Women’s Running Collective

Strength Training for Women Runners: Build Resilience, Longevity & Better Running Economy | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, we’re talking about something we reckon every runner should be doing strength training! 💪🏼🏃‍♀️ Hayles and Jussie kick things off with a chaotic morning run involving multiple snake encounters (because apparently that’s just normal now 😂), before catching up on the week’s training. There’s a Mona Fartlek, a tough progression run and Jussie’s hot and very hilly Gloucester Mountain Man trail race where her team managed to take out the women’s title! 🏆 Then we get into the big topic: why strength training matters so much for runners, particularly women as we get older. We chat about how strength training can support muscle and bone health, running economy, resilience and longevity and tackle one of the biggest myths we hear from women: “But I don’t want to get bulky!” We’re breaking down why lifting weights won’t suddenly turn you into the Hulk, how to actually approach strength training as a runner, and the exercises worth prioritising. Think squats, deadlifts and hinges, single-leg work, calves, upper body and trunk strength  plus how heavy you should actually be lifting and why progressive overload matters. We also talk about how to fit strength training into an already VERY busy running week, including our simple approach of two 30–40 minute sessions a week, how to schedule your gym sessions around harder running days, and what to do when you have absolutely no time. Plus, we get into DOMS, fuelling and recovery, why protein AND carbs matter, and Jussie shares her very achievable 20-minute strength session. And because we couldn’t possibly have an episode without a little chaos, we finish with running jokes, our weekly recommendations and a VERY exciting community surprise involving marathon tickets hidden inside a cake. 🎂🏃‍♀️ If you’ve been putting off strength training, this is your sign to start. You don’t need to spend hours in the gym. You don’t need a complicated program. And you definitely don’t need to become a gym bro. You just need to start getting stronger. 💛 Timestamps 00:00 Sponsor and Intro 00:30 Morning Runs and Snake Scares 02:13 Treadmill TV Talk 03:07 Weekly Training Recap 05:53 Why Strength Training Matters 10:57 Weights Won’t Make You Bulky 13:25 Injury Prevention and Resilience 15:17 Women Aging and Longevity 17:35 What to Train in the Gym 18:55 Calves and Upper Body Basics 20:03 Trunk Strength Basics 20:30 Elite Workout Inspiration 21:08 How Heavy To Lift 22:18 Avoiding DOMS Pitfalls 23:11 No Time Gym Plan 24:51 Scheduling Around Runs 27:09 Fuel Recover Adapt 27:51 20 Minute Jussie Session 28:40 Strength Training Mindset 29:28 Take Home Challenge 31:02 ASICS Rise And Shine 32:10 Running Jokes Break 33:31 Recommendations Segment 36:53 Community Ticket Surprise 38:37 Final Thanks And Signoff Thanks for listening, supporting the podcast and being part of our little running community. 💛 Hayleys reco Kmart family calender Jussies recco LSKD frilly socks Hayles & Jussie Women’s Running Collective

Party Pace Philosophy: Marathon Pacing Tips with Bec the Party Pacer | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, we’re talking marathon pacing, party buses and why running definitely doesn’t have to be serious all the time. 🎉🏃‍♀️ Hayles and Jussie kick things off with a training update as they prepare for a half marathon, including intervals, tempo runs and the joys of trying to fit training into real life. Then we’re joined by the fabulous Bec aka The Party Pacer — a sponsored marathon pacer who has built a reputation for bringing fun, encouragement and serious good vibes to the start line. Bec takes us behind the scenes of what it actually means to be a pacer, from the responsibility of hitting a target time to keeping a group of runners motivated when things get VERY uncomfortable. She shares how her love of “party pace” began through Parkrun, her mental health journey and a simple belief that running should be fun and welcoming for everyone. We chat about her favourite running shoes, memorable races including Rome and Gold Coast, the pressure around PBs and metrics, and why heading out too fast is one of the biggest pacing mistakes runners make. Bec also explains how she uses run/walk intervals, mantras and a bit of pack mentality to get runners through the pain cave — and why sometimes having a group around you can completely change your mindset. Plus, she shares some hilarious pacing stories, what it’s really like to be responsible for a pace group, how you can become a pacer yourself, and the most important reminder of all: You don't have to be fast to be a runner. Whether you’re chasing a marathon PB, trying to get through your first 5K, or simply here for the party bus, this episode is for you. 💛 Timestamps 00:00 Sponsor and Welcome 00:27 Half Marathon Prep Chat 00:43 Intervals and Tempo Recap 01:42 Running Personalities 02:45 Meet the Party Pacer 04:51 Bec Joins the Show 05:16 Quick Fire Favorites 07:43 Origin of Party Pace 09:40 Party Pacer vs Regular 10:56 Pacing Job and Precision 12:09 Motivation in the Pain Cave 17:34 Pack Mentality and Community 19:09 PB Pressure and Metrics 21:49 Funny Pacing Moments 23:12 Common Pacing Mistakes 24:28 Race Start Pacing Tips 25:08 Finding Your Pace Groove 26:24 Fitness vs Mental Game 28:15 Lessons From Strangers 29:36 Making Races Welcoming 31:36 How To Become A Pacer 35:18 Rapid Fire Runner Qs 38:31 Anyone Can Be A Runner 40:34 ASICS Rise And Shine 41:41 Weekly Recommendations 42:00 Safety Device SAYF 44:05 Seamless Undies Review 46:41 Wrap Up And Goodbye As always, thanks for listening, supporting the pod and being part of our little running community. Hayles & Jussie Women’s Running Collective 💛

Are We Running for Fitness… or Running Away? 10 Types of Runs Women Really Need Are we running to get fitter… or are we secretly running away from everything else going on in our lives?  In this episode of the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie unpack the very real reasons women run and how those reasons can change throughout different seasons of life. They kick things off with a catch-up on a tough training week, including 10 x 400m reps and a threshold/tempo session, plus weekend plans involving a 5K time trial, Parkrun and, of course, a very important hair appointment. Then things get a little deeper. We ask whether we're actually running for fitness… or whether sometimes we're running away from stress, motherhood, anxiety, responsibilities and the general chaos of life. Jussie shares a particularly chaotic parenting story involving an escape through a window, and we chat about why we started running in the first place — from postpartum recovery and anxiety relief to reclaiming our identity, finding friendship and building community. Because running isn't always about getting faster. Sometimes, the run you need most has absolutely nothing to do with your training plan. We break down 10 different types of runs women really need, including: 🏃‍♀️ The sanity run 🔥 The rage run 🧠 The long-run therapy conversation 🌅 The dawn run 👩‍👧 The motherhood identity run 🙈 The avoidance run 💪 The confidence run 🔄 The comeback run 😩 The “when running stops being fun” run ❤️ The joy run We also get into mum guilt, vulnerability, friendship, confidence and the weirdly powerful role running can play in helping us feel like ourselves again. Plus, we finish with a quick-fire Would You Rather: Running Edition, an ASICS Rise & Shine collection ad break, and our weekly recommendations. In this episode: Why women really run Fitness vs running away from life How your reasons for running can change Postpartum running and reclaiming your identity Running as anxiety relief and stress release Why running friendships are so special The different types of runs we need throughout life Mum guilt and making time for yourself Finding confidence through running Coming back after time away What to do when running stops being fun Why sometimes the best run is simply the one that makes you happy Our Recommendations LSKD Fusion 2.0 Sports Bra + Flow Tank Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother Timestamps 00:00 Sponsor and Cold Open 00:20 Meet the Hosts 01:35 Weekly Training Recap 03:28 Fitness or Running Away 04:36 Ezra Window Escape Story 07:06 Why We Started Running 10:45 Running Brings Community 11:23 Ten Types of Runs 11:44 The Sanity Run 15:11 The Rage Run 18:09 Long Run Therapy Talks 21:09 Dawn Run Vulnerability 21:30 Running Friendship Trust 22:11 Motherhood Identity Run 23:26 Mum Guilt Research 24:48 The Avoidance Run 25:51 Confidence Through Running 27:57 The Comeback Run 29:48 When Running Stops Fun 31:34 The Joy Run 33:03 Quickfire Would You Rather 34:17 Rise And Shine Ad Break 35:26 Recommendations And Wrap

Sydney Marathon Road Trip Recap: Glitter, Unicorns, Big Feelings & Post-Marathon Recovery | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are back in the car, road-tripping from Sydney to Forster after one HUGE Sydney Marathon weekend.  The girls recap an incredible weekend at the TCS Sydney Marathon, now in its second year as an Abbott World Marathon Major, with 40,000 runners taking on the streets of Sydney. They chat about the race itself, including Periz Gebrichige’s winning 2:18:31, Ellie Pashley finishing as the first Australian in 2:28:28, and all the moments that made this year's marathon so special. But this year, Hayles and Jussie weren't on the start line—they had a very important job to do: cheer! 😂 The girls joined the start line as the WRC Sparkle Squad, covering runners in glitter, handing out hugs and reminding everyone that they were capable of getting to that finish line. They chat about the emotion of the start line, the vulnerability that comes with taking on a marathon and why sometimes a little glitter and encouragement can mean so much. Then it was time to head to the 40K run club cheer zone… dressed as giant inflatable unicorns. 🦄✨ They share some of their favourite runner moments, including one runner who stopped mid-race to give them a hug, and celebrate a Campbelltown Joggers runner who won a 2027 TCS London Marathon entry. They also chat about the Sydney Marathon experience as a whole, improvements to the logistics, the incredible crowds, what it's like sharing the course with elite athletes and why there are so many different ways to experience a marathon. Then things get a little more serious as they dive into post-marathon recovery—what your body actually needs after 42.2km, why fuelling doesn't stop when you cross the finish line, the importance of sleep and rest, when to start running again and why gentle movement can be your best friend in those first few days. They also talk about women, hormones and fuelling, and give you permission to take a proper break after a big race. Because whether you ran 42.2km, volunteered, cheered from the sidelines or spent the day handing out glitter… you were part of the marathon. 💛 This episode is proudly supported by ASICS and the NOVABLAST™ 6. Timestamps 00:00 – Thank You, ASICS & We're Road-Tripping Home 00:29 – Sydney Marathon Road Trip Recap 01:11 – Sydney Marathon Highlights & 40,000 Runners 02:33 – Why We Didn't Run the Marathon This Year 03:18 – Getting Ready to Be the WRC Sparkle Squad ✨ 05:17 – The Glitter Station & All the Feelings 06:01 – Why the Start Line Can Feel So Vulnerable 09:11 – Our Run Club Cheer Zone 11:00 – Inflatable Unicorns & Some VERY Big Wins 🦄 13:53 – Sydney Marathon Logistics & Crowd Vibes 17:00 – The Runner Moments We Won't Forget 19:51 – Seeing the Marathon From the Sidelines 20:53 – Sharing the Road With the Elites 21:42 – Why Cheering Is One of the Best Parts of Running 22:16 – There Are So Many Ways to Be a Runner 23:28 – Post-Marathon Recovery: What Your Body Needs 27:35 – When Should You Run Again? 29:48 – Women, Hormones & Fuelling After a Marathon 32:22 – Your Permission Slip to REST 33:56 – Sisterhood, Vulnerability & Why We Run 36:42 – ASICS NOVABLAST™ 6 Ad 37:19 – Weekly Recommendations & Wrap Up If you were part of Sydney Marathon this yearwhether you ran it, cheered it, volunteered or simply followed along we hope this episode reminds you just how special the running community can be. 💛 Subscribe, leave us a review and share this episode with your running crew. Until next week… keep showing up, keep having fun and remember: there's more than one way to be part of the run. ✨

Getting Back Into Running: Run Club Nerves, Running Too Hard & Finding Your Mojo | Women’s Running Collective This week on the Women’s Running Collective, Hayles and Jussie are talking about getting back into running and all the weird, wonderful and slightly dramatic thoughts that can come with it. 😂 They chat about the pressure we put on ourselves when returning to running, why you don't need to jump straight back into your old pace, and the importance of making running enjoyable rather than turning every run into a punishment. Jussie shares her very relatable experience of feeling too nervous to return to her local run club after missing a session, while Hayles admits that one of her biggest mistakes was trying to run way too hard every time she had a spare 30 minutes. They unpack why women can be particularly hard on themselves, from obsessing over pace to worrying about how their bodies look while running. The girls also share some very important running jokes, a huge Backyard Ultra achievement, their latest recommendations including new women's activewear brand Sash Active, and a slightly unconventional idea for motivating yourself to run paying yourself every time you get out the door! Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that you don't need to be the runner you used to be. Just get out there, stop overthinking it and have some fun. 💛 Timestamps 00:00 ASICS Thanks and Welcome 00:26 Déjà Vu Intro Bloopers 00:39 Weekly Runs and Gym Catchup 01:34 Crowded Sydney Running Paths 03:22 Wild Bear Attack Story 04:19 Pilates and Early Wakeup 05:41 Half Marathon Prep Talk 06:21 Why We Train in Secret 09:37 10 Minute Rule to Start 10:38 Prep Night Before 11:44 Mel Robbins Five Second Rule 12:32 Book a Running Date 14:14 Ditch the Watch Pressure 17:13 Create Your Minimum Run 21:07 Change Routine and Routes 21:56 Mood Boosting Playlist Tip 22:48 Go Song Playlists 23:56 Strava Comparison Detox 24:51 Goals Beyond Speed 26:08 Feel Ratings Never Miss Twice 28:56 Seven Day Mindset Reset 31:13 Shoe Sponsor Break 31:44 Running Jokes Segment 33:00 Backyard Ultra Record 34:54 Recommendations And Recos 38:10 Comeback Mistakes And Wrap  xo Hayles and Jussie WRC