Rich has ditched his watch. Not just for one run - for the entire Yorkshire Marathon training block. No Garmin, no heart rate monitor, no Strava, no data of any kind. Just running to feel, a whiteboard on the wall, and 20 years of experience to go on. He's calling it the naked running experiment, and it's already producing results he didn't expect.
Two weeks in, he ran Leeds 10K without a watch and took 90 seconds off his PB. His average pace was
4:02 per kilometre - faster than he believes he would have allowed himself to run if the watch had been telling him otherwise. No data, no limiting belief, no ceiling.
This week, Rich and Andy dig into what that actually means. Why does removing the data feel so uncomfortable to so many people? Why do we use our watches to confirm what we already know, but also to cap what we think we're capable of? Andy's Garmin has been telling him he can run a 4-hour marathon for years. His PB is 3:30-something. At what point does the data stop being useful and start being a ceiling?
And then Andy makes the connection that stops the conversation in its tracks. When Rich says people keep telling him "I couldn't do that" about running without a watch, Andy says: that's exactly what people say about going alcohol-free. And if you genuinely believe you can't go without it - whether it's the watch or the drink - maybe that's the most important reason to try.
Also in this episode: Rich's chaotic Manchester Half Marathon, Andy navigating the post-big-event lull, and what happens when your friends and family are done hearing about the race you just ran.
Yorkshire Marathon training block officially starts June 29th. One Valencia place still available - details in the show notes.
One Valencia spot still available. DM clean.break.coaching on Instagram if that's you.
FRIDAY CONNECTION CALL 1PM EVERY FRIDAY Register here -
https://portal.take-a-cleanbreak.com/friday-connection-call-pageAre you interested in training with us towards you Autumn/Winter Goals - On-boarding until the end of July ONLY - Come and join the Clean Break Collective.
What is Clean Break Chats?
🎙️ Clean Break Chats – Mindful Miles and AF Lifestyles.
Hosted by Andy and Rich – two ordinary guys who’ve discovered something extraordinary through living alcohol-free. Andy lives by the sea in sunny Spain, and Rich’s home base is in Leeds, UK. What they share is a passion for running, a commitment to alcohol-free living, and a desire to help others unlock the same freedom and joy.
Formerly known as The Running Dryy podcast, this re-branded podcast is part of their new venture Clean Break – a growing community dedicated to helping runners break free from booze and tap into their full potential. Between them, Andy and Rich have run multiple marathons and ultra events, and they credit going alcohol-free as their superpower.
Each episode features raw, honest conversations between the two – full of laughs, insights, and the kind of chat you'd have on a long run with your best mate. They also invite brilliant guests to share their own stories of transformation, triumph, and what it means to live, run, and thrive without alcohol.
Whether you’re sober-curious, in recovery, or just want to hear real stories about finding meaning through movement and mindset, Clean Break Chats is your new go-to listen.
👟 Come for the running.
💬 Stay for the community.
✨ Leave feeling inspired.