The Tea & Trails Podcast

This week on the Tea & Trails podcast we’re talking all things Stair Stepper, how to use it, when to use it. Neither Gary nor Eddie are exactly Stepper superfans, but we know plenty of you swear by it for your vert, so we’re diving in.
Eddie also pops on her coaching hat to chat about the classic back‑to‑back long run versus Gary’s preferred method: the double… but absolutely not back‑to‑back long runs.
We also cast our eyes across the pond for a pinch of inspiration from the mighty Cocodona 250!
Meanwhile, another week of Hardmoors 200 and Spine Race training is in the bank, and you lot have been absolutely smashing it over on Strava, big miles, big races, big energy. We’ve got a cracking Tales from the Trail and a Heavy Flex lined up too.
HARRIER - Use code TATP10 for 10% off - https://harrierrunfree.avln.me/c/qXhnTgIdEMea

XMILES UK - Listeners receive 10% of their order value back as store credit via the link - https://xmiles.avln.me/c/RiwxnARvfHeR

FENIX LIGHT LTD - Use code T&T5 for 5% - https://www.fenixlight.co.uk/

PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION - Use code TEA2026 for 15% off your first order
PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION PLANNER - https://visit.pfandh.com/3RuP25z
STRAVA - Use code TEA for 20% off an annual membership - #StravaPartner #Ad
https://www.strava.com/subscribe/checkout?code=TEA
ASCEND APP - Use code TeaandTrails30 to receive 30% off a monthly subscription.
https://ascendtrailapp.avln.me/c/MOwNWISPDOwi
Content may contain affiliate links which help support and grow this channel at no extra cost to you.
Brew with the Coaches - CLICK HERE
Hardmoors - https://www.hardmoors110.org.uk/
Trail Outlaws - https://www.trailoutlaws.com/
13 Valleys Ultra - https://www.13valleysultra.com/
Beyond Trails - https://www.beyondtrails.co.uk/
Hellfire Events - https://www.hellfireevents.com/
Dales Runner - https://dalesrunner.co.uk/
Hannah Walsh - https://www.hannahwalsh.co.uk/
Punk Panther - https://www.punkpanther.co.uk/
Pen Llyn Ultra - https://penllyn.niftyentries.com/
Raw Adventures - https://www.raw-adventures.co.uk/
XNRG - https://www.xnrg.co.uk/

This week we sit down with the very talented, and equally humble, Barney Plummer. The Helm Hill athlete has been making serious waves on the UK trail scene, stacking up wins and course records at some of the country’s most competitive races. It was his first time on Tea & Trails, which meant the conversation wandered a bit... Boat crashes, tea etiquette, road marathons, The Lap, The 13 Valleys Ultra, Old County Tops, and of course his incredible victory at the 2026 Fellsman. 
https://fellsman.org.uk/
Pic Credit - @andymiltonphotography
HARRIER - Use code TATP10 for 10% off - https://harrierrunfree.avln.me/c/qXhnTgIdEMea

XMILES UK - Listeners receive 10% of their order value back as store credit via the link - https://xmiles.avln.me/c/RiwxnARvfHeR

FENIX LIGHT LTD - Use code T&T5 for 5% - https://www.fenixlight.co.uk/

PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION - Use code TEA2026 for 15% off your first order
PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION PLANNER - https://visit.pfandh.com/3RuP25z
STRAVA - Use code TEA for 20% off an annual membership - #StravaPartner #Ad
https://www.strava.com/subscribe/checkout?code=TEA
ASCEND APP - Use code TeaandTrails30 to receive 30% off a monthly subscription.
https://ascendtrailapp.avln.me/c/MOwNWISPDOwi
Content may contain affiliate links which help support and grow this channel at no extra cost to you.
Brew with the Coaches - CLICK HERE
Hardmoors - https://www.hardmoors110.org.uk/
Trail Outlaws - https://www.trailoutlaws.com/
13 Valleys Ultra - https://www.13valleysultra.com/
Beyond Trails - https://www.beyondtrails.co.uk/
Hellfire Events - https://www.hellfireevents.com/
Dales Runner - https://dalesrunner.co.uk/
Hannah Walsh - https://www.hannahwalsh.co.uk/
Punk Panther - https://www.punkpanther.co.uk/
Pen Llyn Ultra - https://penllyn.niftyentries.com/
Raw Adventures - https://www.raw-adventures.co.uk/
XNRG - https://www.xnrg.co.uk/

The Hardmoors 200 is looming ever closer, and Gary is… well, wobbling again. Not the training week he dreamed of, but definitely the one he got. Meanwhile, Eddie has been spinning every solo‑parenting plate in the cupboard while still grinding through her Spine Race prep. At least the trails delivered some glorious miles, and the sun finally showed up with a long‑overdue dose of vitamin D.
For Brew with the Coaches we dive deep into how to pick a home treadmilll, and we’re sharing our best recovery tips for all you London Marathon legends who are still hobbling around.
And over on Strava? Smoking‑fast running, big miles, and plenty of heavy flexes lighting up the feed.
HARRIER - Use code TATP10 for 10% off - https://harrierrunfree.avln.me/c/qXhnTgIdEMea

XMILES UK - Listeners receive 10% of their order value back as store credit via the link - https://xmiles.avln.me/c/RiwxnARvfHeR

FENIX LIGHT LTD - Use code T&T5 for 5% - https://www.fenixlight.co.uk/

PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION - Use code TEA2026 for 15% off your first order
PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION PLANNER - https://visit.pfandh.com/3RuP25z
STRAVA - Use code TEA for 20% off an annual membership - #StravaPartner #Ad
https://www.strava.com/subscribe/checkout?code=TEA
ASCEND APP - Use code TeaandTrails30 to receive 30% off a monthly subscription.
https://ascendtrailapp.avln.me/c/MOwNWISPDOwi
Content may contain affiliate links which help support and grow this channel at no extra cost to you.
Brew with the Coaches - CLICK HERE
Hardmoors - https://www.hardmoors110.org.uk/
Trail Outlaws - https://www.trailoutlaws.com/
13 Valleys Ultra - https://www.13valleysultra.com/
Beyond Trails - https://www.beyondtrails.co.uk/
Hellfire Events - https://www.hellfireevents.com/
Dales Runner - https://dalesrunner.co.uk/
Hannah Walsh - https://www.hannahwalsh.co.uk/
Punk Panther - https://www.punkpanther.co.uk/
Pen Llyn Ultra - https://penllyn.niftyentries.com/
Raw Adventures - https://www.raw-adventures.co.uk/
XNRG - https://www.xnrg.co.uk/

This week, we’re joined by inov‑8 ambassador James Gibson, it’s his very first time on the show. So we take the chance to hear how he found his way into running, and how the high fells became his happy place.
In recent years he’s completed some of the UK’s toughest mountain challenges, including a winter Double Bob Graham Round, if that wasn’t enough, he’s also set a record on the Double Paddy Buckley Round.
We chat through both of these enormous winter efforts, what drew him to them, how he prepared, and what it actually feels like to push through two full rounds back‑to‑back when most people would be calling it a day after one.
Despite these world‑class performances, James remains famously low‑key. He’s a running coach, a Mountain Leader, and someone who has spent years guiding people up Scafell Pike and across the Lakeland fells. That background, long days on the hills, carrying weight, moving steadily through rough ground has shaped him into the resilient, quietly determined athlete he is today.
https://www.jamesgibsoncoaching.co.uk/
Pic Credit - Jamie Rutherford @jmruther4d
HARRIER - Use code TATP10 for 10% off - https://harrierrunfree.avln.me/c/qXhnTgIdEMea

XMILES UK - Listeners receive 10% of their order value back as store credit via the link - https://xmiles.avln.me/c/RiwxnARvfHeR

FENIX LIGHT LTD - Use code T&T5 for 5% - https://www.fenixlight.co.uk/

PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION - Use code TEA2026 for 15% off your first order
PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION PLANNER - https://visit.pfandh.com/3RuP25z
STRAVA - Use code TEA for 20% off an annual membership - #StravaPartner #Ad
https://www.strava.com/subscribe/checkout?code=TEA
ASCEND APP - Use code TeaandTrails30 to receive 30% off a monthly subscription.
https://ascendtrailapp.avln.me/c/MOwNWISPDOwi
Content may contain affiliate links which help support and grow this channel at no extra cost to you.
Brew with the Coaches - CLICK HERE
Hardmoors - https://www.hardmoors110.org.uk/
Trail Outlaws - https://www.trailoutlaws.com/
13 Valleys Ultra - https://www.13valleysultra.com/
Beyond Trails - https://www.beyondtrails.co.uk/
Hellfire Events - https://www.hellfireevents.com/
Dales Runner - https://dalesrunner.co.uk/
Hannah Walsh - https://www.hannahwalsh.co.uk/
Punk Panther - https://www.punkpanther.co.uk/
Pen Llyn Ultra - https://penllyn.niftyentries.com/
Raw Adventures - https://www.raw-adventures.co.uk/
XNRG - https://www.xnrg.co.uk/

Both hosts are feeling a bit bruised this week. Gary’s wrestling with the mental load & that feeling when training somehow leaks into every corner of your life, and Eddie’s running on fumes, her usually eternal mojo having wandered off for a little holiday. Thankfully, you lot are bringing the inspiration with some absolutely mind‑blowing Strava updates.
Fueling for a road marathon has been a hot topic lately, so we’re diving in with some tips and the strategies that have actually worked for us over the years.
And in this week’s Tales from the Trails, things get emotional. Listener Colin Young shares a beautiful, heavy flex tribute to David Parish, who sadly passed away recently. It’s heartfelt, powerful, and a reminder of the incredible community we’re lucky to be part of.
And good news, our friends at Protein Rebel are supplying the prize for April’s competition. Tune in for all the details.
HARRIER - Use code TATP10 for 10% off - https://harrierrunfree.avln.me/c/qXhnTgIdEMea

XMILES UK - Listeners receive 10% of their order value back as store credit via the link - https://xmiles.avln.me/c/RiwxnARvfHeR

FENIX LIGHT LTD - Use code T&T5 for 5% - https://www.fenixlight.co.uk/

PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION - Use code TEA2026 for 15% off your first order
PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION PLANNER - https://visit.pfandh.com/3RuP25z
STRAVA - Use code TEA for 20% off an annual membership - #StravaPartner #Ad
https://www.strava.com/subscribe/checkout?code=TEA
ASCEND APP - Use code TeaandTrails30 to receive 30% off a monthly subscription.
https://ascendtrailapp.avln.me/c/MOwNWISPDOwi
Content may contain affiliate links which help support and grow this channel at no extra cost to you.
Brew with the Coaches - CLICK HERE
Hardmoors - https://www.hardmoors110.org.uk/
Trail Outlaws - https://www.trailoutlaws.com/
13 Valleys Ultra - https://www.13valleysultra.com/
Beyond Trails - https://www.beyondtrails.co.uk/
Hellfire Events - https://www.hellfireevents.com/
Dales Runner - https://dalesrunner.co.uk/
Hannah Walsh - https://www.hannahwalsh.co.uk/
Punk Panther - https://www.punkpanther.co.uk/
Pen Llyn Ultra - https://penllyn.niftyentries.com/
Raw Adventures - https://www.raw-adventures.co.uk/
XNRG - https://www.xnrg.co.uk/