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

    100 | Nike Vapourfly 4 Review, Training Weeks, Boston Marathon, NZ Mountain Running Champs

    Run Spesh: Nike Billboard Drama, Boston Dominance, New Shoe Drops & Trail Tech Oska, Tom and Maia from Frontrunner Colombo riff on Nike's Boston Marathon billboard ("runners are welcome, walkers are tolerated") and the backlash, noting Nike had nobody on the Boston podium while ASICS prototypes featured heavily. Oska shares he's back near full training at ~95 miles with doubles and new hill-600 workouts; Tom reports a right-hip impingement diagnosis, an uphill-only running phase, and a strength plan with Emily and Todd. They recap big results: John Korir's Boston course record and Sharon Lokedi's win, plus Ironman standout Magnus Ditlev, and NZ mountain running champs where Toby ran in loose laces and lost a shoe. The crew also covers new product in-store—Nike racing shoes returning, premium Norda trail shoes—and travel plans to Paris, plus Grind's relaunch aligned with Global Running Day. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Banter 01:03 Nike Billboard Controversy 02:27 Boston Podium Shoe Talk 04:46 Oscar Training Update 09:01 Maya Hip Rehab Plan 13:55 Tour of Canterbury Preview 18:22 International Racing Highlights 18:59 Boston Records and Prototypes 26:23 Trail Champs and Toby Drama 29:42 Shop News New Shoes 29:59 Race Walking Madness 30:59 Olympic Events Rant 32:09 Nike Super Shoe Review 32:51 Fit Foam Plate Breakdown 34:02 Cornering Stability Test 36:28 Norda Trail Shoes Arrive 37:52 Trail Tech Specs 41:32 Paris Europe Travel Plans 44:21 Jet Fuel Supply Worries 48:53 Grind Event Update 51:55 Winter Gear Merch Drop 53:18 Sports Weekend Wrap 54:31 Sign Off And Promos

    56 min

  2. APR 18

    99 | Hoka Speedgoat 7 Review and Christchurch Marathon Recap

    Christchurch Marathon Chaos, PBs & Vomit + Speedgoat 7 Is Back | Run Spesh Oska, Tom and Maia recap a huge Christchurch Marathon week for Frontrunner, from the shakeout run and expo to racing and supporting runners on course. Maia details her half marathon debut, going out too fast, battling humidity, managing gels, vomiting near the finish, and running 1:18:42 to earn a National Champs medal, while Tom describes racing under the weather, cramping badly in the final 5–6km, and finishing despite a rough day. Oska reflects on not racing due to a calf/ankle issue, enjoying contributing off the start line, and the event's congestion and medical carnage, arguing the course format needs updating. They run through key results (including Toby's 1:03:15 win and other podiums), discuss standout Aussie track moments and controversy, note Sam Ruth's stress reaction, preview NZ Mountain Running Champs, and review the Hoka Speedgoat 7's feel, fit, and sizing advice. 00:00 Welcome to Run Spec 00:46 How People Listen 01:45 Tom the Stabilizer 02:54 Tom Calls in Sick 04:02 Maya Half Recap 07:18 Vomit at the Finish 08:23 Race Morning Routine 11:59 Gels and Survival Mode 12:27 Maya Time and Takeaways 18:37 Tom Half Struggles 20:47 Cramping and Crowds 26:53 Oscar Injury and Pacing 32:26 Expo and Shoe Launch 34:33 Helping Runners Midrace 37:19 Crowding and Course Laps 40:32 Nationals Half Marathon Recap 43:05 Marathon Standouts and PBs 44:50 Gout Gout Wind Debate 48:54 Mayers Clinic and Aussie Champs 50:55 Womens 1500 Controversy 55:50 Cycling Sprint Finish Tangent 57:49 Sam Ruth Injury Update 01:00:40 NZ Mountain Champs Preview 01:07:01 Post Race Reflections 01:08:15 Speedgoat 7 Review 01:15:48 Winter Plans and Sign Off

    1h 17m

  3. APR 10

    98 | On Cloud Moster Hyper 3 LS Review, Christchurch Marathon Preview and Taper Weeks

    Christchurch Marathon Week Hype: Tapers, National Champs & Expo Deals | Run Spesh Oska, Tom and Maia (from Frontrunner Colombo) kick off Run Spesh with some banter, then dive into Christchurch Marathon week—the biggest week on the local running calendar and a major week for the shop. They reflect on achieving a longtime goal of being headline sponsor for the Christchurch Marathon, preview the nervous community energy around Hagley Park, and discuss Maia's lead-in to her second half marathon (workouts, running with Ruth Croft, and back-to-back rest days) and Tom's no-taper approach as he races the half at national champs. They outline shakeout run details (9am Saturday at the finish with giveaways), explain course congestion and safety on the four-lap route, share expo hours and shoe deals, preview key contenders in the half and marathon fields, and debate new standalone marathon world champs plus doping and record implications. 00:00 Podcast Introductions 01:11 Dad at the Concert 03:25 Marathon Week Buzz 05:10 Maya Taper Week 09:04 Tom Racing Approach 12:36 Run Club and Course Tips 15:37 Shakeout Run and Expo 19:33 Race Day Cheering 22:02 Race Morning Mindsets 28:38 Women and Men Predictions 33:57 Old School Speed Era 34:37 Race Picks and Comebacks 35:50 Marathon Fields Breakdown 38:13 Pace Groups and Strategy 39:30 Why Marathons Sell Out 41:44 Standalone Marathon Worlds Debate 46:30 European Road Racing Highlights 50:08 Running What Ifs 54:16 Doping and Record Stripping 56:44 Shoe Industry Purist Rant 59:22 On LightSpray Tech Future 01:03:44 LightSpray Fit and Ride Review 01:09:50 Release Info and Sign Off

    1h 13m

  4. APR 5

    Sole Mates #8 | On Cloudboom Volt vs Nike Zoom Fly 6

    Edit to the episode - the Nike unfortunatley isn't 40mm or under! On Cloudboom Vault vs Nike Zoom Fly 6 |  (Run Spesh: Sole Mates) Oska and Tom from Frontrunner Colombo's Run Spesh "Sole Mates" compare two new the On Cloudboom Vault and the Nike Zoom Fly 6. They discuss why staying under the 40mm stack limit matters for age-group racing, then break down specs and ride feel. The Cloudboom Vault is ~210g with a 5mm drop, Helion HF foam, and a carbon-infused composite plate that's more forgiving than full carbon, but it has a narrow base and less stability, with a roomy upper and a stronger rocker for quicker turnover. The Zoom Fly 6 is slightly heavier (~214g women's US8), wider and more stable with heel protection, ZoomX foam, a flexible plate, strong waffle traction, but a shallower, cinched upper; it's also noted as sharp value at NZ$290 versus the On at NZ$340. They recommend trying both due to fit and feel differences. 00:00 Welcome to Soulmates 00:46 Shoes on Deck 01:34 Race Legal Trainer Racers 02:33 Cloudboom Vault Breakdown 02:55 Carbon Infused Plate Explained 04:21 Fit Stability and Ride 06:48 Zoom Fly 6 Overview 08:39 Upper Fit and Value 09:53 Pricing and Comparisons 10:44 Final Picks and Wrap Up

    12 min

  5. APR 2

    97 | Nike Pegasus 42 Review, Hanmer Training Camps, EPO bans and Race Mentalities

    https://frontrunnercolombo.co.nz/ Run Spesh: Wild Hamner Training Camp Tales + Nike Pegasus 42 Review + Christchurch Marathon Week Plans Oska, Tom, and Maia from Frontrunner Colombo chat through a chaotic weekend training camp trip to Hamner that started with sideways rain, TT bikes in gale-force winds, and a mid-ride turnaround before salvaging the camp with cycling, running, swimming, and pub hangs, plus stories about their wheelchair-using swim coach Rolly and his personality. They cover injury updates on a hamstring, upcoming Christchurch racing (including a 10K and the women's half marathon field), mindset around pacing and workouts, and frustration with elite-level doping while noting standout performances like Kai Robinson's sub-27 10K and Christian's rapid-fire 70.3 wins. They discuss Nike product returning to stores and review the Nike Pegasus 42: $240, durable ReactX feel, full-length Air Zoom, curvy last, and an everyday "more fun Ghost" option. They finish with Christchurch Marathon week run club and expo details and taper advice. 00:00 Podcast intro chaos 01:20 Christchurch long run vibes 01:57 Headwind bike mission 05:21 Hamner camp recap 05:53 Rolly stories and laughs 08:20 Training load and recovery 10:16 Watching the podcast back 12:41 Hamstring update and rehab 15:32 Christchurch 10K plans 18:02 Mindset chats and sleep 21:30 Workout confidence debate 25:27 Christchurch half field hype 29:07 Doping in distance running 32:37 Doping and Integrity 33:49 Aussie Sub-27 Breakthrough 35:13 Triathlon Double Win 38:54 Nike Returns to NZ 41:27 Run Club Community 43:40 Cartoon Nostalgia Detour 45:20 Topless Winter Runner 50:40 Pegasus 42 Deep Dive 58:27 Marathon Week Plans 01:01:14 Taper Week Mindset

    1h 4m

  6. MAR 29

    Sole Mates #7 | Hoka Mach X3 vs Mach 7

    Hoka Mach X 3 vs Mach 7 (Sole Mates) | Which Frontrunner Daily Trainer Wins? Oska and Tom from Frontrunner Colombo record a "Sole Mates" comparison after their camera isn't charged, pitting Hoka's Mach X 3 against the Mach 7 as faster daily trainers rather than true racers. They praise updates from the Mach X 2, including a more traditional heel collar and wider width options, but criticize Hoka's confusing lineup and pricing. The Mach 7 is described as lightweight and fine but not particularly fast, with foam that feels less responsive; it may suit runners wanting one shoe for easy runs and moderate efforts, including grass reps, and is mentioned alongside shoes like the Novablast and Peg Plus. The Mach X 3 feels more lively and stable with a good rocker and comfortable upper, suitable for uptempo long runs or even a 3.5–4.5 hour marathon, though it's heavier. Prices mentioned are 280 for Mach 7 and 330 for Mach X 3, with a deeper Mach 7 review coming on Run Spesh. 00:00 Welcome to Soulmates 00:47 Meet the Hoka Marks 02:00 Hoka Lineup Confusion 03:37 Mark VII First Impressions 05:36 Mark VII Best Uses 06:31 Mark X3 Ride and Stability 09:16 Mark X3 Weight Tradeoffs 10:12 Fit and Sizing 11:22 Pricing and Wrap Up

    13 min

  7. MAR 27

    96 | Hoka Mach 7 Review, Borrowing Future Workouts, Listener Questions and the Sponsorship Debate

    Run Spesh (Frontrunner): Hamstring Chaos, Half Mara Woes, Shoe Recs & the Scavenger Hunt Run On Run Spesh from Frontrunner, Oska, maia and Anna fill in while Tom's away and riff on podcast awkwardness, eye contact, and office life like new clock-in/out time tracking, late emails, and Oska's delegation habits. They touch on maia's voiceover video, Oska using a "brick" to shut off phone distractions, and Oska building a massive shed he now can't move. The running chat covers Oska's post-marathon hamstring pain eased by high-dose anti-inflammatories, maia's rough half-marathon-pace long run and fatigue from too many hard days, and Anna's sore hip and the balance between loading and longevity. They recap a sold-out On-sponsored 5K scavenger hunt with riddles and checkpoints, announce a collab run with Connor from The Hits, answer Instagram shoe questions (Superblast 2 replacement, Adios Pro 3 replacement), and review the Hoka Mach 7. They also note World Athletics qualifying all six misdirected women and Emma Bates alleging a sponsor dropped her after announcing pregnancy. 00:00 Tom Is Gone 00:50 Eye Contact Anxiety 02:25 Voiceover Video Drama 03:16 Clocking In Business Talk 05:42 Phone Brick Boundaries 07:26 PC Talk And Manosphere 09:59 Hamstring Pain Fix 10:48 Shed Building Saga 17:36 Half Marathon Training 22:53 Training Fatigue Mindset 32:02 Shoe Talk Naming Chaos 34:23 Scavenger Hunt Run Event 38:39 Scavenger Hunt Recap 39:53 Logan and On Sponsorship 40:53 Future Event Ideas 41:51 Upcoming Run Club Event 42:39 Dom Harvey Podcast Shoutout 43:47 Listener Questions Super Blast 47:28 Race Shoe Recommendations 51:45 Coffee Shop Tangent 55:35 Women's Road Running Decision 58:59 Emma Bates Sponsorship Controversy 01:03:31 Hoka Mach Seven Review 01:07:48 Mach Seven Fit Discussion 01:13:35 Final Thoughts and Wrap

    1h 14m

  8. MAR 20

    Sole Mates #6 | Adidas Hyperboost Edge vs Asics Megablast

    ASICS MegaBlast vs adidas Hyper Boost Edge : TPU vs PBA | Run Spesh "Solemates" Oska and Tom from Frontrunner Columbo record a "Solemates" Run Spesh episode comparing the ASICS MegaBlast and the adidas Hyper Boost Edge (Pro), framing it as a matchup of premium foams (TPU vs PBA) and debating what makes a "super trainer" versus a premium daily trainer. They praise the MegaBlast's versatility, light upper, lack of plate, durability (800–1200 km), and minor fit quirks that may require sizing up. For the adidas shoe, they like the stylish lifestyle/performance blend, the midsole feel, and the lighter traction outsole, but critique the rocker being too far forward and the stiffer upper/heel, plus limited lockdown options. They discuss price expectations, recommend trying both on due to fit differences, and outline best use cases and improvements they'd like to see. 00:00 Welcome to Soulmates 00:42 Today's Shoe Matchup 01:55 Why Superblast Wins 03:51 Fit Tweaks and Sizing 04:49 Plates and Modern Foams 05:43 Super Trainer vs Daily 06:40 Hyperboost Pro Deep Dive 10:18 Price and Value Talk 11:31 Fit Feel and Lockdown 12:43 Best Use Cases 13:47 Outsole Traction Breakthrough 14:58 Final Thoughts and Signoff

    16 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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