This week on Better With Running, RUN2PB athlete Mel Townsend joins Chriso and Zacca for a discussion on her incredible versatility. Mel's running career began as a high school star before she transitioned to the US collegiate scene, competing for Northern Arizona University (NAU).We hear about her college running days and now transitioning to the trail running world.

Mel's 2025 season has been a massive success, marked by a conscious goal to race more, competing in twelve eventsand As a member of the Singletrack Team, she has thrived on the trails. Mel shares her passion for trail running, calling it "almost like a combination of all my hobbies outside of running combined, and then running as well." She also provides a candid look into the mental demands of ultra-racing, describing the experience as a "rollercoaster of emotions, of exhaustion, happiness, anger, sad, because there's so much time in your own head."

Mel talks about her goals for 2026 and takes on the quick questions, and reveals her garmin is still going strong!

In this week's episode of the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman welcome back fellow Run2PB coach Forest Robinson for an honest and detailed conversation about navigating high-volume marathon training and his coaching time at Run2PB so far.

Chris talks through his week and offers a sincere apology. After years of good-natured mockery and "slanderous comments" about swimming pools, Chris admits he was "incredibly wrong." Following a recovery dip on a hot day, he confessed that the leisurely pool time was "absolutely magnificent", whilst Zacca continues to put down some consistent weeks.

The spotlight turns to Forest Robinson, who provides an in-depth update on his focused training block for the upcoming Valencia Marathon. After an unpredictable racing season, Forrest is laser-focused on his major target and gives listeners an exclusive look into his preparation, detailing a brutal 3x15 minute session. Beyond his own running, Forrest shares his rewarding journey since officially joining the Run2PB coaching community in July. He reflects on the challenges and joys of personalizing training plans for a diverse stable of athletes, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that considers every runner's life demands, making this episode a must-listen for anyone striving for consistent, healthy running.

With thanks to Oat Running our partner, Chris will be gifted some Oat Running Socks.

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

The legendary Brady Threlfall returns to the podcast alongside Chris and Zac for a massive episode!

Special guest Brady Threlfall joins the boys to discuss treating his first significant injury (hip and pelvis stress reaction) as a much-needed mental and physical 'reset' to his plans to come back stronger.

Plus, Brady gives a full, behind-the-scenes breakdown on the massive effort to revive the historic Sweat vs. Steam fun run, detailing the logistical and organisational challenges and his passion for keeping the Echuca Moama community event alive.

Finally, the show checks in with returning guest Jess Willis, fresh off a huge 2:46:02 PB at the Melbourne Marathon. Jess shares the challenges of her tricky training block, including illness and a foot injury, and reveals the coach-recommended "life hack" (involving Voltaren and Gladwrap) that got her back on the start line.

With thanks to Oat Running our partner, Chris will be gifted some Oat Running Socks.

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman dive into a comprehensive Melbourne Marathon special, reflecting on the huge turnout of over 105 Run2PB athletes on the road.

The episode features candid interviews with two athletes who achieved phenomenal success despite huge challenges. First, Liam Beecroft breaks down his 2-minute PB, going from 2:37 to 2:35:36. Liam recounts his dramatic final race week, which included a bad bike crash just days before the marathon He details how sheer willpower and a focused mindset allowed him to push past the bone bruising to execute his race plan. Liam also settles the important debate about race day attire and reveals what he was wearing on the course.

Next, Fraser Pope and his coach, James Telford, discuss Fraser's incredible 2:56:57 marathon time. Fraser shares his background, contrasting his old football warm-up (a single lap) with the dedication required to run sub-3 hours. Coach Telford explains their strategic approach to recovering from the Gold Coast Marathon only 14 weeks prior:. This measured approach allowed Fraser to execute a "metronomically" consistent race, proving that patience and trust in the process can lead to strong, back-to-back marathon finishes. The episode closes with appreciation for the running community that powered the day.

With thanks to Oat Running our partner, Chris will be gifted some Oat Running Socks.

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman are joined by Australian marathon record holder, olympian r and fellow Run2PB coach, Andy Buchanan, for a Melbourne Marathon race week special. Chris shares his latest training, detailing a 72km week capped off by a challenging progression session (2 x Mile, 2 x 800m, Mile, 800m) where he started conservatively and made each rep progressively faster. This segment naturally leads into a discussion about coaching philosophy, with Andy stressing that success is found in consistently putting in and absorbing the work, not overcomplicating a single session, a lesson he's imparted to Chris over the last five years.

The conversation takes a serious turn as Andy reflects on his planned World Championships campaign. He recounts a "blur" of travel and training, including a challenging heat prep camp in Cairns and his impressive win at the Sunny Coast Half. Andy addresses the inevitable follow-up question regarding the setback, offering his perspective on what went wrong and how he mentally reset after the disappointment.

With the focus now firmly on the future, Andy details the strategic balancing act of his Valencia build, and how he will attack it. The episode concludes with invaluable insights for all the athletes lining up at the Melbourne Marathon.

With thanks to Oat Running our partner, Chris will be gifted some Oat Running Socks.

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

his week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman are joined by returning guest Chris Hillhouse, just two weeks out from his debut at the Melbourne Marathon. Chris Armstrong kicks off the show with his training update, logging a solid 75kms and crushing a 7x1km session with reps dropping into the 3:19/km range,

Returning to the show this week is Chris Hillhouse, a self-employed gardener, is an athlete who has made a transformative shift from running a self-devised half marathon that left him unable to walk for two weeks, to a 73min man under the guidance of run2pb coach Josh Harris.

The interview delves into Chris’s unique journey, beginning with a quick recap of his progression from a novice runner to a competitive athlete. They discuss how he manages the significant challenge of balancing the physical demands of his gardening job with hitting key marathon sessions and long runs. Chris emphasizes the value of the structure provided by his coach, Josh Harris, noting that it's a huge relief to "just open Final Surge and here's what I'm doing today," allowing him to eliminate mental fatigue. This contrasts sharply with his early "self-devised" approach, highlighting the mental and physical shift required for a successful debut.

Finally, the discussion focuses on the Melbourne Marathon debut itself. Chris shares some of the big workouts he’s tackled, which his coach confirms have prepared him perfectly, carrying early-season form into the final taper. They discuss his race strategy, including his target time before wrapping up with a look at his race day gear and a profound question: what will success truly look like for him when he crosses the finish line at the Melbourne Cricket Ground?

With thanks to Oat Running our partner, Chris will be gifted some Oat Running Socks.

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman are joined by Run2PB athlete Jamie Soares, an electrician, father, and a dedicated runner who just smashed his 10km PB over the weekend. He has been coached by Brady Threlfall since January and he shares his unique journey, detailing how he balances his demanding job as an electrician and family commitments with a young daughter to find time to train. The conversation dives into his running progression and PBs, including his recent time of 36:39 at the Run Prix 10km. Jamie offers a great recap of the race and discusses what it's like being coached by Brady and the lessons he's learned.

The episode wraps up with a fun quick-fire round where Jamie reveals his favorite training sessions and answers a series of questions that give listeners a peek into his personality and life outside of running.

This show is in partnership with ⁠Oat Running Socks.⁠

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman are joined by returning guest and Run2PB coach, physiotherapist James Telford, for a deep dive into the most challenging part of an athlete's journey: injury. Chris shares his personal update, having a solid 73km week which included a key workout and a 90-minute long run on his new favorite race shoe, the Asics Megablast. He talks about the satisfaction of putting four weeks of consistent training

The conversation with James Telford starts with the relatable dilemma every runner faces—a slight niggle that can escalate into a full-blown injury. They explore the psychological factors that make runners hide pain. James and the hosts discuss the critical importance of a coach's role in creating a safe, non-judgmental space for communication.

The discussion provides practical advice for both athletes and coaches. He emphasizes the coach's role as a "hub," connecting the athlete to the right professionals—not playing doctor, but facilitating a collaborative process of rehabilitation. This includes setting new, short-term goals, like milestones in physical therapy, to provide a positive psychological focus during the recovery process

This show is in partnership with ⁠Oat Running Socks.⁠

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman are joined by athlete Rory Flanagan and his coach, Ben Stolz, for an insightful conversation on marathon preparation.

The main interview features Rory Flanagan, who is in the final stages of his build for the Berlin Marathon. Rory and his coach, Ben Stolz, discuss the training block, highlighting Rory's consistent 95-100km weeks that have been key to his progress. Rory talks about his meticulous race preparation, including his fueling strategy and the importance of sweat testing.. Beyond the race, Rory shares the emotional drive behind his effort: his fundraising campaign for Haplo-insufficiency Syndrome with the Mefties Run Club.

Support Rory Here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-my-berlin-marathon-run-for-mefties

Sweat Testing with Ben : https://www.benstolzmyotherapy.com/general-8

This show is in partnership with ⁠Oat Running Socks.⁠

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman sit down with Run2PB athlete Mitch Wilson to unpack his incredible marathon breakthrough at the Sydney Marathon. The hosts open with their own updates, with Zac returning from his time in Sydney and Chris sharing his plans for the half on the weekend.

Mitch shares his journey to the Sydney Marathon, starting with Run2PB in early 2025 with the ambitious goal of breaking 2 hours and 50 minutes, a significant leap from his previous PB of 3 hours and 27 minutes. He recounts his training block, which was carefully structured to build volume gradually and avoid a history of injuries. The conversation highlights his big PB in the 3k at the Box Hill Classic and a great progression run at the Ballarat 15k, which gave him the confidence he needed for the Sydney start line. Mitch credits a new emphasis on a balance of load, rest, and recovery for his success.

The discussion delves into the Sydney Marathon itself, which Mitch executed to perfection. He reveals that after a few key sessions, he and his coach landed on a target pace for a sub-2:50 finish. He hit his splits with incredible consistency, finished strong, and successfully managed his nutrition with seven gels. Mitch also shares his philosophy as a "student of the sport," explaining his curiosity about the "why's" of training and how his constant feedback makes his coach's job easier.

This show is in partnership with ⁠Oat Running Socks.⁠

Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au