In the episode, Oska, Tom, and Anna from The Front Runner Colombo dive into our weekly running specialty podcast, Run Spesh. We're here to keep you entertained during your runs or commute, talking all about the human locomotive movement we call running!

What's in this episode:

• Quiz Night Recap: Get ready to laugh as we recount our glorious failure at quiz night. Spoiler: We successfully came first at the wrong end! 🤣
• Fidgeting Update: Remember that comment about us fidgeting too much? Anna's got a solution... and it's pretty weird (and unbelievably satisfying).
• Training Updates & Niggles: Tom shares his recovery journey after a bike crash, and Oscka gives an honest (and TMI) account of his battle with food poisoning. Expect some serious talk about mental toughness and patience when injuries hit.
• Anna's Half Marathon Prep: Anna gives us the lowdown on her half marathon training, including a tough tempo run and her strategy for race day. Plus, a hook for next week's episode – you won't want to miss it!
• Sausage Sizzle Debate Results: We share the hilarious results of our poll on how you like your sausages. Just tomato sauce? Onions? Or "raw dog" with white bread and marge?!

It's another week of real talk, laughs, and a whole lot of running chat. Thanks for tuning in!

Hey everyone, Oska here! Finally back in the swing of things after being back from the US. This week on Run Spesh, it's the usual crew - Oska, Colombo, Tom, and Anna - talking all things running (and not-so-running)!

What's Inside:

• Oska's Back: Hear how Oska's feeling after his travels and his first few training sessions back home - let's just say they were a bit of a wake-up call!
• Crash Landing! Tom tells the hilarious (and slightly scary) story of his recent bike accident. New shoes? Ripped. Bike? Broken. Tom? Mostly okay! Plus, we compare our various states of injury - it's a cripple convention over here!
• Training Updates: Anna shares how her training's going as she gets ready for the Sail Half. Oska's feeling some good vibes after a tough hill workout - watch out, young runners!
• Shoe Talk: Got sore feet? We tackle a listener question about the best shoes for plantar fasciitis. We're not doctors, but we share what we've seen work for people, focusing on comfy cushioning and rocker soles. We even name a few shoes that might help!
• Random Banter: Expect the usual weird chats, from shell-less eggs to the ultimate chippy debate (bacon barbecue fans, we're side-eyeing you!). Plus, find out which podcast segment people enjoy the most (it might surprise you!).

Welcome to Run Spesh, the weekly running podcast from the Frontrunner Colombo crew (Oska, Tom, and Maia)! Join us for a candid chat about all things running: recent races (including Maya's hard-fought national title in the New Zealand Uphill Mountain Running Champs - 11.5k with over 1000m of climbing!), training highs and lows, running shoes, and even a bit about Tom's non-existent dating life... and some tech fails that led to a re-recording!

In this episode, we dive into:

• Maia's incredible achievement: Hear all about her grueling experience winning the national uphill title and the unexpected challenges along the way, including a strategically (or not so strategically) timed water stop. Plus, how this win qualifies her for the World Mountain Running Champs!
• Race strategies and execution (or lack thereof): The team discusses the classic "start slow" plan that immediately goes out the window, managing effort on tough climbs, and the mental games of racing.
• Tom's injury update: Find out how his swimming and biking are progressing as he recovers from a knee issue, the impact of a dodgy bike seat post, and his plans for future races (Sunshine Coast in September!).
• Oska's running reflections: He shares his recent feelings of being mentally drained, the pressure of performance, and the exciting new direction of his training plan with a focus on three key workouts a week and slightly lower mileage.
• Shop talk and tangents: Expect the usual off-the-rails banter, including discussions about shoplifting attempts, premium Spotify struggles, and the surprisingly criminal nature of early morning swimming squads.

Tune in for an honest and entertaining look at the realities of being dedicated runners juggling life and chasing personal bests. Whether you're hitting the pavement or just chilling, we hope to keep you company for the next hour (or so!).

Welcome to another episode of Run Spesh, the weekly running specialty podcast brought to you by Oska, Tom, and Anna from Frontrunner Colombo! This week, the team catches up on their individual running journeys and delves into the fascinating world of running innovation.

Oska shares tales from his recent whirlwind adventure in the United States, starting with an ambitious run circumnavigating Manhattan Island, taking in iconic sights despite being jet-lagged. The highlight of his trip was a visit to Puma's headquarters in Boston, where he gained exclusive insights into their cutting-edge approach to footwear development. He discusses Puma's commitment to understanding runners' needs and their exciting exploration of AI in shoe design, hinting at some revolutionary concepts and the development of the Fast R Nitro 3.

Meanwhile, Tom provides an honest update on his frustrating battle with a persistent knee injury. Unable to run, he's been focusing on swimming and cycling, diligently working towards recovery with the hope of returning to running in time for his upcoming races. He shares the challenges of cross-training and the uncertainty surrounding his return to form.

Anna details her positive progress as she gets back into her running routine. She recounts some enjoyable and challenging recent workouts, including tempo runs and progressive kilometre repeats. She shares her experience of balancing training with the demands of university, now in its final weeks, and the mental fortitude required to maintain momentum.

Join Oska, Tom, and Anna as they navigate the highs and lows of training, discuss the exciting future of running shoe technology, and offer their unique perspectives from the heart of the running retail community.

Join Oska, Tom, and JC from The Frontrunner Colombo for a seriously nerdy dive into the history of running shoes on this week's Run Spesh! 🎙️ We're not kidding, this episode is for the true shoe aficionados out there. 🤓 If you live and breathe running footwear, buckle up! If not... well, maybe skip this one. 😉

This week, we've got a legend in the house (you know who you are!) sharing incredible stories from the early days of running specialty. JC takes us back to his beginnings in shoe repair in 1982 Christchurch – a time when running shoes were a major investment and fixing them was an art form! 🤯

We then launch into a multi-generational exploration of running shoe evolution, covering:

• The Rad 80s: Think flat, flexible, and maybe not so forgiving! We take a look at some iconic (and well-worn!) examples, including Mary O'Connor's actual racing flats! 😲
• The Nifty 90s: The rise of "biomechanics" (for better or worse!) and the introduction of medial posts and dual-density midsoles.
• The Turn of the Millennium (00s): Molding technology takes center stage, allowing for more anatomically shaped designs. We dissect some classic Asics GEL models!
• The Twenty-Tens: The game-changing arrival of Adidas Boost and the quest for lightweight cushioning, sometimes with interesting structural solutions!
• The Twenty-Twenties (So Far!): Hint: We might just have some cutting-edge tech arriving during the recording! 👀

We discuss the why behind design choices, material innovations (from die-cut EVA to laser-cut PBA!), and how we went from repairing worn-out soles to the mind-blowing technology of today. It's a journey through time that highlights just how far running shoe technology has come! 🚀

Trigger Warning: May induce extreme shoe envy and a sudden urge to raid vintage running shoe archives! 😉

What are your favorite running shoe memories? Share them in the comments below! 👇

👍 Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more Run Spesh goodness every week!

Elite New Zealand distance runner Laura Nagel joins the Run Spesh podcast to share her journey, from her beginnings to competing on the world stage. Hear about her experiences in the US and the challenges of returning home. Beyond her own achievements, Laura is a driving force in the NZ running community, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Join Oska Tom, and Anna from The Frontrunner Colombo for Run Spesh, your weekly dive into the world of running! This week, we're on location (sort of!) with Oska dialing in from a West Manhattan hotel just 56 hours after conquering the Christchurch Marathon.

Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos and camaraderie leading up to a major race. Plus, find out which Frontrunner team members are prepping for a quiz night showdown against the self-proclaimed smartest guy, Bailey (and the high-stakes bet that's on!).

Then, we dive into the Christchurch Marathon itself. Hear Oska's firsthand account of the race, from the electric atmosphere of the record-breaking 7,000-strong start line to the unexpected challenges of wind, traffic, and a mid-race knee tweak. Experience the highs and lows, the incredible crowd support, and the raw emotion of crossing that finish line. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just enjoy the human locomotive movement we call running, Run Spesh brings you inside the action!