Any Given Runday

In the first episode of 2025, Sean and Eric discuss New Year's resolutions, Art O'Neill Challenge, 75 Hard, Running Motivation, and the realities of staying active even in challenging conditions. While Eric was trying to find working treadmills in Vietnam, Sean talks about his own struggles with training over Christmas, including recces for the upcoming Art O'Neill Challenge. They also touch on the pressures of setting goals, balancing life changes, and the importance of small, consistent habits as well as winning an award at the Irish Pod Awards00:00 New Year, Same Us00:23 The Motivation Dilemma02:10 Running Adventures and Mishaps04:44 Navigating the Art O'Neill Challenge12:21 The Joy of Disconnecting16:57 Navigating Through Fog17:14 The Art of Orienteering18:34 Training Challenges Abroad21:26 Treadmill Troubles22:55 Setting 2025 Goals27:46 75 Hard Challenge Insights33:05 Irish Pod AwardsTo vote for us in the upcoming Sports Pod Awards, click below:https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-fitness-health-wellbeing-podcast/For those looking for a more detailed preview of the Art O'Neill Challenge, check out Episode #191 with Ciara Smullen through the link below:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4k5KFgN3SzQlMwfwEEvRTR?si=YzE67vmrSgis2cckn2mvrgThis episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Wintergreen Heat Rub is great for winter training on cold and wet days! You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:Ultrapurelabs.ie You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkoutPerformNutrition.com

We're not waiting till next Monday to drop this one!In this special Christmas episode of the Any Given Runday Podcast, we reflect on the year and answer your Instagram questions, including about our favourite races and events from the past year. We also share our race goals and plans for 2025, including the highly anticipated AGR Group Barcelona Marathon and other major events.We got a great, wide variety of questions. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question! We also tackle various listener-submitted questions on topics ranging from balancing strength training with running to maintaining motivation, as well as the notable bits of advice we received from guests throughout the year. 00:00 Christmas in Vietnam?!?!01:52 Your Questions03:09 Top Races and Marathons05:45 Memorable Race Experiences16:11 Ironman and Future Plans19:23 Training Insights and Goals28:59 Guest Highlights and Common Themes30:30 The Importance of Consistency and Accountability34:09 Running Solo vs. Running with Groups38:40 Morning Run Preparation Tips46:03 Balancing Strength Training and Running56:54 Reflecting on the Year and Future GoalsYou may enjoy a Christmas Day run or have some downtime over the next few days to listen to this one. Or, you could wait until the following Monday, when we would usually drop an episode.This is our last episode of the year! Thank you again to everyone who listened throughout the year... and if you do have a spare minute: give us a vote in the Sports Podcast Awards for Best Fitness & Health & Wellbeing Podcast:Click HERE to voteYou can follow us on Instagram @anygivenrundaypodcastThis episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Wintergreen Heat Rub is great for winter training on cold and wet days! You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:Ultrapurelabs.ie You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkoutPerformNutrition.com

In this week's episode of the Any Given Runday Podcast, we welcome ultra runner Shane Furlong (@run_for_long_shane on Instagram). Shane has completed several ultra marathons, including the 80K Ecotrail, the 200K Kerryway Ultra, and the gruelling 300K Northern Traverse in 104 hours and 16 minutes with just five hours of sleep, and shares his experiences and motivations. He discusses juggling ultra running with fatherhood, the mental and physical challenges faced during extreme races, and his transition from road to trail running. We go into detail on some of the crazy races he has done, and his experiences of dealing with extreme physical pain, sleep deprivation, and emotional hurdles throughout his races. Despite the hardships, Shane's passion for ultra running and his determination to push his limits shine through.02:59 First Marathon and the Impact of COVID-19 on his running04:15 Transition to Trail Running06:24 First Ultra Race Experience09:56 Mental and Emotional Challenges of Ultra Running14:18 Friendships and Community in Ultra Running19:48 Training and Preparation for Big Races22:49 Committing to the 300K Northern Traverse24:56 Race Day: The 300K Northern Traverse including an unexpected race schedule change, struggles at aid stations, tackling tough climbs in very harsh weather conditions, dealing with navigation while battling sleep deprivation, hallucinations and delusions, and the emotion in crossing the finish lineA must listen, especially for anyone who has done a marathon and is thinking about going longer instead of fasterYou can follow us on Instagram @anygivenrundaypodcastThis episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Wintergreen Heat Rub is great for winter training on cold and wet days! You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:Ultrapurelabs.ie You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkoutPerformNutrition.com

In this episode of the Any Given Runday Podcast, we sit down with Saoirse O'Brien (@saoirse.ob on Instagram), an elite national champion and Irish national champion in triathlon, who is representing her country in the European elite senior sprint triathlon championships and the world university championships. At only 20 years old, Saoirse shares her journey from starting sports like GAA and tennis, to excelling in swimming and running, and finally transitioning into triathlon. She talks about her challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, handling injuries, and balancing her training with her studies as a physiotherapy student. Join us as Saoirse discusses her training routines, her experiences in major races, and her aspirations for the future, including potential Olympic dreams. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with a young athlete who is making waves in the triathlon world.18:30 Introduction to Saoirse O'Brien19:14 Early Beginnings and Sports Journey20:59 Transition to Triathlon23:12 Impact of COVID-19 on Training24:09 Cycling and Triathlon Preferences25:06 First Major Triathlon Success32:23 Balancing University and Training36:38 Physiotherapy and Injury Management37:33 International Competitions and Relays40:05 Transition Challenges in Triathlons41:53 Draft Legal vs Non-Draft Legal Racing44:25 Balancing University and Training45:36 Olympic Aspirations and Qualification49:20 Training Regimen and Weekly Schedule52:50 National Championship Victory58:37 Future Goals and Upcoming RacesThis episode is sponsored by ULTRAPURE Laboratories. Ask for the ULTRAPURE Laboratories Muscle Recovery range in your local Pharmacy or Health Store. Their ULTRAPURE Wintergreen Heat Rub is great for winter training on cold and wet days! You can also check out their muscle recovery range through their website:Ultrapurelabs.ie You can now get 25% off all Perform Nutrition products using the code 'AGR' at checkoutPerformNutrition.com