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WHW Race POD: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Paul Giblin
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.
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- Jul 16, 202655 min
A Conversation with Gus Irvine: When Winning Doesn't Feel Like Winning
Show NotesA Conversation with Gus Irvine: When Winning Doesn't Feel Like WinningThree weeks after winning the 2026 West Highland Way Race for the second consecutive year, Gus Irvine joins Paul Giblin for a very different kind of conversation.Rather than revisiting splits, tactics or race strategy, this episode explores what happened after the finish line.Despite leading from Balmaha to Fort William and successfully defending his title, Gus describes feeling surprisingly flat throughout much of race day and in the weeks that followed. What should have been one of the proudest moments of his running career instead became a confusing experience that left him questioning why the expected feelings of satisfaction and joy never arrived.Together, Paul and Gus discuss:What it felt like defending a title rather than chasing oneBattling mentally for more than 60 milesWhy winning wasn't the rewarding experience Gus expectedThe role of crew when an athlete hides how much they're strugglingWhether success and fulfilment are always the same thingLessons that may only make sense months, or years laterIt's an honest conversation about performance, expectation, identity and the complicated emotions that sometimes follow achieving a long-held goal.Whether you've raced the West Highland Way yourself or simply chased something important in your own life, this episode offers a reminder that the story rarely ends at the finish line.About the West Highland Way Race PodcastThe West Highland Way Race Podcast shares conversations with runners, organisers, volunteers and people connected to one of Scotland's most iconic ultramarathons. From race previews and practical advice to personal stories and post-race reflections, each episode explores what makes this event so special.About the hostPaul Giblin is a three-time West Highland Way Race winner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra.You can connect with Paul here:Instagram: @pyllon @pyllonultra Pyllon Ultra: www.pyllonultra.com YouTube: Pyllon Podcast: Pyllon Ultra Pod
- Jul 1, 20261h 14m
Roberta Fletcher: Winning the 2026 West Highland Way Race
Roberta Fletcher finished third in the West Highland Way Race in 2024. She returned a year later and finished second. In 2026, she completed that progression by winning the women’s race in 18 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds.It was a brilliantly controlled performance. Roberta was seventh woman at Balmaha, but remained calm, trusted the effort she had planned and gradually moved through the field. She reached second place by Beinglas, took the lead before Tyndrum and continued to build her advantage all the way to Fort William.In this episode, Roberta talks to Paul about how she moved from running 10Ks to entering the West Highland Way Race, after first experiencing the event while supporting another runner in 2023.They discuss the influence of the communities around her as well as the increase in training volume that allowed Roberta to make such a significant improvement over three years.Roberta also explains why she set herself the intimidating target of 18:45, how she avoided being distracted by the other women in the race, and why running by feel helped her stay composed when the early checkpoint times were slower than expected.There is also plenty about the team behind the result: her twin sister leading the crew, the change from gels to sandwiches, bananas and pork pies, and the carefully chosen song that helped send her out of the final checkpoint towards Fort William.This is a conversation about patient progress, trusting the preparation and learning to enjoy the process rather than allowing the result to dominate it.Congratulations to Roberta Fletcher, the 2026 women’s West Highland Way Race champion.Follow the West Highland Way Race on Instagram at @whw_race.Find out more about the race at westhighlandwayrace.org.Please follow or subscribe to the West Highland Way Race Podcast and share the episode with anyone who might enjoy it.The podcast is hosted by Paul Giblin, ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra.Connect with Paul and Pyllon:Instagram: @pyllon and @pyllonultra Substack: pyllon.substack.com YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon Website: pyllonultra.com Podcast: Pyllon Ultra Podcast
- Jun 5, 202610 min
The Work Is Done: Closing in on the West Highland Way Race
The Work Is Done: Only Days Until the West Highland Way RaceWith less than a couple of weeks to go until the West Highland Way Race, many runners find themselves asking the same question:"Have I done enough?"In this episode, Paul reflects on the final days before race day and explores why the focus now should shift away from training and towards preparation, mindset and decision-making.The reality is that almost all of the fitness you'll take to the start line is already built. The work is done.So what actually matters now?Drawing on his experience of running the race ten times, winning it, crewing it, coaching athletes through it, and obsessing over it for years, Paul shares some thoughts on:• Why goals matter more than most runners realise• Understanding the difference between competing and completing• Finding your deeper reason for being on the start line• Identifying the things most likely to limit your performance• Why decision-making becomes one of the most important skills in a 100-mile race• How to respond when plans inevitably go wrong• Avoiding race-week panic and last-minute doubt• Remembering to enjoy the experience and the journeyWhether you're racing the WHW this year or preparing for any big endurance challenge, this episode is a reminder to trust the work you've already done and focus on making the best use of it.The countdown is nearly over.See you in Milngavie.Hosted by Paul Giblin.West Highland Way RaceWebsite:https://westhighlandwayrace.orgInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayraceWHW Race PodInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/whwracepodPyllonWebsite:https://pyllonultra.comSubstack:https://pyllon.substack.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/pyllonYouTube:https://youtube.com/pyllonIf you enjoy the podcast, please consider sharing it with another runner, crew member or supporter of the race. Word of mouth genuinely helps us grow the show and celebrate the people and stories that make the West Highland Way Race so special.
- May 19, 202619 min
Crewing the West Highland Way Race (or any long ultra)
WHW Race PodIn this episode of the WHW Race Pod, Paul talks about one of the most important and often overlooked parts of the West Highland Way Race experience: crewing.The WHW is one of the few races where having a crew is mandatory, and the relationship between runner and crew can genuinely shape the outcome of the race. A calm, organised and adaptable crew can help carry a runner through the hardest moments. Poor communication and poor preparation can quickly unravel things.Drawing from years of racing, crewing, coaching and being around the event, Paul shares practical advice for both runners and crews ahead of race day.Topics include:Why runners should properly brief their crews before race dayGoing through realistic race plans and timings togetherSetting clear expectations and communicating honestlyHow crews should handle difficult emotional moments during the raceWhy adaptability matters more than the perfect planThe importance of staying calm when things change unexpectedlyOrganisation, logistics and avoiding unnecessary chaosLooking after yourself as a crew member during a very long dayTreating volunteers, crews and fellow runners with respectWhy perspective matters during ultrasEmbracing the unique atmosphere and community of the WHW bubbleThis episode is aimed at anyone involved in the West Highland Way Race this year, whether you’re running, crewing or supporting. But much of the conversation will apply to any long ultramarathon.If you know someone preparing to crew an ultra, feel free to send this episode to them.Hosted by Paul Giblin.WHW Race:https://westhighlandwayrace.orgInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/whwracepodhttps://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayracePyllon:https://pyllonultra.comhttps://www.instagram.com/pyllonhttps://youtube.com/pyllonhttps://pyllon.substack.comIf you enjoy the podcast, please consider sharing it with another runner or leaving a rating or review. It genuinely helps more people discover the show.
- Apr 22, 202628 min
When Training Hasn’t Gone to Plan
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 mythThe common trap of trying to cram fitness late in the buildA personal story from student life that reframes how to use limited time effectivelyHow to shift from “catching up” to “making the most of what you have”What actually matters in the final 6–8 weeks before race dayBuilding a simple, effective planStructuring your weeks around consistency rather than intensityThe role of the long run and why it should feel controlled, not exhaustingUsing back-to-back runs to build durability without overreachingWhy easy running needs to stay genuinely easyPractising fuelling so it becomes automatic on race dayLearning sustainable pacing through feel, not guessworkWhy recovery, sleep, and nutrition are part of the training processManaging life alongside trainingHandling periods of increased life stress, including moving house close to race dayUnderstanding total load, not just training loadProtecting sleep and creating intentional downtimeReducing decision fatigue by planning aheadAdjusting training without losing rhythmWhy arriving slightly undertrained but fresh is often better than overtrained and exhaustedReframing where you areLetting go of the idea that training needed to be perfectRecognising the experience and resilience you already haveLearning to respond, adapt, and move forward without overreactingA practical reflection to tryTake time to write down:Key experiences that show your resilienceMoments where you’ve handled difficulty wellStrengths you can rely on during the raceOften, the evidence you need is already there.Key messageYou 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 hostThe 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 LinksWest Highland Way Racehttps://westhighlandwayrace.org/Instagram@whw_raceStay connectedYou can follow along and stay connected here:Substack: https://pyllon.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pyllonWebsite: https://pyllonultra.com
- Mar 26, 202619 min
The Hidden Skill of the West Highland Way: Enduring the Ordinary
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:Why the “big moments” are only a small part of the raceWhat it really feels like during the long, uneventful stretchesHow your mind starts to drift when there’s nothing to react toThe trap of overthinking when everything is actually going wellWhat I’ve seen while crewing at the race, especially as the field spreads outWhy training needs to include boredom, not just intensityHow to stay steady when nothing is pulling you forwardThis 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:Training for the West Highland Way RaceStruggling with long, uneventful runsFinding your mind drifting during training or racingLooking to improve your consistency over long distances🎙️ About the HostThis 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 PodIf 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.
- Feb 26, 202618 min
Sixteen Weeks: Decide or Drift
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 <a href="https://westhighlandwayrace.org/" rel=
- Feb 12, 202658 min
Written Into the Trail: Lucy Colquhoun and the Record That Endures
Show NotesIn this episode of the WHW Race Pod, I sit down with Lucy Colquhoun, who still holds the women’s course record at the West Highland Way Race, set in 2007 in a time of 17:16:20.Nearly two decades later, that performance still stands. But this conversation goes far beyond splits and statistics.Lucy reflects on who she was when she lined up in Milngavie in 2007: an enthusiastic amateur who had only started running in her thirties, discovering endurance almost by accident. We explore what training looked like in a different era, before social media, before nutrition plans and performance data were everywhere, when hill running was still deeply grassroots.She shares:How she was “strong-armed” into entering the race after running the Highland FlingThe simplicity of her preparation, and the discipline behind itRealising halfway through the race that she was leadingThe moment the course record became a possibilityBonking at Cramond Cottage and bouncing backThe emotional complexity of still holding a record so many years laterLucy also opens up about something deeper: identity.What happens when racing is no longer central to your life?What does it mean to step away from competition?How do you hold pride without becoming defined by one performance?We also touch on her incredible victory at CCC in Chamonix the following year, and the psychology of validation, comparison, and purpose in endurance sport.This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about legacy, humility, and the private reasons we run.If you’re preparing for the West Highland Way Race this year, this episode is a reminder that the experience itself is what endures. Records may stand or fall. But what you learn about yourself out there stays with you.Key ThemesSimplicity versus modern complexity in trainingGrassroots ultrarunning in Scotland in the 2000sRunning to feel rather than to paceIdentity beyond performanceComparison as “the thief of joy”The changing culture of the sportPride without egoListen IfYou’re lining up for WHW this yearYou’re curious about the history of the raceYou’re navigating your own relationship with performance and identityYou’ve ever wondered what it feels like to hold a long-standing course recordIf 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 Racehttps://westhighlandwayrace.org/<str
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About WHW Race POD
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.
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