In this week's episode we go down some rabbit holes! Topics include:

• ​Trail Running vs. Eco-Tourism: Are we sacrificing raw adventure for accessibility?
• ​Aussie Records: Sam Clifford and Izzy Bat-Doyle smash 10K national records — but why aren’t they household names?
• ​Highs and Lows: From record-breaking splits to gut-wrenching injuries — the rollercoaster of elite endurance sports.
• ​Strava Predictions: Can AI really predict your marathon time after a month off running?
• ​Wings for Life World Run Wrap-Up: 71km to win — why the global charity run brings out the best in athletes.

Follow the podcast on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠

SHOW NOTES:

Sam Clifford

Cam Wurf

My Issue With Modern Hiking - Better Hiking

ASICS Speed race Tokyo

Eight and a half weeks out from race day and Liam’s calf is cactus. Again!

So we brought in one of the best — Olympic team physio and Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health director Britt Caling — to unpack how to stay unbroken on your marathon build.

In this episode:

– Bone stress, calf dramas & the U-curve of injury risk

– Why “just running” isn’t enough: strength, sleep & activation tips that work

– What to do when you’re sick during training (plus the myth of running through it)

– How to build a personalised pre-run routine (without losing your morning coffee)

– When to actually go see a physio, and what good physio care should include

– “Sleep monsters”, race hallucinations & the wild world of adventure racing

🎧 Whether you’re chasing a PB or just hoping to make the start line, Britt’s advice is gold.

Courtney’s back in the studio, Liam’s (sorta) back from injury, and the pod is back in full swing. We chat rites of passage in elite sport—are locker room hazings a thing of the past? Plus, stories from Lightning Ridge (spoiler: it’s no resort) and a load of Strava-fuelled chaos from Tinder run clubs to Cliff Bar nightclub ads.

Also on deck:

• Courtney’s retro triathlon kit breakdown (radars + rad shorts)

• London Marathon wrap: Yee, Kipchoge, and a 1M entry prediction

• Nose strip showdown begins

• Listener Qs: Are carbon shoes worth it if you’re not Kipchoge?

🎧 Tune in, send us your Strava mishaps, and don’t forget to subscribe.

📩 Audio DMs always welcome—bonus points for calling Liam “sub-elite.”

Follow the podcast on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠

Show Notes:

Tinder Soulmates Challenge on Strava

Clif Bar x Strava 

9 weeks to go til the Gold Coast Coast Marathon and on this episode:

• ​Bronte Langbroek hits a half-marathon wall ​
• ​Benita Willis from Lace Up Running teaches why running slow wins marathons
• ​Liam Flanagan battles calf injury blues + pool running fails
• ​Nine weeks to go — mindset, mistakes, and motivation!

🎧 Perfect for first-timers, comeback runners, or anyone stuck in the injury trenches.

Contact Benita at ⁠Lace Up Running⁠

Bronte on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Follow the podcast on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠

This Week:

• ​Courtney pulls 6Gs (and holds his guts)
• ​Strava buys Runna App — big move
• ​Boston: winner gets flattened, still wins
• ​Alex Yee’s marathon debut + secret shoes
• ​Group runs = fewer bonks
• ​Pooping beats podiums (for running fame)

🎧 Up next on Wednsday: Gold Coast Marathon Series with Benita on strength + pivoting your marathon goal

Follow the podcast on Instagram ⁠⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠

SHOW NOTES:

Strava acquires Runna App

Robot half marathon

Zone 2, HRV & the Truth About Heart Rate Training — Presented by Polar - key partner of the Gold Coast Marathon.

This week we’re joined by Jon Easdown — sports scientist, Polar solutions specialist — to break down the science behind heart rate zones, recovery data, and wearable tech.

From zone 2 training and lactate thresholds to heart rate drift and the gold-standard chest strap, Jon shares practical tips for runners of all levels. Plus, a sneak peek at the next big frontier in wearables: real-time lactate monitoring.

The BIG Polar SALE is coming soon! April 28th - May 11th 2025

Up to 30% OFF

THE Gold standard for heart rate monitors and running watches

You’ll also get a fast direct delivery, 2-year warranty, easy returns. 

Check out Polar.com on 28th April for 2 weeks only.

Liam and Courtney unpack a pacing scandal at the Canberra Marathon—how far off is too far off your pacing target?

They dive into the rise of Aussie sprint stars, and whether a little rivalry between Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy could take things up a notch.

Plus:
▪️ Race report from Nike’s After Dark Half Marathon 🌙
▪️ Retro running gear chat
▪️ Strava heatmap hacks
▪️ And the Uno-inspired tip for marathon shoe strategy 🎴

Tune in for plenty of run chat & bold takes.

Follow the podcast on Instagram ⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠Strava⁠

Show notes:

@joshpughcomic - runners before social media

Saucony trending for 2025

Strap in — we're kicking off a 12-week sprint to the Gold Coast Marathon!

In this first episode, Courtney and Liam tee things up with Aussie marathon royalty and Olympic legend, Benita Willis, who’s steering the ship as coach for the crew.

We’re also joined by Bronte Langbroek — brand new to the marathon game and ready to give it a red-hot crack.

From Bronte’s goal to run the whole way to Liam gunning for that sub-3, there’s plenty of nerves, laughs, and marathon wisdom in the mix.

Benita lays down the goods on how to train smart — we’re talkin’ pacing, recovery, sleep, snacks, and yep... the occasional ice bath.

Whether you're chasing a PB or just keen to survive the distance, come along for the ride and get amongst it.

👉 Want tailored coaching? Check out ⁠laceuprunning.com.au⁠

You can follow the podcast on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠

Bronte on Instagram

We’re chatting:

🍺 AFL controversy — Darcy Fogarty’s beer tattoo & the marketing madness

🎽 Grand Slam Track? Hot or Flop? + a listener’s London Landmarks Half story

🎉 Ryan Kelso’s big pitch for the Armidale Running Festival (with a possible custom In The Beginning brew!)

👟 Gear chat, training updates & more

Subscribe and join the run!

Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast⁠

Courtney on ⁠Strava⁠

Liam on ⁠Strava⁠

LINKS // Episode Mentions & Extras:

- Darcy Fogarty x Coopers x JR Smith Supreme Collab

- Michael Johnson on Influencers vs Elite Athletes 

- Choose Running – Gerald Demolsky 

In the Beginning.. Runs Gold Coast Marathon

We’re kicking off a special Gold Coast Marathon series, and to start things strong, Liam and Courtney have a yarn with Aussie running legend and coach Benita Willis.

In this ep, we chat through some big goals (yep, including Liam eyeing off a sub-3 marathon 😅), what it really takes to prep for race day, and how to juggle training with everyday life.

Benita also maps out a smart approach for both Liam and first-time runner Bronte LangBrook – covering everything from pacing and recovery to setting goals that won’t break your body or your spirit.

Whether you’re chasing a PB or just hoping to make it to the finish line, there’s something in here for every runner.

👉 Want tailored coaching? Check out laceuprunning.com.au

You can follow the podcast on Instagram at ⁠⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠Strava⁠