The Work Is Done: Only Days Until the West Highland Way Race

With less than a couple of weeks to go until the West Highland Way Race, many runners find themselves asking the same question:

"Have I done enough?"

In this episode, Paul reflects on the final days before race day and explores why the focus now should shift away from training and towards preparation, mindset and decision-making.

The reality is that almost all of the fitness you'll take to the start line is already built. The work is done.

So what actually matters now?

Drawing on his experience of running the race ten times, winning it, crewing it, coaching athletes through it, and obsessing over it for years, Paul shares some thoughts on:

• Why goals matter more than most runners realise

• Understanding the difference between competing and completing

• Finding your deeper reason for being on the start line

• Identifying the things most likely to limit your performance

• Why decision-making becomes one of the most important skills in a 100-mile race

• How to respond when plans inevitably go wrong

• Avoiding race-week panic and last-minute doubt

• Remembering to enjoy the experience and the journey

Whether you're racing the WHW this year or preparing for any big endurance challenge, this episode is a reminder to trust the work you've already done and focus on making the best use of it.

The countdown is nearly over.

See you in Milngavie.

Hosted by Paul Giblin.

West Highland Way Race

Website:

https://westhighlandwayrace.org

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayrace

WHW Race Pod

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/whwracepod

Pyllon

Website:

https://pyllonultra.com

Substack:

https://pyllon.substack.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pyllon

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/pyllon

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider sharing it with another runner, crew member or supporter of the race. Word of mouth genuinely helps us grow the show and celebrate the people and stories that make the West Highland Way Race so special.

WHW Race Pod

In this episode of the WHW Race Pod, Paul talks about one of the most important and often overlooked parts of the West Highland Way Race experience: crewing.

The WHW is one of the few races where having a crew is mandatory, and the relationship between runner and crew can genuinely shape the outcome of the race. A calm, organised and adaptable crew can help carry a runner through the hardest moments. Poor communication and poor preparation can quickly unravel things.

Drawing from years of racing, crewing, coaching and being around the event, Paul shares practical advice for both runners and crews ahead of race day.

Topics include:

• Why runners should properly brief their crews before race day
• Going through realistic race plans and timings together
• Setting clear expectations and communicating honestly
• How crews should handle difficult emotional moments during the race
• Why adaptability matters more than the perfect plan
• The importance of staying calm when things change unexpectedly
• Organisation, logistics and avoiding unnecessary chaos
• Looking after yourself as a crew member during a very long day
• Treating volunteers, crews and fellow runners with respect
• Why perspective matters during ultras
• Embracing the unique atmosphere and community of the WHW bubble

This episode is aimed at anyone involved in the West Highland Way Race this year, whether you’re running, crewing or supporting. But much of the conversation will apply to any long ultramarathon.

If you know someone preparing to crew an ultra, feel free to send this episode to them.

Hosted by Paul Giblin.

WHW Race:

https://westhighlandwayrace.org

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/whwracepod

https://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayrace

Pyllon:

https://pyllonultra.com

https://www.instagram.com/pyllon

https://youtube.com/pyllon

https://pyllon.substack.com

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider sharing it with another runner or leaving a rating or review. It genuinely helps more people discover the show.

With the West Highland Way Race now just a couple of months away, many runners find themselves in a familiar place.

Training hasn’t quite gone how they hoped.

Missed sessions. Disrupted consistency. Life getting in the way.

And with that often comes a quiet pressure to catch up. To do more, and to fix things quickly.

In this episode, Paul explores why that instinct can lead you further away from where you want to be… and how to approach this final phase of training with clarity, control, and purpose.

• Why the “perfect training block” is largely a myth
• The common trap of trying to cram fitness late in the build
• A personal story from student life that reframes how to use limited time effectively
• How to shift from “catching up” to “making the most of what you have”
• What actually matters in the final 6–8 weeks before race day

• Structuring your weeks around consistency rather than intensity
• The role of the long run and why it should feel controlled, not exhausting
• Using back-to-back runs to build durability without overreaching
• Why easy running needs to stay genuinely easy
• Practising fuelling so it becomes automatic on race day
• Learning sustainable pacing through feel, not guesswork
• Why recovery, sleep, and nutrition are part of the training process

• Handling periods of increased life stress, including moving house close to race day
• Understanding total load, not just training load
• Protecting sleep and creating intentional downtime
• Reducing decision fatigue by planning ahead
• Adjusting training without losing rhythm
• Why arriving slightly undertrained but fresh is often better than overtrained and exhausted

• Letting go of the idea that training needed to be perfect
• Recognising the experience and resilience you already have
• Learning to respond, adapt, and move forward without overreacting

Take time to write down:

• Key experiences that show your resilience
• Moments where you’ve handled difficulty well
• Strengths you can rely on during the race

Often, the evidence you need is already there.

You can’t recreate missed training. But you can make smart decisions now.

Consistency, control, and clarity in this final phase will take you further than trying to force what’s already gone.

The WHW Race Pod is hosted by Paul, a three-time winner of the West Highland Way Race, with deep experience of the race and a strong connection to its community.

West Highland Way Race

https://westhighlandwayrace.org/

Instagram

@whw_race

You can follow along and stay connected here:

Substack: https://pyllon.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyllon

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pyllon

Website: https://pyllonultra.com