Sydney Marathon 2025 Recap
Georgia’s sub-4 breakthrough, race day chaos & why the mental game matters most.

This week, Georgia recaps her Sydney Marathon — and yep, she finally breaks sub-4. We talk through her pacing plan, mental prep, and how it all played out on race day (spoiler: not everything went to plan).

Matt shares coaching insights from across the TPP crew, and we reflect on what makes marathon milestones so emotional — and so damn rewarding.

Also inside:
– Race week nerves, taper wobbles & race day breakthroughs
– Matt's take on DNF’ing vs. quitting
– Georgia’s emotional finish + the moment she found out her time
– Lessons from coaching dozens of athletes to the start line
– Why goals are relative — and why it’s worth putting them out there

🎧 Listener Q&A:
No formal Q&A this week — just real talk, raw moments, and what it actually takes to hit a marathon goal.

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It’s the final days before the Sydney Marathon — and we’re talking all things race week mindset. From managing nerves and trusting your taper to planning your pacing and fuelling, this one is all about getting your head (and legs) in the right place before the start line.

Georgia opens up about managing pre-race anxiety, Matt breaks down how to avoid common taper traps, and together they answer your listener questions on how to handle the mental chaos of marathon week.

Also inside:
– How to stop anxiety from hijacking your race
– Pacing plans, mental prep, and trusting your training
– When pain is fine — and when it’s not
– “The hay is in the barn”: why you’ve already done the work

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– How do I calm my nerves the night before race day?
– What if I’m still feeling niggles or dealing with injury?
– How do I pace properly if I’ve never raced this distance?
– What if I have a mental block about a certain part of the course?

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Super Shoes: game-changer or overhyped trend?, Matt and Georgia dive deep into the world of super shoes, carbon plates, and what they actually mean for everyday runners. Whether you’re chasing a PB at Sydney Marathon or just curious about the hype, this episode breaks it all down.

Also inside:
– Matt’s 24-hour ultra relay recap (and why it was all about resetting minimum standards)
– Georgia’s quad strain update and how she’s managing niggles pre-Sydney Marathon
– The difference between super shoes and carbon-plated trainers
– How long super shoes really last (and when they’re worth the investment)
– Why “banking time” early in a marathon is a trap
– Sydney Marathon run club update – 100+ runners joining the community
– The mental side of running gear: placebo or performance?

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– Can super shoes actually make me slower if I’m not “fast enough”?
– Are super shoes worth it for 5K, 10K, or parkrun?
– What to expect at Sydney Marathon if it’s your first big city race
– Is “banking time” early in a marathon ever a good strategy

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We Answer Your Sydney Marathon Questions
Taper brain, race day fuelling, pacing plans & staying calm when it counts.

This week is all about helping you get to the Sydney Marathon start line feeling ready. We answer your questions on everything from race week nerves to fuelling strategy — plus, Georgia talks through her own plan for race day and Matt finally makes his race announcement.

Also inside:
– Georgia’s race week pacing, fuelling & mental prep
– Matt’s running an ultra marathon
– How to calm taper nerves without spiralling
– Sydney Marathon shakeout run details

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– Is it normal to struggle with pace in training but feel great on race day?
– How should I approach carb loading?
– Should I stop at every aid station?
– Where are the hills — and are they actually hard?
– What’s the best pacing strategy for this course?
– Have there been any course changes?
– How do I recover the day after the marathon?
– How should I approach these last 3 weeks if my training hasn’t gone to plan?

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Training smart vs. doing nothing — where’s the line?

📋 In This Episode:

This week, we get stuck into recovery culture.
 Deloads, rest days, active recovery — when to take them, how to spot the signs, and whether you might actually be resting too much.

Georgia’s deep in peak week for the Sydney Marathon, and Matt’s juggling a big decision — both admit they’re not great at slowing down, but they’re working on it.

Also inside:
– Georgia’s peak week grind for the Sydney Marathon
– Matt’s ongoing existential Ironman WA debate
– Why communication is everything — in coaching and training

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– What’s the best kind of training to do when you’re sick? (Cam)
– How many breaks are acceptable in a 30km+ marathon prep run? (Jesse)
– Tips for running your first 53km hilly trail ultra? (Olivia)
– How do you know when someone’s slacking vs. genuinely needing rest? (Anon)

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15 Running Terms Every Runner Should Know

If you’ve ever heard someone say “just run at tempo” or “it’s a deload week” and had no clue what they meant — this one’s for you. We’re breaking down the 15 key running terms in plain English, with no B.S

Matt keeps it concise (we tried), Georgia asks all the questions you’re too afraid to ask, and along the way we cover everything from base building to VO2 max.

Also inside:

•  Georgia’s nosebleed disaster during her long run
• Matt’s existential Ironman WA debate
• Caffeine cuts, gut health rants & peak week chaos

🎧 Listener Q&A:

• How many kms do i get from a pair of running shoes
• I live in the cold and race in the hot...what do i do?
• How do you know its time to pull out of a race?

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You’ve crossed the finish line… now what?
This week, we’re diving into the post-race blues — why they hit so hard, and what you can actually do about them. Matt’s just come out the other side of Ironman Cairns, Georgia’s deep in the marathon grind, and together they break down their top 5 tips for navigating the off-season without losing your head (or your love for running).

From goal-setting to guilt-free rest, this one’s for anyone feeling a little lost after a big race.

📝 This week, we cover:

• The reality of post-race blues (and why it’s totally normal)
• Our top 5 tips for resetting during the off-season
• Georgia’s ASICS marathon kit reveal + what it means to “earn the freebies”
• Planning your next goal vs. rushing into another race
• Why enjoying the process matters more than any finish line

🎧 Listener Q&A:

• “How do you deal with having no events on the calendar?”
• “Any advice for running back-to-back marathons (Gold Coast to Sydney)?”
• “When should I hydrate before a race — and are salt tablets worth it?”

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In this episode of Beyond the Finish Line, We answer your questions!
We deep dive into race day hydration, warm-up and cool-down hacks for busy runners, recovery after your first marathon, and how to pace a marathon — plus we tackle the controversial question: “How many marathons is too many for a beginner?”

We also take time to reflect on our journey through 26 episodes, share personal training updates, lessons learned as podcasters, and celebrate this awesome running community.

Questions we answer this week:

• If time poor, how important is warm-up and cool-down?
• If you had to do anything new on race day, what would it be?
• Recovery tips after running your first marathon — what should you expect?
• What does “stiffening up your legs” mean?
• How much water should you consume during a marathon?
• Is it realistic to chase a PB just 8 weeks after a marathon?
• How do you run a marathon without a vest and manage aid stations?
• Should you follow a specific race plan or stick with the 4-hour pacer?
• How do you deal with shin splints?
• How many times should you wear your race day shoes beforehand?
• How many marathons is ideal for a beginner in one year?

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In this episode of Beyond the Finish Line, hosts Matt and Georgia discuss the challenges and insights of off-season training, the importance of mental resilience in endurance sports, and the value of community support in coaching. They address listener questions about pacing strategies, treadmill training, and the significance of enjoying the journey in endurance sports. The episode concludes with a celebration of athlete successes and a reminder to stay motivated and focused on personal goals.

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In this episode of Beyond the Finish Line, hosts Georgia and Matt discuss their personal highs and lows of the week, including Georgia's new role as Chief Vibe Officer in Matt's business. They delve into training progress, pacing strategies for marathons, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation also touches on handling criticism in the running community and the dynamics of online interactions. Listeners can expect insights on pacing techniques, including negative splits and the benefits of running with a pacer, as well as practical tips for race day preparation. In this episode, Matt Butler and Georgia discuss various aspects of marathon training, focusing on the importance of back-end efforts to build strength and mental toughness. They delve into race day pacing strategies, emphasizing the need for proper nutrition and hydration. The conversation also highlights the significance of tailored training programs and the necessity of practicing race day strategies, including managing stops during long runs. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights for runners preparing for marathons, stressing the importance of preparation and adaptability.

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