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.

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

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.

Building Running Resilience: How to Stay Mentally Strong When Running Gets Hard This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are back in the backyard studio (fuelled by snacks courtesy of Hayley’s mum and Rob!) chatting all things resilience. The girls kick things off with a Gold Coast Half Marathon training update, including interval sessions, rolling hills, race-pace workouts, and the reality of training through life’s curveballs. Hayley shares a challenging week dealing with period-related fatigue, migraines, and the early signs of shin splints, leading to some smart training adjustments and a reminder that resilience isn't always about pushing harder — sometimes it's about knowing when to pull back. The conversation then dives into what resilience actually means, why it's often misunderstood, and practical ways runners can build mental toughness. Drawing on Mel Robbins' "24-Hour Resilience Turnaround" and sports psychology research, Hayles and Jussie share simple strategies to help you stay strong when motivation is low, training gets tough, or race day nerves creep in. From pacing by effort, positive self-talk, and smiling through the hard moments, to embracing discomfort, training in less-than-perfect conditions, and finding your deeper "why," this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you become a more resilient runner. Plus, the girls share their weekly recommendations, announce they're running the Harbour 10K in Sydney, and reveal details of a special ticket giveaway. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Back in the Backyard Studio00:55 – Gold Coast Half Marathon Training Update02:16 – Period Fatigue, Migraines & Shin Pain05:39 – Why We're Talking About Resilience07:06 – What Resilience Really Means09:42 – Mel Robbins' 24-Hour Resilience Reset12:45 – Celebrating Small Wins13:54 – The Science of Running Resilience15:11 – How Smiling Can Lower Perceived Effort16:42 – Positive Self-Talk Strategies18:10 – Creating Positive Pre-Run Rituals19:27 – Learning to Embrace Discomfort20:47 – Training Through Tough Conditions22:41 – Getting Comfortable With The Unknown23:35 – Planning Ahead & Mental Tapering24:51 – Finding Your Purpose & Goals26:03 – Key Resilience Takeaways27:54 – Weekly Recommendations31:24 – Harbour 10K Announcement & Giveaway32:30 – Happy Running! Jussie recco RUNNING GLOVES LULULEMON Follow the Women's Running Collective for weekly running chats, expert guests, training tips, and plenty of laughs along the way.

International Running Day, 100K Downloads & Why Running Makes You Glow (with Olympian Jemima Montag) This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are celebrating two big milestones — International Running Day and hitting 100,000 podcast downloads! 🎉 The girls chat all things Gold Coast Half Marathon training, including a spicy race-pace session, the joys of deload week, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your running is actually slow down. They also dive into the science behind ASICS' new "Get the Glow" campaign, exploring why movement can leave us feeling happier, more confident, and more energised than any beauty product ever could. Then they’re joined by Australian Olympian, Commonwealth Games medallist, Doctor in training, and all-round legend Jemima Montag. Jemima shares her journey from Little Athletics to the Olympic podium, the incredible work she's doing through her PlayOn program helping girls stay involved in sport, and the mindset tools she uses to navigate pressure, setbacks, and elite competition. Together they explore discipline vs motivation, balancing medical study with professional sport, race-day mental strategies, and why movement is one of the most powerful tools we have for both physical and mental wellbeing. Plus, Hayles and Jussie break down the science behind that post-run glow and share their weekly recommendations. In This Episode 00:00 Podcast Warm-Up00:05 International Running Day Celebration00:42 100K Downloads Milestone02:29 Deload Week Chat04:55 ASICS Get The Glow Campaign06:16 Meet Jemima Montag07:16 PlayOn: Keeping Girls in Sport10:53 From Little Athletics to the Olympics16:07 Managing Setbacks & Building Resilience18:24 Discipline vs Motivation22:34 Race-Day Mindset & Mental Cues25:17 Balancing Medicine and Elite Sport28:16 Juggling Life, Training & Support Systems29:26 Why Movement Matters33:33 The Post-Workout Glow35:09 What's Next for Jemima?36:58 Where to Follow Jemima37:41 The Science Behind Feeling Good After Exercise39:04 Blood Flow, Skin Health & Recovery40:53 Endorphins, Dopamine & The Runner's High45:37 Finding Your Glow Through Movement46:16 Weekly Recommendations & Wrap Up Follow Jemima Learn more about Jemima's work with PlayOn and follow her journey as she continues her build towards future international competition. JEMIMAS INSTAGRAM This Week's Takeaway You don't need expensive treatments, perfect routines, or hours in the gym to find your glow. Sometimes all it takes is 15 minutes of movement, a pair of running shoes, and a reminder of what your body is capable of.   Jussie and Hayles Recco of the week is MADE TO COVER Happy Running 💛Hayles & Jussie x

Sports Bras 101: Fit, Support Levels & Running Comfort with Nike's Anna Burdekin This week on the Women's Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie kick things off with a hilarious recap of a rainy Sydney drive, Vivid crowds, and another big week of training as they continue preparing for the Gold Coast Marathon. The girls chat through race-pace long runs, interval sessions, threshold workouts and navigating training around some wild weather before diving into a topic every female runner can benefit from: sports bras. Joining the podcast is Nike EKIN Anna Burdekin, one of Nike's internal product experts and storytellers. Anna is passionate about bra innovation and helping women find the right sports bra for their body, sport and goals. Together they unpack why sports bras can be so confusing to shop for, the science behind breast movement while running, how the wrong bra can impact comfort, posture and even performance, and the simple fit checks every woman should know before heading out the door. Anna also shares Nike's support-level system, common mistakes women make when buying bras, and her top picks for runners looking for high and ultra-high support. Plus, Hayles and Jussie recap the biggest takeaways, share a listener message about comparison and self-kindness, and give an update on their Gold Coast Marathon preparations. Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Kickoff 00:54 Sydney Drive Chaos 03:16 Weekly Running Recap 05:09 Boobs To Bras Segue 05:28 Meet Anna Burdekin 07:20 Why Sports Bras Are So Hard To Shop For 09:50 The Most Common Bra Mistakes Women Make 13:11 The Science Of Breast Bounce 14:49 Pain, Posture & Performance Impacts 18:06 Five Steps To Fitting A Sports Bra Properly 21:22 Understanding Support Levels 23:06 Small Cup Sizes, Cycles & Changing Needs 25:42 The Marathon Bounce Math 27:20 How Breast Movement Can Affect Your Stride 28:17 Bra Technology & Nike Research 30:20 Why The Right Support Helps Women Stay Active 31:49 Anna's Nike Bra Recommendations: Swift & Rival 33:52 Community, Confidence & Personal Stories 35:55 Hayles & Jussie's Bra Fit Checklist Recap 37:34 Athlete Box Recommendation (Use Code: WOMENRUN15) https://www.theathletebox.com.au/ 39:59 Gold Coast Marathon Training Update 40:53 Listener Message: Comparison, Progress & Giving Yourself Grace 43:43 Final Community Send-Off Whether you're training for your first 5K or your next marathon, this episode is packed with practical advice that could completely change the way you think about sports bras and running comfort.

Hayles and Jussie are recording straight from their hotel room at the Marriott Circular Quay in Sydney after approximately 47 failed intro attempts and far too much laughing over absolutely nothing. The girls recap a big week of Gold Coast Half Marathon training including long runs with race pace efforts, interval sessions, sub-threshold workouts, and a rainy Vivid run around Circular Quay dodging umbrellas. They also chat about birthday celebrations, Hayley finally getting her dream backyard sauna, and why race weekends should be about more than just chasing PBs. The episode dives into all the ways to make running events feel more fun, memorable, social, and joyful....from glitter planning and matching outfits to VIP race upgrades, playlists, post-race recovery plans, and embracing the chaos of race weekends with your friends. Plus: executive lounge hotel hacks, toaster and microwave race prep stories, marathon FaceTime calls, mid-race dancing, airplane arms, and the importance of rewarding yourself for the training journey. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome To The Women’s Running Collective01:32 Sydney Hotel Room Chaos & Failed Intros03:18 Gold Coast Half Marathon Training Recap05:26 Long Run Race Pace Efforts07:10 Vivid Run Around Circular Quay09:08 Hayley’s Backyard Sauna Recovery Era11:18 Birthday Celebrations & Recovery Week Vibes13:07 Sydney Course Weekend & Upcoming Long Run15:10 Romeo + Juliet vs Off Campus Debate16:44 Why Running Events Should Feel Fun18:25 Choosing The Right Race & Destination20:32 Training Enough To Actually Enjoy Race Day22:14 Temu Glitter Planning & Race Accessories24:09 Running Tours & Travel Groups27:03 Organising Your Race Weekend Crew29:18 Nutrition Practice & Race Morning Prep31:52 Why Hayley Packed A Microwave To UTA34:26 Woolworths Orders, Toasters & Race Hacks36:15 Matching Outfits, Braids & Race Nails39:08 Fun Race Games & Shared Playlists41:22 Complimenting Other Runners & Course Energy43:10 Costumes, Themes & Lorax Race Fits45:17 Recovery Bookings & Post-Race Dinner Plans47:42 Gold Coast Marathon VIP Gold Pass Chat50:03 Medal Monday & Post-Race Walking Tours52:14 Finish Lines Not Finish Times54:08 Playlists, FaceTiming Mid-Marathon & Recording Memories57:01 Staying An Extra Night After The Race59:18 Reward Yourself For The Training Journey01:01:26 Airplane Arms, Mid-Run Dancing & Singing Out Loud01:04:10 Compliments, Smiling & Reading The Signs01:06:12 Running Farts & Other Essential Race Advice01:08:15 Hotel Robes, Executive Lounges & Recovery Snacks01:11:02 Current Book Recommendations & Off Campus Obsession01:14:05 Final Thoughts & Happy Running

Fueling for Women Runners: Avoid Under-Fueling, Support Hormones & Recover Better (with Nicole from Total Balance Nutrition) | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles takes the mic solo while Jussie is away and chats through a huge week of Gold Coast Half Marathon training 💛 From a tough 5 x 6-minute workout session to swim squad, easy runs with Nat, and a long run featuring race-pace intervals, Hayles shares the highs, struggles, and little wins of training during a busy season of life. She also gives some massive shout-outs to friends who tackled Ultra-Trail Australia, including podium finishes and incredible age-group performances. Then Hayles welcomes back Nicole from Total Balance Nutrition — Performance Dietitian, Exercise & Sports Scientist, ultra runner, and one of our favourite guests from the early days of the podcast. Nicole shares her journey from competitive swimming into endurance sports and nutrition, including completing the brutal Buffalo Stampede multi-stage ultra race. The conversation then dives deep into one of the biggest issues facing women runners: under-fueling. Nicole explains the importance of carbohydrates, protein, fats, iron, calcium and vitamin D for women runners, and discusses the warning signs of low energy availability and RED-S, how under-fueling can impact hormones and menstrual cycles, and why proper recovery nutrition matters so much for performance and long-term health. The girls also chat practical pre-run fueling, post-run recovery, social media comparison, and the pressure many women feel around body image and eating while training. This episode is packed with practical advice and important conversations every woman runner needs to hear 💛 Timestamps 00:00 Solo Intro and Updates00:33 Gold Coast Training Week02:16 Race Pace Long Run02:48 UTA Weekend Shoutouts04:49 Meet Nicole Again07:38 Nicole Origin Story09:36 Ultra Stage Race Prep12:01 Key Nutrients for Women14:15 Under Fueling Warning Signs19:53 Cycles Hormones and RED-S25:01 Daily Nutrition First28:42 Pre Run Carbs That Work30:23 Fueling Beyond The Run32:30 Post Run Three Rs35:31 Are You Underfueling39:52 Three Tips For New Runners42:30 Social Media Comparison Trap43:26 Wrap Up And Recommendations Izzy Bat Doyal Boston Marathon - YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRANETml7gs   Pure Gel orange

Episode 86: Holly Ranson Returns Western States Golden Ticket, 24-Hour Worlds Update & Ultra Mindset Tips | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie recap another hilarious Wheel of Misfortune punishment which somehow ended in a full hair and makeup makeover before heading out for a run 😂 The girls also chat through their deload week, including a spicy 5K time trial, a 16km long run, and the reality of trying to stay motivated during easier training weeks. Then they welcome back one of their favourite guests, ultra runner Holly Ranson. Holly shares a huge update following her incredible performance at the 24 Hour World Championships in France, where she hit her goals, set a world record and an 11km PB… but somehow still came second after another athlete broke the record by four kilometres. The episode dives into Holly earning her Western States Golden Ticket after Tarawera rolled down, why Western States is such an iconic race, and how she’s preparing for one of the biggest ultra events in the world. They also chat about mindset coaching, handling pressure, sponsorships, crew selection, fueling, heat training, and the mental side of ultra running. Hayles and Jussie also touch on the wild Cocodona 250-mile race, the rise of women in ultra running, and Rachel’s incredible overall win. A super inspiring episode for anyone curious about trail running, ultra mindset, or chasing big scary goals 💛 Timestamps 00:00 Episode 86 Kickoff00:28 Wheel Misfortune Recap02:04 Deload Week Training03:35 5K Time Trial Wins04:41 Long Run And DNMs05:08 Meet Holly Ranson06:50 24 Hour Worlds Update09:43 Western States Entry11:45 Why Western States Matters13:24 Training And Heat Prep14:15 New Sponsor Fraktal15:17 Crew Pacer And Finish17:27 Golden Hour Finishline17:47 UTA Race Hype18:49 Why Trail Ultras19:40 From Sailing To Trails21:16 Chasing Sponsors21:50 Cocodona Womens Breakthrough23:07 Mindset Coach Toolbox24:40 Pressure And Decisions28:02 Fueling And Carbs29:55 Follow The Journey31:15 Fractal Gear Drop32:06 Cocodona Recap34:19 Weekly Recommendations36:57 Wrap Up Next Episode

Marathon Mindset for Women Runners (with Natalie Moore) + Night Run Motivation & Gold Coast Half Training | Women’s Running Collective This week on the pod, Hayles and Jussie are deep in their Gold Coast Half Marathon training block and share a full recap of their week from easy runs and sub-threshold sessions to a super fun night at the Nike Pegasus 42 launch at Sydney Motorsport Park. They also take on a late-night run session that was equal parts tough and fun  powered by Taylor Swift, new shoes, and a few mindset tricks to get them through. There’s plenty of real-life chaos too (of course), plus a look ahead to a well-earned recovery day and an upcoming 16km run. The girls are then joined by Natalie Moore, nine-time marathoner and mindset coach, for a powerful and honest chat about what it really takes to go from “I’m not a runner” to running multiple marathons. Natalie shares how women can shift their mindset, build belief, and take action even when doubt, fear, or guilt shows up. They dive into finding your “why,” embracing being a beginner, letting go of perfection, and navigating the mental barriers that so many women face when it comes to running and backing themselves. It’s a super relatable and motivating episode for anyone wanting to start running, level up, or simply believe in themselves a little more. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Collective00:31 Gold Coast Half Training Week00:53 Nike Pegasus Launch Night01:49 Late Night Speed Session03:40 Taylor Swift Pace Hacks06:25 Bugs Bins and Better Moods08:14 Recovery Day Burpees Setup08:52 Meet Natalie Moore09:56 Quick Fire Questions11:50 From Non Runner to Marathoner13:42 Mindset Shift and Finding Why15:50 Beginner Mindset and Social Media17:14 Embracing Beginner Energy18:33 Progress Over Perfection20:05 Marathon Surprise Factor21:08 Life Lessons From Running22:53 Running Changed My Career24:43 How To Start Running27:01 Mindset Hurdles For Women29:49 Finding Nat And Resources31:13 Recommendations And Quotes36:54 Final Wrap And Farewell Hayles Recco - Auxiliary 2.0 Jacket Links to Natalie https://www.instagram.com/be_moore_nat/ Natalies book Marathon Mindset