Peak Endurance

Isobel Ross
  • 4.8 (88)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Peak Endurance podcast, where we talk all things endurance, mainly running! You will hear from athletes, experts in the field and also myself on all topics designed to help you reach your endurance goals!

  1. 2 days ago

    How to Brief Your Crew So They Don't Cost You the Race

    Your crew shows up on race day wanting to help. The problem is you never told them how. In this episode, Isobel and Ron (who has crewed Isobel for years) break down exactly what a good crew needs to know before race day, and why most athletes get this completely wrong. They cover what actually happens at crew points when the briefing hasn't happened, what a proper race plan looks like from the crew's perspective and how to handle the mental and emotional side of crewing. Ron brings a perspective you don't often hear: what it's actually like to stand at a crew point watching someone you care about suffer, and what makes his job easier every single time. What we cover: What crewing actually is and what it isn't What a crew needs to know from your race plan Nutrition, gear, and logistics: the specifics that get missed The mental stuff: what your dark place looks like and what you want your crew to say What to do when an athlete is seriously considering dropping Free download mentioned in this episode: Crew Race Day Briefing Template → https://go.peakendurancecoaching.com.au/crew-briefing Work with Peak Endurance Coaching: https://form.jotform.com/261448771119058 Peak Endurance Coaching is based in Melbourne, Australia. Isobel Tait is a three-time Australian representative at the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships, three-time Barkley Marathons competitor, and founder of Peak Endurance Coaching.

    1hr 21min

  2. 22 May

    Why Racing More Is Making You Slower (The Cake Analogy Every Ultra Runner Needs to Hear)

    Most ultra runners have a race calendar that looks impressive and a performance trajectory that doesn't match it. Here's why: racing is eating the cake. Training is making it. And if you're racing every other weekend — or hammering yourself in training like every session is a time trial — you're eating cake you haven't baked yet. In this episode I break down the A, B, C race framework: what it actually means, how to use it properly, and why getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons experienced runners plateau, burn out, or keep having disappointing race days despite putting in the work. What's covered: The cake analogy and why it applies to how you train, not just how you race The real difference between A, B and C races (and how to be honest about which is which) Why A races should be no more than 2–3 times a year and what that actually makes possible How racing your training is sabotaging your results A simple audit to fix your race calendar today If you've ever finished a race wondering why your fitness didn't show up then this episode is probably the answer. 🎙️ Peak Endurance Coaching | Isobel Tait Ultra running performance: mindset, race prep, nutrition, and the stuff most coaches won't say out loud. 📞 Free 30-minute strategy call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/9CtIbU6cHXlavK22YvQb 📸 Instagram: @peakendurancecoaching

    1hr 6min

  3. 15 May

    Grit Season: Why Winter is Where the Real Work Happens

    Winter doesn't care about your goals. It's cold, it's dark,and your bed is warm. So, what separates the runners who come out the other side fitter, sharper, and ready; from the ones who spend September wondering wheretheir fitness went? Isobel and Ron get into the real mechanics of stayingconsistent when conditions are against you. Habits, habit stacking, identity, and why keeping promises to yourself in winter is the most important training you'll do all year. This isn't a motivation pep talk. It's a conversation aboutwho you're becoming when no one's watching.

    1hr 11min

  4. 8 May

    What It Really Takes To Race A Half, Marathon, 50K, 100K, And Miler

    Most runners use the same race strategy for every distance. That’s why they blow up in marathons, fall apart in ultras, or leave speed on the table in shorter races. In this episode, Ron and Isobel break down how race strategy changes from the half marathon all the way to the 100 miler. They cover: Pacing mistakes runners make at every distance Fueling differences from road races to ultras Why the marathon to the miler it's really an eating competition The mental shift required for 50Ks and beyond What actually matters in a 100K and 100 miler The biggest mistakes ultra runners make early How different race distances expose different weaknesses This is not just about running fitness. It’s about strategy, patience, emotional control, and knowing what the race actually demands from you. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or your next miler, this episode will change how you approach race day.

    1hr 17min

  5. 1 May

    Coping With Injury When Everything Is On The Line

    At 39km into the Buffalo Stampede 100k, I rolled my ankle (and broke it!) and ruptured my ATFL ligament. Boot on. Running stopped. Tor des Géants in September still on the calendar. In this episode, Ron and I talk through what actually happens when a serious injury hits mid-season, not the motivational version, the real one. The emotional crash, the identity hit, the urge to panic-plan at midnight while Googling recovery timelines. We cover:— The right and wrong way to respond in the first 48 hours— Cross training options that actually maintain fitness (and the ones that don't)— Mental coping strategies including visualisation, identity separation, and controlling the controllables— Why volunteering is more useful than most injured athletes think— How to return to running without wrecking yourself a second time— Adjusting race goals without abandoning them If you're navigating an injury right now — or you coach athletes who are — this one is worth your time. Isobel Tait is the founder of Peak Endurance Coaching, a three-time Barkley Marathons competitor, three-time Australian representative at the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships, and winner of the Six Foot Track Marathon. She coaches ultra runners on mindset, race preparation, nutrition, and performance. 📅 Free 30-minute strategy call: here📸 Instagram: @peakendurancecoaching

    1hr 12min

  6. 17 Apr

    How to Choose the Right Running Coach (And Avoid Wasting Your Time)

    Hiring a running coach should make your life easier.It should fast-track your progress, keep you consistent, and get you better results. But the reality is… most runners either don’t hire one whenthey should or they hire the wrong one and waste months, sometimes years. So today Ron and I are going to walk you through exactly what you need to look for in a coach so you actually get results from it.

    1hr 11min

  7. 10 Apr

    Buffalo Stampede to NZ 6 Day

    Racing is one thing. Crewing is another game entirely. In this episode, we unpack the reality of the Buffalo Stampede. What it felt like out there, what went right, what didn’t, and what you only learn when you’re deep in it. Then we shift gears into the NZ 6 Day race. Not as athletes this time, but as crew. And honestly, it gives you a completely different perspective on suffering, pacing, and what it actually takes to keep moving for days. Two completely different experiences. Same sport. Big lessons. If you think you understand ultras, this one might change your mind.

    1hr 12min

  8. 20 Mar

    We Ranked Cross Training So You Don’t Waste Time

    Most runners waste time on the wrong cross training. They do workouts that feel hard They do sessions that look impressive They do what everyone else at the gym is doing But very little of it actually makes you a better runner. So in this episode we ranked different types of cross training out of 10 based on how useful they actually are for runners. Strength training Cycling Swimming Stairmaster Yoga Elliptical Rucking Gym work And a few controversial ones Some of them help a lot Some of them help a bit Some of them are almost useless If you want to know what is actually worth your time, listen to this one.

    1hr 13min
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4.8
out of 5
88 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Peak Endurance podcast, where we talk all things endurance, mainly running! You will hear from athletes, experts in the field and also myself on all topics designed to help you reach your endurance goals!

Information

  • Creator
    Isobel Ross
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    308
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Isobel Ross
  • Show Website
    Peak Endurance

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