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Published by Frontrunner Colombo
The Run Spesh podcast is all about the shoes and gear you like to go running in. We cover short-form episodes with in-depth discussions on what the shoe is for, who might benefit from it, and how it was made. The Frontrunner is also here to share stories and bring the community together. Enjoy the characters we have in our sports and the experts we work with. Run Spesh is a play on "Run Specialty" with the Frontrunner Colombo being New Zealand's leading Running Specialty Store
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The tables are turned this week. Last time, Oska interviewed Alex from Don Greig Racing Stables — this time, Alex has spent weeks sourcing anonymous questions from runners all over Christchurch, and Oska has no idea what's coming. It makes for a genuinely honest hour. We cover childhood — including the four teachers who changed the direction of his life at a point when things weren't easy at home — his approach to brutal honesty (and where it actually comes from), and why having a coach, a psychologist, and a trusted small circle matters as much as any training plan. He's candid about where he's at right now: working through an injury, and for the first time in his life, genuinely not enjoying running. We also get into his half marathon record (eight national titles, undefeated in Christchurch), what's realistic for him in the marathon, and a properly interesting section on the business side of running shoes — how he ranks the major brands as a retailer, what he thinks about the wave of new Chinese running shoe brands, and the four-pillar framework (chemistry, geometry, aesthetics, accessibility) he wrote about for Tempo Journal on what actually makes a "perfect" shoe. We close with his real shoe rotation philosophy and a run of genuinely ridiculous rapid-fire questions. This episode covers: Hayden Wilde's 70.3 World Championship win Childhood, and the four teachers who changed everything Honesty, coaching, and mental health Currently not enjoying running, and working through injury Half marathon record, and marathon ambitions Ranking shoe brands as a retailer Chinese running shoe brands and the "perfect shoe" framework Shoe rotation philosophy and barefoot running Rapid-fire round
This week Oska sits down with Connor Melton and Will Little — training partners, close friends, and the two Kiwis heading to Copenhagen to race the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships. Both come from very different starting points: Will battled undiagnosed gluten intolerance and low iron for years before finding real consistency, while Connor spent a decade in Maria Hesson's development squad before moving to coach Sam McLean when he outgrew it heading into the senior ranks. We get into some genuinely big topics — why New Zealand's national titles have lost some of their shine as the global marathon calendar pulls athletes elsewhere, and why there's no incentive (or funding) to bring New Zealand's overseas-based stars home to race domestically the way Australia does. Connor tells the full story of his 2023 World Cross Country race in Tallahassee — brutal heat and humidity, a genuine hands-and-knees crawl through the final stretch, and being pulled by medical staff 200m from the finish. We also get into his PhD in mechanical engineering, which is genuinely relevant to this podcast: his thesis was on an accessible way to 3D-print custom, graded-stiffness heel pad cushioning for plantar heel pain. From there it's training structure, balancing full-time work and postgrad study with elite mileage, a fun rapid-fire round, and a proper, heartfelt tribute to their 82-year-old coach Sam McLean — who coaches for free, turns up on his bike in all weather, and can still recall race splits from over 50 years ago. Sam even wrote in his own tribute to both athletes, which gets read out in full. This episode covers: Will and Connor's very different paths into running Why NZ's national titles don't carry the weight they used to Connor's brutal World Cross Country collapse in Tallahassee Connor's PhD: 3D-printed heel pad cushioning Balancing full-time work and postgrad study with elite training Training structure and how the pair work together Racing shoes: both in the ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tribute to coach Sam McLean What success looks like in Copenhagen
Episode 2 of Off Track, and a genuinely huge one. We open with training updates — Logan's finding his rhythm again as he builds back from a stress fracture, and Andy's fresh off a massive confidence-boosting long run ahead of his Tekapo 50K in a couple of weeks. The bulk of this episode is a full recap of the UTMB World Finals, the biggest weekend on the global trail calendar. We cover OCC (course-cutting penalties, a stacked field, and a women's race with more live viewers than the men's for the first time in UTMB history), CCC (a first-ever two-time champion, and a huge run from Kiwi Caitlin Fielder marred by a random spectator jumping into her finish chute), and the big one itself — Ben Damon's dominant solo run (stopped for a total of nine minutes across 18 hours of racing) and an emotional, grand-slam-completing win in the women's race. Closer to home, we cover the brutal conditions at Naseby's 200-miler, a strong showing at the Dunstan Trail Marathon, and introduce a new recurring segment — Athlete to Watch — starting with multi-discipline talent Michael "Fossy" Voss. Andy gives a full breakdown of his Tekapo 50K prep (course, gear, nutrition, shoes), we get the confirmed dates for the NZ Mountain Running Championships (Nelson, May 2027), and a first look at the Kea Series' full season two calendar. We close with a listener question on Zone 5 training and finding your max heart rate, and a new "No Free Ads" segment with Logan's running headphone recommendation. This episode covers: Training check-ins UTMB World Finals: OCC, CCC, and the main event NZ results: Naseby, Dunstan Trail Marathon Athlete to Watch: Michael Voss Tekapo 50K full prep breakdown NZ Mountain Running Champs — Nelson, May 2027 Kea Series season 2 calendar Listener Q&A: Zone 5 training, max heart rate No Free Ads: running headphones Got a question for the show? Send it through to our Instagram, or drop a comment on Spotify.
A different kind of episode this week. Oska sits down with his good mate Macca from Tempo — recorded in two halves, the first at the ASICS house in Sydney on Saturday night before the race, the second a few days later once both were home — to properly debrief the Sydney Marathon. Neither of them raced it. Oska's still working back from injury and ran a relaxed, deeply enjoyable 2:50-something with a genuine negative split; Oska stepped out of his usual elite-adjacent world to run as one of "the masses" for the first time in his career, and came away with a completely different appreciation for what a major marathon actually is. Between them they cover the Harbour Bridge, a 100-plus person choir that stopped Macca in his tracks around the 11K mark, the noise of Oxford Street's Pride corner, and a chance elevator conversation with a man running his 101st career marathon — his 25th Boston. There's a genuinely good discussion in here about what separates a "major" from every other marathon: not the course, but the fact that for one weekend, an entire city's worth of strangers are speaking the same language. We also get an update on what's next for Oska — chasing a 5000m PB on the track, working the hamstring and Achilles back to full health, and eyeing a crack at his own Christchurch Marathon course record next April — plus a first tease of Race the Pro 5 After Dark, easily the biggest event Frontrunner's put together. This episode covers: Sydney Marathon race day, run relaxed rather than raced Course highlights: the Harbour Bridge, the choir, Oxford Street Meeting a 101-marathon veteran in a hotel elevator Local names who had big days: Tommy Richards and Jared both breaking 2:30 What actually makes a "major" marathon different What's next for Oska: a 5000m PB attempt, then a Christchurch Marathon course record tilt in April First look at Race the Pro 5 After Dark
A genuinely huge eight days packed into one episode. Oska's fighting off being sick and Anna's just days from six-plus weeks in Europe with Henry, but between them they cover a lot: a Melbourne trip getting an early look at upcoming Hoka and Saucony product, three national-level events happening the same weekend (NZ Road & Race Walk Champs in New Plymouth, Governors Bay to Lyttelton, and Sydney Marathon), and a half marathon world record from Yomif Kejelcha that puts their own Tuesday club session into brutal perspective. The big one this episode: the full reveal of Race the Pro 5, The Chasedown — Frontrunner's biggest event yet, teaming up with Adidas to launch the Adizero Adios Pro 5 with a mixed-relay race against an elite pro team, taking over the entire Sydenham Underpass on 8 October. We also get a great World Masters Championships update (Sally Gibbs' double gold including a sub-20 5000m at 60 years old deserves way more attention than it's getting), a listener question on burning forefoot pain, a full technical deep dive on the New Balance SuperComp Elite v6, and a Sydney Marathon preview with both reigning World Champions on the same start line for the first time in the race's history. We close with a recap of three community events in eight days (500 people total!) and a look at the genuinely hectic few weeks ahead. This episode covers: Melbourne trip recap: Hoka and Saucony NZ Road & Race Walk Championships preview World Masters Championships results Yomif Kejelcha's half marathon world record Race the Pro 5, The Chasedown — full event reveal Listener Q: burning forefoot Deep dive: New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 Sydney Marathon preview Christchurch Marathon course update Recap: 500 people, 3 events, 8 days Got a question for the show? Drop it in our Instagram DMs.
Introducing Off Track — The Run Down's new trail-running spinoff, hosted by Andy and Logan Griffin. Making sure no trail goes unrun. Episode zero starts with both hosts telling their own stories: Andy's path from a decade in the Army (with a Palmerston North trail network as an unlikely training ground) into coaching and multiple NZ Mountain Running titles, and Logan's from a decade of competitive road cycling into becoming the current NZ Short Trail Champion, via a 2020 bet with a mate that was supposed to be a marathon and turned into a running habit that stuck. Both are chasing the same goal: a spot on New Zealand's team for the 2027 Trail World Championships in South Africa, and this show will follow that journey alongside the athletes and races around them. We get into local trail racing — a recap of the Muka Muka Munter in Wellington (Hannah Fletcher's dominant win, a genuine blanket finish in the men's race), previews of the Great Naseby Water Race and the Lake Dunstan Marathon, and news that the NZ Short Trail Championships have shifted dates and venue, now running alongside the Xterra Trail Festival in Wellington on 27 February. From there it's a full UTMB World Finals preview — the men's race, the women's race, CCC, and OCC — with a close eye on the Kiwis racing at the sport's biggest weekend. We close with a coaching Q&A on blending road running into trail training and training through illness, a quick take on what Garmin's purchase of TrainingPeaks might mean for AI coaching, and a genuinely ongoing gear debate about the best way to carry compulsory kit on trail. This episode covers: Meet the hosts: Andy and Logan The shared goal — 2027 Trail World Champs, South Africa Training check-in: "Have you been off track this week?" NZ Short Trail Champs relocates to Xterra Trail Festival, Wellington Race recap: Muka Muka Munter Upcoming: Great Naseby Water Race, Lake Dunstan Marathon UTMB World Finals preview: men's, women's, CCC, OCC Coaching Q&A: road running for trail prep, training while sick Garmin's TrainingPeaks purchase and AI coaching Gear chat: the running belt hunt Got a question for the show? Flick it through — coaching questions especially welcome.
Big one this week. We open with Run Club's return (12-week Queenstown Marathon programme starts 25 August), then get into a genuinely packed episode: our biggest-ever Run Club turnout — 260+ people — at the ASICS Novablast 6 / GT-2000 15 wear test at Hagley Park, a proper breakdown of why ASICS built the GT-2000 15 as a "stable Novablast" (same foam, completely different geometry), and the full inside story on Run Unknown now that it's actually happened — checkpoints, demo shoes, and a finish line with 220 beers on tap. We've also got three new shoes in store causing genuine office debate: the RAD UFO (a striking new London brand that's split opinion right down the middle), the NORDA 005 (arguably the nicest trail shoe we've had in the shop all year), and the Mizuno Wave Rider 30. From there it's two listener questions — the best daily trainer for a marathon build, and why Superblasts scuff more than Megablasts even with the same rubber compound — before Oska gets properly honest about his own long history of cramping in marathons, tested against some genuinely interesting new research. We wrap with the World U20 Championships results (which deserved way more mainstream coverage than they got) and a full technical deep dive on the Brooks Hyperion Elite 6. This episode covers: Run Club's return New shoes in: RAD UFO, NORDA 005, Mizuno Wave Rider 30 ASICS Hagley Park wear test recap Novablast 6 vs. GT-2000 15 — the full technical breakdown Run Unknown — the complete story Listener Q&A: daily trainer recommendations, Superblast vs. Megablast wear Does dehydration actually cause cramping? World U20 Championships results Deep dive: Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 New Balance Community Run details Got a question for the show? Drop it in our Instagram DMs — we read every one.
This week Anna and Oska sit down with Henry McMecking — one of New Zealand's fastest-rising short course triathletes and the reigning NZ Under-23 Triathlete of the Year. Ranked inside the world's top 75 and New Zealand's third-highest ranked male behind only Hayden Wilde and Saxon Morgan, Henry's had a genuine breakout stretch: an all-Kiwi podium sweep at Oceania Sprint Champs in Napier, the U23 continental title, and his World Triathlon Championship Series debut in Hamburg this year. We talk through his Christchurch roots — cross country at primary school, watching his mum race at two age-group world championships — and how he balances 21 to 22 hours of training a week with a full geology job and a relationship (with our own Anna, as it happens). Henry's honest about the tough stretch too: pulling out of his planned World Series debut in Quiberon with a bout of tonsillitis, then backing up to actually debut in Hamburg a few weeks later, finishing 41st after coming in ranked 48th. He also tells us about lining up at the NZ Cross Country Championships just for fun — and running his way to 5th in a stacked senior men's field. We get into how he and coach Tess plan a season, what "making it" in triathlon actually looks like day to day, and the story behind Triathlon Trouble, the YouTube channel he runs with mate Gus Marfell. We close out with a round of quick-fire questions before he heads back to Europe for the U23 World Championships in Pontevedra. This episode covers: Growing up in Christchurch and his mum's triathlon career Balancing elite training with a geology job and a relationship The all-Kiwi podium at Oceania Sprint Champs Withdrawing from Quiberon with tonsillitis, then debuting in Hamburg Racing NZ Cross Country Champs for fun and finishing 5th How races get chosen, and what "making it" looks like Triathlon Trouble, his YouTube channel with Gus Marfell What's next: Pontevedra and Rome Got a question for the show? Drop it in our Instagram DMs.
Tom's mid-trip to Andorra and Anna's home recovering from having her wisdom teeth out, so this week Oska's joined by Andy for a big one. We open with training updates — including Oska's steady comeback from hamstring injury — before a full recap of the NZ Cross Country Championships, headlined by Ronan Lee's title-winning run (with David Lee closing like a freight train for silver) and a genuinely gutsy run from Maia in her last local race before leaving the team. From there it's a big Commonwealth Games wrap: Josh Kerr backed up his mile world record with gold at the Games, Sam Tanner ran a season's best, Eliza McCartney completed a real comeback story with pole vault gold, Tom Walsh took silver, and Tori Mowbray picked up a javelin silver that deserves more attention than it's had. We run through everything coming up on the community calendar — the ASICS Community Run, Run Unknown, the New Balance New Brighton run, and Run Club's return — plus a genuinely wild double course record at Badwater 135 in Death Valley. We're also excited to announce Off Track , a new trail-running spinoff of the podcast hosted by Andy, launching soon. From there it's a listener question on the best carbon race shoe for a heavier runner, a discussion of Izzi Batt-Doyle's honest piece on racing with her period, and we close with a full deep dive on the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1. This episode covers: What we're testing / wearing this week Training weeks: Oska's hamstring comeback NZ Cross Country Championships recap Commonwealth Games wrap: Kerr, Tanner, McCartney, Walsh, Mowbray Community events: ASICS Community Run, Run Unknown, New Balance run, Run Club's return Badwater 135 double course record Announcing Off Track, our new trail spinoff Listener Q: carbon race shoe for a heavier runner Izzi Batt-Doyle: racing with your period Deep dive: New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 Got a question for the show? Drop it in our Instagram DMs. ✅ Store website: https://frontrunnercolombo.co.nz ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrunnercolombo/ ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frontrunnerthecolombo/ ✅ Run Club page: https://frontrunnercolombo.co.nz/pages/frontrunner-run-club-frrc ✅ ASICS Community Run RSVP: https://luma.com/71ml6j34 ✅ New Balance Community Run RSVP: https://luma.com/xk7g6ilb ✅ Izzi Batt-Doyle article: https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/houseofwellness/my-legs-were-achy-i-felt-sick-and-i-wanted-to-stay-in-bed-izzi-battdoyles-hidden-raceday-struggles/news-story/6c513d812aa27648b457c4d536c42fd6 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro (Andy filling in for Anna & Tom) 03:00 – What we're testing / wearing this week 10:00 – Training weeks: Oska's comeback 17:00 – NZ Cross Country Championships recap 32:00 – Commonwealth Games wrap 42:00 – Community events: ASICS run, Run Unknown, New Balance run, Run Club returns 45:00 – Badwater 135 double course record 50:00 – Announcing Off Track 53:00 – Listener Q: carbon race shoe for a heavier runner 60:00 – Izzi Batt-Doyle: racing with your period 65:00 – Deep dive: New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1
Just Oska and Anna in the studio this week — Tom's mid-way through a 44-hour trip to Andorra, and Maia's home sick days before her final episode with the crew. Still plenty to get through: we open with training updates and what's currently on our feet, run through the week's big shoe releases (Novablast 6, On Cloudboom Strike 2), then get into it — the frankly rubbish online backlash aimed at Hamish Kerr for withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games, and why we think people need to do better. From there it's a big Commonwealth Games wrap led by Zoe Hobbs' stunning 100m gold (NZ's first-ever Commonwealth sprint gold), plus Geordie Beamish, Lauren Bruce, and a strong showing in the pool. We preview this Saturday's NZ Cross Country Championships at Hagley Park, work through a stack of listener questions — including a proper debate on supershoes vs. uptempo trainers for workouts, our picks for NZ's marathon "Mount Rushmore," and a Reddit question on whether some runners are doomed to stability shoes forever. We close with a full deep dive on the ASICS MetaFuji Trail 2, plus all the key dates coming up: Run Club's return, Run Unknown, and the New Balance New Brighton event. This episode covers: Training weeks and what we're running in Shoe releases: ASICS Novablast 6, On Cloudboom Strike 2 Hamish Kerr's Commonwealth Games withdrawal and the online reaction Commonwealth Games wrap: Zoe Hobbs' gold, Beamish, Lauren Bruce, swimming medals NZ Cross Country Championships preview Listener Q&A: supershoes vs. uptempo trainers, NZ's marathon greats, local "Majors" equivalents Reddit Q: stability shoes Deep dive: ASICS MetaFuji Trail 2 Key dates: Run Club, Run Unknown, New Balance New Brighton event A farewell to Maia Got a question for the show? Email marketing@frontrunnercolombo.co.nz or drop it in our Instagram DMs.
"Wear a kilt. The hill just kept on going. I stopped and got some whisky." One finisher's take on the Mackenzie Half Marathon — which pulled over 1,150 entrants the same weekend Kennett Cup's senior men's race had just five starters. We get into why cross country numbers are shrinking, and what might actually fix it. Also this week: a full breakdown of Josh Kerr's mile world record, including the wild eight-years-of-data story behind his custom Brooks spike. Anna walks us through new EBU camera-angle guidelines aimed at reducing the sexualisation of women's athletics coverage. Maia Flint — in her second-to-last week with the Frontrunner crew — won the Kennett Cup women's senior race, and Tom's athlete Corbin Harding took silver at the Mackenzie Half. We round up cross country results from around the country, catch up on Kiwis racing well overseas, and give you the first real details on Run Unknown's return. We close out with a proper tech deep dive on the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 — what's actually been fixed since the divisive version 2, and who it's built for. This episode covers: What we're testing / wearing this week Josh Kerr's mile world record and the tech behind it New broadcasting guidelines for filming women's athletics Kennett Cup results and a real conversation about cross country's participation problem Corbin Harding's silver medal at the Mackenzie Half Marathon NZ cross country round-up and Kiwis racing overseas Run Unknown returns — mystery riddle race with On Deep dive: Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 Winter Grind party, Run Club's return, and the New Balance store takeover Got a question for the show? Drop it in our Instagram DMs or in the Run Club Facebook group.
Race starts while you're still in the porta-loo. No time to wipe. Wet day, had to catch up, discard the gear... still won." One of our listeners' most eventful event day stories, and just one of the reasons this week's episode is a good one. Oska's just back from a whirlwind 10 days in Paris with On — factory tours, robot-sprayed shoes, and getting cold-shouldered out of a café for not ordering in French — while Tom's been out racing bikes and clocking solid triathlon training weeks. Anna talks us through her partner Henry's World Triathlon Series debut in Hamburg (41st on debut!), plus how Hayden and Saxon fared. Back home, we're digging into your Instagram questions — your most eventful event day stories and the worst running advice you've ever been given ("you don't need multiple $300 shoes" — gtfoh) — before answering three of the most common shoe questions we get asked in-store. The big one this week: Christchurch Marathon 2027 just leveled up. ASICS is coming on as headline partner, and Frontrunner is taking on a brand new role as Performance Partner — helping build a world-class elite athlete experience from the ground up. Entries are opening soon. And of course, we close out with a full tech deep dive on the On Cloudboom Strike 2 — what's changed from version one, the real numbers, and who it's actually built for. This episode covers: What we're running in this week Tom's Sector 6 bike race and triathlon training block Hamburg WTS recap: Anna on Henry's debut, plus Hayden and Saxon Oska's Paris trip with On Listener Q&A: eventful event days + worst running advice Shoe FAQ: replacing shoes, daily trainer vs super shoe, road vs trail Christchurch Marathon 2027: ASICS partnership + our new Performance Partner role Deep dive: On Cloudboom Strike 2 Winter Grind wrap-up, Winter Grind party (Tues 28th), Run Club returns (last Tues of August) Got a question for the show? Drop it in our Instagram DMs or in the Run Club Facebook group. Christchurch Marathon — entries open now https://raceroster.com/events/2027/129745/2027-asics-christchurch-marathon Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 review (Frontrunner blog) https://frontrunnercolombo.co.nz/blogs/the-run-down-shoe-reviews/saucony-endorphin-elite-3 Winter Grind Party & Run Club Get Together — RSVP required, $15 https://luma.com/7d458rvx
Todd Andrews: From Outback Runner to S&C Coach — The Dream Run Across Australia for Cholmondeley Hosts Oska and Maia welcome Todd "Toddy" Andrews on The Front Runner Colombo's weekly running podcast to trace his path from a love-filled but financially tight childhood in Australia—frequent moves, single-parent upbringing, and finding stability through running—to a life-changing Melbourne school scholarship after coach Neville Sillitoe spotted his talent, mentored him, and even bought his first running shoes. Todd shares how he adapted academically, his competitive drive, and how marrying and becoming a parent young shifted his Olympic ambitions toward coaching and strength & conditioning. After moving to New Zealand in 2005, he qualified as a personal trainer, enrolled in a sport coaching degree at the University of Canterbury, graduated top of his class, entered S&C via post-earthquake opportunities with the Canterbury Academy, and completed a master's. He describes a midlife identity shift and outlines "The Dream Run": attempting three marathons a day for 30 days from Cottesloe Beach to Bondi Beach to inspire young people and raise funds for Cholmondeley Children's Centre, now aiming for next June after injury delays. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:45 Meet Todd Andrews 02:28 Family Life And Fatherhood 03:21 Outback Childhood And Moving 05:43 Growing Up With Less 09:22 Freedom And Early Memories 12:56 Finding Identity In Running 16:19 Scholarship To Melbourne 24:05 Overwhelmed But Determined 25:47 Neville The Mentor Coach 32:03 Imposter Syndrome And Resilience 34:20 Early Competitive Fire 36:29 Competitive Drive 37:01 Academic Survival Skills 38:58 Young Family Shift 41:33 Personal Training Pivot 43:28 University Breakthrough 46:46 Four Ps Framework 48:15 Earthquake Opportunity 53:21 Midlife Identity Reset 01:02:38 Three Marathons Plan 01:10:35 Cholmondeley Mission 01:19:55 Setbacks New Timeline 01:21:46 Closing Reflections
The crew kicks off this week's episode from a freshly moved (and very unfinished) Frontrunner office to bring you a massive mix of raw training realities, major global athletics news, and technical gear deep dives. The biggest news of the week hits close to home: Oska shares his recent scan results, revealing a linear tear at the top of the proximal hamstring alongside severe high hamstring tendinopathy. It's a tough blow that likely sidelines him from competitive racing until around December, shaking up the training block but shifting the focus to a solid rehab phase. On the racing front, the team recaps a blistering week of athletics. They break down Sam Tanner's clinical 3:33 season opener in Nice, celebrate the seven new additions named to the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team, and track standout Kiwi performances across the NCAA circuit. Plus, they dive into the Oslo Diamond League action featuring Zoe Hobbs, Peter Bol, and Imogen Ayris, and discuss the wild crossover of triathletes Alex Yee and Cassandra Beaugrand stepping onto the track for a Monaco Diamond League 5K. To wrap it all up, the team checks in on the Wintergrind leaderboard, debates local track infrastructure wishes, and delivers a comprehensive review of NNormal's newest release, the Cadí trail shoe—Kilian Jornet and Camper's first true maximum-cushion, user-friendly daily cruiser. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to The Rundown 01:17 New Office Setup 02:20 Travel Plans and Staffing 03:44 Training Updates and Shoes 05:44 Tom's Routine and Movie Talk 09:28 Oska's Hamstring Diagnosis & Scan Results 14:37 Comm Games Selection & NCAA Highlights 18:34 Cross Country and Parkrun Hits 1 Million Events 21:01 London Marathon Goes Two-Day for 2027 26:06 Triathlon Dating Banter 26:51 Monaco Diamond League 5K Predictions 28:52 Steeplechase Pain and Heat Realities 29:46 The Betting Ethics Debate in Athletics 30:51 Cold Weather Running Gear Essentials 34:56 Caps In The Dark: Running Fashion Crimes? 36:31 Wintergrind Leaderboard Update 37:19 Christchurch Track Wish List 41:18 NNormal Cadí Shoe Deep Dive & Review 49:02 New Arrivals (On Drops, Saucony Endorphin Elite 3) & Wrap Up Episode Highlights The Injury Report: Oska's Hamstring A tough reminder of the razor's edge of elite training. The MRI confirmed a linear tear at the top of the proximal hamstring coupled with severe high hamstring tendinopathy . The Timeline: Competitive racing is on ice until roughly December 2026. The focus turns completely to active rehab, isometric loading, and supporting the local community from the sidelines. Gear Review: NNormal Cadí Kilian Jornet's brand departs from its ultra-minimalist, hyper-technical roots to launch its first highly approachable, max-cushion door-to-trail shoe. Specs: 35mm heel / 29mm forefoot (6mm drop), 4mm lugs, weighing in around 270g. The Verdict: Built on a wider, more accommodating last than the Kjerag or Tomir, featuring a supercritical foam midsole and a rock-solid Vibram Megagrip outsole. It sacrifices a bit of snappy, playful energy return in exchange for pure, protective comfort on smooth, rolling mountain miles. Quick Hits & News Sam Tanner: Opens his European campaign in style with a sharp 3:33 over 1500m in Nice. London 2027: The iconic marathon announces plans to expand into a massive two-day weekend event to accommodate surging demand. Parkrun Milestone: The global community movement celebrates a mind-boggling milestone of one million unique events worldwide.
Run Spesh: The Rundown — Injuries, NCAA Chaos, World Road Champs Squad & Novablast 6 First Look Oska, Tom and Anna kick off Run Spesh from Frontrunner with a rebrand to "The Rundown," then share training updates: Anna is back running pain-free after gym strength work, while Oska is nearly two weeks off with a diagnosed tendon tear and plans a cautious return. Tom recaps a fast, tactical winter bike race series and his current swim/bike focus. They run through major results and storylines including Stockholm and Rome Diamond League highlights, NCAA Nationals hype and a collegiate hurdles world record, plus discuss questionable wind-aided sprint times. They confirm New Zealand's largest-ever World Road Champs team for Copenhagen, shout out Winter Grind Strava pattern challenges and leaderboard, and close with a first take on the ASICS Novablast 6 specs, pricing, and where it fits. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:45 Meet The Hosts 01:00 New Name Rundown 03:46 Anna Returns Running 06:33 Oscar Injury Update 11:22 Tom Bike Racing 16:12 Future Race Plans 18:57 Diamond League Highlights 25:27 NCAA Champs Hype 28:27 NCAA Kiwi Results 29:16 Kiwi Athletes at Nationals 29:42 Collegiate Hurdles World Record 31:44 Windy Times and 200m Controversy 34:16 Blind Shoe Knowledge Challenge 35:49 NZ World Road Champs Team 41:11 Reddit Running Investment Advice 46:46 Winter Grind Strava Challenges 49:23 ASICS Novablast 6 Breakdown 55:37 Wrap Up and Podcast Outro
Oska, Anna and Maia banter through a chaotic Run Spesh episode from Frontrunner, covering a week of shop life, travel, racing and brand meetings. Oska recaps flying to Melbourne, then heading to Launceston for a half marathon where he felt flat (low HRV, blocked nose, sore hamstring/ankle), fell off pace early, and turned the race into a 70-minute tempo, likely missing his last World Champs qualifying chance; he later sees a physio and gets a plan. They highlight standout performances including Izzy "Bet" Doyle's 68:30 (with her pacer) and Haftu Strintzos' 60:41 on Australian ground. The crew also share their Melbourne trip to meet Adidas, Puma, Nike (under NDA), Mizuno and On, plus a 70th-floor Airbnb disaster, great burgers and pizza, and a callout for a new Sydenham office/podcast space and tradie help. 00:00 Welcome to Runspash 00:46 Chaotic Team Intro 01:05 Socks and Laundry Talk 01:57 Mars and Moon Detour 03:02 Podcast Vibe Explained 03:51 Shop Floor Week Recap 05:28 Movies and Pop Culture 07:18 Travel Week Rewind 08:39 Melbourne to Launceston 13:32 Race Morning Mindset 15:56 Race Falls Apart 19:11 Records and Reflections 23:02 Injury and burnout 24:08 Rest and running mortality 26:16 Stress and training load 28:32 Friends check in 30:12 Early flight to Melbourne 33:48 Brand meetings kickoff 34:56 Airbnb chaos in rain 39:06 Nike NDA and showrooms 40:59 Mizuno factory detour 44:22 New podcast room hunt
Run Spesh Ep 104: Racing in Tassie, Wild World Champs Standards & the Ghost 18 Glow-Up Oska, Tom and Anna (from Frontrunner Colombo) kick off Run Spesh with winter banter and Oska's upcoming half marathon in Launceston, where he's managing sciatica/hamstring issues and choosing the ASICS MetaSpeed Sky over the Puma Fast-R for stability. They discuss a possible Global Running Day special with Matt Jewer, Tom's forced down week due to illness, and big performances from friends including Dylan McCulloch's win in China and a Kiwi taking the GC at the Four Days of Dunkerque. The team reacts to the Enhanced Games concept and crowd energy in sport, then breaks down tougher new World Athletics World Champs qualifying standards and the rule change excluding indoor times. They recap Oceania Champs in Darwin, rant about gatekeeping Friday Night Lights night-cross potential, review updates to the Brooks Ghost 18, and plug Winter Guy entries plus Selwyn Marathon mentions. 00:00 Welcome to Run Spec 01:50 Cold Weather Banter 02:38 Launceston Race Plans 04:03 Choosing Race Shoes 10:01 Global Running Day Ideas 14:40 Melbourne Networking Trip 16:22 Down Weeks and Sickness 18:43 Dylan McCulloch Comeback 21:19 Kiwi Wins and Updates 26:33 Enhanced Games Debate 29:51 Longevity Culture Critique 30:47 Crowd Energy And Performance 33:36 Enhanced Games Chaos 35:10 Sport As Art Not Betting 36:24 World Champs Standards Rant 40:35 Qualifying Impacts And Indoors 43:17 Oceania Champs In Darwin 47:53 Friday Night Lights Potential 52:54 Brooks Ghost 18 Breakdown 59:39 Wrap Up Winter Guy And Races 00:01 Podcast Sign Off
Run Spesh Returns: Range Showing Chaos, Launceston Countdown, Trail Wins & Nike Structure+ Oska, Tom and Maia return to Run Spesh after a missed week, explaining how exhausting "range showing" week is as they review upcoming footwear across brands and debate what's exciting versus terrible. They highlight Adidas Evo SL2 and Adios Pro 5, discuss ASICS delays and rumored updates, Brooks' improved Elite 6, Puma refinements, and argue plated daily trainers may be fading as foams improve. Oska shares being two weeks out from Comrades while managing sciatic/hamstring issues and choosing an ASICS Metaspeed Sky for ankle comfort; Maia battles a seasonal illness and skips racing. They cover trail headlines including Rachel Indrickan winning Cocodona 250 outright and UTA results featuring Ruth Croft, Dan Jones and other Kiwis, mention NZ track performances, plug the Winter Grind challenge, and finish with a detailed breakdown of the Nike Structure+ stability trainer. 00:00 Welcome to Run Spec 00:50 Back After Hiatus 02:07 Range Showing Chaos 06:48 Shoe Highlights and Leaks 11:28 Adidas Pro 5 Talk 16:01 Saucony and Merrell Updates 18:10 Brooks and Puma Preview 22:53 Comrades Training Update 30:52 Anna Gets Sick Too 37:03 Tom FTP Test Pain 41:07 Christchurch Bike Races 43:05 Why Bike Racing Beats XC 44:07 NZ Track Highlights 46:14 Wind Readings Debate 50:07 All Blacks Selection Rant 53:15 Cocodona 250 Shock 57:21 Ultra Trail Australia Recap 01:01:21 Running Lessons QandA 01:11:13 Wintergrind Challenge Plug 01:13:05 Nike Structure Plus Review 01:20:05 Wrap Up and Sign Off
Run Spesh #102: Rotorua Marathon Recap, Oska's Achilles Comeback, Wild Run Sightings + Nike Pegasus ACG Trail Oska, Tom and Anna kick off with Tom's birthday banter, then recap the Rotorua Marathon: Daniel Belch wins in 2:19 by nearly six minutes on the hilly course, the women's race is won in 2:43, and Catherine Camp runs 1:16 and places second overall. They preview upcoming NZ races (Wellington, Selwyn, Blenheim) and discuss Oska's rough injury patch, his heavy eccentric calf-raise "boom or bust" approach, and training toward the Launceston Half in 3.5 weeks with several Kiwi men attending. Tom shares a Superblast 2/Mega-heavy rotation while Anna returns to run-walks and strength work. Internationally they cover World Relays in Botswana, including Botswana's 4x400 win in 2:54.47 and Wayde van Niekerk's 42.66 split, plus strong Australian results. Listener submissions share outrageous run sightings, and they review the Nike Pegasus ACG Trail as a $250 road-to-trail all-rounder. They plug Winter Grind 2026 (Run the Board) and briefly discuss Ned's Milk business challenges. 00:00 Welcome to Run Spec 00:46 Tom Birthday Banter 02:11 Rotorua Marathon Recap 04:26 Is Rotorua a City 06:38 Winners and Upcoming Races 09:59 Oscar Injury Comeback 14:37 Launceston Half Plans 16:04 Tom Cycling Winter Training 19:41 Shoe Rotation Talk 24:21 Anna Strength and Run Walks 28:13 World Relays in Botswana 29:50 Relay Rolling Starts 30:06 World Relays Atmosphere 31:00 Aussie and Jamaica Highlights 31:55 Wild Run Sightings 36:21 Bottle Lake Shock Story 39:26 Pegasus Trail Review 43:21 Trail Shoe Specs 45:40 Who This Shoe Suits 47:05 Weekend Plans and Training 51:52 Stadiums and Rates Rant 53:58 Winter Grind Returns 57:52 Neds Milk and Monopolies 01:00:22 Wrap Up and Goodbye
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Observed September 12, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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