Peak Endurance

I don't really have a big why. And I've represented Australia three times, won Six Foot Track, run three Barkleys. So, either I've been doing it wrong the whole time, or the 'find your why' advice is oversold. The real question of the episode: is a why necessary, or just sometimes useful.

We live in a world where our watches tell us how we slept, how recovered we are, how hard we should train and even how stressed we are. While technology can be incredibly useful, many runners have become so dependent on it that they no longer trust what their own body is telling them. In this episode, Isobel and Ron discuss why learning to run by feel is one of the most valuable skills you can dev...

Isobel and Ron talk about what Isobel is doing for her training for Tor Des Geants. They discuss the daily and weekly work required and the fact that big races take a lot out of you.

Ron and Isobel chat with Kerryn Bell about the Southern Lakes Ultra, a 7day, 6 stage multi day event in New Zealand. If you've ever thought about doing a multi-day event but don't want to have to go all the way to the states or Europe, then this one is for you! Kerryn gives us all the details on how the race works and shares the fun that is the Southern Lakes Ultra. Link to enter is here:...

Isobel's daughter Elizabeth comes on to discuss her hike of the Camino Trail. This is a very runnable trail and a popular destination for multi day running. Hear how you could easily organise this adventure for yourself!

Most runners train hard and eat like an afterthought. In this episode, Isobel and Ron break down the nutrition fundamentals that directly support your training: not the fads, not the noise, just what the research actually says and what she's learned from years of racing and coaching at the sharp end of the sport. They cover the biggest mistake runners make with food (hint: it's not eating...

Your crew shows up on race day wanting to help. The problem is you never told them how. In this episode, Isobel and Ron (who has crewed Isobel for years) break down exactly what a good crew needs to know before race day, and why most athletes get this completely wrong. They cover what actually happens at crew points when the briefing hasn't happened, what a proper race plan looks like from the...

Most ultra runners have a race calendar that looks impressive and a performance trajectory that doesn't match it. Here's why: racing is eating the cake. Training is making it. And if you're racing every other weekend — or hammering yourself in training like every session is a time trial — you're eating cake you haven't baked yet. In this episode I break down the A, B, C race fr...

Winter doesn't care about your goals. It's cold, it's dark,and your bed is warm. So, what separates the runners who come out the other side fitter, sharper, and ready; from the ones who spend September wondering wheretheir fitness went? Isobel and Ron get into the real mechanics of stayingconsistent when conditions are against you. Habits, habit stacking, identity, and why keeping prom...

Most runners use the same race strategy for every distance. That’s why they blow up in marathons, fall apart in ultras, or leave speed on the table in shorter races. In this episode, Ron and Isobel break down how race strategy changes from the half marathon all the way to the 100 miler. They cover: Pacing mistakes runners make at every distance Fueling differences from road races to ultras Why the...

At 39km into the Buffalo Stampede 100k, I rolled my ankle (and broke it!) and ruptured my ATFL ligament. Boot on. Running stopped. Tor des Géants in September still on the calendar. In this episode, Ron and I talk through what actually happens when a serious injury hits mid-season, not the motivational version, the real one. The emotional crash, the identity hit, the urge to panic-plan at midnight...

Hiring a running coach should make your life easier. It should fast-track your progress, keep you consistent, and get you better results. But the reality is… most runners either don’t hire one whenthey should or they hire the wrong one and waste months, sometimes years. So today Ron and I are going to walk you through exactly what you need to look for in a coach so you actually get results from it...

Racing is one thing. Crewing is another game entirely. In this episode, we unpack the reality of the Buffalo Stampede. What it felt like out there, what went right, what didn’t, and what you only learn when you’re deep in it. Then we shift gears into the NZ 6 Day race. Not as athletes this time, but as crew. And honestly, it gives you a completely different perspective on suffering, pacing, and wh...

Most runners waste time on the wrong cross training. They do workouts that feel hard They do sessions that look impressive They do what everyone else at the gym is doing But very little of it actually makes you a better runner. So in this episode we ranked different types of cross training out of 10 based on how useful they actually are for runners. Strength training Cycling Swimming Stairmaster Y...

Most runners think they need more mileage, more speed work, or more motivation to improve. Most of the time that isn’t the problem. In this episode we talk about the habits that actually keep runners stuck. Comparing yourself to people on Strava without knowing their context. Panicking after one bad run. Winging your training instead of following a plan. Expecting every session to feel good. Chasi...

Most runners sabotage their race before they even reach the start line. Not because they didn't train hard enough. Because they taper badly. In this episode we break down exactly how to taper properly before an event so you arrive fresh, sharp, and ready to perform. We explain the 3 week taper strategy we use for ultras, why your longest long run should be three weeks out, and why reducing vol...

Ultra running can become very self-focused. My training. My race. My goals. But this sport does not survive on personal ambition alone. It survives because people give their time, energy, and care behind the scenes. In this episode, we take a holistic look at volunteering inultra running. We talk about the full range of roles most runners neversee. From aid stations and sweep teams to course marki...

Ron and I have a fun chat with Daniel Kokken, assistant coach at Peak Endurance Coaching. We find out about his coaching philosophy and discuss recovery!

Most runners don’t get injured because they’re weak. They get injured because they rush the return. In this episode, we break down what actually matters when returning to running after injury, drawing on principles used by physiotherapists, sports doctors, and experienced run coaches. We talk about why being “pain-free” doesn’t mean you’re ready, why fitness comes back faster than tissue tolerance...

Sleep deprivation training is often recommended for ultrarunners. But does it actually make you a better athlete? In this episode, we break down the reality of sleep deprivation training and explain why we don’t believe the benefits outweigh the costs for most runners. We talk about:• What athletes think sleep deprivation training is vs what it actually involves• Why the body doesn’t adapt to slee...

Disordered eating is far more common in runners than most people realise. And many athletes are already caught in it without ever using that label. In this episode, we have an honest, necessary conversation about disordered eating and eating disorders in runners. Not from a place of blame or shock, but from education, lived experience, and a deep desire to keep people healthy and in the sport long...

Most runners don’t struggle because they lack discipline. They struggle because their expectations don’t match their reality. In this episode, Ron and I unpack what appropriate expectations actually mean in endurance training and racing. We talk about:• Trying to train for a miler while working long hours and raising young kids• Entering mountainous ultras when you live in the flatlands• Expecting...

Mountain ultras aren’t just longer trail races. They’re repeated strength tests disguised as endurance events. In this episode, we break down how to actually train for a mountain ultra, beyond just “running hills” and hoping for the best. We cover: The real difference between aerobic endurance and muscular endurance Why long climbs and descents break runners before fitness does How and why to trai...

Most runners finish a race and immediately worry about onething: “How fast am I going to lose my fitness?” In this episode, we break down why that fear is misplacedand why taking a proper break after a race is one of the smartest things youcan do for your performance, your body, and your mental health. We cover: Why you do not lose fitness in one week of doing nothing Why even two weeks off has a...

Join Isobel and Ron as they delve into the essential tips and strategies for heat acclimatisation, a crucial aspect for runners and athletes facing challenging climates. Discover how to safely adapt to high temperatures, the physiological changes involved, and practical advice to enhance performance while minimizing risks. Whether you're training for a hot race or just looking to improve your...