Running Kit You Never Leave Without | Essential Ultra Running Gear Advice

What running kit should you NEVER leave home without?

In this episode of Experts Help the Idiots, we ask some of the most experienced endurance runners in the world one simple question:

What is the one piece of running kit you always carry — no matter the distance?

Featuring:

• Nick — the running coach

• Jo — the Greek ultra runner

• Sammy — the elite pathfinder

• Gerry — the Irish coastal runner

• Ashley — MS Runs The US creator

• Isaac — ultra marathon runner

• Derek — the corn-on-the-cob ultra runner

• Ben — Tough Mudder Ben

• Alex — Stonehenge 300 mile ultra runner

From 5Ks to 100 milers… from mountains to backyard ultras… this episode dives into essential running gear, safety equipment, fuelling tools, mindset anchors, and the small items that make a massive difference when things get tough.

We talk:

• Mandatory kit vs personal comfort items

• Safety essentials for long-distance running

• Ultra marathon race-day must-haves

• What experienced runners always pack

• Mistakes beginners make with gear

• How to think smarter about preparation

If you’re training for a marathon, ultra marathon, trail race, or multi-day endurance challenge — this one is packed with practical advice from runners who have learned the hard way.

Experts Help the Idiots is the spin-off series from Idiots Go Running, where we stop guessing… and start asking the people who actually know.

🎧 Listen anywhere you get your podcasts

🌍 Follow our journey: idiotsgorunning.com

📲 Instagram: @IdiotsGoRunning

#ultrarunning #runningpodcast #marathontraining #trailrunning #backyardultra #endurancerunning #runninggear #ultramarathon #mindset #runners

Harvey Lewis | Backyard Ultra World Record, Western States & Pushing Human Limits

What does it take to keep going… when everyone else stops?

In this episode of Idiots Go Running, we sit down with one of the most respected endurance athletes in the world — Harvey Lewis.

From winning and podium-finishing at the legendary Western States Endurance Run, to conquering the brutal Badwater 135, to setting records at Big’s Backyard Ultra — Harvey has consistently pushed the boundaries of human endurance.

But this episode isn’t just about miles. We talk about:

• The mindset required for extreme ultramarathons

• Sleep deprivation and backyard ultra strategy

• Pain, resilience, and mental toughness

• Teaching full-time while competing at world-class level

• What drives him to keep coming back

• Lessons everyday runners can apply to their own training

Harvey is proof that extraordinary performances are built on consistency, humility, and belief.

Whether you’re training for your first 5K, your next marathon, or dreaming of a 100-miler — this conversation will change how you think about your limits.

🎧 Listen anywhere you get your podcasts

🌍 Follow our journey as we prepare to run 350 miles across Ireland to raise £100,000 for MS charities: idiotsgorunning.com

📲 Instagram: @IdiotsGoRunning

#ultrarunning #backyardultra #westernstates #badwater135 #marathontraining #runningpodcast #endurancerunning #100miles #mindset #trailrunning

Expert Help the Idiots — Jet Lag

How do endurance runners survive jet lag?

In this episode of Expert Help the Idiots, we ask one simple question to a line-up of battle-hardened ultra runners and coaches:

How do you beat jet lag without breaking yourself?

The answers range from tactical sleep schedules to "powering through" with sheer grit. Whether it's a 5-hour shift from the US to Ireland or a massive 10-hour jump from California to Greece, these experts prove that sometimes the best plan is just having the stomach to endure it.

From "front-loading" sleep weeks in advance to the controversial strategy of relying on caffeine and a "cold turkey" adjustment, we dive into how the pros handle the disorientation of international racing.

• The "Front-Loading" Strategy: Why your sleep quality a month before the race matters.

• The 30-Minute Shift: Gradually adjusting your body clock before you even leave home.

• The "Cold Turkey" Approach: Why some runners suggest just landing and acting like you’re already on local time.

• Hydration vs. Hallucinations: The vital role of water when your body doesn’t know what day it is.

• The Running State: Why your body might actually forget it's tired once the race begins.

• Nick Weston — The Running Coach

• Alex Bance — Stonehenge 300 Mile Ultra Runner

• Ben Taylor — Tough Mudder Ben

• Derek Stefureac — The Corn-on-the-Cob Ultra Runner

• Ashley Schneider — MS Runs the US Creator

• Jo Manta — The Greek Ultra Runner

• Sammy Lupari — The Elite Pathfinder

Produced by: [Your Name/Company Name Here]

🎧 Next episode: Favorite piece of running kit?

Follow Idiots Go Running for honest conversations, expert insight, and proof that endurance athletes are just as confused by time zones as the rest of us.

📍 Website: www.idiotsgorunning.com📲 Socials: @IdiotsGoRunning (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube)

What we learned about racing across time zones:The Experts:

In this episode of Idiots Go Running, Colin, Andrew and Matt are joined by Nick — the running coach to talk all things running nutrition, endurance fuel, and ultra running fuelling strategies.

We get into what actually works on long runs, back-to-back running days, marathon training, and ultra running, including common nutrition mistakes, what to eat before, during and after runs, and how fuelling changes when the miles get really long.

With Colin and Matt both living with Multiple Sclerosis, we also talk about nutrition from a health, recovery and sustainability point of view, not just performance. Expect real experience, honest chat, a few bad decisions, and plenty of lessons learned the hard way.

This episode is part of our journey towards MS Runs Ireland, where we’ll be running 350 miles from Mizen Head to Malin Head to raise money for MS Ireland, MS Runs The US, and MS Society Northern Ireland.

If you’re training for a marathon, ultra, trail race, or just trying to fuel your running better, this one’s for you.

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🎧 Listen now and follow Idiots Go Running wherever you get your podcasts.

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Email

📧 info@msrunsireland.com

Website

🌍 https://www.msrunsireland.com

Podcast

🎙️ Idiots Go Running

Social Media - Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube

👉 @IdiotsGoRunning

Expert Help the Idiots — Pre-Race Breakfast

What do endurance runners actually eat before a race?

In this episode of Expert Help the Idiots, we ask one simple question to some very experienced runners and coaches:

What’s your pre-race breakfast?

The answers are… exactly what you’d expect. And also not at all.

From coffee being the clear winner, to tea holding its own, McDonald’s somehow counting as fuel, energy bars making an appearance — and a few absolute maniacs admitting they run on nothing at all.

This isn’t about perfect nutrition plans or Instagram breakfasts. It’s about real routines, honest habits, and what people actually rely on before lining up for long, painful days on the road or trail.

• Why coffee dominates pre-race routines

• Simple vs complicated breakfasts

• Familiar food over “perfect” nutrition

• Why some runners eat very little — or nothing

• What not to experiment with on race morning

And yes… this explains a lot.

• Nick Weston — the running coach

• Jo Manta — the Greek ultra runner

• Sammy Lapauri — the elite pathfinder

• Gerry O’Boyle — the Irish coastal runner

• Ashley Schneider — MS Runs The US creator

• Isaac Barnes — ultra marathon runner

• Ben Tough Mudder — Tough Mudder Ben

• Derek Stefureac — the corn-on-the-cob ultra runner

• Alex Stonehenge — Stonehenge 300 mile ultra runner

🎧 Next episode: How do runners deal with jet lag before races?

Follow Idiots Go Running for honest conversations, expert insight, and proof that endurance athletes don’t always have it figured out.

📍 Website: www.idiotsgorunning.com

📲 Socials: @IdiotsGoRunning (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube)

How We Accidentally Became Ultra Runners

We didn’t plan this.

We didn’t set out to become ultra runners.

Somewhere between saying yes to a few daft ideas and not knowing when to stop, things escalated.

In this episode, Colin Goodman and Andrew Goodman talk honestly about how ordinary running slowly turned into marathons, then ultras, and eventually full-blown endurance madness. The mistakes, the learning curve, the mental battles, and the moments where we realised this was about more than just running.

🎤 This talk was recorded live at the NI Running Show, with a brilliant crowd and plenty of laughs along the way.

We chat about:

• How marathon running quietly turns into ultra running

• Why mindset matters more than pace in endurance events

• Learning the hard way through mistakes, fatigue, and doubt

• Why community, purpose, and resilience keep pulling us back

• How you don’t need to be elite to take on big running challenges

This isn’t about times or podiums.

It’s about curiosity, grit, and finding out what you’re capable of when things get uncomfortable.

If you’ve ever thought about running further…

or wondered how people accidentally end up doing this stuff —

this one’s for you.

🎧 Idiots Go Running — honest running stories, endurance challenges, and learning as we go.

Contact & Follow

🌐 www.idiotsgorunning.com

📧 hello@idiotsgorunning.com

📱 Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @IdiotsGoRunning

What does it actually take to train for a multi-day endurance challenge?

In this episode of Expert Help the Idiots, we bring together experienced runners, coaches, and endurance minds to break down how to prepare your body and brain for running day after day after day.

No hype. No nonsense. Just practical advice that real runners can use when training for ultra distances, stage races, or multi-day adventures.

We cover the fundamentals that matter most when the miles stack up and the fatigue hits.

• Building consistent weekly mileage without burning out

• Back-to-back long runs and why they matter

• Training tired (without overdoing it)

• Fuel, hydration, and recovery between days

• Strength, mobility, and injury prevention

• Mindset, patience, and managing the low moments

Whether you’re training for your first multi-day run or trying to survive your next big endurance challenge, this episode is about staying healthy, strong, and smart from Day 1 to the finish line.

• Nick Weston — the running coach

• Jo Manta — the Greek ultra runner

• Sammy Lapauri — the elite pathfinder

• Gerry O’Boyle — the Irish coastal runner

• Ashley Schneider — MS Runs The US creator

🎧 Follow Idiots Go Running for more expert-led episodes, real-world endurance advice, and honest conversations about doing stupid things… one mile at a time.

Expert Running Tips | Training, Recovery, Endurance & Smarter Decisions

In this episode of Experts Help the Idiots, we talk training, endurance, pacing, recovery, and the decisions that make or break a run. From mileage and intensity to strength work, rest days, nutrition, and mindset, our expert shares simple, practical advice runners can actually use.

Whether you’re building aerobic fitness, preparing for a long run, managing fatigue, or trying to avoid common training mistakes, this episode covers the fundamentals that help runners stay consistent, healthy, and moving forward.

Train smart, recover properly, fuel the work, and don’t do anything stupid. Simple really. Until next time...