Welcome to episode 131 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman, and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. This episode is all about illness and recovery, because Holly is firmly in the doldrums, in terms of her physical training, but also her overall health and the impact that’s having on her mental health.Running therapySo it turns into a bit of therapy session between us, to which you are all cordially invited. Holly is finding herself enormously stressed about our impending half marathon, she’s worried about her training having taken a tumble, she’s worried about pleasing people (or not), and she’s also worried about not doing it.Because if only it was as easy as saying she didn’t need to run it – which I do say, and she needn’t, but her conflict is caring for her mental and physical self vs that part of her that really wants to be wearing her medal with the gang on the finish line. So we talk through how she encourages that first part of her to also be that second part of her. It’s tough.Running loveShe’s also worried about not being Top Form Holly when we’re in Paris. As she says: “Because I’m worried people won’t love me”. I’m positive that all of you are with me, when I say that EVERYONE will love her even more when she makes it there, but she needs a lot of convincing.LinksGo and get coached by Runna – it’s just aceEnter our competition to win entry to Ultra X Scotland and a night’s stay in a luxury hotel for twoDo join us on Patreon for exclusive newsletters, free monthly Live chats, and Patreon-only episodes!Drop off some food this February for Food Bank Run – there are families out there who really need our supportJoin the 1% Club and they’ll plant trees for every day you’re active – you’ve nothing to lose!Do please email us at wrpodcast@anthem.co.uk with any questions or running stories Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.