Running Matters

Alan is a veteran of 220 NRL games who captained his mighty Canberra Raiders for 5 seasons. He's also one of the fittest athletes Rugby League has ever seen.  Since retiring 'Tonguey" has invested his time in spreading a message of positive mindset through his Aspire Program and also campaigning against Australia's unacceptable domestic violence problem through 'Voice Against Violence'. He was recently awarded the ACT Australian of the Year.

In this week's Running Matters Podcast we draw comparison between running and Rugby League with regards to training, competition and mindset. There are some fantastic lessons to learn here and Alan's story of perseverance, resilience and bloody hard work is truly inspiring.

We chat about proving the doubters wrong, an alternate use for head gear and how to make over 1000 tackles in a season and not fall apart!

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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

Andy Dubois is one of the world’s top Ultra-Coaches with many elite runners from both Australia and around the world on his books. He brings a very scientific approach to training and is always ahead of the game in terms of the latest research as it applies to ultra running. Andy is also a very accomplished ultra runner in his own right.

In Ep73, Wolf and Haddy dive deep into Andy’s ‘ultra brain’ and uncover many of the secrets to racing vs surviving an ultramarathon. There is so much valuable information here that it’s worth listening twice.

We discuss pacing, staying cool, positive psychology, the advantages of power metres and the right kind of strength training for runners. As usual, we also cover the more important topics such as, why cats and dogs don’t do static stretching and how Andy plans to live to the ripe old age of 112!

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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

Most of you will know Tom Landon-Smith as the Race Director of UltraTrail Australia but did you know he was a World class cross country skier and adventure racer?

In Ep72 of Running Matters we discover the man behind the biggest monument of Australian trail running. We discuss the evolution of AROC sport, from a niche adventure racing company to being absorbed by global juggernaut Ironman and the expansion of UltraTrail from 150 runners to 7000 in a little over a decade. 

We chat about some of the incredible performances  from athletes like Killian Jornet, Dylan Bowman, Brendan Davies, Lucy Bartholomew and Ryan Sandes but also why UltraTrail is such a welcoming and inclusive event for runners of all abilities. Tom covers the connection to the Blue Mountains and it’s people and why keeping his event environmentally sustainable is of such importance.

Tom details the never-ending challenges (fire, flood, pandemic, avalanche, etc) of trying to produce an event in 2020 and explains the final insurmountable hurdles for this year’s race.

As usual, we dig deep on the big issues like being swamped by muddy hugs on the finish line, carrying house bricks on the mandatory gear list and being dominated by his wife in the Perisher Pub Crawl for 7 years straight!

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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

Want to run faster, more efficiently and remain injury free? Who better to ask about it than Sport Scientist and Head of the Sydney Uni Biomechanics Lab Jordan Andersen. Jordan is an Exercise Physiologist, a running coach and a very handy middle/long distance runner.

This week Wolf and Haddy grill Jordan on the do's and don'ts of running form, training load and shoe selection. We also stick the nerd glasses on and delve into the genetics and biomechanics associated with top level running performance. It's not all textbook stuff though. We cover the Beer Mile World Record, the art of the college keg stand and how often it's ok to 'puke' during an interval session.

We brought Ep71 to you from an altitude of 3100m at Base Camp Altitude where the Sydney Brewery beers tasted even better (trying to make Jordan comfortable in some more Canadian surroundings!).

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

• GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Kirrily Dear has always chosen the path less travelled and for the last 12 years that path has been a seriously LONG one.

As founder of the Run Against Violence Kirrily covered the distance from Broken Hill to Sydney (1300kms) to raise funds and awareness to help reduce our insidious domestic violence problem. In 2020 the Run Against Violence has become a widespread virtual event and the conversations about domestic violence are gaining traction.

Kirrily has an incredible resume of ultrarunning achievement and has successfully tackled some of Australia's toughest races in the Coast to Kosciuszko (230kms) and the Great North Walk 100miler.

Kirrily Dear is also a talented writer, an adventurer and a valuable inspiration to anyone looking to achieve the impossible.

In this week's Running Matters interview we cover a broad range of topics with Kirrily, from mental toughness to clearing Australia's red earth from the sinuses. We also get a celebrity listener question from Brad Pitt!

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

• GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS

Lexy Gilmour was an immensely talented junior athlete, representing Australia at World Youth level and the Youth Olympics. In 2007, disillusioned by the grind and single-mindedness of elite athletics, Lexy disappeared into the running wilderness for 5 years.

In 2012, Lexy found her love for running and rekindled her competitive drive. The second phase of her running career has provided some tremendous success, representing Australia as a senior athlete at World XC and winning the Nagoya Half Marathon. She is truly a born-again runner!

The perspective Lexy has gained from her 'game of two halves' will be valuable to a runner of any age but particularly young athletes. We also discuss some tips for better use of your elbows in the running pack, toughening up in the last km and hiding places for partners of the injured athlete!

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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

If anyone has experienced the rollercoaster of running it's Rachel Allworth. Alliteration aside, Rachel has evolved from a certified exercise dodger to a passionate ultramarathon runner. She has progressed even further in her role as a coach and valued mentor to the popular group Rachel's Runners.

Earlier in 2020 Rachel's life hit a terrifying corner when she experienced, what can only be described as, a near death experience. Her heart raced to 226 beats per minute and remained unchanged as she was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with Ventricular Fibrillation. Since having a defib unit permanently implanted in her chest, Rachel has been told "you'll never run again".

Listen in to find out how the ever-positive Rachel deals with such a frightening event and life changing news.

Inspiring stuff!

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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

Matt Shields is like many of us, loves running, riding and adventure racing.

Prior to 2016, Matt was racing XPD, GeoQuest and Six Foot Track to name a few races, and doing other crazy training runs like Mt Solitary after work.

Whilst training for the World Rogaining titles, Matt was out running when he had a massive heart attack.

Matt takes us back to that event and shares his experience, advice and his journey towards the new normal.

Join Wolf and Sue Lloyd as they share Matt’s very personal and inspiring story.

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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

Ever thought about running from Newcastle to Sydney? No? Well Grant Brisbin just did it. He set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Great North Walk, a 250km (with over 8000m of vertical gain) trail spanning the 2 cities. He did this in the astonishing time of 39 hours.

Haddy and Judge break down the practicalities of this amazing achievement and try to extract some of the incredible mental strength that Grant exudes.

We go to Gymea Allied Health for some expert tips on remaining injury free as we exit lockdown and move into race season. We also catch up with Lloydy from GU to chat about the origins of GU in the US and how the product assists our performance.

Plenty of useful tips for the next long run!

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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

Hayley is the first person to solo kayak the entire length (400km's) of the Clarence River. She did so while surviving off the river and the land. A true modern-day savage!

She recently clocked a lazy 765kms for the month of April while completing the 'Calendar Club' and chats to us about the mental strength required to keep pushing through the pain.

Hayley is a mother of two, an environmentalist, a humanitarian and an adventurer. That's a lot to squeeze in! She shares some tremendous advice on balance and positivity as well as some cracking stories.

I hope you're as inspired as we were!

We also catch up with Abby from Precision Hydration to chat about sweat.

If you enjoyed the Podcast, 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