Women’s Running Collective

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

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

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

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.

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.