From the nerves of taking on your first big race to embracing crowd support - and the dangers of service station Chinese, what makes or breaks a great half-marathon?

For everyday runners there is far more in play than achieving the perfect splits or knowing which miles to pop your gels at.

Whether navigating the pressure of simply getting to the start line, trying to employ a nutrition strategy that won't end in stomach disaster, finding the bag drop area, or trying to remember why you're doing this in the first place, there is plenty to think about.

On Sunday, Michelle and Craig ran the Bristol Half-Marathon, and in this podcast they outline not only how they got on, but the plusses and minuses of a big city event.

They also meet their friend and uncertain runner, Craig Dowding, a first time half-marathoner with a sub-two hour time on his mind. Will Craig be able to guide him to his dream time?

This is a different episode from what we normally do, but it nevertheless explores what makes running so special, how people can achieve more than they expect by embracing the sport, and asks why thousands of runners take to the streets on a Sunday morning when they could be tucked up in bed...

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Our affiliates:

◾TAKE THE BEST PATH: Path Projects offer some of the best running gear in the business.

I love this kit and it looks really cool even on a 48-year-old, decidedly average runner like me!

If you buy anything from Path Projects, Running Tales will get 10% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾SLOTH & DUCK: More than a shop, Sloth & Duck is a movement celebrating the outdoors, purposeful living, and adventure at every pace.

Designed for trail runners and ultramarathoners, their kit is crafted to connect you to nature with comfort, intention, and a splash of whimsy.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sloth & Duck Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE: Kibra empowers women to embrace their unique beauty through high-quality activewear designed to cultivate confidence and a resilient mindset.

Their distinctive performance wear supports every journey, while they also partner with global NGOs to bring about meaningful change.

If you buy anything from Kibra, Running Tales will get 20% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kibra Affiliate Link

Adam Ross only recently started running seriously. Now, he's taking on a year long challenge to raise money for and awareness of homelessness charity, Shelter.

Each month in 2026, Adam will be completing a unique endurance challenge, from 10k races to half- and full marathons, with the promise of some even tougher events to come towards the end of the year.

As the co-founder and director of Track Global, a marketing, sales, and distribution advisory partner for property developers, Adam hopes to use his business to raise awareness of homelessness. As such, his project falls under the title of The Track Global 12 in 12.

In this episode, we speak about Adam's upcoming race for April, the Manchester Marathon. He has since completed the race, finishing in under four hours; a feat made even more stunning by the fact he was struggling to run 5k as recently as November.

Running Tales spoke to Adam about the homeless crisis across the UK, why he chose running to highlight the issue, and the challenges that await him over the rest of the year...

Sponsor Adam's on his 12 in 12 challenge journey for Shelter.

Visit Running Tales on:

Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please Like and Subscribe wherever you listen, watch or read Running Tales.

Buy Me A Coffee:

Back Running Tales and help us continue to tell the extraordinary stories of everyday runners: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/runningtales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our affiliates:

◾TAKE THE BEST PATH: Path Projects offer some of the best running gear in the business.

I love this kit and it looks really cool even on a 48-year-old, decidedly average runner like me!

If you buy anything from Path Projects, Running Tales will get 10% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾SLOTH & DUCK: More than a shop, Sloth & Duck is a movement celebrating the outdoors, purposeful living, and adventure at every pace.

Designed for trail runners and ultramarathoners, their kit is crafted to connect you to nature with comfort, intention, and a splash of whimsy.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sloth & Duck Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE: Kibra empowers women to embrace their unique beauty through high-quality activewear designed to cultivate confidence and a resilient mindset.

Their distinctive performance wear supports every journey, while they also partner with global NGOs to bring about meaningful change.

If you buy anything from Kibra, Running Tales will get 20% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kibra Affiliate Link