In this episode, I’m diving into the reality of winter training — the dark mornings, the cold miles, the shifting motivation — and how I’m trying to stay consistent while building my bike fitness and keeping my running steady. This is the time of year where everything feels harder, but it’s also where the biggest gains are made if you approach it the right way.

I talk through what my own training has looked like recently: pushing the bike more seriously, working on power and efficiency, and trying to keep my running ticking over without forcing anything. It’s not perfect, but it’s moving in the right direction, and that’s the whole point of winter.

From there, I get into the main theme of the episode: how to train well in winter. I share the systems, habits, and mindset shifts that actually work — the things I use myself and the things I coach my athletes to focus on. Winter isn’t about hero sessions; it’s about showing up often enough to build the foundations for spring.

I also take a look at the recent Spine Race series and pull out some lessons that apply to all of us. The Spine is the ultimate example of winter resilience: adaptability, small decisions, forward motion, and community. There’s so much we can learn from it, even if we’re not racing 268 miles through the Pennine Way in January.

In this episode, I cover:

• My current training update: bike improvements, running consistency, and winter fatigue
• Why winter is the real foundation season
• How I lower activation energy to make training easier
• Why “good enough” beats “perfect”
• How I use the bike to support my running
• The role of strength and mobility right now
• What the Spine Race teaches us about resilience and adaptability
• Practical takeaways you can apply straight away

Key ideas I talk about:

• Winter rewards consistency, not intensity
• Systems matter more than motivation
• Adaptability is a performance skill
• Small decisions compound into big outcomes
• Community keeps you accountable when motivation dips

If you enjoy this episode, share it with someone who’s struggling with winter motivation. And if you want coaching support, you can find me on Team RunRun. Thanks for listening — keep showing up, keep building, and spring will thank you for it.

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In this episode, I share a quick update on my own training — including my 100‑mile cycle on the 19th of December, what’s been happening on Strava, and why my physio has pulled me back to 5–6 km runs for now.

I also dive into the whole “New Year, New Me” mindset and why most goal‑setting falls apart. Inspired by Rich Roll’s recent conversation with Mark Manson and the relentless approach Cam Hanes talks about in Undeniable, I explore how identity, consistency, and systems matter far more than motivation.

If you’re setting big goals for 2026 or trying to build more structure into your training, this episode will give you a clear, realistic way to approach it — with plenty of parallels to ultrarunning.

If you’re interested in coaching, feel free to reach out to me here: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/david-taylor-glasgow-running-coach/ or if you like then sliiide into my DMs on instagram @davidultrarunner

And as always… keep on running.

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In this episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I’m joined once again by previous guest (S2E2) and friend of the show Andy Darling — a seriously fast road runner who has made a brilliant transition into the world of trail and ultra running.

If you didn’t catch Andy’s first appearance on the show, don’t worry. I get him to reintroduce himself, talk about his background as both a runner and a personal trainer, and share what pulled him away from the road‑PB mindset and into the adventure, unpredictability, and challenge of the trails.

In this conversation, we get into:

• Andy’s journey from road speed to trail resilience
• The mindset shift from chasing times to chasing experiences
• How his training has evolved — physically and mentally
• What surprised him most about the ultra world
• A full breakdown of his recent Borders 8 Hour race
• His pacing, nutrition, highs, lows, and the lessons he’s taking forward
• How his road background helped him — and where it didn’t
• What’s next for him, including his 2026 race calendar and long‑term goals

I also share some coaching insights from my own work with athletes making the same transition, and talk about the common pitfalls I see when road runners step into the ultra world.

🔗 Connect with Andy

Instagram: @andyd_thept

🔗 Connect with Me

Coaching via Team RunRun — just search David Taylor

Instagram: @davidultrarunner

If you’re stepping into ultras, coming back from injury, or looking to build sustainable endurance, I coach athletes of all levels and would love to support your journey.

⭐ Support the Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share the show. It really helps grow the West Coast Ultra community and brings more incredible guests to the mic.

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