Run Spesh Podcast by Frontrunner Colombo

Frontrunner Colombo
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The Run Spesh podcast is all about the shoes and gear you like to go running in. We cover short-form episodes with in-depth discussions on what the shoe is for, who might benefit from it, and how it was made. The Frontrunner is also here to share stories and bring the community together. Enjoy the characters we have in our sports and the experts we work with. Run Spesh is a play on "Run Specialty" with the Frontrunner Colombo being New Zealand's leading Running Specialty Store

  1. 1D AGO

    Solemates #5 | Puma Devaite Nitro Elite 3 vs Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4

    Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 vs 3: Lighter, Wider, More Responsive? | Run Spesh at Frontrunner Oska and Tom from Frontrunner Colombo discuss Puma's return to running and compare the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 to the popular Deviate Nitro Elite 3, praising the 3 for reliability and versatility from 5K to marathon. They explain how the 4 updates the formula with a wider midfoot and forefoot base, a closer-fitting thinner upper, a more aggressive plate/rocker geometry, and a more responsive Nitro Elite feel, while keeping an 8 mm drop and trusted PumaGrip with reduced coverage. They note the 4 is about 12% lighter (170 g vs 194 g), feels stable and consumer-friendly for non-elites, and is priced at NZD 360. Comparable models mentioned include the ASICS Metaspeed Edge (especially the older version), Hoka Rocket X 3, Nike Vaporfly, and Puma Fast-R. 00:00 Welcome to Soulmates 00:38 Puma's Comeback Story 01:23 Why Deviate 3 Worked 02:38 First Impressions Deviate 4 05:06 Fit and Upper Changes 06:22 Foam and Rocker Feel 08:53 Weight and Outsole Updates 10:21 Price and Value Breakdown 10:57 Comparable Racing Shoes 12:31 Wrap Up and Where to Buy

    13 min

  2. 4D AGO

    93 | On Cloudboom Volt Review, National Track and Field Preview and Taupo Ironman

    Bee Stings, Nationals Hype & The Great Unknown 5K: Run Spesh with Oska, Tom & Anna Oska, Tom and Anna from Frontrunner Colombo catch up on Run Spesh with chaotic shop chat, including Oska's brutal bee-sting running stories and recent travel. Anna shares how she's managing hip tendinopathy while building back to 40-minute runs, gym work and biking, and they recap Oceania sprint champs results with Hayden Wilde winning and Saxon and Henry going 1–2–3, with Henry taking the U23 title. The crew previews New Zealand Track & Field Nationals in Auckland, including the new Track Stars format, TV coverage details, Polynesian champs integration, and key distance-race storylines like the men's 1500 scratch, strong 800 and 5K fields, and Rosa Twyford's status. Oska outlines his shift toward half-marathon prep for Launceston, discusses trial-race selection frustrations, flags a triathlon pro series Ironman in Taupō, reacts to the US half marathon champs lead-car fiasco, plugs an upcoming clue-based 5K team event, and reviews On's Cloudboom/Vault shoe. 00:00 Podcast Introductions 00:54 Bee Sting Chaos 03:09 Phone Plans And Trampolines 04:11 Anna Injury Update 08:59 Nationals Season Check In 12:20 Track Stars Broadcast Hype 15:00 Key Races To Watch 21:19 How To Watch And Attend 25:00 Motatapu And Miners Trail 28:47 Skipping Track Champs 31:18 Half Marathon Training Talk 34:46 Nationals As Selection Debate 37:18 Trials Selection Strategy 37:50 Aussie Nationals Emphasis 38:55 Elite Field Rumors 39:44 Email Overload Fix 41:20 Library Crash Story 41:58 Half Marathon Build 46:03 Launceston Race Plans 49:04 Taupo Pro Tri Preview 52:11 US Half Champs Chaos 58:12 Mystery City Race 01:00:13 On Cloudboom Vault Review 01:05:50 Wrap Up And Sign Off

    1h 7m

  3. MAR 1

    Sole Mates #4 | Asics Superblast 3 vs Asics Superblast 2

    ASICS Superblast 3 vs Superblast 2: LEAP Foam, Fit Changes & Who Each Shoe Is For | Run Spesh In this Run Spesh "Solemates" episode from Frontrunner Colombo, Oska and Tom compare the ASICS Superblast 2 and the revamped Superblast 3, focusing on the major shift to softer, faster-compressing LEAP foam (an A-TPU with an EVA stability piece) versus the firmer feel of Superblast 2's EVA/Peba blend. They discuss how the new foam changes underfoot comfort, pace effort, stability, and likely durability (estimating Superblast 2 around 700 km and Superblast 3 closer to 500 km), plus how use cases may shift toward Superblast 3 as a premium super daily trainer for easy miles, recovery, long runs, and even marathons. They also cover improved upper fit/forefoot accommodation, missing rear pull tab, aggressive heel bevel, wide stable base, reduced weight to 237 g, and a 46 mm stack. 00:00 Welcome to Soulmates 00:40 Why Superblast 3 Matters 01:25 Foam Change Explained 02:05 Feel Underfoot Debate 04:03 Durability Expectations 04:52 Best Runs for Each 06:12 Where It Fits in Lineup 07:11 Stability and Break In 08:04 Fit and Upper Updates 09:27 Heel Bevel and Ride 10:26 Weight and Stack Numbers 11:49 Who Should Buy It 12:54 Wrap Up and Release Date

    13 min

  4. FEB 28

    92 | Asics Superblast 3 Review, Osaka Marathon, Challenge Wanaka and Moonlight Marathon

    Run Spesh: Oska's Osaka Marathon Debrief, Tommy's Frozen Challenge Wānaka & Maia's Moonlight Half + Superblast 3 Launch In this Run Spesh episode, Oska recaps a busy stretch for the Frontrunner crew six weeks out from Christchurch Marathon, including his trip to Japan to race the Osaka Marathon. He details travel, pre-race logistics, chaotic bottle-drop rules, starting too far back, heat changing his strategy, and finishing in 2:18 with a strong negative split feel—passing 90 runners late and rebuilding marathon confidence ahead of a May Launceston World Champs qualifier attempt. Tommy debriefs Challenge Wānaka in brutal cold, struggling through the swim and transition, freezing on the bike, then warming into a strong run, winning his age group and finishing 10th overall while discussing future pro plans and World Champs goals. Maia covers her Moonlight Half Marathon in Queenstown, nutrition testing, river crossings, and finishing second overall. The team also shares highlights from a quick Sydney trip with Anna for the ASICS Superblast 3 launch, then breaks down Superblast 3's comfort, geometry, and where it fits versus Megablast, plus a Christchurch run club launch and limited stock details. 00:00 Training Week Check In 00:48 Podcast Intro Chaos 01:26 Car Pranks And Speeding 03:15 Japan Travel Highlights 06:45 Tokyo To Osaka Journey 09:45 Race Logistics Bottle Drop 11:45 Race Morning Fuel Fails 15:43 Elite Warmup And Start Mistakes 20:24 Marathon Strategy And Results 23:37 Confidence Rebuild And Next Races 27:03 Tommy Challenge Wanaka Recap 31:05 Freezing Bike And Run Finish 38:43 Rough Roads Recap 39:52 Run Split And Pro Plans 42:28 Shoulder Rehab And Swim Grind 43:45 Moonlight Half Race Story 46:57 River Crossings And Shoe Choice 50:32 Fueling Strategy Lessons 56:16 Bondi Trip And Run Culture 01:05:30 Superblast 3 First Impressions 01:15:30 Launch Details And Wrap Up

    1h 20m

  5. FEB 19

    91 | Hillary Allen, Brooks Elite Trail Runner + Brooks Cascadia Elite Review

    Hillary Allen (Hilly Goat) on Survival, Joy & the Brooks Cascadia Elite | run spesh This week on run spesh, Oska and Maia sit down in Christchurch with elite trail runner Hillary Allen (aka "Hilly Goat") ahead of Tarawera 50K. Hillary talks NZ trail life (Hillary Track, oxygen-rich workouts, rugged underbrush, and the joy of trails with no bears), how she went from neuroscience grad school + tennis scholarship to winning the US Skyrunning Series and racing Europe, and what it's really like being a sponsored pro. They go deep on Hillary's 2017 near-fatal fall in Norway (150ft, 14 broken bones), the non-linear recovery (surgeries, learning to ask for help, walking again, depression, journaling, and rebuilding identity beyond "runner"), and why she wouldn't undo it—even after years of ongoing issues. Plus: women's fueling and training, performance pressure vs joy, why "big dogs gotta eat," and a geeky shoe chat from Frontrunner HQ—including Hillary's move to Brooks and her take on the new Brooks Cascadia Elite. If you've ever been injured, lost motivation, or just needed a reminder that you're stronger than you think—this one's a goody. 00:00 Meet Hillary Allen (Hilly Goat) + Her Wild Comeback Story 00:02 Welcome to the Pod: First 2026 Interview & Setting the Vibe 02:26 New Zealand Adventures: Van Life, Hillary Track & Racing WAI 50 03:40 How NZ Trails Compare: Rugged Terrain, Oxygen, and No Deadly Wildlife 07:40 Origins: Outdoorsy Childhood, Science Family, and Tennis Scholarship 10:48 From Grad School to Ultrarunning: Discovering Talent & Early Races 14:29 Getting Sponsored: SkyRunning Series Wins & The North Face Call 17:40 Joy vs Pressure: Staying Motivated When Running Becomes a Job 20:19 Resetting the Spark: Removing Expectations, Journaling, and Running for You 27:12 The 2017 Norway Fall: SkyRunning, Exposure, and the Moment Everything Changed 33:48 Aftermath & Rescue: 14 Broken Bones, Helicopter Evac, and Survival 35:34 Recovery Reality Check: Surgeries, "Never Run Again," and Finding Purpose 41:44 Rebuilding Identity: Momentum, Teaching Science, and Being More Than a Runner 43:20 People First: How the Accident Changed Everything 44:10 Would You Undo the Fall? Living With Surgeries & Choosing Growth 45:54 Accepting the 'New You': Resilience as a Practice 50:13 Learning to Walk Again: Zooming In on the Next Step 54:53 Body Image, Fueling & Gratitude: Rebuilding Trust in Your Body 01:00:38 Why Keep Running? Joy, Mountains & Not Making Racing the Point 01:02:03 Driven, Not 'Chill': Balancing Ambition, School & Recovery 01:04:28 Why New Zealand & Tarawera: Culture, Community and the Full Experience 01:07:39 The Reality of Pro Trail Running: Sponsorships, Training Shifts & Identity 01:10:46 Women in Sport: Fueling, Stigma and Changing the Narrative 01:13:34 Switching to Brooks: When Shoes Make or Break Your Career 01:18:22 Deep Dive: Cascadia Elite—Plates, Foam, Lockdown & Trail Performance 01:26:53 Final Reflections: Advice to Younger Self & Closing Thanks

    1h 30m

  6. FEB 12

    90 | Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 Review, Lawn Maintance, Race Week Previews and Community Events

    Join Oska, Tom and Anna for a jam-packed episode of Run Spesh! This week's highlights include a recap of the latest Run Club events, an exciting announcement about switching locations for interval training, and heaps of gratitude for community support. Oska gets real about his upcoming Osaka Marathon and shares some laughs with Tom and Anna over everything from lawn maintenance to cat shenanigans. Dive into shoe talk, where we explore the latest gear from Saucony, Brooks, and more! Also, stay tuned for a sneak peek at some thrilling upcoming events including the coast-to-coast race, and Tawawera Ultramarathon with some incredibly fierce competition. Buckle up for a blend of running insights, gear reviews, and pure fun! 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Updates 00:05 Run Club Announcements and Community Events 00:38 Personal Messages and Marathon Preparation 01:16 Casual Conversations and Humor 02:40 Running and Training Discussions 03:37 Upcoming Events and Travel Plans 14:54 Triathlon and Track Events 24:58 Coast to Coast and Other Races 29:57 Track and Field Highlights 35:04 Chasing Records and Fact-Checking 35:30 Top Female Contenders in the 102K Event 35:55 Dan Jones: The Gladiator of Trail Running 36:37 Listener Questions: Wide Toe Box Shoes 39:52 Guidelines for Race Shoes 45:06 Choosing the Right Tempo Shoe 54:26 Shoe Reviews: Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 01:05:12 Upcoming Events and Final Words

    1h 10m

  7. FEB 8

    Sole Mates #2 Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure vs Elite

    Solemates Sneaker Showdown: Mizuno's Hyper Warp Pure vs Elite 🚀👟 Welcome to another exciting episode of 'Sole Mates' with Oska and Tom! Today, we dive deep into the details of Mizuno's latest game-changers: the Hyper Warp Pure and Hyper Warp Elite. We explore stack heights, midsole tech, and on-foot experiences to help you figure out which shoe fits your running needs best. With expert insights and some fun banter, we cover all the bases to guide you in picking the perfect pair. Don't miss the chance to try these models yourself at our Run Club event next Tuesday at Hagley Park. Tune in and be part of the sneaker showdown! 🏃‍♂️💨

    14 min

  8. FEB 6

    89 | Hoka Cielo x1 3.0, Sam Ruthe Runs 3:48, USB thumb Drives, Unratified World Records

    Running Records Smashed and Surprising Gear Revealed! 🏃‍♂️💥 Hey, it's Oska, Tom, and Anna from the Frontrunner Colombo team on the latest episode of Run Spesh, your weekly running specialty podcast! This week, we dive into some of the craziest running results we've ever seen, including Sam Ruth's incredible 3:48 mile! We chat about our weekend runs, updates in athletic gear, and even touch on surprising Instagram purchases. We also discuss upcoming events, and exciting news from the international running scene. Join us for the latest in running news, gear reviews, and a few laughs along the way!   🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️✨ 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:42 Record-Breaking Weekend in Running 01:29 Sam Ruth's Historic Mile 04:42 Impact on New Zealand Athletics 07:52 Personal Running Experiences 10:29 Training and Upcoming Races 21:27 Shoe Talk and Recommendations 27:02 Material and Consultancy Fees 27:22 Shoe Stability and Innovations 28:42 Race Results and Highlights 32:24 Upcoming Events and Records 37:15 New Shoe Models and Features 43:00 Personal Purchases and Reflections 47:17 Run Club and Upcoming Events 49:24 Concluding Remarks and Weather

    51 min
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About

The Run Spesh podcast is all about the shoes and gear you like to go running in. We cover short-form episodes with in-depth discussions on what the shoe is for, who might benefit from it, and how it was made. The Frontrunner is also here to share stories and bring the community together. Enjoy the characters we have in our sports and the experts we work with. Run Spesh is a play on "Run Specialty" with the Frontrunner Colombo being New Zealand's leading Running Specialty Store

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