Running Matters

Ep132 - Dr Will O'Connor - Running Science Guru

Dr Will truly is the Running Science Guru!

He has a PhD in sports science and a host of marathons and ultramarathons under his belt. He also has an incredibly clever way of blending the art of running with solid scientific principles and distilling them down to a form that’s easily understandable to the average runner.

Dr Will is coming off a very impressive PB at Gold Coast marathon (2:35) so we get to break down his race and pick out the key take aways there.

We also dive into the big training and racing topics:

The mythical Zone 2

Methods to improve your aerobic fitness

Pacing and prediction for successful and enjoyable marathon times

Taking the confusion out of the 80/20 rule

The advantages of using power output to gauge your training intensity

So whether you’re just starting out and struggling to find your rhythm, or you’re a seasoned runner chasing a new personal best give Dr Will a listen. He really does make the complex simple and turns the science of endurance into actionable, everyday tips.

You can check some great content from Dr Will at https://www.youtube.com/@drwilloconnor

Enjoy!

P.S. Listen in for a special discount code from the guys at Lonely Mountain Ultra

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters

Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

 

 

Ep131 - Danette Sheehan - NCAA 10km Champion

From a tiny town of 1200 people in rural Canada Danette rose to be one of the very best distance runners in the American College system. The crowning achievement was taking out the ultra prestigious NCAA 10km track title.

We chat about leaving home at 15 to pursue a running dream and the many challenges of the super competitive and cut-throat college system. 

Soon after college, drained and disillusioned by the grind of professional running, Danette quit the sport cold turkey and entered the 'real world'.

14 years, 2 continents and 3 kids later Danette has re-emerged in Australia as a serious running talent. The trajectory of her second coming is extraordinary and the sky seems to be the limit for Danette!

A great story and certainly an athlete to watch!

We also chat with Sean down at Runnulla about the Mizuno Neo Vista. A super bouncy, super plush, super trainer!

Listen in for a great discount from our mates at the Lonely Mountain Ultra.

Enjoy!

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters

Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

  

Ep130 - David Bennie - The DNF King

David has a wealth of experience in the Ultra World and has recently jumped into to the race director's seat to produce Sydney's newest trail racing series. David and the team at 180 Cadence are delivering the Sydney Trail Half, Sydney Trail Marathon, Sydney Trail Ultra and the big dog Sydney Backyard Ultra. 

We chat about what sets these races apart and why you should put them on your race calendar. We also discuss how they've managed to provide Australia's biggest prize purse for a trail race, a whopping $10000 for the male and female winners of the Sydney Backyard Ultra!

David also gets stuck into his unusual relationship with the dreaded DNF. His DNF stories are varied, bizarre and heartbreaking. Certainly some lessons to learn there.

The guys at 180 Cadence have been kind enough to offer our listeners $20 off race entry for the Sydney Trail Ultra (August) and the Sydney Backyard Ultra (October). 

Go to https://www.180cadence.au/

and use the code DNF

 

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters

Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

Ep129 - Genevieve Gregson - The Road to Paris

Gen is one of Australia's most accomplished middle-distance runners of all-time, she’s a 3 time Olympic finalist, the Australian record holder and is soon bound for an incredible 4th Olympic Games in Paris.

From Gen’s well documented achilles rupture in the steeple chase final at the Tokyo Olympics she has repaired, re-modelled and returned as one of Australia’s premier marathon runners. Throw in pregnancy and the birth of her son Archer into that timeline and you have a seriously inspirational comeback story. The resilience, determination and professionalism of Gen Gregson is impossible to ignore.

We get to chat about her early days running barefoot on the farm through to her stunning 2:23 marathon in Valencia. Gen details her plans to prepare meticulously for Paris and the importance of the Australian women’s distance cartel in pushing her along to bigger things.

We also discuss drugs in sport, the dating rules at Melbourne Track Club, the benefits or wheat grass shots and the perfect braiding technique for marathon performance!

It was an absolute please to have Gen Gregson on the podcast.

Enjoy!

 

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters

Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

 

Ep 128 - Dr Zoe Fitzgerald - Train Your Brain to Optimise Performance

Dr Zoe is a serious expert in the brain and how it applies to endurance performance. She's a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist, Head Coach at Connect Performance Training and has 7 Ironman finishes under her belt. 

Zoe Breaks down the mental strategies to optimise our running from the point of signing on for the next challenge, the training block, the challenging taper period, throughout the race and the post race debrief. We cover it all in this Expert Edition!

We cover goal setting, positive mindset strategies, learning the skill of confidence and how to avoid the dreaded DNF!

We also shoot over to Runnulla to review the ON Cloud Eclipse. A quality shoe!

Enjoy!

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters

Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

 

Ep127 - Mikey Dimuantes - UTA 100km Champion

We catch up with Mikey after his astonishing run of 9:01 to take the win at Ultra Trail Australia 100km. Mikey details the preparation, mindset and logistics that go into creating such an epic performance. We also get an extremely detailed insight into the specific nutrition, hydration and caffeine strategies employed throughout his race.

We get to hear where it all began for Mikey and in a real 'This Is Your Life' style we wheel out his high school chemistry teacher, Scott 'Theon' Hazleton to get into the details.

We chat about the success of Mikey's training group, the Capital Cowboys, the merits of a post race Mountain Culture and talking smack with Killian Jornet!

Enjoy!

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters

Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

 

Ep126 - Simone Hayes - President of AURA (Australian Ultra Runners Association)

Simone's passion for running is unquestionable and her involvement in the sport spans the entire spectrum of roles. From President of AURA to sweeper at the UTA 11km, Simone does it all and does it well!

This week Haddy chats with Sim about her cracks at the Western States 100, UTMB (TDS) and the mighty Coast to Kosciuszko. We get into resilience through preparation with her coaching group and discuss the amazing work AURA is doing to represent and grow the sport we love so much.

We dive into the new and exciting proposed formation of the Australian Ultra and Trail Running Association (AUTRA) and the benefits to all runners from grass roots to the elite. Simone also details the progress of the bid to get trail running a spot at the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane and how the formation of AUTRA is such an integral part of the process.

Always a pleasure to chat with such a passionate and dedicated volunteer and runner!

Enjoy!

Special thanks goes to our podcast partners
#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

 

Ep125 - Dr Brandi Cole - Team Doctor for the Maltidas

Dr Brandi Cole is a Specialist Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician better known these days as the team doctor for the incredible Aussie Women’s football team the Matilda’s.

You would have seen her on the field at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World cup.

She also has a Degree in Physiotherapy and a PhD just in case you were worried she was underqualified!

Brandi was an elite athlete herself being the former captain of the Australian Women’s Oztag team, representing NSW in both touch football and hockey plus being a World Champion beach sprinter.

She also manages a sports medicine practice is a Mum of 2 kids. This is one serious super woman!

This week Haddy gets to the bottom of the overtraining topic with Brandi. They also discuss managing life stress for the athlete and optimally mixing strength training with endurance sports.

If you’re looking to avoid injury as a runner then get out the pen and paper for this one!

Thanks to our Podcast Partners

Runnulla

Fractel

GU Energy

Gymea Allied Health Centre

Basecamp Altitude Training

Ep124 - LMU Champions Part 2 - Lou Clifton and Gerald MacPherson

This week Haddy chats with the incredible and evergreen Lou Clifton following her win at the LMU 50miler. They discuss her success at the UTMB-CCC, representing Australia in Chang Mai and a record breaking 24hr track performance among many other recent highlights.

We then enlist guest host Scott 'Theon' Hazleton to chat with 104km champion Gerald MacPherson who shares some valuable tips on operating at the pointy end of the field.

Sean Tindale pops in for a review of the extremely versatile Salomon Sense Ride 5 and to unveil Runnulla's newest stocking stuffer.

Enjoy!

Ep123 - Lonely Mountain Ultra Champions Anna Pillinger and Leo Peterson

Stars of the Lonely Mountain Ultra Part 1.

This week Haddy chats with race director Scott 'Theon' Hazelton to debrief an incredibly successful event up in beautiful Orange. 

We then get to meet a couple of the stars of the show in 104km winner Anna Pillinger and 32km speed demon Leo Peterson. Both of these incredible athletes are multiple Aussie representatives put on a serious show over and around Mount Canobolas during the LMU. 

Enjoy!

Special thanks to Sean and Jen at Runnulla for their support of the show!

Time stamps

Scott 2:20

Anna 23:50

Leo 50:25