In this episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I sit down with returning guest and friend of the show Scott Brown, who recently made ultra-running history by completing a double traverse of the West Highland Way — and setting a new record while doing it.

Scott was last on the podcast back in Season 2 (Episode 4), and I’m thrilled to have him back to take us deep into the physical, mental, and emotional journey behind this epic effort on one of the UKs most stunning trails.

We chat about:

• His deep connection with the West Highland Way
• How the idea for the double WHW came to life
• What training, logistics, and crew support looked like
• How he dealt with the lowest moments and unexpected challenges
• What this experience taught him about resilience, purpose, and recovery
• Scott’s humility and mindset are incredible, and this one will definitely inspire anyone pushing toward their own limits.

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• 👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts
• 👉 Listen on Spotify

Alongside hosting this podcast, I’m also a running coach with Team RunRun. If you’re looking for support with your training — whether it’s your first ultra or a big personal goal — I’d love to help you get there.

👉 Check out my coaching profile

• Follow me on Instagram: @davidultrarunner
• Follow Scott: @sbf_scottbrown

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In this solo episode, I dive into one of the most important but overlooked aspects of ultramarathon training: the difference between meaningful challenge and pointless suffering.

Inspired by the Excellence, Actually podcast episode “The Art of Doing Hard Things”, this show explores how we can train smarter—not just harder—by avoiding “Zombie Burnout,” reframing our approach to stress, and aligning our effort with purpose.

I also break down what this looks like inside a 12–16 week ultramarathon training block, and the biggest mistakes I see runners make when chasing big goals.

• Why “hard” doesn’t always mean “helpful” in endurance training
• How to recognise and avoid Zombie Burnout
• A breakdown of a realistic and purposeful ultra training cycle
• Common traps runners fall into (comparison, overtraining, under-recovering)
• How to build a long-term mindset that supports both performance and joy

1. Training with Purpose, Not Just Pain
2. Ask better questions. Train with intent. Stop following hype.
3. Avoiding Zombie Burnout
4. How to recognise when you’ve lost the emotional connection to your training—and how to reset.
5. Applying the Excellence Framework in Your Training Plan
6. A step-by-step look at what a meaningful 12–16 week ultra plan should actually look like.
7. Common Pitfalls to Watch For
8. Mistakes I’ve made—and you can avoid—to stay healthy, consistent, and motivated.
9. Coaching & Community
10. Details on my 1:1 run coaching and how to get in touch.

Instagram: @davidultrarunner

1:1 Coaching Enquiries:

👉 David Taylor – Glasgow Running Coach | Team RunRun

If you’re working toward a big ultra or need help avoiding burnout while still pushing your limits, I’d love to work with you.

If this episode hit home for you:

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• Follow or subscribe so you never miss what’s next

Next week, I’ll be back to the usual interview format with a previous guest and friend of the show that's just smashed a long standing FKT so stay tuned and keep those legs—and your mindset—moving forward.

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Going solo again and in this double-header episode of the West Coast Ultra Podcast, I dive into two hot (pun intended) topics iwhere i look at two of the most misunderstood—and underused—tools in ultramarathon training: heat adaptation and speed training.

Whether you're lining up for a summer ultra, training through a heatwave, or wondering why short fast intervals can help you go longer, this episode breaks down the science and the strategy behind both.

The aim is to provide some discussion on these topics and hopefully arm you with some ideas and tips to tanslate to your training.

What You'll Learn:

• Why heat training boosts endurance, plasma volume, and cooling efficiency
• How to acclimate using saunas, hot runs, or post-run baths
• Hydration mistakes to avoid in hot weather
• How speed training improves running economy, fatigue resistance & neuromuscular sharpness
• Practical workouts: strides, hill sprints, fartleks & tempo runs
• How to balance speed with ultra endurance

Connect with David:

📸 Instagram: @davidultrarunner

🏃‍♂️ Coaching & Plans: David Taylor – Glasgow Running Coach on Team RunRun

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.