Seasoned Strides

Seasoned Strides is back for Season 2, the podcast about running at an older age. John Brewer and Paul Larkins are joined by Mike Gratton, 1983 London Marathon winner and 1982 Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist, to talk marathon running then and now.

In this episode:

• How much difference do modern running shoes really make, from today’s carbon-plated super shoes back to the racing shoes of the 1980s?
• Do marathon runners carry much top-end speed?
• How has nutrition changed marathon racing, and what would you have used if running in the 80s?

Whether you’re a veteran runner, a masters athlete or training for a marathon later in life, this is a conversation on running performance, training and longevity from someone who won one of the world’s biggest marathons.

Subscribe for more episodes made for the runner who refuses to slow down.

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Paul Larkins and John Brewer sit down for the series finale to discuss all things running at an older age.

Do supplements really work, or are they marketing hype? How can you get the most out of your diet? Can beetroots boost performance?

We'll be back in a few weeks after our summer break! Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don't miss the next episode.

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Oklahoma State Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Dave Smith joins his former athlete Paul Larkins, and sports scientist John Brewer to discuss the US college system.

Is US running booming? What perks do student-athletes have? What advice would professional coaches give to an older runner?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

John Brewer and Paul Larkins sit down to discuss the success, and challenges of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships.

Could you train like Keely Hodgkinson? Why are more older athetes winning more medals? Should you easy run on the track?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Fresh back from a visit to the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, Paul Larkins and John Brewer sit down to discuss the European Athletics Championships.

Just how impressive is Jakob Ingebrigtsen? What is the atmosphere like inside the stadium? How did John lose his mobile phone?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

John Brewer and Paul Larkins are joined by England Masters International Brian Corleys to discuss what it takes to get to the top of the sport.

How do you become the best in a sport? Do serial winners still get imposter syndrome? Do Master's Champions wonder what their potential could have been if they started at a younger age?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

John Brewer and Paul Larkins are joined by Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games coach Mark Kirk to discuss the Glasgow 2026 Games.

What's it like behind the scenes at a games? Is there a future for the Commonwealth Games? Why is this competition so important to some nations and athletes?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

John Brewer and Paul Larkins discuss Josh Kerr's incredible Mile Record set at the London Diamond League

How much quicker is Josh Kerr than Paul Larkin? What time would Josh Kerr have finished a marathon in if he continued at that pace? Why are we seeing so many great performances by masters athletes?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

John Brewer and Paul Larkins to talk about the effects of altitude and how it can help runners and footballers alike.

Can you adapt to altitude whilst sleeping? Are there negative effects to altitude? Can you break a European Record whilst on holiday?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

World Masters medalist and Chair of the England Athletics Council Matthew Dalton joins John Brewer and Paul Larkins to take a deep dive into the world of masters athletics and officiating.

How can Masters Athletics continue to grow? Do we really need timekeepers when we have photofinish? Does athletics need to change to match its athletes' lives?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Paul Larkins and John Brewer get in the World Cup spirit as they discuss the similarities between football and running, and how the heat in the USA may impact players.

How do footballers use running to stay fit? Do football players and runners eat the same food? Is football coming home to England?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Marlow race organisers Mike Thompson and Simon Lamkin join Paul Larkins and John Brewer to take you behind the scenes of the organisation of a running race.

Which gothic author inspired the Marlow Races? What does a day in the life of an event organiser look like? How are races managing their climate impact?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Find out more about the Marlow Races: https://marlowhalfmarathon.co.uk/

MedicAlert CEO Rob Burley joins sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk about staying safe whilst running!

Is it safe to run without ID? Can I run with a medical condition? Is it a good idea to run after a hamstring injury?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Find out more about MedicAlert: https://www.medicalert.org.uk

Sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk all things running on holiday!

Do you plan your holiday around your runs? How can you get the most out of those holiday runs? What benefits are there to running on your break?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Athletics Weekly Editor Jason Henderson joins sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk all things running.

How has written journalism changed over the years? Where does Athletics Weekly find itself in today's climate? Where will sports media be in the future?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk all things running.

How the Enhanced Games made clean athletics look so good? How can you ensure your substances are legal in competition? What legal techniques are being used to help enhance performance?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

England Athletics CEO Chris Jones joins former Great Britain international and sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk all things running.

Is social running beneficial to wider athletics? How do England Athletics support Masters athletics? Why does your body slow with age?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Former Great Britain international and sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk all things running.

Are double-threshold runs beneficial? How to prevent getting stitch on morning runs? Is it possible to run too slowly?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

Trail Runner and Public Health Dr Stewart Haw joins former Great Britain international and sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk all things running.

How is the trail running shoe market changing? What is social prescribing and why is it important? How does trail running differ from other running forms?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com

World Mountain Running Association president and 1985 London Marathon runner-up Sarah Rowell joins former Great Britain international and sub-4 minute miler Paul Larkins and Professor of Applied Sports Science and 20-time London Marathon Finisher John Brewer to talk about history made at the London Marathon.

Why was the sub-2-hour marathon record so incredible? How has running changed for women since the 1980s? What's happening in the world of mountain running?

Get in touch: Seasonedstridespod@gmail.com