Episode Description
In this episode, John and Steven sit down with one of the most accomplished ultra runners in the world, Beth Pascall. Known for her calm demeanour (earning her the school nickname "Millpond"), Beth shares her journey from medical school rowing to shattering course records at Western States and the Bob Graham Round. We dive into the mental and physical grit required to win iconic races in gruelling conditions and what it’s like to balance a career as a paediatrician with elite-level athletics.
Career highlights
2021 Western States 100 Champion: Finished first female in a time of 17:10:41.
Bob Graham Round Record Holder (2020): Set a then-record of 14:34:26, shaving 50 minutes off Jasmin Paris’s time.
Spine Race Winner: Winner of the notoriously difficult winter Spine Race.
Cape Wrath FKT: Completed the trail with Damien Hall in 4 days, 9 hours, and 43 minutes.
Key Topics and Highlights
The "Millpond" Mentality
Beth explains how her naturally calm personality has been an asset in ultra running. Despite the high stakes of world-class competition, she views herself as a "normal person" and remains largely unphased when racing against global superstars.
The 2021 Western States Victory
Beth recounts her legendary 2021 win during one of the hottest years in the race's history.
The "Wobble": She admits to having a major physical struggle at Mile 70 due to the heat, where she actually had to sit down for a few minutes to lower her core temperature.
The Finish: She didn’t feel certain of the win until Mile 94 when she learned she had a significant gap over second-place finisher Ruth Croft.
The Bob Graham Round:
Beth describes her record-breaking Bob Graham Round as her most enjoyable running experience. She talks about how the running community comes together to support a single runner, featuring pacers and volunteers who were, in many cases, total strangers.
Nutrition and the Evolution of the Sport
The conversation explores how much sports science has changed in just a few years. Beth discusses the trend of high-carbohydrate intake (90g+ per hour) and shares her sceptical but open-minded take on modern supplements like ketones and bicarb.
Technical Terrain Over Flat Roads
Despite winning flat races like the 24-hour Self-Transcendence, Beth admits she doesn't actually enjoy road running. She highlights the Glencoe Skyline as her favourite type of "gnarly" course.