Tales from the Valley Podcast

talesfromthevalleypodcast
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

Behind every runner there is a story, and we think our local communities deserve to have theirs’ told. The Tales from the Valley Podcast aims to uncover running stories from the South Coast of NSW. Passionate runners Sam Hodges & Katie Mahoney will be catching up on a weekly basis to unravel the running stories from the South Coast and take you on their own personal running journeys.

  1. 5d ago

    TFTV x GGR ft. Jordan Miles

    Sam catches up with Jordan Miles from the Good Good Running podcast 🎙️ Jordan has become one of the familiar voices in Australian recreational running through Good Good Running, but his own running journey has been anything but straightforward. A self-coached runner balancing life as a paramedic, husband and dad, Jordan joins the podcast to discuss his progression from struggling through 2.5km fitness runs after footy to running 15:55 for 5K and 33:13 for 10K. After finishing his football career, Jordan initially took up running as a way to stay fit, racing events like Bridge to Brisbane and gradually building consistency around a demanding paramedic roster. A breakthrough came after addressing significant iron deficiency anaemia, leading to rapid improvements that saw him progress from a recreational runner into a 33:13 10K and 15:55 5K athlete. The conversation explores the training that underpinned those performances, including early morning threshold sessions, mile repeats around the famous Swamp Loop, and consistent 25–30km long runs. Jordan explains how training alongside Macca, Chris and the wider Gold Coast crew elevated his running without the need for formal coaching, despite working rotating 12-hour shifts and long commutes. Jordan also opens up about a difficult run of injuries, including a proximal femur stress fracture, a subsequent stress reaction, and most recently an ATFL ankle tear after rolling his ankle on driftwood. Five weeks removed from the injury, he discusses his gradual return to training, plans to build back towards 70km per week, and why he'll be treating the upcoming Gold Coast 10K as a controlled threshold effort rather than an all-out race. The discussion also dives into the origins and growth of Good Good Running. Jordan reflects on the imposter syndrome he felt before recording their first episode, the evolution from a casual podcast recorded over beers into one of Australia's fastest-growing running shows, and the unique accessibility that makes the running community special. From interviewing athletes like Andy Buchanan, Jen Gregson, Izzy Doyle and Moose to sharing coffees with elite runners after races, Jordan believes running remains one of the few sports where everyday runners can interact directly with the country's best athletes. Along the way, the pair discuss balancing training with family life, lessons learned from injury setbacks, race-week preparation, the realities of shift work, footy culture, running pet hates, and why consistency remains the most important ingredient in long-term improvement. A great chat with one of the most relatable voices in Australian running. 🎧🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

    1h 13m

  2. Jun 2

    TFTV x GGR ft. Chris Littlejohn

    Sam catches up with Chris Littlejohn from the Good Good Running podcast 🎙️ Chris has quietly become one of the most recognisable voices in Australian recreational running. A 2:44 marathoner, running store manager and co-host of Good Good Running, he joins the podcast to chat about his progression from an injured hockey player to a consistent 100km-per-week marathoner, the evolution of one of Australia's fastest-growing running podcasts, and the realities of balancing training, work and family life. After a knee injury brought an end to his hockey career, Chris found running through parkrun and quickly became hooked. What started as an 18:30 parkrunner eventually developed into PBs of 15:45 for 5K, 32:58 for 10K, 1:13:45 for the half marathon and 2:44:10 for the marathon. We discuss the key training periods that shaped his progression, including his years training with Run Crew Sydney alongside athletes like Benny St Lawrence, Tom DeCanto and Harry Summers. The conversation dives deep into Chris' training philosophy, including his preference for fartlek sessions over traditional track workouts, the value of strides for maintaining speed and resilience, and why consistency always trumps chasing hero sessions. We also unpack his current Sydney Marathon build, balancing 100km-plus training weeks with work, family life and the Queensland climate. Chris also shares the story behind Good Good Running, which began when Matt McKenzie floated the idea while living in Amsterdam. What started as three mates chatting about running has grown into one of Australia's most popular running podcasts, built around authentic conversations, relatable experiences and the feeling that listeners are simply joining a long run with friends. We discuss memorable guests including Brett Robinson, Andy Buchanan, Maudy Skyring and Jack Rayner, along with the unexpected growth of the show and its impact on the running community. Sam also provides an update on his return from injury, reflecting on recent training sessions, managing load as a new father, and finding the balance between rebuilding fitness and staying healthy. There is discussion around marathon preparation, run clubs, shoe technology, social media, Queensland humidity and the ever-changing culture of Australian running. ☕️ Café Kit of the Week – Bailey Nelson sunglasses – Good Good Running hat – Erniold collaboration singlet 📣 News & Shoutouts Sydney Marathon preparations ramping up Gold Coast Marathon build-up heating up around the country The continued growth of Australian running media and podcasts Future collaboration opportunities between Good Good Running and Tales from the Valley 🎧 Follow Good Good Running: Instagram: @goodgoodrunning Spotify: Good Good Running Apple Podcasts: Good Good Running Podcast A great conversation covering marathon training, podcasting, family life, running culture and why showing up consistently week after week remains the most important ingredient for long-term improvement.

    1h 22m

  3. May 28

    TFTV x GGR ft. Matt McKenzie

    Sam & Katie catch up with Matt McKenzie from the Good Good Running Instagram podcast 🎙️ Matt’s progression has been rapid — from a COVID runner in the Netherlands to running 2:38:14 at Gold Coast and building into one of the stronger recreational marathoners in the country. After starting out with a 3:30 fundraiser marathon in 2021, he dropped a huge PB to 2:57 at Gold Coast before linking up with Dave McNeill in 2023. Since then the focus has been consistency, controlled training and avoiding the overcooking that used to derail blocks. We recap his Ballarat Marathon where he ran 2:39 in tough conditions — close to his PB but with the feeling there’s still more there. Rather than sitting on the result, Matt’s already moved on mentally and is heading into Gold Coast with a “send it” mindset, planning to roll the dice with the 2:35 pace group six weeks after Ballarat. The episode also dives into the rise of Good Good Running — from post-run beers at Brew Loops to somehow interviewing names like Eliud Kipchoge, Andy Buchanan and Sinead Diver. Matt shares the story of nearly missing his Kipchoge interview because his phone was on 1% battery and he didn’t realise he actually had media access 😅 Katie gives an update on her meniscus injury and gradual return to running, while Sam unpacks the Shellharbour Marathon DNF, ankle issues and trying to rebuild confidence heading into Wollongong Running Festival and Harbour 10. There’s also discussion around MeteoPace, Queensland humidity, marathon pacing, running influencer culture and the state of Strava. ☕️ Café Kit of the Week – SHYU Quarter Socks – Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 – MeteoPace 📣 News & Shoutouts • Sydney 10 results — Luke Hince takes the win in 29:10 • Entire Hince Stable under 31 minutes • Isaac Shaw runs 30:20 and titles the Strava activity “20:20 WR” • Gold Coast Marathon prep heating up across the board • Good Good Running pop-up event with Erniold locked in for GC weekend 🎧 Follow Good Good Running: Instagram: @goodgoodrunning Spotify: Good Good Running on Spotify Apple Podcasts: Good Good Running Podcast Big episode covering marathon progression, podcast growth, injuries, training philosophy and why sometimes the best thing you can do is just keep showing up consistently.

    1h 42m

  4. May 11

    TFTV - 3k PB, Rolled Ankle Chaos & Desperate Housewives

    Sam catches up with Katie and breaks down the final week before Shellharbour Marathon 🎙️ Sam’s six days out from Shellharbour after a huge marathon block averaging 95K/week post-baby, but taper week took a turn after rolling his ankle during an easy run. Thankfully, the signs are positive — walking normally, hopping pain-free, full mobility still there — so the focus now is staying calm, recovering properly, and not doing anything stupid before race day. The marathon prep itself has been strong: – 4 x 4K at marathon pace averaging 4:05s – Half marathon efforts around 4:07 pace inside long runs – Multiple 35–36K long runs – A surprise 9:54 3K time trial PB off mostly marathon training 💥 Sam talks through race strategy, the reality of racing without personal drinks on course, and why carrying his own fueling could end up being a major advantage. Katie also gives an update on her return from injury after six weeks off running. After building back carefully with strength work, Pilates, mobility and Zwift, she’s now back running pain-free and building consistently again. ☕️ Café Kit of the Week – Tennis Ball IT Band Release – White Toast & Vegemite Carb Load Special – Nike Lava Loops Half Tights 📣 News & Shoutouts • Shellharbour Marathon weather watch — warmer temps potentially on the cards • Marathon fueling chat — why Dr. Hydrate on-course nutrition raised eyebrows 👀 • Wollongong Running Festival plans starting to take shape • Big discussion around sustainable mileage vs constantly chasing huge volume • Katie’s take on social media, injury perspective shifts, and learning to enjoy running again A proper marathon week episode — taper madness, ankle panic, carb loading, injury comebacks, and trying to hold it together before race day.

    1h 15m

  5. May 5

    TFTV Rat Race ft. Angela Jebb & Liam Mahoney

    Sam catches up with Angela Jebb and Liam Mahoney 🎙️ Angela’s been building quietly into something serious — 17:14 (5k), 37:43 (10k) — and at Ballarat she stepped up for her half marathon debut, running 1:22:12. Despite getting caught behind the staggered start and losing her group early, she ran solo for most of the day and held strong when the legs started to go around 14–15k. No specific half marathon block either — just consistent training and backing her fitness. Liam went all-in on the marathon and came away with a breakthrough 2:49:59 💥 The first half felt smooth, but things turned late — cramping hit hard from 36k, leading to multiple stops (including lying down mid-race). Even with that, he held it together to sneak under 2:50. Proper grit. Sam’s two weeks out from Shellharbour and locking things in — focus is on running smart, controlling the first half, and giving himself a shot late. No personal drinks means carrying everything, so race execution will matter more than ever. ☕️ Café Kit of the Week – Never Running Hat – Precision Fuel 90g Carbs – Nike Lava Loops Belt 📣 News & Shoutouts • Ballarat Marathon wrap — big PBs across the board despite tough conditions • Melbourne Marathon entries + rising race costs becoming a real issue • “Flat and fast” race marketing under fire (Geelong… we’re looking at you 👀) • Ed Goddard gets it done at Hoka Hafa in 66 mins Big one to wrap the Ballarat series — debut breakthroughs, marathon carnage, and a reminder that even when it goes wrong, you can still come away with something big.

    1h 20m

  6. Apr 28

    TFTV Rat Race ft. Harm Schaap & Jessica Burke

    Sam catches up with Harm Schaap and Jessica Burke 🎙️ Jess has made the move from Sydney to Wollongong (and picked up a fiancé along the way 💍). After getting her start at Pace Athletic surrounded by names like Ben St Lawrence, Katie St Lawrence and Sam Hopper, she’s built into a serious runner — 10:28 (3k), 18:10 (5k), 38:09 (10k). Fresh off Ballarat Marathon, Jess ran 41 minutes in tough conditions, soaking up the rare chance to race in front of family. Harm’s been quietly stacking a huge year — 14:43 for 5k at NSW Championships and a win in the Mile at Beaton Park. Training is rolling at 130–140km weeks with a simple but savage structure: track Tuesdays, tempo Thursdays, race pace Saturdays. Sam’s deep in the Shellharbour Marathon build — 92km week, gym ticking over, and a monster session: 14k easy → 6k / 6k / 7k @ ~4:07/km off float jogs All adding up to a 1:27 half in training 👀 ☕️ Café Kit of the Week – Raycon Essential Earphones – Suunto Watch - Asics Superblast 3 📣 News & Shoutouts • Run Shellharbour – TFTV20 (May 17) • Wollongong Running Festival – SAMH20 (June 7) • Ballarat Marathon wrap — from elites to the local legends • Jaylah Hancock-Cameron breaks the Aussie road mile record (4:26) • London Marathon chaos — Sebastian Sawe (1:59:30) & Yomif Kejelcha (1:59:41) rewrite what’s possible Big episode — local stories, big performances, and a few signs that the marathon world is moving very, very fast right now.

    1h 22m

  7. Apr 23

    TFTV Rat Race ft. Stefan Deane-Smith & Sam Jones

    Sam catches up with Sam Jones & Stefan Deane-Smith ahead of the Ballarat Marathon weekend, where both are lining up in the Half Marathon with similar goals — and likely to push each other all the way. Sam Jones is coming in hot off a strong start to the season, clocking two big PBs: dropping his 1500m from 4:03 to 3:56, and running 14:44 for 5000m at State Champs. His preparation for Ballarat has been very targeted, with plenty of threshold work under JT Running and alongside Greg Frost. He also recaps a lighter race week heading into the Wollongong Fitness 5, where he cracked the top 10 in a stacked field. Stefan Deane-Smith reflects on a solid block that included a 2:36 at Valencia Marathon. He’s confident there’s more to come over the marathon distance but has shifted focus toward Ballarat with some serious sessions: a Mona Fartlek (6.2km), a 3k tempo, and a tough 10 x 1k set averaging 3:15/km off one-minute recovery. Sam also breaks down another big training week: 10 miles at marathon effort (4:05/km), a demanding track session (4k @ 3:32, 4 x 400m in 77s, plus 10 minutes at 3:48/km), capped off with a 34km long run. Café Kit of the Week Nike Vaporfly 4s Vicks Shower Drops Bandit Split Shorts News & Events Wollongong Running Festival is coming up on June 7 Use code SAMH20 for a discount Plus, a quick recap of Run Wollongong from the past weekend

    1h 35m

  8. Apr 23

    Cafe Kit of the Month (ep 3)

    Riley joins us back on the podcast and gives us an update on his training, then reviews:   - Asics Megablast - Precision Carb Mix - On Zero Half Tights

    26 min
See All (100)

Ratings & Reviews

About

Behind every runner there is a story, and we think our local communities deserve to have theirs’ told. The Tales from the Valley Podcast aims to uncover running stories from the South Coast of NSW. Passionate runners Sam Hodges & Katie Mahoney will be catching up on a weekly basis to unravel the running stories from the South Coast and take you on their own personal running journeys.

Information

  • Creator
    talesfromthevalleypodcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tales from the Valley Podcast

You Might Also Like