Join the Two Men On The Run in their first podcast, starting during the Covid-19 lockdown, discussing all things running.

In this episode Matt and Jon-Jo discuss what their training has been like during lockdown, how they've stayed motivated with no races on the cards, and what surface is actually best to run on. They then go on to discuss the potential failings and successes of schools, athletic clubs and parkrun within their community and the greater athletic landscape, and what impact it's having on the sport, they love, running!

In this week's episode Jon-Jo questions Matt about his recent run-in with an internet troll in regards to his lockdown virtual racing, and the two discuss a darker topic in the running world, body image and body shaming. And they wrap up the show with the telling of Eamonn Coghlan's leg shaving incident the day before the 1976 Olympic final.

In episode 3 Jon-Jo talks us through a rather sensitive issue that has plagued him over the last year, as he provides his testicle testimony, an issue that we're sure many other men suffer but feel uneasy to talk about,, so hopefully his candid tale helps.

Matt and Jon-Jo then completely change topic and discuss drugs in sport, the financial fraud the moral issues and the failings of the testing system and governing bodies.

On this week's show Matt and Jon-Jo discuss the possible failings and successes of local athletics clubs, parkrun and England Athletics, with Matt having a bit of a passionate rant, try and keep up with him if you can!

Matt then gives a bit of a history lesson on the marathon running boom and the 1972 Munich Olympic attack, before discussing the issues faced by other Olympic Games.

And the guys round out the discussion jumping back to a topic from last week, doping in athletics and take a deeper dive into the drug scandals, the mix of propaganda between East and West media and possibly how things could be put right.

In this week's show Matt and Jon-Jo discuss the tough topic of mental health, something that both have struggled with at various times in their lives, from deep depression, mental breakdowns and even thoughts of suicide, and just how running has helped them both. This was a tough episode to record but the guys hope discussing these topics might help raise the discussion further of mental health.

Show Breakdown:

• The last weeks training.
• Mental health
• Philosophy of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
• Using the darker times and pain as a motivation to train and race.

Jon-Jo's coach and Liverpool Harrier Tony Clarke joins the Two Men on the Run for the first 'Guest Spot' episode. Discussing growing up in Liverpool in the 70's and how he was drawn to running and athletics, which has allowed him a career filled with training and coaching alongside World Record holders, Olympic medalists and stars of the future.

The guys then quiz Tony on his training philosophy, how lockdown has affected him and his athletes, his thoughts on virtual racing, parkrun and his love of the sport.

Thanks again to Tony Clarke

An often discussed topic by Jon-Jo and Matt during their daily training sessions - legal running aids both natural and artificial.

With Jon-Jo taking an approach of trying to find balance in his diet and sleep patterns, while Matt searches and tests the latest technology from sports watches and Strava to Altitude Tents, Massage Guns and the new found 'Super Racing Shoes' the two discuss their thoughts on them all here.

1. Sleep
2. Nutrition
3. Vitamins and Supplements
4. Altitude Tents - https://affinityaltitude.com/
5. Strava and Running Watches
6. Massage Guns, Foam Rollers and Sports Massage
7. Running Shoes

In Episode 8 Jon-Jo has a bee in his bonnet about races, prizes and charity, on the eve of the return to the British racing calendar.

And the guys discuss finding the balance between training and life, is it possible? Are the sacrifices we have to make for running worth it? Love to hear our listeners thoughts on this topic as well.