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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This week on The West Coast Ultra Podcast, I’m diving into two themes that feel especially relevant right now: the impact of stress on our health and fitness as ultrarunners, and the balance between dreaming big adventures and actually being present in the moment.

I start with a quick update on my own training. Running is coming back, but my Achilles has flared up a little — a reminder that stress doesn’t just live in our heads, it shows up in our bodies. Nights out, a bit more alcohol, less sleep, and even fighting off bugs from public transport have all played a part. On the flip side, cycling has been going really well, and I’m lining up my first 100‑mile ride this week as this episode goes live.

From there, I explore how stress stacks up in endurance sports. Drawing on ideas from Scott Freda on the Singletrack Podcast, Scott McClean from Bulletproof Cycling, and the Excellence Actually podcast, I talk about how stress is cumulative, how resilience is about total load capacity, and why excellence is really about sustainability, not perfection.

I then go into the second theme: dreaming versus presence. Ultrarunning is full of big goals — 100‑milers, FKTs, epic mountain adventures — and those dreams are powerful. But if we live only in the dream, we miss the richness of the moment we’re in. I share stories about how presence brings joy, reduces stress, and keeps us grounded, while dreams give us direction and motivation. The art is in balancing the two.

Finally, I tie it all together: how stress can make dreams feel heavy, and how presence can lighten the load. I share practical tools like journaling, reframing training as storytelling, and celebrating small wins to keep both vision and joy alive.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s chasing their own endurance goals. And if you’re looking for coaching — whether you’re returning from injury, balancing life stress with training, or dreaming of your next big adventure — I’d love to help. You can find me through Team RunRun or on Instagram @davidultrarunner.

Thanks for listening to Season 4, Episode 8 of The West Coast Ultra Podcast. Manage your stress, dream big, and stay present.

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