Better with Running

The show opens with hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman discussing the brutal Victorian heatwave that saw temperatures soaring above 40 degrees. Amidst these challenging conditions, they take a moment to acknowledge Run2PB athlete and CFA volunteer Josh Kelly for his tireless work on the front lines fighting regional fires. TIn their weekly training catch-ups, Chris details a productive 72km week highlighted by a demanding interval session. Meanwhile, Zac reflects on his biggest volume week in years, clocking 90km. The heart of the episode features Run2PB athlete Anthony Tasmoen and his coach, Jonny Squire. Anthony recounts his rapid progression since joining the program in May 2025, moving from a self-guided 1:52 half marathon to a stellar 1:39 at the Melbourne Marathon. He also details his recent success at the Sweat vs. Steam event, where he clocked a 45:43 10k. Anthony explains how moving away from a generic watch-based plan allowed him to reach new levels of performance he hadn't previously thought possible.Jonny Squire provides a coaching deep dive into Anthony’s transition to personalized programming. A key takeaway from their partnership is the commitment to the "long game.. The conversation then shifts to Jonny’s own training as he reflects on his return from the Berlin Marathon and a recent stint at Falls Creek. He describes the atmosphere of the high-altitude training camp, sharing observations from the famous 1km reps day and the inspiration drawn from seeing running legends like Steve Moneghetti maintaining the "Tower Run" tradition.The episode concludes with a mention of the Sweat Testing Session that is available at Physiolife Alphington, you can register for the Feb 7th Session which will be held by Run2PB Coaches Ben Stolz and James Telford.Book Via Bio here: https://www.instagram.com/physiolifealphington/https://www.instagram.com/p/DTeJex_E2od/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==With thanks to Oat Running our partner,Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

To kick off the new year, episode 278 of the Better With Running podcast begins with a catch-up between coaches Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman, followed by a detailed interview with athlete Matt Watts and his coach, Forest Robinson.The episode opens with Chris and Zac discussing the challenges of the current Australian heatwave, which has forced many local runners to adjust their training significantly. Chris shares that he recently completed a session of 8 x 1km reps, averaging 3:29 per rep, with a particularly strong final effort of 3:19. He felt much smoother than in previous months, noting that he spent two hours recovering as a "vegetable" after a sweltering 25km long run. Meanwhile, Zac is making steady progress in his "rebuild" phase, hitting back-to-back 80km weeks and finding his rhythm again at Albert Park. He averaged 3:30s during a recent 6-minute interval and is starting to contemplate a return to road racing,This weeks run2pb guest interview is with Matt Watts who describes his relatively recent and rapid progression from a team sports background in footy and cricket to marathon running. After a long hiatus from fitness, he returned to activity via a "Couch to 5K" program, initially motivated by a desire to be a healthy role model for his young daughter. His progression was swift; he went from completing a 27-minute 5K to training for his first marathon in his hometown of Ballarat. Matt reflects on his early experiences as a "cookie-cutter" plan user, explaining that while those generic programs got him started, he eventually reached a plateau where he needed more structure and personal accountability.A major theme of the interview is the transformative effect of working with coach Forest Robinson. Matt explains that the biggest shift from "Old Matt" to "New Matt" is the move away from chasing arbitrary numbers to trusting a long-term developmental process. Forest chats about, focusing on building Matt’s volume safely and keep easy runs easy. Matt has embraced this new structure, finding that having a coach in his corner has changed his perspective on training blocks, turning them into sustainable journeys rather than just countdowns to a single race day.With thanks to Oat Running our partner,Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

In this episode of the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman welcome back Run2PB athlete and Bendigo Bat, Kate Clarke to share her remarkable transformation. Since beginning her journey with Run2PB, Kate has achieved staggering progress under the guidance of Coach Chris, shaving 25 minutes off her half-marathon PB, 10 minutes off her 10km, and recently breaking the 25-minute barrier for the 5km at Albert Park. Her journey has seen her hit recently 50km-per-week athlete which highlights the power of structured training and a dedicated mindset.Beyond the garmin, Kate discusses the vital role running plays in balancing her high-pressure career as an event producer. Often working 12-to-16-hour days on her feet, she relies on her morning miles for mental clarity and essential "me-time." Kate has also become a fixture in the Athletics Victoria (AV) community and also created a tradition of themed baking. From "yo-yo" shortbreads for Ballarat to her famous brownies for Burnley.A major key to Kate’s recent performance jump was her work with nutritionist Jessica Rothwell. She shares the "game-changing" realisation that she needed to view fueling as "adding another meal" to support both her training and her demanding job. We also get an insight into her "chaotic" but lovable training partner—Alfie the Labradoodle. . She also reflects on the electric atmosphere of the Sydney Marathon weekend, where she joined the 10km event while supporting her friend Looking ahead to 2026, Kate and Chris emphasize the importance of keeping the "fun" in the process. After a season of massive breakthroughs, she is currently embracing a period of "running, not racing" as she prepares for the next XCR calendar. Her story is a testament to how structured coaching, proper fueling, and connecting with the running community can lead to improvements both on the road and in daily life.

In episode 276 of the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman welcome Run2PB Coach Ned Buckell.Ned brings a high level of academic expertise to his coaching, as he is currently completing his Masters of Exercise Physiology. The episode serves as a deep dive into Ned’s journey, exploring how he transitioned from a competitive junior athlete to a coach who balances scientific principles with real-world experience.The conversation begins by painting a picture of Ned’s upbringing in a competitive household as the youngest of four boys. Alongside his twin brother, Matt, Ned’s introduction to running started as early as age five with Bendigo Little Athletics and cross-country racing. Listeners get an inside look at the long-standing relationship between the Buckell brothers and their mentor, elite runner Andy Buchanan, who began coaching them in Grade 6. This bond has evolved over moving from a teacher-student dynamic to a professional one where they now work together at the Verve Running.A significant portion of the show is dedicated to a major turning point in Ned's life: a non-running-related injury that sidelined him for years. In Year 8, Ned contracted a severe staph infection that settled in his hip, leading to a month-long hospital stay, and complications like pneumonia and myocarditis. He shares the raw reality of spending 18 months on crutches and the grueling process of rebuilding muscle and fitness after missing a critical window of his junior career, on top of that after a return we hear about the decision to undergo and hip replacement and how he has been able to return to running after this.Beyond his personal history, Ned discusses how his academic background in exercise science shapes his approach to coaching both senior and junior athletes. The episode highlights his focus on Strength and Conditioning (S&C) as a non-negotiable tool for performance and injury prevention. Whether discussing the nuances of tendon stiffness or the mental health benefits of the sport, Ned’s perspective is one of resilience making this episode a must-listen for runners looking to understand the "why" behind their training.

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman, start the show with a brief update from chrisos training and talk about the turf war on socials about callipos vs zooper doopers.They then welcome back Run2PB Athlete Stephen Pate, he returns to discuss a phenomenal year of running, culminating in a massive three-minute personal best at the Melbourne Marathon 2025, clocking a 2:31:54. This follows a strong performance at the Ballarat Marathon and a 10k PB earlier in the year. Stephen shares insights into his training consistency through the winter, describing the mental side of the build as a "slog," yet acknowledging it felt better than his previous block. He credits his longevity and injury-free string of three marathon builds to cautiously increasing volume and the structure provided by his coach and training groups like the Ninch Track Club, which offer essential accountability and social support.We get a detailed breakdown of his Melbourne Marathon race, revealing he was "seduced" into running with a massive 20-person pack, which included the lead female, for critical shelter and pacing efficiency in the first half. The mental crucible arrived around the 26-30km mark, a dark patch where he battled "inner voices" of self-doubt. He shares the raw self-talk and mental strategies he used to shut down the negativity and find his rhythm again, contrasting this intense focus with his less-stressed pre-race mindset compared to Ballarat. Steven's strong finish, where he passed multiple runners, is attributed to his consistent training and repeated hill work, which primed his legs for the taxing final kilometers.Stephen confirms his dietary consistency, sticking to his famed steak poké bowls while maintaining a generally gluten-free approach, with the occasional pizza as a running fuel. We also hear about his preferred ASICS shoe rotation, favoring the Superblast for everyday miles and the Meta Speed Edge for races. Looking ahead, he is taking a short break to chase shorter-course PBs before shifting his full focus to training for the notoriously challenging, hilly Boston Marathon courseWith thanks to Oat Running our partner,Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au