It’s fairly well known that I do my talking though my blog and in real life I would never win an award for being the most sociable of people.

I find it difficult, always have, always will.

I was, and for some reason I’m still not sure of myself, recently asked to have a chat with the guys from the Young Hearts Run Free podcast and have stressed about it for ages. Now I know there are plenty of people out there like me, talking to people doesn’t come easy, the thought of it can be terrifying, but last night I sat down for a chat that I thought would take 20 minutes at a stretch and ended up taking around 90 minutes.

I have no idea how it will come across, whether my 100 mile an hour ramblings will even be coherent, but I’m kinda proud of myself for putting myself out of my comfort zone and doing it (that took more courage for me than lining up for a marathon), and thanks to the guys for really putting me at ease. I ended up really enjoying it. So this one is for the socially awkward like me, I did it! I am guessing it can be found on your usual podcasty places, links below.

https://linktr.ee/youngheartsrunfreepodcast

From their insta:

FRIDAY? TIME FOR A NEW EPISODE 🥳

LISTEN USING LINKS IN BIO 🎧

As you get older you get slower?? This week’s guest Mark Gallacher knows otherwise!

Before @markgallmac joins us for a thorough chatter of his astonishing running story we have our customary weekly round up with your hosts big Friday night road trip to the Black Rock 5 in Kinghorn rightly taking centre stage!

Mark then joins in the laughs, a well-known face in the Scottish running circuit, Mark’s performances across a range of distances catch our eye on an almost weekly basis.

And he’s not shy at telling us all about how he’s gone from beers, gigs and cigs to races, shwanks and podiums. Mark’s progression in running is jaw dropping. He’s grabbing a second chance at the sport with both hands and is striving to keep on improving as he enters his 6th decade.

Not only a talented athlete Mark also has a talent for writing, conveying his thoughts and experiences on his brilliant (and award winning!) yet inappropriately named blog, ‘The most irritating runner in Scotland?’

We spend most time talking through Mark’s recent exploits at the Edinburgh Marathon, a distance he’s not unfamiliar with but one he’d not taken on for 5 years. He had a target, he set aboot getting it with a regimented approach to training and making sure all his bases were covered.

With a burgeoning medal hanger proudly displaying his growing number of achievements Mark speaks to us with an air on incredulity, even he can’t quite believe how far he’s come. And he’s not finished yet either, far from it in fact!

Singing praises of everyone around him but leaving his own abilities in the shadow are a measure of the man, that pride though in talking about his outings for Scotland and that extensive list of honours is apparent throughout.

With a good idea of how your YHRF hosts roll Mark allows us to get into the nitty gritty of his running inspirations. So, pull up a chair, you’re going to enjoy this absolute classic of an episode!

#running #scottishrunner #runningcommunity #runningfriends #runscotland

There can only really be one song for this one of course, its added to the playlist which is here Markgallmac