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WHW Race POD

WHW Race POD

Written by: Paul Giblin
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About this listen

 The WHW Race Pod shares the stories, struggles and spirit of the West Highland Way Race, Scotland’s iconic 95-mile ultramarathon from Milngavie to Fort William. Hosted by three-time race winner Paul Giblin, the podcast goes beyond results and splits. We talk to runners, volunteers, race organisers and crew members about what really happens before, during and after the race. Expect honest conversations, reflections and powerful moments from one of the most respected endurance events in the UK. Whether you're a past runner, a future participant or simply drawn to the mountains and the meaning behind long-distance running, this podcast is for you.Copyright 2026 Paul Giblin Hygiene & Healthy Living Running & Jogging Social Sciences
Episodes
  • When Training Hasn’t Gone to Plan

    When Training Hasn’t Gone to Plan
    Apr 22 2026

    With the West Highland Way Race now just a couple of months away, many runners find themselves in a familiar place.

    Training hasn’t quite gone how they hoped.

    Missed sessions. Disrupted consistency. Life getting in the way.

    And with that often comes a quiet pressure to catch up. To do more, and to fix things quickly.

    In this episode, Paul explores why that instinct can lead you further away from where you want to be… and how to approach this final phase of training with clarity, control, and purpose.

    In this episode:
    • Why the “perfect training block” is largely a myth
    • The common trap of trying to cram fitness late in the build
    • A personal story from student life that reframes how to use limited time effectively
    • How to shift from “catching up” to “making the most of what you have”
    • What actually matters in the final 6–8 weeks before race day

    Building a simple, effective plan
    • Structuring your weeks around consistency rather than intensity
    • The role of the long run and why it should feel controlled, not exhausting
    • Using back-to-back runs to build durability without overreaching
    • Why easy running needs to stay genuinely easy
    • Practising fuelling so it becomes automatic on race day
    • Learning sustainable pacing through feel, not guesswork
    • Why recovery, sleep, and nutrition are part of the training process

    Managing life alongside training
    • Handling periods of increased life stress, including moving house close to race day
    • Understanding total load, not just training load
    • Protecting sleep and creating intentional downtime
    • Reducing decision fatigue by planning ahead
    • Adjusting training without losing rhythm
    • Why arriving slightly undertrained but fresh is often better than overtrained and exhausted

    Reframing where you are
    • Letting go of the idea that training needed to be perfect
    • Recognising the experience and resilience you already have
    • Learning to respond, adapt, and move forward without overreacting

    A practical reflection to try

    Take time to write down:

    • Key experiences that show your resilience
    • Moments where you’ve handled difficulty well
    • Strengths you can rely on during the race

    Often, the evidence you need is already there.

    Key message

    You can’t recreate missed training. But you can make smart decisions now.

    Consistency, control, and clarity in this final phase will take you further than trying to force what’s already gone.

    About the host

    The WHW Race Pod is hosted by Paul, a three-time winner of the West Highland Way Race, with deep experience of the race and a strong connection to its community.

    Race Links

    West Highland Way Race

    https://westhighlandwayrace.org/

    Instagram

    @whw_race

    Stay connected

    You can follow along and stay connected here:

    Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllon

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pyllon

    Website: https://pyllonultra.com
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • The Hidden Skill of the West Highland Way: Enduring the Ordinary

    The Hidden Skill of the West Highland Way: Enduring the Ordinary
    Mar 26 2026
    SHOW NOTES

    Most people imagine the West Highland Way Race as something dramatic. The climbs. The tough sections. The big moments where everything is on the line.

    And those moments are part of it.But they’re not the race.

    In this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked skills in ultrarunning - the ability to handle the long, quiet, repetitive stretches where nothing much is happening.

    Because that’s where most of the West Highland Way actually takes place.

    From the steady miles along Loch Lomond, to the mental shift after Balmaha when the day opens up and the reality of the race sets in, this is the side of the event that often catches runners out.

    We talk about:

    1. Why the “big moments” are only a small part of the race
    2. What it really feels like during the long, uneventful stretches
    3. How your mind starts to drift when there’s nothing to react to
    4. The trap of overthinking when everything is actually going well
    5. What I’ve seen while crewing at the race, especially as the field spreads out
    6. Why training needs to include boredom, not just intensity
    7. How to stay steady when nothing is pulling you forward

    This is the unglamorous side of the West Highland Way. The unseen miles but necessary miles. The ones that don’t make the highlight reel.

    But they’re often the ones that decide your race.

    🎧 Listen if you’re:
    1. Training for the West Highland Way Race
    2. Struggling with long, uneventful runs
    3. Finding your mind drifting during training or racing
    4. Looking to improve your consistency over long distances

    🎙️ About the Host

    This podcast is hosted by Paul, a three-time winner of the West Highland Way Race and former course record holder.

    Having spent years racing, training on, and crewing at the event, Paul brings a deeper perspective on what it really takes to perform well on the course.

    The WHW Race Pod is about more than results and race day highlights.

    It’s about understanding the experience of the race itself and preparing for the parts that don’t always get talked about.

    🔗 WHW Race Pod

    If you enjoyed the episode, share it with someone else preparing for the race.

    And if you’re lining up at Milngavie this year, this is the part of the race worth preparing for.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Sixteen Weeks: Decide or Drift

    Sixteen Weeks: Decide or Drift
    Feb 26 2026
    Show NotesIn this episode of the WHW Race Pod, I’m speaking directly to those of you who are about sixteen weeks out from the West Highland Way Race.This is a deceptively important point in the build.It’s where people either decide… or they drift.Drift doesn’t look dramatic. It doesn’t look like quitting. It looks like training that’s “fine.” Weeks that tick over. Long runs that feel comfortable. Sessions that become optional.And you don’t notice drift in one week.You notice it in eight, and you feel it at 65 miles.In this episode, I break down:Why sixteen weeks is a dangerous but powerful phaseThe difference between imperfection and driftWhat strong preparation actually looks like in the dataHow four-week training blocks should layer and absorbAerobic density and why steady matters more than sharpClimbing economy and durability specific to WHWLong run progression without dramatic spikesBack-to-back fatigue exposureFuel rehearsal before it becomes urgentWhy discomfort should be practised, not avoidedI also speak personally about why this race matters to me, and why I care so much about how you use this phase.The West Highland Way is not designed to be comfortable. Difficulty is built into the course. The runners who thrive here are not the ones who hope it goes well. They’re the ones who expect the hard moments - because they’ve rehearsed them.Sixteen weeks is enough time to change your trajectory.But only if you decide now.Key ThemesStructure versus driftTraining blocks and progressionAerobic density and sustained effortClimbing strength and composureFatigue exposure and durabilityNutrition rehearsalDiscomfort as skillIdentity, readiness, and quiet beliefListen IfYou’re sixteen weeks out from WHWYou feel slightly unsettled about your preparationYour training looks consistent but lacks edgeYou want clarity on how to structure the next four monthsYou’re serious about arriving in Milngavie readyIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone preparing for the race, and consider leaving a review. It helps more people discover the stories behind the trail.I’ll be back soon.PaulGet in Touch - Share Your StoryIf you’ve got a story you’d like to share, something you’d love to hear explored on the podcast, or an experience from the West Highland Way that still stays with you, you’re very welcome to get in touch.You can:Send a WhatsApp voice note or message to:WhatsApp: +447418609498Or message on Instagram:@pyllonSome of the most powerful stories are the ones people almost don’t send.Race LinksWest Highland Way Race https://westhighlandwayrace.org/Instagram @whw_raceAbout the HostPaul is an ultrarunner, coach, and creator. He is a three-time winner of the West Highland Way Race and a former course record holder.Paul is the founder of Pyllon – a coaching collective and creative project built around endurance, curiosity, and the long view.You can find more of Paul’s work here:Website https://pyllonultra.comInstagram @pyllon @pyllonultraYouTube https://youtube.com/pyllonSubstack https://pyllon.substack.comAbout the WHW Race PodThe WHW Race Pod explores the stories, experiences, and quieter moments that shape the West Highland Way Race.Beyond results and records, it’s a space for reflection, connection, and the human side of running one of the world’s most iconic ultras.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
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