Best Paul Tonkinson Podcasts (2025)

1
Aches, Pains and Injuries - Special Guest: Paul Tonkinson 1:07:01

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19h ago1:07:01

1:07:01

The IWNCN guys meet special guest (real runner, real stand-up comedian, real author) Paul Tonkinson and also discuss how to manage aches, pains and injuries. Award winning (for both performing and writing) Paul talks about returning to running in middle age after taking it seriously in his youth, which has culminated in him writing two books docume…

1
Stay Curious 1:02:34

4h ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Paul and Rob are pleasantly surprised by some clement weather - and tenacious leaves - as rain and November in general ravage the country, leading to some spacious thinking in the wonderful woods. Featuring a non-parkrun parkrun, pass-agg devices, staying motivated in the last months of the year, Paul's book, tent poles and hard things, using it or…

1
Beyond The Ultimate's Kris King 38:08

4h ago38:08

38:08

On a Tom Cruise-ish trot along the Thames, Rob talks to Kris King from Beyond The Ultimate about their mission to take the challenge of even the most extreme Ultra Marathons somewhere new - figuratively and literally. Thanks Kris! SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR…

1
Halloween On A Halcyon Heath 57:30

7h ago57:30

57:30

Paul and Rob dig into Yorkshire Marathon memories and more on a sparklingly beautiful Hampstead Heath. Featuring training notes, future plans, football celebrations, what we did next, a sprinkle of spookiness, festive Half possibilities, gig report, running with dogs, Tonks vs trees, Rob and a rucksack, anticipating a morass, circumnavigating a cir…

1
George's Rome In Review 30:35

3d ago30:35

30:35

Back to the kitchen with Paul and George, back from his Rome Half Marathon and ready to report... SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more. BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - and …

1
The Yorkshire Marathon 2025 42:44

7d ago42:44

42:44

Paul and Rob's Yorkshire Marathon, anticipated and debriefed. Featuring channelling Tom Cruise, RunCom IRL at Hampton by Hilton, the cops get called, the night before the run, a little light self-sabotage, breakfast reports and final thoughts. THEN... the other side! Paul - *plot-spoiler* - finishing in curmudgeonly style, overtaking and being over…

1
Final Thoughts Before York 48:25

24d ago48:25

48:25

Paul and Rob's traditional taper trot - a triple loop of Stoke Newington's Clissold Park - five days out from the Yorkshire Marathon. Featuring fitness and fear of falling (Rob) versus non-specific pre-marathon malaise (Paul), a double parkrun report, momentum in all its forms, a Gulman gig, youth and power versus age and wisdom, final Gold / Silve…

1
Helen's Big Seven 46:49

27d ago46:49

46:49

Sweary Helen Thorn returns! And since last she ran with Rob, she's completed the Sydney Marathon, meaning she's done all seven of the World Marathon Majors - so here she takes Rob through them all, on a couple of loops of *checks notes* her local cemetery... SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free l…

1
George Gets Ready For Rome 39:10

27d ago39:10

39:10

Paul's son George is off to Rome for a Half Marathon; here they anticipate the event - but first an explanation of why and where they're not running, and what they're up to instead. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks her…

1
Tapers And Capers 1:07:16

23d ago1:07:16

1:07:16

Here's to the late Carlene Hutchinson. Paul & Rob trot from Finsbury Park to Clissold Park and back along the new River. Featuring a posh party, a pacy parkrun, famous friends and their work, the weekend's adventures, hill training, booze and other habits, last long runs before the Yorkshire Marathon - plus final preparation plans and tips - an exc…

1
The Nights Drawing In - Special Guest: James 47:14

28d ago47:14

47:14

In this episode we talk to James who is roughly our age but only started running this year and is already faster than both of us! Now we all know that being a runner is not all about how fast you are, but James's trajectory is pretty impressive! He chats to us about how he got into running and what he has found out on the way. Also, with the nights…

1
Peak Autumn, Peak Training 1:03:19

1M ago1:03:19

1:03:19

Lots of running to report on as Rob & Paul head up the Walk and round the Woods. Featuring Tonks' long run, Rob's Battersea Half, not drinking, the reset of Autumn, funding the next generation, parkrun report, overtaking and being overtaken, a little negative-split negativity, Yorkshire Marathon predictions - and a spanner in the works for Paul... …

1
Round The Heath After Shoreditch 55:58

1M ago55:58

55:58

The new month approaching means Paul and Rob are on Hampstead Heath, greeting Autumn head on. Featuring the Saucony Run Shoreditch 10k in review, getting long Yorkshire Marathon training runs in, treadmill tribulations for Rob, how good gait helps, speed bumps and cheat days for Paul, 'don't drink the wine!', table stakes, Jules' PB victory... and …

1
Trouble For Tonks 49:51

2M ago49:51

49:51

Sundry disasters befall Paul before and during a gentle run from Kings Cross back to Clissold Park, while Rob bristles with local info - and celebrates an anniversary. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://w…

1
Our Lives as Runners 41:49

2M ago41:49

41:49

As pretentious as this title might sound both of us feel that apart all the other things we define ourselves as, we are "runners" now! In this episode we talk about how running has genuinely changed our lives, whilst trying not to be too soft about it. Broadly, we tackle how are minds, bodies and souls have felt the benefit of getting out there, st…

1
A Long Run Into The Unknown Part Two 53:23

2M ago53:23

53:23

Paul and Rob continue their long run, heading back south to Wanstead and Leytonstone. Featuring book talk, the drama and non-drama of finishes, the ascetic clarity of distance running, the Hemulen Factor, experience-hungry youngsters, Rob's dream, Paul's wife hob-nobbing, getting arrested, a beautiful parenting poem for September, and general proof…

1
Blasting Through Setbacks 45:37

2M ago45:37

45:37

Ok so we all have setbacks, from realising we are not Eliud Kipchoge to being reminded that calf muscles have an elastic limit to frankly, not being arsed to go out into the cold. In this episode we go through all that nonsense and more and give some hints that worked for us as we powered on though!By Oliver Turnbull & Andrew Tudberry

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A Long Run Into The Unknown Part One 1:07:17

2M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Rob and Paul set off on a double run in the sun - from Wanstead Flats to Highams Park and back. Part one features fear of falling, healthy eating, parkrun report, new routes and spots, the Great North Run and other Half Marathons, fun gigs at The Stand Newcastle, 10k romance, the perennial putative marathon pace conversation, over bridges into Esse…

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Don't Be Afraid To Have Fun! 45:35

2M ago45:35

45:35

This time we take about the serious subject of "fun". We have decided we want to run and have managed it, but there is nothing to say we can't actually enjoy it. It might come as a surprise to those of us who remember huffing and puffing around grim woods during school "Cross Country" sessions, where we were told to "get back here as fast as possib…

1
A New Do And A Lucky Poo 52:36

2M ago52:36

52:36

Beautiful sunshine on Hampstead Heath, as Paul and Rob talk training runs - and recovery, runs in different places, Paul's new haircut - and Rob's wife hairdresser trouble, pre-marathon thoughts, why August is special - and what's next, and an auspicious delivery from above. GET the exclusive Nord VPN deal at ⁠nordvpn.com/runcompod⁠ - there's no ri…

1
What's Next? 47:27

3M ago47:27

47:27

An episode with a working title of "Books, blogs, pods, apps, stats, gadgets, groups, channels, clubs and tips" has been sensibly renamed "What's Next?". In it we cover how we became runners and how it is important to remember that everyone is different in terms of motivation, ability and desired outcomes. What seems to bind us all is that we all s…

1
Lily Canter 51:38

3M ago51:38

51:38

Our interview season continues as Paul runs and chats with amazing runner and running and fitness writer Lily Canter, author of Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism In Sport (https://www.waterstones.com/book/ultra-women/lily-canter/emma-wilkinson/9781914487101). Thanks Lily. GET the exclusive Nord VPN deal at ⁠nordvpn.com/runcompod⁠ - there…

1
Easy Steps 47:45

2M ago47:45

47:45

In this episode we talk about just getting out there and doing it. And then doing it again until it becomes a habit and, unbelievably, something you look forward and miss if you don't get a run in! We also look at two of the things that we have discovered which have really inspired us. One is a book called "Born to Run" and one is a phenomenon call…

1
Ronaldo's Underpants 1:00:51

3M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

Reunited, Rob and Paul head back to the familiarity of Highgate and Queen's Woods and the Parkland Walk. Featuring adventures in other countries, running and otherwise, taking training up a notch, and - yes - Ronaldo's Underpants. GET the exclusive Nord VPN deal at ⁠nordvpn.com/runcompod⁠ - there's no risk with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee. B…

1
What Got Us Started 48:19

3M ago48:19

48:19

For six solid years Andrew badgered Oliver to change his life, body and mind by taking up running. It is fair to say that this was not an easy sell: the usual excuses for an overweight, middle aged, desk-bound male came trotting - or rather sauntering - out: "it's not good for the knees"; "I was rubbish at school"; "I am too fat"; "I get out of bre…

1
Going Rogue With Juliette Burton In Edinburgh 54:57

3M ago54:57

54:57

Our interview season continues with Rob on the road again - catching up with erstwhile guest Juliette Burton in Edinburgh, with the Fringe just about to begin. Featuring The innocent Railway, Juliette's many shows, harsh soft play and empowering cosplay, computer games and super heroes, sexism and sexuality, and the intersection of running, perform…

1
Jamie Doward 51:03

3M ago51:03

51:03

For this insightful interview episode Rob went down to Hove to run with writer Jamie Doward - and found some fascinating similarities between Jamie, himself and Paul. Plus the weather was gorgeous. Thank you Jamie. You can get Jamie’s books here: https://www.waterstones.com/author/jamie-doward/1833592 (And you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here…

1
Hampstead Heath Parkrun In The Rain 1:15:16

4M ago1:15:16

1:15:16

Paul and Rob mixed things up by including a parkrun in their regular visit to Hampstead Heath - a parkrun they recorded at once before, one sunny Saturday, some time ago. Featuring foot trouble, Paul’s writing, Rob’s exercises, supporting - and being chastened by - younger runners, and rain; lots of rain. GET the exclusive Nord VPN deal at nordvpn.…

1
We've Been Running Primrose 1:08:10

4M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

As the hot weather relents a little, the boys take a turn around Regents Park and over Primrose Hill. Featuring a haircut for Rob, more mileage for Paul, go Jules go, Raworth's Alpine joy, festival report, Wimbledon, foot and throat trouble, a little timber, to socialise or not to socialise, tour tales, running ravers, and so to Warren Street, and …

1
An Afternoon Run 54:46

4M ago54:46

54:46

One of the usual spots at an unusual time of day. Featuring the new bridge, good and bad tour moments, a disastrous trip to a Grand Prix for Rob, trouble with the neighbours (and their dogs) for Paul, meeting lovely folk over bananas and chips, helping the hunted, those we have recently lost - including a brilliant bandit, some band having a reunio…

1
Heat On The Heath 1:02:00

4M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Hampstead Heath is resplendent in the sunshine on the hottest day of the year, and Paul and Rob are loving it. Featuring Glastonbury thoughts, gig report, blue skies and green greenery, Parkland Walk news, a spooky story, fast culture, Paul’s MDS-centric year, new routes, writers all round, Tonkinson ancestry and AI, clarity and gratitude, Mums and…

1
Rob's Race To The King Report 1:19:52

5M ago1:19:52

1:19:52

Fresh from West Sussex, Rob has just run the 100k Race To The King, and is keen to tell Paul about it on a recovery run round Wanstead. Featuring heat, lost affirmations, a bonus 2.7km, all kinds of runners and walkers, friends on the trail, from the seaside to the hills, falling over and not falling over, half way (less than half way), the heat in…

1
Is Rob Ready? 57:38

5M ago57:38

57:38

With Rob's Race To The King just days away, and Paul just not running much, the boys take a gentle jog round Clissold Park. Featuring writing over running, Aberdeen boot camp, a deep dive into sounds & smells - and interesting words for both - and some words of wisdom ahead of the long trail. SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for earl…

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But WERE We In Hyde Park? 53:47

5M ago53:47

53:47

Paul and Rob loop London’s poshest parks and catch up. Featuring high-end dogs, international ponies, world-class comedy, a pitch for planking, the luxury of low-key family life, and what you can learn from a rubbish run. SUBSCRIBE at https://runcompod.supercast.com/ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you…

1
Mirth, Mileage And Mantras 51:50

5M ago51:50

51:50

A rainy morning in north London sees Paul and Rob heading along the Parkland Walk and through the woods. Featuring a high wordcount for Paul and high mileage for Rob, half term adventures, highs and lows in comedy, a runcommer in the wild and a famous fella in the woods, food before you run - and after - and other fuel, anglers and birders, and a r…

1
On Hampstead Heath With June Approaching 51:47

5M ago51:47

51:47

Paul and Rob take their traditional trot round the Heath to see in the new month. featuring perfect running weather, more football talk, signs of Summer, when a run is too far to train for, walking the hills - and hubris on those hills, beetroot and lemon juice, food on the trail - and in childhood, a pond full of dogs, morning drinking, and Autumn…

1
Surreal But Nice - Rob's Edinburgh Marathon 49:53

6M ago49:53

49:53

It’s been quite the quest for Rob to complete a marathon this year, and the trouble didn’t stop on the start line in Edinburgh. Here Rob reports to Paul on a great-but-crazy day in Scotland. BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444 - and you can get Paul’s …

1
Trainers On, Trousers Up 59:24

6M ago59:24

59:24

Rob and Paul trot out east to Wanstead on a jewel of a day. Featuring career news for the progeny, white bread with butter, cultural activities at the weekend, Rob the roadie, stumbling upon a half marathon, Paul's classic Sunday, Tom's trousers, Edinburgh Marathon anticipation - and Fringe memories, 'have fun', a bit of gratitude, a tickle of temp…

1
Set Fair 1:23:13

6M ago1:23:13

1:23:13

Rob and Paul use the New River and the East and West Reservoirs to connect Finsbury and Clissold Parks on a perfect day. Featuring the highs and lows of Rob’s long run, fuelling, listening and focussing on long trail runs, gig report, the joys of Spring, birds, beards and the Book Devil, family fun, your PBs, and a big idea for next year. SUBSCRIBE…

1
The London / Wales Exchange 57:23

6M ago57:23

57:23

Paul & Rob head round Ally Pally and along the Parkland Walk to Highgate Woods - and meet a friend along the way. Featuring younger generation drinking adventures, real talk, feeling better post marathons, engaging core and improving gait, Rhod Gilbert and his dogs, the Deerings’ adventures in Wales, gig-and-parkrun report, Paul’s potential virtual…

1
Thank Heaven For Helen - The Not-so-much-London-as-not-done Marathon Debrief 1:00:44

6M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

On a beautiful sunny day on the Parkland Walk, Rob and Paul review the London Marathon - through a lens of Paul not doing it, and Rob not completing it. Luckily we also had the mighty Helen Thorn on the course, so we've got the take of someone who medalled too. Featuring many wonderful runners, a dinosaur, some pretty bad jokes, slebs - and their r…

1
The Des Sables Debrief 49:55

7M ago49:55

49:55

Rob's very ready to pick Paul's brains post Marathon Des Sables on a very gentle recovery run round the park - and he's brought us back his desert diaries. Featuring various attitudes to preparation, the Tent 105 crew, Paul's resistance to briefings, nights under canvas, finding flow and becoming feral, how he took on the long, double-marathon stag…

1
Craig Parkinson 1:06:16

7M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

With Paul still wending his way home from the desert, Rob popped down to Hove to run with a great guest - British acting royalty Craig Parkinson, new to running and doing his first marathon next week. Featuring wrestling with the wall in your long training run, what things are going to feel like on the day, the rolling wave of readiness, memories o…

1
Marrakech & Manchester - The Tonkinson Boys Prepare 58:23

7M ago58:23

58:23

Paul and George take to the Parkland Walk for Paul's last run before the MDS - and one of George's last runs before the Manchester Marathon. Featuring Paul's kit, George's training, Rachel's tips, what to do and what not to do before their runs, spag bol, Ned's Mum, fundraising, hallucinating, playing football, aspirational young runners vs old sch…

1
April Fools? Yes We Are 1:03:39

7M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

Paul is just hours away from the Marathon Des Sables and Rob's just talked to the doctor about his probably-fractured ribs as they start April on Hampstead Heath. Featuring Paul's plan - or lack of, new shoes and backpack, cooking kit, lazing and eating vs running and fasting, sexy spreadsheets, late night security issues, a doofus in the desert, t…

1
White Gown Panic And Haunted Ribcage Live In Finsbury Park 57:51

7M ago57:51

57:51

Rob and Paul take a turn around Finsbury Park at a cuspal moment. Featuring Rachel's Birthday and other family fun, Paul's murky MDS medical, shoes and saunas, Rob's ribs, final training runs and the value of stopping and starting, the London Marathon start line, gig report, a poignant postcard from a parent, a bit of reading and writing, and some …

1
Up And Down 54:57

8M ago54:57

54:57

Thwarted in their efforts to reach the obelisk on Coombe Hill, the boys turn back in Wendover and start the journey back to Chesham. Featuring the beverages in Rob's bag, Paul's Red Kite confusion cleared up, what they've both been watching, what they're both writing, walking the hills, finding the 'why', wiping out and running on, singing, footbal…

1
Back To Chesham, Bless 'Em 1:08:36

8M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

The final leg of Paul and Rob's long - but not as long as hoped - trail training run. Featuring Rob running on post-tumble, some drama in Paul's community, one man's comedy is another man's content, yogic breathing, a Race To The King overview, animals wild and domestic, Birmingham thoughts, possible parkruns, self care on the trail, the power of t…

1
Herbert's Hole 1:02:32

8M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

Paul and Rob start a long run from Chesham to the monument on Coombe Hill and back on a freezing cold Monday morning. Featuring a Sunday of preparation and a morning of vaseline application, backpacks and muddy tracks, opening chapters and wheeling raptors, countryside sights and electrolytes, stress dreams and what they might mean, George's run an…

1
Obelisk Obstacle 54:03

8M ago54:03

54:03

We join Paul and Rob an hour into their long, wintry run from Chesham. Featuring an appropriately named pub, replacing salts on the trail, removing contact lenses in the desert, reaching one's limit in training - and running on, 'I am not my body / I am not my mind' and other useful ways of thinking, foot business, festivals, anticipating the Brigh…