This week we’re diving headfirst into ultra marathons — what they are, how to train for them, and whether 100km is a dumb idea (Matt’s words). If you’ve ever finished a marathon and thought “what now?” — welcome to the next level.

Matt breaks down his own ultra prep, fuelling strategy, and what a 36km “training run” really looks like. Georgia tries trail running again (it goes as well as you’d expect), and we answer your questions about distances, gear, sleep breaks, and race day meltdowns.

Also inside:
– The six-foot bunny hallucination
– Aid stations: buffet table or war zone?
– Gear that actually matters (and what doesn’t)
– How long to train for your first ultra
– Is this the logical next step after a road marathon?

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– How long should you train for your first ultra?
– How do you know you’re ready for 50km or 100km?
– Do you really sleep in races this long?
– What gear is worth the splurge?
– How the hell do you fuel for 12+ hours?

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Gear, pacing, safety tips & how to not get eaten by a snake (sort of).

In this episode, we go deep into all things trail running — what gear you actually need, how to train for your first trail race, and why trail running is one of the most underused tools for road runners.

Georgia brings the beginner questions, Matt brings the ultra trail prep, and by the end, you might just find yourself Googling "UTMB 2026."

Also inside:
– Trail shoes, vests, flasks & must-have gear for the trails
– How to avoid post-race blues and enjoy downtime
– Community vibes, trail etiquette, and why trail runners are chill
– Georgia meets Kipchoge (and her mum tells everyone on the light rail)

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– How do I balance trail runs with road training? (Daniel)
– What if I get lost — is there an app or GPS for beginners? (Priya)
– How can I tell if I’m improving without pace data? (Hannah)
– How do I train for a trail race if I live in a flat city? (Emily)

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Sydney Marathon 2025 Recap
Georgia’s sub-4 breakthrough, race day chaos & why the mental game matters most.

This week, Georgia recaps her Sydney Marathon — and yep, she finally breaks sub-4. We talk through her pacing plan, mental prep, and how it all played out on race day (spoiler: not everything went to plan).

Matt shares coaching insights from across the TPP crew, and we reflect on what makes marathon milestones so emotional — and so damn rewarding.

Also inside:
– Race week nerves, taper wobbles & race day breakthroughs
– Matt's take on DNF’ing vs. quitting
– Georgia’s emotional finish + the moment she found out her time
– Lessons from coaching dozens of athletes to the start line
– Why goals are relative — and why it’s worth putting them out there

🎧 Listener Q&A:
No formal Q&A this week — just real talk, raw moments, and what it actually takes to hit a marathon goal.

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It’s the final days before the Sydney Marathon — and we’re talking all things race week mindset. From managing nerves and trusting your taper to planning your pacing and fuelling, this one is all about getting your head (and legs) in the right place before the start line.

Georgia opens up about managing pre-race anxiety, Matt breaks down how to avoid common taper traps, and together they answer your listener questions on how to handle the mental chaos of marathon week.

Also inside:
– How to stop anxiety from hijacking your race
– Pacing plans, mental prep, and trusting your training
– When pain is fine — and when it’s not
– “The hay is in the barn”: why you’ve already done the work

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– How do I calm my nerves the night before race day?
– What if I’m still feeling niggles or dealing with injury?
– How do I pace properly if I’ve never raced this distance?
– What if I have a mental block about a certain part of the course?

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Super Shoes: game-changer or overhyped trend?, Matt and Georgia dive deep into the world of super shoes, carbon plates, and what they actually mean for everyday runners. Whether you’re chasing a PB at Sydney Marathon or just curious about the hype, this episode breaks it all down.

Also inside:
– Matt’s 24-hour ultra relay recap (and why it was all about resetting minimum standards)
– Georgia’s quad strain update and how she’s managing niggles pre-Sydney Marathon
– The difference between super shoes and carbon-plated trainers
– How long super shoes really last (and when they’re worth the investment)
– Why “banking time” early in a marathon is a trap
– Sydney Marathon run club update – 100+ runners joining the community
– The mental side of running gear: placebo or performance?

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– Can super shoes actually make me slower if I’m not “fast enough”?
– Are super shoes worth it for 5K, 10K, or parkrun?
– What to expect at Sydney Marathon if it’s your first big city race
– Is “banking time” early in a marathon ever a good strategy

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We Answer Your Sydney Marathon Questions
Taper brain, race day fuelling, pacing plans & staying calm when it counts.

This week is all about helping you get to the Sydney Marathon start line feeling ready. We answer your questions on everything from race week nerves to fuelling strategy — plus, Georgia talks through her own plan for race day and Matt finally makes his race announcement.

Also inside:
– Georgia’s race week pacing, fuelling & mental prep
– Matt’s running an ultra marathon
– How to calm taper nerves without spiralling
– Sydney Marathon shakeout run details

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– Is it normal to struggle with pace in training but feel great on race day?
– How should I approach carb loading?
– Should I stop at every aid station?
– Where are the hills — and are they actually hard?
– What’s the best pacing strategy for this course?
– Have there been any course changes?
– How do I recover the day after the marathon?
– How should I approach these last 3 weeks if my training hasn’t gone to plan?

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Training smart vs. doing nothing — where’s the line?

📋 In This Episode:

This week, we get stuck into recovery culture.
Deloads, rest days, active recovery — when to take them, how to spot the signs, and whether you might actually be resting too much.

Georgia’s deep in peak week for the Sydney Marathon, and Matt’s juggling a big decision — both admit they’re not great at slowing down, but they’re working on it.

Also inside:
– Georgia’s peak week grind for the Sydney Marathon
– Matt’s ongoing existential Ironman WA debate
– Why communication is everything — in coaching and training

🎧 Listener Q&A:
– What’s the best kind of training to do when you’re sick? (Cam)
– How many breaks are acceptable in a 30km+ marathon prep run? (Jesse)
– Tips for running your first 53km hilly trail ultra? (Olivia)
– How do you know when someone’s slacking vs. genuinely needing rest? (Anon)

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15 Running Terms Every Runner Should Know

If you’ve ever heard someone say “just run at tempo” or “it’s a deload week” and had no clue what they meant — this one’s for you. We’re breaking down the 15 key running terms in plain English, with no B.S

Matt keeps it concise (we tried), Georgia asks all the questions you’re too afraid to ask, and along the way we cover everything from base building to VO2 max.

Also inside:

• Georgia’s nosebleed disaster during her long run
• Matt’s existential Ironman WA debate
• Caffeine cuts, gut health rants & peak week chaos

🎧 Listener Q&A:

• How many kms do i get from a pair of running shoes
• I live in the cold and race in the hot...what do i do?
• How do you know its time to pull out of a race?

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