Running Matters

runningmatters

Running matters is a podcast about running. Its an informal chat among running friends to discuss upcoming events, training and racing tips and of course beer!

  1. 11/07/2025

    Ep141 - Pat Carroll - Aussie Marathon Legend

    To this day, Pat remains in the top 10 fastest marathon runners Australia has ever produced. His 2:09 in Beppu (1995) is a testament to the single minded focus of an elite athlete on a mission.  Pat represented Australia a staggering 18 times throughout his career and competed in 3 Commonwealth Games during the 90's. He's a 4 time winner of the Gold Coast Marathon and held the Australian All-Comers record for the half marathon (61:11) for 31 years.  He was recently bestowed the honour of “Medal of the order of Australia” (OAM) for services to community health and athletics. Pat is a laid-back bloke to chat with yet fiercely passionate about his sport and fitness in general. His depth of knowledge is immense yet his coaching philosophy is to keeps things simple. We have a lot to learn from Pat Carroll. We also get to hear about a fantastic challenge set out by 'friends of the show' at Bloody Mission. The Vertical 5km Challenge is set to raise valuable funds for the Leukemia Foundation who are aiming to stamp out blood cancer. To get involved jump on Vertical 5km Challenge | Bloody Mission | Leukaemia Foundation Enjoy! Special thanks to our partners GU Energy, Fractel and Runnulla. Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released. Feel free to use the online discount codes below: GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

    1h 26m
  2. 10/21/2025

    Ep139 - Gaby Villa - Dietitian to the (Running) Stars

    Gaby Villa is a sports nutritionist, dietitian and founder of IntensEATfit. She specialises in optimising performance for triathletes and ultra-runners by making food their best ally in sport and life. Over the past decade, Gaby has supported hundreds of athletes, including previous guests Trish McKibbin (Ep137) and backyard ultra world record holder Phil Gore (Ep106) , to overcome lack of energy and gut upset so they can fuel their bodies with purpose, train with confidence and race to their full potential.  This week we break down the absolute essentials of training and race nutrition and give you all the latest info and research to dominate your next running goal. We discuss the different challenges that racing provides, including heat, altitude, cold and distances from 5km to 500km. Gaby provides strategies to optimise performance across the span of conditions. Gaby breaks down the science on fat-optimisation versus ultra high carb intake as well as dispelling the myth of the perfect 'race-weight'. We also dive into caffeine tablets, pickle juice, beetroot juice, collagen and creatine. If you want to explore Gaby's incredible nutrition brain further please jump on to her Free Endurance Nutrition Audit @ https://intenseatfit.scoreapp.com/ Get out the pen and paper for this one. Haddy also reviews the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL with Sean down at Runnulla Enjoy! Special thanks to our partners GU Energy, Fractel and Runnulla. Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released. Feel free to use the online discount codes below: GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

    1h 30m
  3. 08/30/2025

    EP136 - Dave Byrne - The State of Play in Trail Running

    Dave started his running journey as a child, competing in Little Athletics and then progressing as an adult to be a national representative in track, road and cross country running. Over a ten-year career he became a national title winner and achieve multiple podiums in both athletics and cross country championships. Since turning his hand to the dirt, Dave has had wins in most of the major Australian trail races and podiumed internationally at several of the iconic mountain races, in distances from as short as 5km to multi-day events. In his impossibly cool role as an ambassador for The North Face, Dave has found himself in some of the wildest and remote destinations on the planet and his passion for conservation and looking after the disadvantaged shines through strongly. We chat about corporatisation and it's affect on our favourite races, the future of trail running globally and what race directors need to look for to maintain our wild places and the trails we love. This is a frank and open discussion about the state of play in our chosen sport. Dave has a unique perpective being so firmly entrenched in all facets of running and his willingness to share his knowledge is greatly appreciated. Enjoy! Special thanks to our partners Fractel and Runnulla. Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released. Feel free to use the online discount codes below: GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

    1h 13m
  4. 08/15/2025

    Ep135 - Chris Wardlaw - The Godfather of Aussie Distance Running

    This week we're excited to present an inspiring conversation with none other than Chris “Rab” Wardlaw—Australia’s renowned two-time Olympian and coach extraordinaire. For decades, Wardlaw has shaped the landscape of distance running in Australia, steering legends like Steve Moneghetti, Kerryn McCann, and Craig Mottram to greatness. This episode promises a rare deep dive into the mind of a true distance-running guru. Wardlaw played a pivotal role during one of the most turbulent moments in Olympic history—the 1980 Moscow Games. He emerged as a vocal advocate for athlete rights and found himself in the trenches—arguing in the media, lobbying Parliament, and standing alongside figures like Ron Clarke to keep the Olympic flame alive for his fellow athletes. His efforts contributed to the Australian Olympic Federation's narrow vote to attend the Games, despite mounting pressure from then-Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s government to boycott. This episode lays bare the intersection of sport and principle—and the weight that one voice can carry under pressure. His participation, alongside 120 other determined Australians, came at a steep personal cost: many athletes faced public scorn, and were even labeled “traitors” upon their return home. It would take 45 years before the Australian Parliament formally recognised these athletes in July 2025—offering long-overdue validation and reconciliation. Don’t miss this extraordinary episode where a distance-running icon shares his journey—not just of physical endurance, but of moral fortitude. Episode 135 isn't just a race through miles—it's a race through history. Lace up, press play, and be inspired. Special thanks to our partners Fractel and Runnulla. Interview with Chris Wardlaw begins at 27mins Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released. Feel free to use the online discount codes below: GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

    1h 38m
  5. 07/31/2025

    Ep134 - Steph Sparks - Marathon is hard. Surviving Cancer is harder.

    Steph's story is one of bravery and overcoming the challenges life throws at us. We chat with Steph following a successful campaign running the Stockholm and Gold Coast marathons. Steph began her running journey in the midst of her recovery from stage 2 breast cancer, which came as a shock diagnosis in December 2023. After a successful lumpectomy, radiotherapy and ongoing hormone treatment, she was declared 'cancer-free' and began the process of reclaiming her life.  We discuss the process of recovery, re-building and ultimately reaching the physical and metaphorical finish line. Steph is truly an inspiration and the positive vibes flow strongly from her. Along the way she topped the charts as Australian Cancer Research Foundation's (ACRF) top fundraiser and we chat about this amazing charity and it's impact across all cancer research. Goodesy also pops into the chair to discuss drugs in sport and a wrap up of the Diamond League, Sutho 2 Surf and the Elephant Trail Ultra.  Enjoy! Steph Sparks interview at 28mins To donate to the ACRF please go to https://melbmara2025.grassrootz.com/acrf/paul-hadfield Special thanks to our partners Fractel and Runnulla. Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released. Feel free to use the online discount codes below: GU Energy Australia (15%): RUNNINGMATTERS Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.

    1h 21m

About

Running matters is a podcast about running. Its an informal chat among running friends to discuss upcoming events, training and racing tips and of course beer!

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