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. 2d ago

    Can We Please Stop Saying “Just Run More”? Dr Charissa Ho on Training, Recovery & Running for Life

    Dr Charissa Ho on Holistic Training, Running Longevity & Life as a Mum of Six | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are talking about something we probably all need a little more of in our running lives: doing less, but doing it better. The girls kick things off with a recap of their City2Surf experience, where they decided to take the pressure off, forget about pace and simply run for fun. After a chaotic escape from Bondi (because apparently getting out of Bondi after City2Surf is its own endurance event 😂), they chat about how taking the pressure off can sometimes remind you exactly why you fell in love with running in the first place. Then they’re joined by the incredible Dr Charissa Ho GP, runner, Sydney Marathon ambassador, Apex Running group leader and mum of six, including triplets. Charissa shares what balancing family, medicine and running actually looks like, and why she doesn't believe the answer to every running goal is simply to run more. The conversation dives into the "one percenters" of training—but with a twist. Rather than obsessing over tiny marginal gains, Charissa explains why the real foundations of running well and staying healthy are things like fuel, sleep, recovery, strength and looking after your overall health. They also tackle some really important topics for female runners, including iron levels, bone health, menstrual cycles, RED-S, stress injuries and the impact of under-fuelling and overtraining. Charissa shares practical health checks runners should consider and explains why paying attention to what's happening inside your body can help you build a longer, healthier running journey. Plus, we chat about motherhood, ambition without guilt, how running can change your life, Sydney Marathon plans and where you can find the WRC crew cheering on runners around the 38km mark at Mrs Macquarie's Chair. This is an episode about training for the long game, not just the next race. 💛 This episode is proudly supported by ASICS and the new NOVABLAST™ 6. Timestamps 00:00 – Thank You, ASICS! 00:22 –  Hayles & Jussie chitty chat 00:36 – Post-City2Surf Catch-Up 01:17 – Surfing vs Running: Which Is More Fun? 02:13 – What We're Doing in Training 04:09 – Our City2Surf Joy Run 05:52 – The Bondi Exit Chaos 😂 07:00 – Meet Dr Charissa Ho 08:29 – Fast Four Questions 10:36 – That Time Charissa Ran a Shakeout With Kipchoge 12:43 – Why the "One Percenters" Actually Matter 13:48 – Stop Telling Runners to Just Run More 15:47 – How Motherhood Has Changed Training 17:11 – Ambition Without the Guilt 19:23 – Important Health Checks for Female Runners 20:47 – RED-S, Under-Fuelling & Stress Injuries 22:39 – The Running Longevity Blueprint 25:33 – Three Habits That Actually Matter 27:54 – How Running Changed Charissa's Life 30:21 – Rapid-Fire Runner Picks 32:03 – Sydney Marathon Hype! 33:03 – Wrap Up & Where to Follow Charissa 33:51 – ASICS NOVABLAST™ 6 Ad 34:31 – Weekly Snack & Gear Recommendations Jussies recco of PURE electrolyte. Hayleys Recco of Health Lab protein balls 37:21 – Where We'll Be Cheering at Sydney Marathon 39:06 – Final Thanks & Disclaimer Follow Dr Charissa Follow along with Charissa's running, medical and mum-of-six journey and find out more about her work in the running community. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love you to subscribe, leave us a review and share it with a running friend. Every listen helps us continue creating a space where women can learn, laugh and feel supported throughout every stage of their running journey. Until next week... keep showing up, keep having fun

  2. Aug 3

    Sydney Marathon 2026: The Ultimate Race Week Survival Guide | Tips, Expo, Course & Race Day

    Sydney Marathon 2026 Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Race Day | Women's Running Collective This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are getting excited because Sydney Marathon is almost here! Whether you're tackling your first marathon or chasing a shiny new PB, this episode is your ultimate race week survival guide. Before diving into all things Sydney Marathon, the girls catch up on recent racing, training and share a few very honest (and very funny!) stories about the glamorous realities of being female runners, including pelvic floors, Harbour 10 mishaps and why carrying spare shorts might not be the worst idea. From there, they break down everything you need to know before marathon weekend. They cover the course, start times, aid stations, pacers, race morning logistics, the expo, carb loading, transport, bag drop, sustainability initiatives and the brand-new Motion Festival taking over Circular Quay. If you're feeling nervous, excited, overwhelmed, or all three....this episode is packed with practical advice to help you feel calm, prepared and ready to enjoy one of the most iconic marathons in the world. This episode is proudly sponsored by ASICS and the new GEL-KAYANO™ 33 the shoe designed to deliver soft, stable comfort on every run. Timestamps 00:00 – ASICS Sponsor Shoutout 00:34 – Podcast Catch-Up & Banter 01:18 – Race Day TMI Stories (Yes… we went there 😂) 04:43 – Weekly Training Recap 07:46 – Sydney Marathon Hype Begins 10:08 – Why is a Marathon 42.195km? 12:08 – Start Times, Corrals & Getting to the Start 12:44 – Course Highlights: Harbour Bridge to the Opera House 17:17 – Elevation, Pacers & Aid Stations 19:11 – Sydney Marathon Sustainability Initiatives 21:51 – Easy Ways You Can Make Race Day Greener 22:15 – Simple Eco-Friendly Running Habits 23:16 – Sydney Marathon Expo Survival Guide 26:25 – Carb Loading Without Overthinking It 27:26 – Race Morning Tips & Staying Warm at the Start 29:31 – Race Day Checklist: Don't Forget These! 31:40 – Finish Line Plans & Post-Race Recovery 33:56 – Motion Festival: Why You Should Check It Out 35:10 – Mindset, Community & Enjoying Every Kilometre 38:35 – ASICS Sponsor Wrap 39:24 – Weekly Recommendations 42:14 – Wrap Up If you're running Sydney Marathon this year, we are so excited for you! Remember, you've already done the hard work. Trust your training, soak up the atmosphere, thank the volunteers, high-five the crowds and don't forget to look around. Running across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Opera House is something you'll never forget. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left us a review and shared it with a friend who's racing Sydney. Every listen helps us continue building a supportive community where every woman feels welcome, no matter her pace or experience. We'll see you next week... and if you're racing Sydney, we'll see you on the sidelines cheering you all the way to the finish line!    XO WRC Hayles and Jussie

  3. Jul 27

    Georgia Weir: The Marathon Training Secrets Every Runner Should Know | Sydney Marathon Head Coach

    TCS Sydney Marathon Head Coach Georgia Weir on Smarter Training, Easy Runs & Finding Your Running Crew This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are recording straight from the sauna after racing the Harbour 10 in Sydney. Fresh off the finish line, they chat about how the race unfolded, why the 10K might just be one of the toughest distances to race, and debate whether they'd rather tackle a 5K, half marathon or even another marathon. They also reflect on a fantastic weekend in Sydney before introducing this week's special guest, Georgia Weir. Head Coach of the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, founder of Deadly Runners, and a proud First Nations woman who is using running to create lasting change in communities across Australia. Georgia shares her incredible running journey, why she believes training doesn't need to be complicated, and how consistency, not perfection is the key to becoming a stronger runner. We dive into choosing the right coach, why easy runs are so important, the dangers of comparing yourself on social media, and how finding your running community can completely transform your experience with the sport. After the interview, Hayles and Jussie wrap up with their favourite weekly recommendations including a glitter hair hack that's perfect for race day, a cosy magnesium tea ritual that's become a winter staple, and a recap of their Harbour 10 experience, post-race brunch and what's coming up next. Timestamps 00:00 – Harbour 10 Recovery in the Sauna 00:12 – Harbour 10 Race Recap 00:28 – Is the 10K the Hardest Distance? 01:03 – Introducing Georgia Weir 01:45 – Why Georgia Inspires Us 02:11 – Interview Begins 02:20 – Meet Georgia Weir 02:43 – Quick Fire Questions 02:50 – Favourite Shoes & Running Gear 03:50 – Favourite Races & Running Memories 04:53 – Funniest Running Mishaps 06:03 – Keep Running Simple 06:34 – Why Georgia Loves Coaching 07:19 – The Story Behind Deadly Runners 08:51 – How to Choose the Right Coach 09:37 – Can AI Replace a Running Coach? 12:29 – The Biggest Challenges Women Face in Training 13:55 – Why Easy Runs Matter (The 80/20 Rule) 16:21 – TikTok Training Trends & Common Mistakes 18:35 – Strava, Social Media & Comparison 19:26 – The Non-Negotiables for Better Running 21:30 – Fuel, Sleep & Recovery 22:42 – Why the Sydney Marathon Means So Much 24:47 – The Emotions of Marathon Day 25:41 – What's Next for Georgia? 26:44 – Canadian Death Race Adventure 28:10 – Coaching the TCS Sydney Marathon Team 29:11 – Rapid Fire Questions 30:51 – Georgia's Advice for Every New Runner 32:25 – Find Your Running Crew 33:45 – Post Interview Catch-Up 33:58 – Glitter Gel Hair Hack 35:55 – Warm Magnesium Tea Before Bed 37:05 – What's Next. 37:26 – Harbour 10 Race Recap & Pacing Strategy 39:25 – Finish Line, Results & Age Group Placings 40:18 – Race Day Outfits, Glitter & Good Vibes 41:04 – Post-Race Brunch & Bagels 41:42 – Listener Shoutouts & Wrap Up   Spotlight hair glitter  OUR fave magnesium Pillar RASPBERRY Connect with Georgia @georgiaweir83 @deadlyrunners  If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left us a review and shared it with a friend. Every listen helps us continue building a community where every woman feels welcome, supported and inspired to run no matter your pace or experience. Until next week... keep showing up, keep having fun, and remember you belong here.  xo Hayles and Jussie

  4. Jul 19

    Olympian Izzi Batt-Doyle Reveals Her Training, Mindset & Secrets to Becoming a Better Runner

    Izzi Batt-Doyle on Elite Training, Running Community & Starting Slow | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie sit down with one of Australia's most accomplished distance runners, Izzi Batt-Doyle. A two-time Olympian, Australian record holder and national champion, Izzi shares the journey that's taken her from Little Athletics to competing on the biggest stage in world athletics. We chat about what life really looks like as an elite runner from double training days, key sessions and strength work, to managing race nerves, trusting your preparation and balancing the highs and lows of the sport. Izzi also opens up about why she and Riley founded RunAsOne Coaching, building an inclusive running community, navigating comparison on social media, and why consistency will always beat perfection. Whether you're training for your first 5K or chasing a marathon PB, this episode is packed with practical advice, inspiration and reminders that every runner starts somewhere. This episode is proudly sponsored by ASICS and the new GEL-KAYANO™ 33. Timestamps 00:00 – ASICS Sponsor Shoutout 00:29 – Meet Izzi Batt-Doyle 03:33 – From Little Athletics to the Olympics 06:35 – What an Elite Training Week Really Looks Like 10:05 – Why Izzi Started RunAsOne Coaching 11:40 – Race Nerves and Handling Pressure 13:29 – Pacing Strategies and Pre-Race Routine 15:39 – The Reality Behind Social Media Highlights 17:54 – Staying Motivated Through the Tough Days 19:50 – Mental Toughness, Positive Self-Talk and Racing Mindset 22:24 – Dealing with Comparison Online 23:18 – Why Consistency Always Wins 24:29 – The Incredible Growth of Women's Running 26:07 – Izzi's Advice for New Runners 26:49 – Upcoming Races and What's Next 28:20 – Quick Fire Questions 31:26 – A Message to Anyone Running Their First Race 33:31 – Why Community Makes Running So Special 35:28 – ASICS Sponsor Wrap 37:02 – Hayles & Jussie's Weekly Catch Up 38:59 – Behind the Scenes Sign Off Connect with Izzi Follow Izzi's journey: @izzibattdoyle RunAsOne Coaching: @runasonecoaching IZZI's YOUTUBE If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review and shared it with a friend. Every listen helps us continue building a supportive community where every woman feels welcome, no matter her pace or experience. Until next week... keep showing up, keep having fun

  5. Jul 13

    How We Both Ran Half Marathon PBs (and Actually Enjoyed It) | Gold Coast Race Strategy That Worked

    How We Ran Half Marathon PBs (and Actually Enjoyed It): Gold Coast Race Strategy, Taper, Fueling & Mindset What does it actually take to run a half marathon PB... and still cross the finish line smiling? This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie unpack the training, mindset and race-day strategies that helped them both achieve personal bests at the Gold Coast Half Marathon—without blowing up or suffering through the final kilometres. After a quick catch-up on life after Gold Coast, they dive into the lessons from their 12-week training block, including why threshold training around goal race pace became the cornerstone of their preparation, the importance of keeping easy runs genuinely easy, and how consistency always beats perfection. The girls chat about trusting their coach, resisting the temptation to "make up" missed sessions, and why a well-executed taper left them feeling fresh, confident and ready to race. They also break down the exact negative-split race strategy they followed, how they practised their fueling well before race day, and why controlling the controllables helped keep nerves at bay. Plus, they share the positive self-talk that carried them through the toughest moments and helped make the race one they genuinely enjoyed. As always, they finish with their weekly recommendations and a thank you to ASICS for sponsoring this episode. In this episode: 00:00 – Thanks to ASICS & the new GEL-KAYANO™ 33 00:36 – Welcome back & post-Gold Coast catch-up 01:32 – How the body is feeling after race week 02:53 – Why we're breaking down our PBs 05:45 – Setting realistic goals for Gold Coast 06:58 – Trusting our coach & training specifically for the event 07:33 – Why threshold training around race pace was a game changer 09:17 – Keeping easy runs easy (and why it matters) 10:57 – Consistency beats perfection every time 12:55 – Why we never "made up" missed sessions 13:43 – Trusting the taper and arriving fresh 15:13 – Our negative-split race plan explained 18:13 – Fueling, gels & race morning preparation 19:19 – Controlling the controllables on race day 20:51 – The positive self-talk that got us through 22:38 – Our biggest lessons from running PBs 24:09 – ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ 33 sponsor break 24:58 – Weekly recommendations GoodR BEATG 27:54 – Wrap-up & see you next week! If you're training for your next half marathon or chasing a new PB, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you train smarter, race with confidence, and actually enjoy the experience. Follow the Women's Running Collective for weekly running tips, inspiring conversations and plenty of laughs with Hayles and Jussie.

  6. Jul 6

    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.

  7. Jun 29

    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

  8. Jun 22

    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.

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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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