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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In this episode, I share an honest update on my own training. Cycling has been a big focus lately, and I’m seeing real improvements, but I’ve also started back running properly again. It’s not perfect—I’m still a bit creaky—but I’m grateful for what I can do. That sense of gratitude is something I want to carry into every session, and I talk about the decisions I’ll face as I balance cycling and running in the months ahead.

I also dive into the latest Excellence Actually podcast, which explored whether greatness is born or built. I connect that conversation to ultrarunning, showing how persistence, consistency, and resilience matter far more than raw talent. It’s a reminder that excellence in our sport is built step by step, not gifted overnight.

Nutrition is another big theme this week. I break down the five top diet tips from the Roadman podcast and explain how I’m applying them myself using the Food Coach app. With the festive season here, I also share my own strategies for staying fairly good with food and drink while still enjoying the celebrations—because balance matters, and guilt doesn’t help anyone.

Finally, I talk about mental fitness and recovery. Coming back from injury isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. I share practical tools like reframing setbacks, journaling, and leaning on community support to build resilience.

If you enjoy the show, please like, rate, and subscribe—it helps more runners discover the podcast. And if you’re looking for coaching support, I work with athletes of all levels through Team RunRun. You can find me on Instagram @davidultrarunner.

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🎙️ Episode Overview

• I share an update on my training and return from injury.
• I talk about looking at events and challenges for the year ahead, and why I need planning time before committing.
• I explain how I break down goals, use journaling to track alignment, and why structure helps me stay on course.
• I apologize for the planned guest not being on this episode — diaries got away from us, but they’ll be on soon. Let me know who you’d love to hear on the show.

🏃 Training & Planning

• First runs back after injury — what they’ve taught me.
• The importance of breaking down goals into manageable steps.
• Journaling as a tool to track progress and check alignment.
• Weekly check‑ins: am I moving closer to where I want to be, or drifting?

🚴 Running vs Cycling Balance

• Loving both sports, but time is limited.
• Reframing the challenge as gratitude instead of frustration.
• Recognizing the privilege of having multiple passions.

🙏 Gratitude Practices (inspired by Excellence, Actually)

• Gratitude builds resilience and psychological flexibility.
• It helps avoid burnout and grounds us in the present.
• It strengthens identity by focusing on values, not just results.
• Practical tools:
• Daily journaling with specific gratitude entries.
• Gratitude runs or rides — noticing what’s good.
• Narrative reframing during tough patches.
• Expressing appreciation to teammates, volunteers, and supporters.
• I share a set of journaling prompts listeners can use right away.

📣 Community & Coaching

• Reminder to like, rate, and subscribe to the show.
• Share the episode with anyone who might benefit — that’s how we grow the West Coast Ultra community.
• 👉 I now have space for more athletes - if you’d like coaching support to break down your goals, stay accountable, and build consistency, you can find me on Team RunRun: David Taylor – Glasgow Running Coach.

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