Women’s Running Collective

Womens Running Collective

A new podcast for all women who run. Any pace and at any point in their running journey

  1. 7 hr ago

    We Ran the Gold Coast Half Marathon! 🏅 Race Recap + Behind the Scenes at ASICS with Tomoko Koda

    Gold Coast Half Marathon Recap, Race Weekend Highlights & Behind the Scenes with ASICS  Marketing GM Tomoko Koda | Women's Running Collective This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are recording straight from the sauna after an unforgettable Gold Coast Marathon weekend! The girls recap everything—from travelling to the Gold Coast, the ASICS shakeout run, and race expo, to race morning nerves, pacing strategy, and what it felt like chasing a negative split through the Gold Coast Half Marathon. They share the highs, the tough moments, the music that got them through, and celebrate an incredible weekend of personal bests, community, and cheering on some of Australia's best runners. They also chat about the amazing Gold Pass experience, post-race recovery, and dinner with the ASICS athlete team. In the second half of the episode, Hayles and Jussie sit down with Tomoko Koda, General Manager of Marketing at ASICS, to chat about the philosophy behind one of the world's most iconic running brands. Together they discuss the meaning behind "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" (A Sound Mind in a Sound Body), why ASICS continues to prioritise mental wellbeing, the incredible growth of women's running, how the brand is designing specifically for female runners, the importance of community, and what exciting innovations are coming next—including ASICS' very first women-specific running shoe. In This Episode 00:00 ASICS Sponsor & GEL-KAYANO™ 33 Launch 00:34 Recording From the Sauna: Medal Monday! 02:06 Travelling to the Gold Coast & ASICS Shakeout Run 03:05 Race Expo, Gold Pass & Pre-Race Preparation 05:09 Race Morning Routine & Our Favourite Race Hacks 07:42 Half Marathon Race Strategy & Negative Splitting 10:53 Mid-Race Moments, Music & Cheering on the Elites 15:52 The Final 5K: Digging Deep to the Finish 20:21 Gold Pass Recovery, Food & Finish Line Perks 22:06 Recovery, Ice Baths & Dinner with the ASICS Team 24:20 Supporting Friends Racing the Marathon 25:23 Introducing Tomoko Koda,  Head of markerting at ASICS 26:49 The ASICS Philosophy: A Sound Mind in a Sound Body 29:00 Meet Tomoko Koda 29:55 Why Running Is About More Than Performance 30:51 The Campaign That Changed ASICS 32:33 Supporting Mental Wellbeing Through Movement 34:42 The Boom in Women's Running 37:06 How ASICS Designs for Female Runners 38:50 Community, Innovation & What's Next 41:41 Quick Fire Questions 44:11 Tomoko's Advice for New Runners 45:33 ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ 33 Feature 46:22 Sauna Debrief, Recovery & Weekly Recommendations 49:22 Wrapping Up & What's Next for the Women's Running Collective Whether you raced Gold Coast, have a goal event on the horizon, or simply love hearing what goes on behind one of the biggest running brands in the world, this episode is packed with race-day stories, practical tips, inspiration, and plenty of laughs. 💛 Lace up, press play, and come for a run with us.

    50 min
  2. 29 Jun

    How to Pace Your Race Like a Pro | 5K, 10K, Half Marathon & Marathon Tips

    Pacing 101: How to Pace Your Race Like a Pro | Half Marathon, Marathon & 10K Race-Day Strategy This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are officially one week out from the Gold Coast Half Marathon! They chat all things taper week, from feeling a little flat and restless to trusting the training after months of hard work. This episode is a deep dive into one of the biggest factors that can make or break your race... pacing. Whether you're training for your first 5K or chasing a marathon PB, learning how to pace yourself properly can be the difference between finishing strong or hitting the dreaded wall. The girls break down the different pacing strategies, including even splits, negative splits, chunking your race into manageable sections, and pacing by effort when conditions aren't ideal. They also share plenty of personal race stories (including pacing mistakes they've definitely learned from!), practical pacing tips for every race distance, and simple ways to practise pacing during training. If you've ever gone out too fast, blown up halfway through a race, or wondered what pace you should actually be running... this episode is for you. In This Episode 00:00 Cold Open & Podcast Banter 00:26 One Week Until Gold Coast! 00:50 Taper Week Check-In: The Emotional Rollercoaster 03:01 Coffee Chat & Race Week Catch-Up 03:49 Why Pacing Matters More Than You Think 04:48 Pacing 101: What Does Good Pacing Actually Mean? 05:54 Race Stories, Hitting the Wall & Lessons Learned 10:54 Why Pacing Feels So Hard on Race Day 12:00 Even Splits Explained 13:01 How to Run a Negative Split 18:20 Chunking Your Race Into Smaller Goals 20:23 When to Pace by Effort Instead of Pace 21:04 RPE, Heat, Hills & Race-Day Conditions 21:59 Pacing Tips for Every Race Distance 22:22 How to Pace a 5K 23:22 How to Pace a 10K 24:53 Half Marathon Pacing Strategy 28:12 Marathon Pacing: The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid 29:06 Training Drills to Improve Your Pacing 32:05 Race-Day Pacing Tools, Watches & Pacers 36:48 Weekly Recommendations & Wrap-Up Whether you're chasing a personal best or simply hoping to cross the finish line smiling, this episode will help you run smarter, pace with confidence, and get the most out of your next race. XO Hayles and Jussie

    40 min
  3. 22 Jun

    Taper Crazies Are Real: How to Taper Without Losing Your Mind Before Race Day

    Tapering for Race Day: How to Trust Your Training, Beat the Taper Crazies & Arrive Ready to Race | Women's Running Collective This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are deep in Gold Coast Half Marathon preparation and officially entering taper mode. They chat through a big week of training, including a challenging long run featuring two race-pace efforts, a tough Mona Fartlek session, and the reality of managing tired legs, niggles, and pre-race nerves. The girls dive into one of the most misunderstood parts of running: the taper. How much should you cut back? Are you losing fitness? Why do your legs suddenly feel weird? And why does every runner become convinced they're injured the week before a race? Hayles and Jussie break down exactly how to taper successfully, why recovery becomes your most important training session, and how to navigate the infamous "taper crazies" so you can arrive at the start line feeling confident, fresh, and ready to run your best. They also chat race-day mindset, handling tough moments during a race, goal setting, favourite taper-week quotes, and share their weekly recommendations. In This Episode 00:00 Welcome Back to the Backyard Studio 00:50 Gold Coast Half Marathon Training Update 01:17 Long Run Recap: 6K Easy + Two 6K Race Pace Efforts 02:13 Mona Fartlek Session & Rearranging Training Around Life 03:47 Why Tapering Matters More Than You Think 06:03 What Is a Taper? The Basics Explained 09:20 How to Taper Properly Before Race Day 11:02 Taper Crazies, Recovery & Trusting the Process 14:48 Mental Tapering & Preparing Your Mind for Race Day 17:01 What to Do When Racing Gets Hard 17:30 Mantras, Mindset & Remembering Your Why 18:45 Race Week Essentials: Sleep, Nutrition & Recovery 21:03 Running Playlist Banter 22:51 A Better Way to Set Race Goals 23:43 Our Favourite Taper Quotes 25:00 Race Travel, Event Week Energy & Managing Nerves 27:15 Weekly Recommendations 30:33 Harbour 10K Meet-Up & Community Catch-Up   Jussies Jumper recco ASICS JUMPER Hayleys Camera recco DJI ACTION 5  Whether you're preparing for your first 5K, a half marathon, or your next marathon, this episode will help you understand how to taper, trust your training, and get to the start line feeling your best.  HARBOUR 10km race we are doing 💛 Remember: The hardest part of tapering isn't running less it's believing you've done enough.

    32 min
  4. 14 Jun

    The Secret to Becoming a More Resilient Runner

    Building Running Resilience: How to Stay Mentally Strong When Running Gets Hard This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are back in the backyard studio (fuelled by snacks courtesy of Hayley’s mum and Rob!) chatting all things resilience. The girls kick things off with a Gold Coast Half Marathon training update, including interval sessions, rolling hills, race-pace workouts, and the reality of training through life’s curveballs. Hayley shares a challenging week dealing with period-related fatigue, migraines, and the early signs of shin splints, leading to some smart training adjustments and a reminder that resilience isn't always about pushing harder — sometimes it's about knowing when to pull back. The conversation then dives into what resilience actually means, why it's often misunderstood, and practical ways runners can build mental toughness. Drawing on Mel Robbins' "24-Hour Resilience Turnaround" and sports psychology research, Hayles and Jussie share simple strategies to help you stay strong when motivation is low, training gets tough, or race day nerves creep in. From pacing by effort, positive self-talk, and smiling through the hard moments, to embracing discomfort, training in less-than-perfect conditions, and finding your deeper "why," this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you become a more resilient runner. Plus, the girls share their weekly recommendations, announce they're running the Harbour 10K in Sydney, and reveal details of a special ticket giveaway. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Back in the Backyard Studio 00:55 – Gold Coast Half Marathon Training Update 02:16 – Period Fatigue, Migraines & Shin Pain 05:39 – Why We're Talking About Resilience 07:06 – What Resilience Really Means 09:42 – Mel Robbins' 24-Hour Resilience Reset 12:45 – Celebrating Small Wins 13:54 – The Science of Running Resilience 15:11 – How Smiling Can Lower Perceived Effort 16:42 – Positive Self-Talk Strategies 18:10 – Creating Positive Pre-Run Rituals 19:27 – Learning to Embrace Discomfort 20:47 – Training Through Tough Conditions 22:41 – Getting Comfortable With The Unknown 23:35 – Planning Ahead & Mental Tapering 24:51 – Finding Your Purpose & Goals 26:03 – Key Resilience Takeaways 27:54 – Weekly Recommendations 31:24 – Harbour 10K Announcement & Giveaway 32:30 – Happy Running! Jussie recco RUNNING GLOVES LULULEMON Follow the Women's Running Collective for weekly running chats, expert guests, training tips, and plenty of laughs along the way.

    33 min
  5. 8 Jun

    Why Running Makes You Glow: Olympian Jemima Montag on Mindset & Motivation

    International Running Day, 100K Downloads & Why Running Makes You Glow (with Olympian Jemima Montag) This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are celebrating two big milestones — International Running Day and hitting 100,000 podcast downloads! 🎉 The girls chat all things Gold Coast Half Marathon training, including a spicy race-pace session, the joys of deload week, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your running is actually slow down. They also dive into the science behind ASICS' new "Get the Glow" campaign, exploring why movement can leave us feeling happier, more confident, and more energised than any beauty product ever could. Then they’re joined by Australian Olympian, Commonwealth Games medallist, Doctor in training, and all-round legend Jemima Montag. Jemima shares her journey from Little Athletics to the Olympic podium, the incredible work she's doing through her PlayOn program helping girls stay involved in sport, and the mindset tools she uses to navigate pressure, setbacks, and elite competition. Together they explore discipline vs motivation, balancing medical study with professional sport, race-day mental strategies, and why movement is one of the most powerful tools we have for both physical and mental wellbeing. Plus, Hayles and Jussie break down the science behind that post-run glow and share their weekly recommendations. In This Episode 00:00 Podcast Warm-Up 00:05 International Running Day Celebration 00:42 100K Downloads Milestone 02:29 Deload Week Chat 04:55 ASICS Get The Glow Campaign 06:16 Meet Jemima Montag 07:16 PlayOn: Keeping Girls in Sport 10:53 From Little Athletics to the Olympics 16:07 Managing Setbacks & Building Resilience 18:24 Discipline vs Motivation 22:34 Race-Day Mindset & Mental Cues 25:17 Balancing Medicine and Elite Sport 28:16 Juggling Life, Training & Support Systems 29:26 Why Movement Matters 33:33 The Post-Workout Glow 35:09 What's Next for Jemima? 36:58 Where to Follow Jemima 37:41 The Science Behind Feeling Good After Exercise 39:04 Blood Flow, Skin Health & Recovery 40:53 Endorphins, Dopamine & The Runner's High 45:37 Finding Your Glow Through Movement 46:16 Weekly Recommendations & Wrap Up Follow Jemima Learn more about Jemima's work with PlayOn and follow her journey as she continues her build towards future international competition. JEMIMAS INSTAGRAM This Week's Takeaway You don't need expensive treatments, perfect routines, or hours in the gym to find your glow. Sometimes all it takes is 15 minutes of movement, a pair of running shoes, and a reminder of what your body is capable of.   Jussie and Hayles Recco of the week is MADE TO COVER Happy Running 💛 Hayles & Jussie x

    51 min
  6. 1 Jun

    Sports Bras 101: Fit, Support Levels & Running Comfort with Nike's Anna Burdekin

    Sports Bras 101: Fit, Support Levels & Running Comfort with Nike's Anna Burdekin This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie kick things off with a hilarious recap of a rainy Sydney drive, Vivid crowds, and another big week of training as they continue preparing for the Gold Coast Marathon. The girls chat through race-pace long runs, interval sessions, threshold workouts and navigating training around some wild weather before diving into a topic every female runner can benefit from: sports bras. Joining the podcast is Nike EKIN Anna Burdekin, one of Nike's internal product experts and storytellers. Anna is passionate about bra innovation and helping women find the right sports bra for their body, sport and goals. Together they unpack why sports bras can be so confusing to shop for, the science behind breast movement while running, how the wrong bra can impact comfort, posture and even performance, and the simple fit checks every woman should know before heading out the door. Anna also shares Nike's support-level system, common mistakes women make when buying bras, and her top picks for runners looking for high and ultra-high support. Plus, Hayles and Jussie recap the biggest takeaways, share a listener message about comparison and self-kindness, and give an update on their Gold Coast Marathon preparations. Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Kickoff 00:54 Sydney Drive Chaos 03:16 Weekly Running Recap 05:09 Boobs To Bras Segue 05:28 Meet Anna Burdekin 07:20 Why Sports Bras Are So Hard To Shop For 09:50 The Most Common Bra Mistakes Women Make 13:11 The Science Of Breast Bounce 14:49 Pain, Posture & Performance Impacts 18:06 Five Steps To Fitting A Sports Bra Properly 21:22 Understanding Support Levels 23:06 Small Cup Sizes, Cycles & Changing Needs 25:42 The Marathon Bounce Math 27:20 How Breast Movement Can Affect Your Stride 28:17 Bra Technology & Nike Research 30:20 Why The Right Support Helps Women Stay Active 31:49 Anna's Nike Bra Recommendations: Swift & Rival 33:52 Community, Confidence & Personal Stories 35:55 Hayles & Jussie's Bra Fit Checklist Recap 37:34 Athlete Box Recommendation (Use Code: WOMENRUN15) https://www.theathletebox.com.au/ 39:59 Gold Coast Marathon Training Update 40:53 Listener Message: Comparison, Progress & Giving Yourself Grace 43:43 Final Community Send-Off Whether you're training for your first 5K or your next marathon, this episode is packed with practical advice that could completely change the way you think about sports bras and running comfort.

    44 min
  7. 25 May

    How To Make Race Day extra FUN

    Hayles and Jussie are recording straight from their hotel room at the Marriott Circular Quay in Sydney after approximately 47 failed intro attempts and far too much laughing over absolutely nothing. The girls recap a big week of Gold Coast Half Marathon training including long runs with race pace efforts, interval sessions, sub-threshold workouts, and a rainy Vivid run around Circular Quay dodging umbrellas. They also chat about birthday celebrations, Hayley finally getting her dream backyard sauna, and why race weekends should be about more than just chasing PBs. The episode dives into all the ways to make running events feel more fun, memorable, social, and joyful....from glitter planning and matching outfits to VIP race upgrades, playlists, post-race recovery plans, and embracing the chaos of race weekends with your friends. Plus: executive lounge hotel hacks, toaster and microwave race prep stories, marathon FaceTime calls, mid-race dancing, airplane arms, and the importance of rewarding yourself for the training journey. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome To The Women’s Running Collective 01:32 Sydney Hotel Room Chaos & Failed Intros 03:18 Gold Coast Half Marathon Training Recap 05:26 Long Run Race Pace Efforts 07:10 Vivid Run Around Circular Quay 09:08 Hayley’s Backyard Sauna Recovery Era 11:18 Birthday Celebrations & Recovery Week Vibes 13:07 Sydney Course Weekend & Upcoming Long Run 15:10 Romeo + Juliet vs Off Campus Debate 16:44 Why Running Events Should Feel Fun 18:25 Choosing The Right Race & Destination 20:32 Training Enough To Actually Enjoy Race Day 22:14 Temu Glitter Planning & Race Accessories 24:09 Running Tours & Travel Groups 27:03 Organising Your Race Weekend Crew 29:18 Nutrition Practice & Race Morning Prep 31:52 Why Hayley Packed A Microwave To UTA 34:26 Woolworths Orders, Toasters & Race Hacks 36:15 Matching Outfits, Braids & Race Nails 39:08 Fun Race Games & Shared Playlists 41:22 Complimenting Other Runners & Course Energy 43:10 Costumes, Themes & Lorax Race Fits 45:17 Recovery Bookings & Post-Race Dinner Plans 47:42 Gold Coast Marathon VIP Gold Pass Chat 50:03 Medal Monday & Post-Race Walking Tours 52:14 Finish Lines Not Finish Times 54:08 Playlists, FaceTiming Mid-Marathon & Recording Memories 57:01 Staying An Extra Night After The Race 59:18 Reward Yourself For The Training Journey 01:01:26 Airplane Arms, Mid-Run Dancing & Singing Out Loud 01:04:10 Compliments, Smiling & Reading The Signs 01:06:12 Running Farts & Other Essential Race Advice 01:08:15 Hotel Robes, Executive Lounges & Recovery Snacks 01:11:02 Current Book Recommendations & Off Campus Obsession 01:14:05 Final Thoughts & Happy Running

    31 min
  8. 18 May

    Women’s Running Nutrition: How to Fuel Properly for Running & Recovery with Nicole Miller

    Fueling for Women Runners: Avoid Under-Fueling, Support Hormones & Recover Better (with Nicole from Total Balance Nutrition) | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles takes the mic solo while Jussie is away and chats through a huge week of Gold Coast Half Marathon training 💛 From a tough 5 x 6-minute workout session to swim squad, easy runs with Nat, and a long run featuring race-pace intervals, Hayles shares the highs, struggles, and little wins of training during a busy season of life. She also gives some massive shout-outs to friends who tackled Ultra-Trail Australia, including podium finishes and incredible age-group performances. Then Hayles welcomes back Nicole from Total Balance Nutrition — Performance Dietitian, Exercise & Sports Scientist, ultra runner, and one of our favourite guests from the early days of the podcast. Nicole shares her journey from competitive swimming into endurance sports and nutrition, including completing the brutal Buffalo Stampede multi-stage ultra race. The conversation then dives deep into one of the biggest issues facing women runners: under-fueling. Nicole explains the importance of carbohydrates, protein, fats, iron, calcium and vitamin D for women runners, and discusses the warning signs of low energy availability and RED-S, how under-fueling can impact hormones and menstrual cycles, and why proper recovery nutrition matters so much for performance and long-term health. The girls also chat practical pre-run fueling, post-run recovery, social media comparison, and the pressure many women feel around body image and eating while training. This episode is packed with practical advice and important conversations every woman runner needs to hear 💛 Timestamps 00:00 Solo Intro and Updates 00:33 Gold Coast Training Week 02:16 Race Pace Long Run 02:48 UTA Weekend Shoutouts 04:49 Meet Nicole Again 07:38 Nicole Origin Story 09:36 Ultra Stage Race Prep 12:01 Key Nutrients for Women 14:15 Under Fueling Warning Signs 19:53 Cycles Hormones and RED-S 25:01 Daily Nutrition First 28:42 Pre Run Carbs That Work 30:23 Fueling Beyond The Run 32:30 Post Run Three Rs 35:31 Are You Underfueling 39:52 Three Tips For New Runners 42:30 Social Media Comparison Trap 43:26 Wrap Up And Recommendations Izzy Bat Doyal Boston Marathon - YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRANETml7gs   Pure Gel orange

    48 min

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A new podcast for all women who run. Any pace and at any point in their running journey

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