Let's Go Long with Super Ally McColl - Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 9 Eps 13

We continue to hurtle through Season 9. Join us in this episode for a ‘feature lengther’!

Ye might want to make sure your earbuds are fully charged for our extended chat with this week’s guest, the cultured Mr Ally McColl.

You may recall Ally featured recently along with Graham Connolly (Season 9 Episode 4) to give us the lowdown on their Barkley Fall Classic adventures. Now it’s time for Ally to go solo and have the floor to himself, he grabs it with both hands or as he might say himself ‘baithe tatties’.

Ally provides us with a thorough look back at his running story, it’s part podcast part biography as we delve into a blow-by-blow account of Ally’s foray into the world of ultra running.

From being a wet behind the lug novice, to mastering his race craft and transitioning into a competitive racer. That might sound a bit wanky, thankfully it's only yir show note scribe who is, Ally is anything but.

Tales of a torturous first marathon, discovering the wonder of the trails and hills, finding pals with similar fires in their bellies and the good karma of volunteering ensue as Ally recounts his experiences.

Ally’s passion for running comes over loud and clear, his love of the area he calls home along with a drive and determination to batter his former self’s performances. What did he do when racing was snatched away from him in the COVID years, sit on his arse and mope? Nah, this fella made sweet potato brownie and went for a few wee runs.

He’s achieved a lot in a short number of years, who egged him on? That often mentioned ‘mate at work’ might just have played a part. Enjoy our full 90 min plus extra time with the exquisite Ally McColl!

P.S. John and Stevie Boy have a wee ask, a regular and loyal listener to the show is currently undertaking a survey of ultra marathon runners and we’d love it if you took 15 mins to fill it in. Please follow this link to help us help a pal out https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/uhi/ultra-running