and community wins
• Long runs, pacing strategies & marathon prep
• Mental challenges in training (and how to push through them)
• The importance of accountability, coaching, and trust
• Building confidence ahead of race day
• Why community is at the heart of running

A relatable, emotional, and motivating episode that shows running isn’t always perfect — but with the right support, you keep moving forward.

📺 Watch us live on YouTube every Monday at 20:30

📩 Email – couchtocoached@outlook.com

📲 Instagram / TikTok – @couchtocoached

🐦 Twitter/X – @couchtocoached

📘 Facebook – Couch to coached – A running podcast

🏃‍♂️ Join our Strava league!

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

Couch to Coached – AWARD-WINNING Running Podcast

Our 5 With The Listeners series has been refreshed and rebooted — new questions, new logo, new vibes.

Rob, Ben, and Emma sit down with our latest featured listener to explore their running story in a whole new way. We dig into:

• What their running shoes would say about them
• What’s in their desert-island running survival kit
• What running has taught them

And joining us for this exciting episode is Ed AKA readyeddierun

Rob, Ben and Emma also check in on this week’s Strava leaderboard — who’s on top, who’s rising fast, and of course…

who gets the all-important SHOUTOUT OF THE WEEEEEEEEK!

Don’t forget:

✅ Follow us on Instagram

✅ Subscribe on YouTube

✅ Watch LIVE every Tuesday

And while you’re at it, join the Couch to Coached Run Club on Strava — just search for “Couch to Coached”.

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

Countdown to Manchester: Consistency, Confidence & Coaching

This week on the award-winning Couch to Coached Running Podcast, Rob and Ben dive into the realities of marathon preparation as the Manchester Marathon edges closer.

From track sessions and pacing strategies to cross-training and accountability, the pair reflect on the highs, the struggles, and the lessons learned along the training journey. Ben shares insights from his recent training progress, while Rob opens up about building consistency, improving pacing awareness, and finding confidence again in his running.

The conversation explores how mental strength, community support, and coaching guidance all play a crucial role in preparing for a marathon. They also discuss the value of running familiar local routes, the importance of long runs and progression sessions, and why believing in the process can be just as important as the miles themselves.

🎧 Highlights include:

• The countdown to the Manchester Marathon
• Why consistency is the foundation of marathon training
• Track sessions, pacing strategies, and training discipline
• The benefits of cross-training for runners
• Building confidence through progression runs
• The mental side of marathon preparation
• Community support and rediscovering the joy of running

A reflective, motivating episode about progress, patience, and trusting the training process—perfect for anyone preparing for a big race or working toward their next running goal.

📺 Watch us live on YouTube every Tuesday at 20:30

📩 Email – couchtocoached@outlook.com

📲 Instagram / TikTok – @couchtocoached

🐦 Twitter/X – @couchtocoached

📘 Facebook – Couch to coached – A running podcast

🏃‍♂️ Join our Strava league!

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