Run Stronger, Move Better || Paul Tierney’s Expert Guide to Running Performance || RUNcensored EP32

Run Stronger, Move Better || Paul Tierney’s Expert Guide to Running Performance || RUNcensored EP32

In this episode, Paul Tierney joins Ben and Gary for a wide-ranging conversation about his path from hurling in Ireland to becoming one of the UK’s most respected ultra and trail running coaches. Paul reflects on how a six-month stint in Australia sparked his interest in endurance sports, eventually leading him into Ironman triathlons – and a near-death experience from hyponatremia that landed him in intensive care. That event didn’t put him off; instead, it laid the groundwork for a transition into trail running and ultimately fell running.

Paul shares the story of how a documentary about life in the Lake District first captured his imagination, eventually prompting him to move there in 2013 after his first experience at the Lakeland 100. He talks candidly about his early mistakes navigating mountain races with no clue, no map skills, and a second-hand army compass – but also how these experiences helped shape his development as a runner and a coach.

The second half of the episode dives into Paul’s coaching philosophy. He discusses why there’s no single “right” way to run and challenges the oversimplified advice often found on Instagram. Drawing from his background in strength and conditioning, Paul explains how small, accessible changes – like improving ankle stiffness or incorporating basic plyometrics – can make a huge difference. He also talks about the importance of athlete buy-in, the limitations of generic rehab programmes, and the value of experimentation, self-awareness, and long-term thinking when working with injured or novice runners.

With honesty, humour, and depth, this episode is a deep dive into both the science and soul of running – and how our biggest mistakes often become our best teachers.

👤 Paul Tierney Bio:

Paul Tierney is a UESCA-certified ultra-running coach and Lydiard-certified running coach with over two decades of experience in endurance sport. Originally from Ireland, Paul’s athletic journey began with hurling before he discovered a passion for long-distance running during a stint in Australia. Since then, he has become a respected figure in the trail and ultra-running community.

Now based in the Lake District, Paul has podiumed multiple times at the Lakeland 100 and Wicklow Way Ultra, and in 2019, he set the record for completing all 214 Wainwrights in 6 days, 6 hours, and 5 minutes. He’s represented Ireland at the World Ultra Trail Championships and completed the iconic 330km Tor des Géants in Italy multiple times.

Alongside his racing, Paul is a highly regarded coach who blends biomechanics, strength & conditioning, and real-world experience to help runners build resilience, avoid injury, and perform at their best. He is also a certified Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Biomechanics Coach, with a coaching style rooted in empathy, nuance, and practical performance insight.

You can find Paul on Instagram   / paulmissinglink  
Or his website https://www.missinglinkcoaching.co.uk/

▶️ 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒:-
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#RunSmarter #MarathonTraining #EnduranceTraining #FunctionalFitness #StrengthTraining
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#Biomechanics #RunningWellness #RunningOptimization #AthleticPerformance
#StrengthAndConditioning #StabilityTraining #RunningBody #EnduranceAthlete

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Intro
03:00 From Hurling to Endurance
07:15 ICU and Hyponatremia
14:30 Discovering the Lake District
21:00 Lakeland 100 and Early Mistakes
27:45 From Athlete to Coach
34:10 Coaching Philosophy
40:20 The Instagram Problem
47:00 Practical Strength & Conditioning
53:25 Buy-in and Rehab Mindset
60:00 Humour, Growth and Final Thoughts

🎧 Listen to the full podcast series here:

Podcast playlist:    • Trail Kit Fails & Cock Tales: Running West...  


📢 Hashtags (for description or comment):

#PaulTierney #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #FellRunning #Lakeland100 #Wainwrights #RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #Inov8 #StrengthAndConditioning #RunningCoach #MountainRunning #EnduranceTraining