Stuart Johnston chats West Highland Way with Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 8 Eps 11

This week's guest is winner of the West Highland Way Race 2023 Stuart Johnston. You all know our fondness of the iconic route, that's no surprise, Stuart though brings an altogether different view of his memorable day to the table and deliver he most certainly does.

Before Stu rocks up we've some exciting intro chat revealing your chance to get your mitts on our brand spanking new Summer 2023 LeBuffBuff! be quick

Stuart, who only flipped the switch for him to start dabbling in the world of ultramarathons relatively recently, then joins the fray. Running his first ultra in 2019, and just 4 short years later, in his debut at the West Highland Way Race, crossed the finish line in 1st place to win the coveted first prize in a time of 16 hours 35 mins 31 secs.

Pre-lockdown (remember that?) Stuart confesses to cramming in too many ultras, it was around the same time he made contact with running coach Gary House and together they hatched a plan that had paid massive dividends.

There are golden nuggets aplenty in this episode as Stuart gives us access into his running toolbox, providing us with information around his nutrition, hydration, building mental strength, finding his breaking point and understanding his body. Oh...and ice lollies!

We speak about how Stuart trained specifically for the West Highland Way Race, how he planned to combat the heat, and in his own words, how he left 'no stone unturned', thoroughness seems one of his many talents.

Stuart also gave us a heads up about the work being done by Bruce Smith around exercise and type 1 diabetes as well as recommending a book by Patrick Wilson 'The Athlete's Gut' (see links at bottom of shoe notes)

In what is a superbly insightful episode into the immediate post race thoughts of Stuart we are treated to an hour and a half of diamond content. There's learning here for us all, tons of takeaways, ye might even need a few listens.

Bruce Smith around exercise and type 1 diabetes

Patrick Wilson 'The Athlete's Gut'