In this packed episode of the Better with Running podcast, Chriso and Zac bring you all the latest from their training weeks before diving into two exciting guest interviews with Sam Clifford and #TeamRun2PB athlete Stephen Van Rees.

Special Guest: Sam Clifford

This week, we welcome a rising star in Australian distance running, Sam Clifford. A member of Team Tempo, Sam had a breakout 2024 season, which included, a Burnie 10k Win - 28:17 and Zatopek 10 2nd- 28:29, most recently he ran a massive 5000m PB at Maurie Plant Meet - 13:25, moving to 2nd on the Tasmanian All-Time list

Topics Covered:

• Sam’s incredible progression this season and his standout results.

• What it was like to race in front of 10,000 fans at Lakeside Stadium.

• Breaking through at the elite level and learning to handle nerves and expectations.

• Mental strategies: visualization, mantras, and staying focused during tough moments.

• Pre-race rituals and post-race celebrations.

• If he could go on a long run with any runner—past or present—who would it be?

In this weeks epiosde of Better with Running Podcast, the show starts with a recap of Chriso's 80k Week including a tough "Buchanan Fartlek" (5 sets of 4 min threshold, 1 min hard, 1 min easy) and a challenging 2-hour long run. Chriso talks us through his latest Shokz headphones and how they are a game changer for him.

#TeamRun2PB Interview: Pooja Bhuller

• Chriso and Zacca welcome #teamrun2pb athlete Pooja Bhuller to discuss her inspiring running journey.
• Hear how Pooja started running during COVID, her progression to marathons, and the story behind her recent 18:42 5k PB.
• Pooja shares her experience being coached by Eliza and her favourite training sessions.

• Pooja looks forward to her running goals for 2025.

Quick Fire Q&A Highlights

• Tech Choice: Garmin or Coros? Apple or Android?
• Location Love: Sydney or Melbourne?
• Footwear: Insights into Pooja's shoe choices for different types of runs.
• Wisdom for Younger Self: One piece of life advice for 18-year-old Pooja.
• Gear Wishlist: The next piece of running kit Pooja has her eye on.
• Dream Race & Everyday Fuel: Pooja reveals her dream race destination and the one food she could eat forever.

Show Links:

Be coached to your next PB, join run2pb.

https://www.run2pb.co/

This week on the Better with Running Podcast, Chriso and Zacca are back with 2 Run2PB Coaches to discuss their own running and coaching updates.

The first guest is Jonny Squire, who recently joined the Run2PB Coaching team, the boys dive into Jonny's transition to Run2PB coach, highlighting how his physio background shapes his athlete load management. He shares his Ballarat Marathon training and the unbelievable story of his stolen Superblasts—a running mystery unfolding!

The next guest is James Hansen, Zacca sits down with James to recaps his recent win at the Adelaide 5000m Invitational, discussing his current training and season goals. Then, the conversation shift gears to his coaching philosophy, revealing his key messaging to athletes and his focus on mental fortitude.

Give the lads a review as requested ;)

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/better-with-running/id1506419354

You can be coached by Run2PB Here:

https://www.run2pb.co/ongoingcoachingsignup

This week on the Better with Running Podcast,  Chris hits a 75km training week, featuring a challenging 10 x 800m session on the road. He keeps building for his Half at Ballarat where he will join a large contingent of Run2PB athletes next month, Zacca received unfavorable results from his recent scan, indicating an injury setback, Chris offers up some ideas to keep him motivated in the gym!

Friend of the Show, Richie Egan joins the boys for a chat about his "Bloody Far 200km Run for Butterfly" on Saturday, March 15th, to raise funds for the Butterfly Foundation, a charity of personal significance. We here about the origins of this ambitious run, Richie's preparation, and what you can expect to see if you come down to support or watch this weekend.

Interview: Andy Buchanan,  Run2PB Coach and Australian Marathon Record Holder, comes back to the show for another chat detailing his current training ahead of London Marathon, he also answers some listener questions on his nutrition, strength work and training philosophies as a coach. Andy offers up a candid and open discussion on how he is tracking in 2025 so far.

Show Links:

Details about Richie Egans Bloody Far Run for Butterfly

https://www.justgiving.com/page/richies-bloody-far-200km-run-for-butterfly?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Follow On IG: https://www.instagram.com/richie_egan100/

Foundation: https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/
National Helpline 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT) on 1800 33 4673.
--
Andy Buchanan

Follow his Strava & Instagram
Shop or Visit Verve www.ververunning.com.au
--
Be coached by Run2PB
www.run2pb.co

First up, Zacca and Chriso share some training updates, Chriso hits a solid 72km week, whilst Zacca is still in limbo with his return to running!

Our #teamrun2pb interview this week features  Run2PB OG Luke Millard. Luke's journey is a testament to the power of consistent training. Since joining Run2PB in August 2019 under the guidance of Andy Buchanan, Luke has slashed his 10k PB to an impressive 36:17, become a multiple sub-3-hour marathoner, proudly represented the Bendigo Bats, and teamed up with his Coach in launching Verve Running.

In this interview, we explore the depth of Luke's running journey. He shares some favourite training workouts and what it like to be coached by Andy Buchanan. We also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Verve Running. Discover the story behind the store and how it's becoming a hub for the local running community.

Straight off the back of a massive 10K PB, we welcome back Norah Armstrong to the show for a detailed race recap. Norah jumps onto give an in depth analysis of the 10k event, providing insights and perspectives alongside coach Chriso and settles the score on a few issues.

This week on the Better With Running Podcast, Chriso recaps a solid training week, featuring some 3k reps while also addressing Garmin Connect issues, a spicy long run that nearly broke strava and pre-pacing gig nerves. Zacca updated listeners on his ongoing injury, expressing uncertainty about his recovery. 

The podcast then features an interview with Jess Jason, Run2PB's new online trail/road coach, we hear about her extensive running experience across track, road, and trail, sharing her running journey and coaching philosophy.

The show finishes with some world-record chat

https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/swedens-polar-ice-half-marathon-ends-in-barefoot-world-record/

You can sign up to be coached by Jess here https://www.run2pb.co/coach-jess 

https://www.run2pb.co/trail-ultra-coaching

This week's Better with Running Podcast features training updates from Chriso and Zacca. Chriso is back in action, sharing his training progress and VIP backstage experience. Zacca, however, has hit a roadblock with his form, experiencing a niggle that requires a break and reset.

We also celebrate two #teamrun2pb athletes who achieved PBs at the Port Fairy Marathon Festival. First up is Laura Malady, coached by Elise Beacom, who finished 4th female in an impressive 3:22. Laura discusses her marathon build-up, race day experience, and the origin of the training block's mythical "Griffin" theme.

Our second guest is Scott Barclay, who initially worked with Gemma Maini in 2018, then transitioned to triathlon. Now coached by James Hansen, Scott recently achieved a half marathon PB. He shares his running journey, how he balances it with football umpiring, and his plans for the Ballarat Marathon. Scott also answers quick questions and educates listeners on the Australian delicacy, the battered sav.

Finally, there is a promotion for a free Melbourne event supporting women's safety and connection through running, coinciding with International Women's Day.

The event will feature two run2pb coaches, Elise Beacom and Sophie Fitt. For more information, visit https://www.lovetherun.com.au/iwdrunning

This week's Better with Running Podcast features a fantastic catch-up withRun2PB Coach Eliza Howard, who rejoins Chriso and Zacca to share updates on her own running and her coaching experiences. Eliza is deep in training for the Tokyo Marathon, and she spills the details on her recent workouts, including some serious long runs, and the tweaks she's made to her preparation to ensure she's primed to attack the race. She also shares some inspiring stories from her athletes at Run2PB, highlighting their recent successes and the valuable lessons she's learned from them. Eliza talks about the common hurdles runners face and how Run2PB helps them conquer those challenges.

Chriso reports in on a monumental 50k week, breaking down the key workouts and how he felt. He also discusses his strength training and cycling explaining how he's incorporating cross-training and the unexpected benefits he's discovered, including a newfound respect for the cycling community! Zacca's been putting in the miles too, clocking an 80k week. He shares the highlights and struggles, including a memorable session and parkrun/pacing gig with fellow Run2PB coach Elise Beacom. Zacca's also been focusing on technique changes and explains what he's working on, while also managing some soreness.

The show wraps up with some lively WR Chat, where the guys discuss the latest happenings in the running world. And, of course, they tease listeners with hints about some exciting guests they have lined up for future episodes.

This week's Better With Running podcast opens with Zacca and Chriso sharing their training updates. Chriso is on the mend, logging 28km total, including some continuous running, and supplementing with strength work and Pilates. His return to running has been successful. Zacca maintained consistency, racking up 78km and switching up his routine with a Saturday long run. He also sought advice from a sports doctor and The Balanced Runner, leading him to implement some technique changes.

The #teamrun2pb athlete interview features Auckland-based runner, Tom Pedlar. Tom discusses his running journey, his coach Andy Buchanan, his sub-3-hour marathon PB, and his recent sub-40-minute 10k. The quick-fire questions round reveals the challenges of finding size 15 shoes and confirms the legendary status of Goody Goody Gum Drop ice cream in New Zealand.

Chriso and Zacca kick things off with a training update. Chriso's been focusing on strength training and elliptical work as he cautiously returns to running with 1-minute jog/1-minute walk intervals. Zacca, on the other hand, racked up a solid 80k week, including his beloved Threlfall fartlek session.

Next, the dynamic Nigel Preston from Single Track Events joins the guys for a chat about all things trail and ultra running. They discuss Nigel's successful Hong Kong trip promoting 2025 events, including the GPT100 Miler, which recently achieved prestigious Major status! Learn more at https://www.gpt100.com.au/world-trail-majors. Nigel also unveils an exciting opportunity for runners to join the Single Track Team! He details the application process, benefits, and what it means to be part of the team. Check it out at https://singletrack.com.au/trail-team/.

This week's #teamrun2pb athlete interview features the inspiring Wayne Oram. Since joining run2pb in March 2024 under Coach Brady's guidance, Wayne smashed his marathon PB, going from 3:34 down to an incredible 3:20! Hear how he powered through the second half of the race at Sydney. Wayne shares his running journey, from his lightning-fast sprinting days (including a 50-second 400m and an 11-second 100m!) to his transition to road and trail running. He talks about his passion for the sport and why it's so important for him to be a role model for his children. Finally, Chriso grills Wayne with some "medium-paced" questions about his shoe rotation, favorite gels, and what food he would happily live on!