Podcast
The Women's Running Podcast
Hosted by Esther Newman · EN
Running is the one thing that we all like talking about. Every week on the award winning Women’s Running podcast, we talk all things running, women, health and fitness with our own brand of happy, irreverent chat. Esther and Holly talk through their training highs and lows, and all the bits and pieces in-between. Every so often, we invite an expert to join us to help us figure out the confusing worlds of training, recovery, nutrition, health and more. And sometimes we get to talk to an incredible woman from the world of running, from Anna McNuff to Paula Radcliffe, Susie Chan to Nicky Spinks. So why do we do it? Because we realised that most of the running podcasts we listened to were full of blokes waffling on about quads and cadence (and we realised that we can do that perfectly well ourselves, thank you very much). Right here, we talk about all the things that affect us when we step out the door: sexism, hormones, menopause, food, pelvic floors, relationships, mental health, seagull attacks and wild weeing. But. BUT. We will also talk about races, PBs, shoes, training, starting running, enjoying running, finding the fun. And quads and cadence. This is the Women’s Running podcast, and it’s for women who love to run.
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11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 256. Running in the heat
Jul 301:17:32Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 256 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Running in the heatWe’ve got a bit of a Glasto recap, and then we’re talking about surviving the heat – how running makes us feel in this weather, and how we need to listen to our heart rates.London MarathonWe revisit our London Marathon chat – should we or shouldn’t we? Holly is still undecided, I’m beginning to be swayed… We’ve had lots of messages from you guys telling us what you think about us running it, but also about how you feel about media places at the London Marathon. All very interesting, and we don’t feel told off, which of course is the main thing.Join us!if you aren’t a patron yet do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, through which you can join Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. You also get to come along to our Live Pods! To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month.Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can save 50%Sign up to the Westonbirt Half (or other distances), and check out the other races from Relish Running while you’re thereGet tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 255. London Marathon ballot
Jun 2601:26:33Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 255 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.TW: for a section of the podcast from about 50 minutes in, we talk about weightloss and eating disorders and weightloss jabs in light of some messages that we’ve received after our past few podcasts.BallotsWe start with the hot topics of this week: namely, what would persuade us to go to Glastonbury. And from one ticket ballot to another, we then talk about London Marathon ballot – over a million people applying for just 17,000 places. We talk about the people who succeed at ballot, and those who are given a place by other means – and we also talk about whether we should or shouldn’t sign up to it again.WeightlossWe revisit our past podcasts about weightloss and eating disorders with a few emails from you lot that adds information and experience to some of the main things that we’ve spoken about. Do please keep on sending in your emails and messages, as we think this is a conversation that will run and run.Join us on Patreonif you aren’t a patron yet do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, through which you can join Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. You also get to come along to our Live Pods! To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month.Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can save 50%Read the story in the Metro here (NB: all comments I read out have now been taken down)Sign up to the Westonbirt Half (or other distances), and check out the other races from Relish Running while you’re thereGet tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 254. Awards & super shoes
Jun 2001:10:09Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 254 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Not winning awardsWe’re interrupting our recent very serious run of podcasts with nothing of any serious note whatsoever. We’ve been swanning around that London (almost) winning an award, and we have lots of stories, some of them toilet-based.Super shoesWe talk about our running over the past few weeks, and the kit that has enhanced it – which leads us on to super shoes: do we deserve to wear them? Do they help slower runners? Does anyone care? Do you think they’re not for you? Tell us! Email us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk or over on Discord.Join us on PatreonSpeaking of which, if you aren’t a patron yet do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, through which you can join Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. You also get to come along to our Live Pods! To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month.Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Read the story in the Metro here (NB: all comments I read out have now been taken down)Sign up to the Westonbirt Half (or other distances), and check out the other races from Relish Running while you’re thereGet tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 253. Weight & running with Dr Juliet
Jun 1201:08:27Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 253 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.TW: weightloss, eating disorders, Red-S, weight gain. As promised, we’ve got the lovely Dr Juliet McGrattan with us today to chat through some of the topics we touched on last week, and we’ve included a few messages from the Pod Squad here, as we heard from a lot of you as a result.Weight issues We talk about weight gain and loss, and how we view our bodies as a result. We also talk about fuelling for big endurance events like marathons, and adjusting our food intake. We talk about RED-s, and find out what it means, and the warning signs we need to look out for. We also talk about eating disorders, and the signs to look out for there – in ourselves and those around us. We raise the topic of weightloss jabs, too. And we also talk about safe weightloss for people who want to do that, and Juliet’s extremely simple tips for long-term good health. If you have any concerns or questions about you or someone you know in terms of disordered eating or eating disorders, then please go to beateatingdisorders.org.uk which has lots of advice and information, as well as a helpline you can call.Do please get in touch with your thoughts on anything we’ve raised in this episode. Email as ever is wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk or if you’re a patron just message us on Discord.Join usSpeaking of which, if you aren’t a patron yet do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, through which you can join Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. You also get to come along to our Live Pods! To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month.Lovely extra bits• Go to BEAT for support with eating disorders or disordered eating, as well as a helpline Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Read the story in the Metro here (NB: all comments I read out have now been taken down)Sign up to the Westonbirt Half (or other distances), and check out the other races from Relish Running while you’re thereGet tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 252. Weightloss, anxiety, safety
Jun 501:13:51Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 252 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.We have a LOT to talk about in this episode, so hold on to your hats. First off, a couple of trigger warnings: in this episode we talk about weight and weightloss, there’s some chat about mental health and anxiety, and we also talk about women’s safety while running, as well as online trolling.Weight and weightlossHol’s been going through it a bit, so we talk about that a little bit. And then we want to talk about weightloss, because lots of our Inner Circle have prompted us to. If you also want to kick off some conversation starters, you can join our lovely Inner Circle through Patreon – details in a bit. We kick things off by talking about how we personally feel about our own weight, and how that intersects with our running lives.Abuse of women runnersAfter a small reality TV interlude, we talk about this story that ran in the Metro last week, about men spitting at women runners. We’d been involved in the story and contributed some stats. So a very grim story to report on, but it doesn’t end there, because then we get into the comments under the story itself. It’s all a bit shocking – do please get in touch with your thoughts on this or anything else we talk about in this episode. Email as ever is wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk or if you’re a patron just message us on Discord.Join us on PatreonSpeaking of which, if you aren’t a patron yet do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, through which you can join Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. You also get to come along to our Live Pods! To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month. It’s worth every penny.Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Read the story in the Metro here (NB: all comments I read out have now been taken down)Sign up to the Westonbirt Half (or other distances), and check out the other races from Relish Running while you’re thereGet tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 251. Physios and PBs
May 2901:02:52Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 251 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Physio reportI have actually been to a physio. Four weeks on from the London Marathon, and at least two more injuries down. I have finally asked for help and received it. The source of all my pain is NOT what I expected, which is a good reminder as to why we must all seek professional help when we need it, rather than crying into our cornflakes or seeking out the help of Dr Google, who is – let’s face it – a bit shit.PB timeHolly’s update is cause for celebration; she’s got herself a whacking great PB without even really trying, and we are both thrilled for her. This turns into a chat about pacing, and also goals for later on in the year.Join us on Patreon for perksJust a quick one – do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, through which you can join Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month. It’s worth every penny.Lovely extra bitsIf you want to run Trail Escape, there are three events to run this year: Bath to Bristol like me, Manchester on 21st June and Edinburgh on 6th September. You can run or hike 25K or marathon distances. It’s a brilliant race series, and I loved it last year! Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Sign up to the Westonbirt Half (or other distances), and check out the other races from Relish Running while you’re thereGet tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 250. Chaos and recovery
May 2201:13:10Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 250 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Recovery and cunning plansChaotic episode alert! We have literal minutes discussing what’s going on in Holly’s drains, and it’s not even a euphemism. However, hang on in there, because we start getting on to where we are, now that we’re almost four weeks out from the marathon. I’ve been attacking the gym, and Holly has been working hard on her recovery runs. She also reveals that she has a bit of a cunning plan involving Doug.Join us on PatreonJust a quick one – do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, because then you’ll be able to come along to our Live Pod on Zoom which is tonight (Thursday 22nd May) at 7pm, which is an exclusive perk for gorgeous patrons. If you’re listening to this later than Thursday and you’ve missed it, we’ll be holding another on in about a month’s time, promise.Another perk is, of course Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month. It’s worth every penny.Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Sign up to the Westonbirt Half (or other distances), and check out the other races from Relish Running while you’re thereGet tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 249. The final London Marathon episode
May 1501:34:35Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 249 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Final marathon debriefIt is now two weeks on from the London Marathon, which seems like years ago, and Holly and I have been recuperating in different ways. For this recording, we’re joined by lovely Jordan from Coopah for one last time to talk through our experiences, how we’re looking after ourselves, and what we’ve learned along the way. We come back afterwards to talk about what we want to do next.Join us on PatreonJust a quick one – do join us on Patreon for just £2 a month, because then you’ll be able to come along to our Live Pod on Zoom next Thursday at 7pm, which is an exclusive perk for gorgeous patrons.Another perk is, of course Discord, our forum just for you, our gorgeous Pod Squad, to meet up, chat about running, TV, books, menopause, and anything else you like. To get access to Discord, all you need to do is head to patreon.com/womensrunning and join us for just £2 a month. It’s worth every penny.Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Get tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 248. Post marathon, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys
May 9, 202501:35:49Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 248 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.The week after the marathonIt’s the week after the Big Day, and Holly already has some big plans – but should she go through with them? We discuss the pros and cons.I talk about the fallout from the calf injury, and the support I’ve received, and how I’m feeling a bit self-indulgent.Sabrina Pace-HumphreysWe’re joined part-way through by the gorgeous Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, friend of the pod and all round joyful runner, to talk about the shocking moment that lead her to found Black Trail Runners, but also the joyful celebration of running that is the second Black To The Trails, which is happening this very weekend. This is the World’s most ethically diverse trail running event and, in 2025, it’s set to be even bigger and better. Go along to support and enjoy the festival vibes.Join the gang!As ever, come and join the gang on Discord for chats, support and new running friends. To find your way on to Discord, join us over on Patreon. You can now join our official Inner Circle for just £6 to shape what we talk about. Go to patreon.com/womensrunnning to find out more.Lovely extra bits Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Get tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!· Follow Sabrina Pace-Humphreys @sabrunsmiles· Follow Black Trail Runners and hop along to Black To The Trails this weekend to show your support, and enjoy the vibes!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Ep 247. The 2025 TCS London Marathon
May 1, 202501:26:01Tap to summarizeWelcome to episode 247 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.Startline to finish lineThis is it. This is our review of the biggest race of our lives (so far). We start from the start; the night before in the hotel, and we talk through every experience, every up and every single down, of which – spoiler alert – there were many. I don’t want to give away too much here, but as Hol says at the beginning we might need to add a little trigger warning: we are painfully aware that we are still in marathon season and if you’ve got one coming up, please don’t think that our experience is indicative of every marathon runner. We all run our own race, right? Yours will be incredible. I’ll shut up now and let you get on and listen to it.DiscordAs ever, come and join the gang on Discord for chats, support and new running friends. To find your way on to Discord, join us over on Patreon. You can now join our official Inner Circle for just £6 to shape what we talk about. Go to patreon.com/womensrunnning to find out more.Lovely extra bitsWe picked up our lovely hotel rooms through Marathon Tours: you can pick up hotel rooms for the Marathon here: TCS London Marathon 2025 | Marathon Tours & Travel UK Subscribe to Women’s Running – and you can pick up 6 issues for £6Get tickets to our live event ahead of the Bath Half 2026!Setting up your own podcast? Try Zencastr – we’ve been using it for ages and LOVE ITDo join us on Patreon so you can come and chat in our new Pod Squad community on Discord! Go to patreon.co.uk/womensrunningEmail us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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