Ep 195: The Valencia Breakthrough — When Less Became More (with Sim McInnes & Ned Verwey)

Kicking off 2026 with a special one.I sat down with my sister-in-law Simone McInnes andmy brother Ned Verwey, fresh off the Valencia Marathon — where Sim had an incredible performance (running 2:34), capping off a genuine breakthrough year!In 12 months she’s taken ~8 minutes off her marathon PB, cracked 2:40 for the first time, and showed what can happen when consistency, belief, and patience finally line up.We chat about:• what actually changed this year.• lessons from marathons that didn’t go to plan.• race day at Valencia.• training and playing the long gameBreakthrough years don’t just happen — and there’s a lot here for anyone chasing a long-term goal, running or otherwise.Episode out now!Happy New Year Everyone!

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🎙️ Today’s episode of the Run Culture Podcast is a little different.A few weeks ago, I sat down with @petedutton_runs — someone I’ve coached for the past 5 years — for a conversation that goes far beyond running.We talked about identity beyond sport, the weight of expectations, managing overwhelming thoughts, and what happens when running stops being the thing that defines you.Pete opens up about acceptance, fear, relationships, and how creative writing helped him reconnect with himself. This episode isn’t about PBs or performance… it’s about finding joy, perspective, and authenticity — on and off the run.If you’ve ever felt lost when motivation fades, injured, or questioning who you are without your sport, this one will land.🎧 Out now — link in bio

NEW EPISODE OUT TODAY!‘Marathon Excellence for Everyone’ — with John Davis.Back by very popular demand… John Davis returns to the Run Culture Podcast!Last month, John released his new book ‘Marathon Excellence for Everyone’, and today we dive straight into how to build a smart, adaptable marathon training plan.If you heard John’s first appearance (Ep 52, Season 2: What is Full Spectrum Training?), you’ll know why it became one of our most-shared episodes ever. So many runners reshaped how they structured their training after that chat. Today is the perfect extension of that hit episode — but focused entirely on marathon training.We unpack key ideas from Chapter 7, including:• how to structure a marathon plan from the finish line backwards• supportive vs. specific phases• long tempos, Kenyan progressions & double-threshold balance• how to make confident decisions when sculpting your plan• the principles behind the workouts that actually matter.If you’re a marathoner or coach wanting clarity, insight, and practical guidance — this one’s gold. Tune in, enjoy it, and if it helps you, send John a thank-you. He’s incredibly generous with his knowledge. About John J. DavisJohn J. Davis is a coach, writer & scientist with 12+ years of experience coaching runners from beginners to elite-field competitors. He holds a Ph.D. in human performance and has presented internationally on running injuries and performance. He owns a 2:29 marathon PB. Links Buy the Book Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNRPHLRY Amazon (Metric): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNRPHLRY(Available on most local Amazon sites) Book Landing PagesMarathonExcellence.comMarathonExcellence.com (Metric) John’s WorkWebsite: RunningWritings.comNewsletter: RunningWritings.com/newsX/Twitter: @JDRunsInstagram: @runningwritings

Run Culture Podcast — Episode 192“Learning the Marathon: with Ned Verwey”This week I sit down with my brother and fellow Run Culture coach, Nedra (Ned Verwey), who just ran a five-minute PB at the 2025 Melbourne Marathon — 2:31:02!We talk about the journey from his Ballarat “Boom or Bust” build earlier in the year to putting it all together in Melbourne — what changed, what worked, and what he learned along the way.Ned shares the key sessions, the mental battle up the Tan, and how he found better rhythm and confidence throughout this build.To wrap up, we dive into coaching — and the principles he’s come to believe in: full-spectrum training, functional volumes, individualising the process, flexible consistency, coaching the whole person, and the importance of ‘wanting’ rather than ‘having’ to train.A grounded chat about patience, consistency, and what it really means to keep mastering the 'thon. Ned currently has a couple of coaching spots available — if you’re interested in working with him, email [email protected] or message either of us on socials to enquire.

Ready to SLOW DOWN and truly SEE?In our fast-paced world, revisiting past insights can be a game changer! This year, I’m excited to re-release some of the most impactful episodes of the Run Culture Podcast!This week's episode is the unforgettable conversation I had with Jozef Frucek, the creative mind behind Fighting Monkey.Are you caught up in the performance metrics, GPS data, and Strava stats? If so, this episode is for you! Jozef dives deep into the challenges of modern culture, reminding us of the invaluable treasure of tacit knowledge. He beautifully articulates the importance of diversity, intuition, and the artistry of movement—elements often overshadowed by efficiency and measurement.Whether you’re ready to rethink your training or simply curious about a holistic approach to movement, don’t miss this transformative discussion. Lace up your shoes, grab your headphones, and join us for a fresh perspective on your movement practice!@fightingmonkey_practice

*New Episode Alert!* Join us on the Run Culture Podcast as we dive deep with the incredible @hennie_bridgman! Hennie shares her inspiring journey through the highs and lows of running—from early successes to overcoming osteoporosis and navigating a tumultuous relationship with the sport. Discover how she transformed her struggles into strength, rediscovering her identity through love, art, psychology, sociology, and coaching! Hennie emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and running for the love of it, not just for accolades. With invaluable lessons for young athletes, she reminds us that results are just numbers—it's the journey that truly matters! Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that encourages introspection and resilience! *Trigger Warning:* This episode touches on sensitive topics, so listener discretion is advised. If you find this podcast helpful, let Hennie know! Interested in run coaching or personal training? Reach out to her at @fitterlife.pt or visit www.fitterlife.com.au! Don't miss out on this enlightening episode!

🌟 Exciting news from the Run Culture Podcast! 🎙️ Today, I had an incredible conversation with Charlie Kyberd, an athlete I've had the pleasure of coaching as part of the Run Culture Owls over the past two years. It's been a journey of mutual growth, where Charlie has taught me just as much about sports psychology as I've shared with him.Prepare to be amazed as you listen to Charlie's insightful and eclectic mind at work! While his wit and intellect are among his greatest strengths, they have also posed challenges on race day. After a couple of years of stagnation in the 1500m and 800m events, Charlie has just come off an amazing track season, achieving 8 personal bests!In our chat, we dive into what sparked this breakthrough: his decision to take a gap year to focus on his dream of running the times needed for US college, his transformative training trip to Kenya, the power of belonging to a supportive team, and his relentless curiosity. We discuss his self-awareness, the ability to take constructive critique, and the invaluable insights he gained from sport psychology mentor; Richie Bennett, that helped him conquer race day nerves.Good luck, Charlie Kyberd! Your journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and growth. You’ll always be an Owl, and I can't wait to see what amazing experiences await you at Wingate University! 🦉

Welcome back to the 11th and final “Boom or Bust” Podcast, where we document the incredible journey of four runners to the 2025 Ballarat Marathon! I’ve been eagerly looking forward to this episode, and it’s going to be a blast! We have so much to celebrate today: a Ballarat Marathon champion among us, the pacemaker of said champion, someone who just snagged a shiny new nine-minute marathon PB, and a surprised 39-year-old dad who thought his best running days were behind him. It’s safe to say we all went "BOOM" this past weekend!A massive shoutout to the organizers for such a flawlessly executed event! The atmosphere was electric, with so many happy and motivated runners taking on that fast course!Thank you to Kate, Aaron, Ned, and their families for dedicating so much time to this journey. I’ll forever cherish the experiences and memories made during the 2025 Ballarat Marathon. You all deserve your Monday nights back now!A big thanks to all the listeners who reached out during the series to let us know they were enjoying the ride or got a kick out of it. Your support truly made it worth the time and effort it takes to produce a podcast!And a heartfelt thank you to Jess Gasparroni, Riley, and Tate for all your support and encouragement over the past few months. Hitting this goal feels incredible! Now, let’s take a moment to relax and soak it all in.#BallaratMarathon

Welcome back to Episode 10 of the Boom or Bust podcast! With just six days to go until the 2025 Ballarat Marathon, this is our final episode before the big dance! Today, Kate, Throbber, Noodles, and Dane discuss how their taper weeks are going. The four of them go over race day goals, plans and predictions! Plus, don’t miss the fantastic listener question about how they mentally prepare to get the best out of themselves on race day. Tune in for all the insights! #BoomOrBust #BallaratMarathon2025 #racedayready