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The pre race episode for Comrades 2023. Caitriona, Murray and Wayne do their usual month recap and then we take a more in-depth look at the course itself. Murray shares what prep he is making when it comes to preparing to tackle the course on race day. Wayne takes us into the Nedbank camp.

Barry Hollands record in running and particularly comrades and two oceans speaks for itself. Attempting his 49TH consecutive comrades in 2023 he is a wealth of knowledge. We discussed his thoughts on training and how they have changed over the years. We spoke about having realistic goals and how to execute them. He gave course advice. Most importantly he explained planning your race and racing your plan.

Nell Rojas is a professional runner born in Boulder Colorado. On this episode we chat about her history in the sport from childhood in Boulder to now as a professional who hopes to qualify for Paris. We discuss experiences (her trip to Kenya), goals and her relationship with her dad who is also her coach. For those who haven’t check out the sweat elite video with Nell and her dad and you will see his true emotion for her running.

Allirra Jennings greet up and still lives in the Northern Territory of Australia. In this episode she shares her journey in running which started with taking a few steps all the way to completing the 6 world majors. Allirra is the first female t to complete the 6 star. We discuss her heritage and some of the social issues the has come across and currently taking place.

The panel is back for the April episode. Murray is being as consistent as ever, Caitriona has started her Comrades build with a great month and heading to the USA for a race and Wayne tells us about Two Oceans and his time in camp. A listener question to finish about training by time.

78 days to Comrades 2023 and the panel are back to tell us about how their last month has gone. Caitriona is balancing work/life and running. Murray is settling in to his new structure and increasing milage and Wayne is preparing for a big month ahead with plenty of excitement. We tackle a few listener questions about shoes, goals and changing surfaces through the week. If you have any questions please shoot them through via the social channels. If you enjoy what you are hearing - share it with your running mates, friends or colleagues you like to annoy about running. A review wherever you listen would be great to as it gets in the ears of other like minded people looking for something to enjoy. Thanks for the support Irwin, Caitriona, Murray and Wayne

Caitriona, Murray and Wayne are back for episode 2. On this episode we discuss the dangers of comparing against what others are doing. We speak about running on effort vs pace. We delve into qualifiers and what chasing a faster qualifier comes with just to save a few minutes at the start or for a better seeding pen. If you are enjoying the series please share it among your running network and also drop a review where you get your pods.

Liz CcColgan has achieved it all. Olympian, Commonwealth Games, world championships, world cross country medalist, triple world major marathon winner and MBE are just part of the long list of achievements for Liz. On this episode we discuss where it all started for her. From her humble upbringing in Scotland, to the university of Alabama which turns out shaped not only her career but her life and then now to Doha. Liz talks about how she always wanted to lift the ceiling and especially against those who said she couldn’t. Liz shares advice for parents with young kids who are showing talent in sport. We discuss her views of the state of running currently and much more. As always if you want to more follow the podcasts social channels on Instagram and Facebook. If you enjoy the podcast please pop in a review wherever you get your pods (Apple, Spotify etc) that would be greatly appreciated.

Reece Edwards started his sporting life as an aspiring hockey player who knew he had a little bit extra when it came to aerobic ability. As he got older he found  triathlon and then came the sole focus on running. Reece Shares his journey from 8 hour bike rides which included stops for pie and coke to now being a well credentialed marathoner. Reece most recently won UTA with minimal ultra specific experience or preparation.  Reece is a qualified physiotherapist and shares his learners he has taken from running into his professional life.

Welcome to Road to Comrades 2023. On this episode we meet Wayne, Caitriona and Murray who will share their journey towards Durban in June. On this episode we get to meet them and learn more about their running history and what their plans are. We hope you join the rest of the episodes and enjoy them.

The name Grenville Wood might not be one at the front of many guesses when we talk about Australian running in the 80s but those in the know it certainly would be. He still the current South Australian marathon record holder. During this chat we share his experiences in running, the risks he took along the way and what are his running pillars as a coach.

Irish-born runner Caitriona Jennings first came on to the podcast in 2019. Since then she has continued to tick off achievements notably in 2022 finishing 3rd at the World 100km and 1st at the European 50km.  It was great to go back into her history prior to running and then how she continued to rise in the sport. She represented Ireland at the 2012 Olympics and what many would say might be the pinnacle was actually closer to the beginning. We speak about the highs and lows and how the benefits of hindsight might've changed the way she might've approached things.  We speak about balancing a career in accounting and law works when trying to chase your running goals.  We then finish the chat about what might be to come in 2023.  To listen to our chat from 2019 have a search in the back catalogue. We were also joined by Wayne Spies in that episode.

Brendan Pang, started as an architecture student, while sitting as a social working in Broome he decided to enter Masterchef and hasnt looked back. He know has 2 books, a permanent fixture at a local food setting and a range stocked by Woolworths.  Brendan discovered running recently and loves his daily run as an escape from his busy day. He's a high achiever who will be chasing his running goas to match his professional goals.  Find him on instagram and also his website for more information.

Mark Plaatjes was the winner of the 1993 World Champs Marathon. A few would know Mark and his achievements but not many would know his story.  Mark was one of the greatest in his era and amazingly due to the apartheid regime wasn't allowed to show the world. During the episode Mark talks about life during apartheid, being a straight A student but not being allowed to go to University and being cheers for on the weekend but on Monday its back to reality.  Mark speaks about his time at College, life in Boulder back in the times when training with Deek and Steve Jones.  He takes us through the 1993 World champs race and how it played out on the day.  Mark is now a Physical Therapist and owns a running store call In Motion which is based in Boulder.

Ash Watson is an Australian runner hailing from Ballarat. Ballarat is a town filled with running history with many Olympians and some of The countries best runners either living there or spending time there to train. Ash has a great running resume with a 2:23 marathon, surf coast century ultra champion (current record holder) and two time comrades marathon finisher. On this episode we have a chat about the journey he has had in the sport, his day job and how running impacts that and then we also debrief this years Comrades.

The post race recap. During this episode the panel are all along to recap their races. Jackie World 100km and the remainder all headed to Comrades 2022. Wayne kicks us off as the fastest finisher, Jackie and Darren let their guards down and show us a side of vulnerability we havent see from the panel yet. We cover a few listener questions.  For those wondering about the man in the arena quote search Theodore Roosevelt.

A scholar with a long list of accolades and a runner with a list of accolades to match. roger Robinson joins me to share his life story and what a story it is. From being a professor at 35 to running a 2:28 marathon as a 50 year old.  Listen to Rogers lessons on literature, language and literacy. How English has evolved and what his thoughts are on the role technology has played.  Roger shares his running history. How he has managed to continue to achieve such great results and how motivation comes from within.  Roger has released a new book and has written previous books too.

We made it. There was times we didnt think we would be sitting 2 weeks out the next Comrades down run. The full crew are here to wrap it all up before they head to race day.  Wayne gives us an insight look to an elite camp. 300km weeks with 8 ultras in 3 weeks. How to the elite runners differ from the social runner it might surprise you.  Jackie is ready for world 100km. The rest of the crew wrap up their final touches.  We break the race into segments to finish and give you the listener an idea of how we want to feel or goals for particular sections. For those heading to Durban we will do a meet up at some stage so stay tuned to the socials.

The second to last Episode before race day. Jackie fills us in on how her build towards world 100km is going after ticking off peak week, Darren welcomed hills into his training while ticking off his big long run, He gives us a recap on Gold Coast Marathon and Sandy fills us in on how her July went in prep for the big day.  Darren takes on questions on behalf of all novices to start adding thoughts in place for race day.  Like what you hear? dont forget to rate on apple podcasts or spotify.  Follow Stimulate Run podcast on Instagram and Facebook.  If you are looking for the episode we spoke about from Barry Holland follow this link - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-8-making-a-comrades-marathon-legend-with/id1622191041?i=1000569799032

Episode 42 might be the biggest to date. The whole panel had a race to report back on. Sandy and Irwin race Barossa marathon, Jackie smashed her marathon in terrible conditions, Wayne went back to back with victories and Darren perfectly executed his half marathon in preparation for Gold Coast marathon. Novice advice sprinkled throughout the whole episode. Comrades season is well and truly on with 9 weeks until race day. Do the race calculators work? Irwin thinks not for international runners but Jackie debunks that thought.