In this episode of the Women’s Running Collective, Hayley and Jussie chat with Australian ultra champion Holly Ranson, who currently holds every major national record — from the 12-hour and 24-hour runs to the 100-mile, 200km, and Backyard Ultra. Holly joins us from France, where she’s training at altitude ahead of the World Ultra Track Championships.

We dive into her training approach, the mindset behind pushing limits, and how she balances massive goals with everyday life. Holly shares her experiences as a self-coached athlete, her thoughts on motivation and routine, and her advice for any runner chasing their next breakthrough no matter the distance.

We also celebrate recent marathon highlights from the community and share a dose of inspiration for anyone looking to reconnect with their running “why.”

Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation about resilience, routine, and redefining what’s possible.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the Women's Running Collective

01:00 Introducing Holly Ranson: Australian Ultra Runner

02:16 Listener Shoutouts and Marathon Highlights

03:59 Interview with Holly Ranson Begins

04:18 Holly's Altitude Training in France

05:19 The World Championships for 24-Hour Track Running

06:42 Quickfire Questions with Holly

11:37 Holly's Running Journey and Achievements

15:44 Advice for Aspiring Ultra Runners

18:14 Balancing Training and Life

20:45 Self-Coaching and Accountability

21:08 Motivation and Habit Formation

22:34 Training Alone vs. With Others

24:48 Balancing Work, Training, and Sponsorship Challenges

28:14 Goals and Aspirations

31:14 Quick Fire Fun Questions

36:24 Running Group Plans and Personal Goals

38:42 Closing Remarks and Community Support