Allie May on Her 2:36:22 Gold Coast Marathon Debut, Even Splits, and Transition from Surf Lifesaving to Road Racing
Release Date: 07/15/2026
Sweat Elite Podcast
Welcome back to another unstructured In My Opinion episode. Matt shares an update on losing weight to run faster, the explosion of Chinese super shoes and Dynafish, a potential marathon world record attempt in jeans, HYROX plans, coaching updates and why he has backed away from frequent sauna use. Be coached by Matt: Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: Matt Instagram: Matt Training Log - Strava: Contact Matt: Matt opens with updates on the Sweat Elite Podcast, including changes to the private feed, a new weekly subscriber hangout and a small number of coaching opportunities...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Jack Kelly from The Triathlon Hour returns to the Sweat Elite Podcast for a fun challenge - ranking six running workouts from manageable to completely diabolical. Along the way, we debate stop recoveries versus float recoveries, discuss whether marathon pace should be guided by effort or pace, explore the biggest differences between training for running and triathlon, and explain why some workouts are far harder mentally than physically. We also share how weather, fueling, terrain and fatigue should influence the execution of key marathon sessions. The episode finishes with the hardest...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Is getting lighter always the answer for runners chasing faster race times? Matt Fox is joined by Dr David Lipman for a short, sharp discussion about weight loss, performance, RED-S and the risks of taking leanness too far. Dr David Lipman Links Instagram: Website: Listen to David's Podcast For more conversations exploring the science, psychology and hidden stories behind sport, check out 1% Better - Hidden Stories in Sport, co-hosted by Xylon van Eyck and Dr David Lipman. Matt Fox Links Coaching: Supporters Club: Instagram: Strava: Email: Matt and David explore why being lighter does...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Jack Kelly joins the Sweat Elite Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on massive weight loss, injury prevention, marathon training, running performance for triathletes, heat adaptation, recovery, and the small “one percenters” that can make a big difference. Follow Jack Kelly / The Triathlon Hour: Instagram: Jack Kelly with Elliot Jenkins - Heat Training: Follow Matt / Sweat Elite: Instagram: Strava: Sweat Elite Supporters Club: Jack is the host of The Triathlon Hour and a coach working with professional triathletes. In this episode, we discuss his transformation from around 125kg...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Race Weight and Carb Cycling: Losing Weight to Get Faster Without Sacrificing Key Workouts Welcome back to another short, sharp sub 15-minute episode. Today, I discuss the relationship between race weight and endurance performance, using examples including Josh Kerr, the new mile world record holder, Comrades Marathon winner George Kusche, and Olympic triathlon champion Kristian Blummenfelt. I explain how losing weight has helped me improve my own marathon time from 2:35 to 2:18, while also addressing the risks of aggressive dieting and underfueling. This episode is not intended for anyone...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Recording from Beijing International Airport during a delayed Air China flight, I share a short, single-topic episode exploring the "speed gap" and why pure speed can be a major limiter for marathon and half-marathon performance. Using examples such as breaking three hours in the marathon and my own goal of running 2:19, I explain why runners need enough speed at shorter distances to make marathon pace feel sustainable. I also discuss why many runners and coaches place too much emphasis on mileage and threshold training while neglecting speed development. I finish the episode by sharing three...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Eight days after her outstanding marathon debut at the Gold Coast Marathon, Allie May joins the Sweat Elite Podcast to break down her 2:36:22 performance, her journey from elite surf lifesaving to road racing, and the lessons she learned from her first marathon. Allie May Instagram: Strava: Matt Fox Coaching: Supporters Club: Email: Instagram: Strava: Allie shares how she executed an almost perfect even split of 1:18:11 for both halves, why she targeted a 2:35 debut, what surprised her most over 42.2km, and how she recovered in the days after the race. She also reflects on her...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Jack Ahern joins the podcast just days after running a 2:38 PB at the Gold Coast Marathon. Matt and Jack talk through his build, racing while sick, marathon-specific training, hill sprints, fueling, Bali heat training, his Berlin Marathon goals, and Jack’s powerful story of recovering from meth addiction and rebuilding his life through sport. Jack Ahern Links Instagram: Strava: Matt Fox Links Coaching: Supporters Club: Email: Instagram: Strava: Show Notes Jack Ahern joins the Sweat Elite Podcast just days after running a 2:38 marathon PB at the Gold Coast Marathon. Despite being sick...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Recorded 24 hours after the Gold Coast Marathon, Matt and Kyle recap Kyle’s first sub-2:30 marathon, running 2:29:23 after coming in with a previous PB of 2:31. Kyle talks through an otherwise smooth and consistent race, including a brief hamstring cramp around 40K that he managed with a CrampFix shot. Kyle Weise Instagram: Strava: Matt Fox Coaching: Supporters Club: Email: Instagram: Strava: Kyle explains joining the 2:30 pack paced by Scott Westcott, feeling strong through 30K when the pacer stepped off, then leading much of the final 10K before enjoying the final kilometer once the...
info_outlineSweat Elite Podcast
Brady Brady Nankervis, also known as The Other Brady, joins the podcast to discuss leaving a six-and-a-half-year roofing plumbing career, rebuilding his health through running and nutrition, and learning to stop caring what other people think. Brady's Links: Instagram: Strava: Matt's Links: Coaching: Supporters Club: Email: Instagram: Strava: In this episode, Brady shares how gut issues, 75 Hard, and the influence of David Goggins helped shift his mindset and eventually led him to quit his trade career and study nutrition. He talks about spending six months travelling through...
info_outlineEight days after her outstanding marathon debut at the Gold Coast Marathon, Allie May joins the Sweat Elite Podcast to break down her 2:36:22 performance, her journey from elite surf lifesaving to road racing, and the lessons she learned from her first marathon.
Allie May
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allieeemay/
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/52067205/
Matt Fox
Coaching: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/
Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/
Email: matt@sweatelite.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359
Allie shares how she executed an almost perfect even split of 1:18:11 for both halves, why she targeted a 2:35 debut, what surprised her most over 42.2km, and how she recovered in the days after the race. She also reflects on her background in the Ironwoman Series and the Coolangatta Gold, explains how those endurance events prepared her for the marathon, and discusses her transition to road racing after having children.
The conversation also covers her training environment, nutrition and fueling strategy, overcoming previous struggles with disordered eating with the help of a dietitian, shoe choices, strength training, racing alongside Reenie Ringe, and what's next after an impressive marathon debut.
Timestamps:
00:00 Meet Allie May
00:30 Even Split Breakdown
01:46 Recovery After Gold Coast
02:26 Surf Lifesaving Roots
03:52 What Is Surf Lifesaving
06:14 Early Running and Training Load
09:02 Switching to Road Racing
11:36 Marathon Fear and Respect
14:25 Chasing a 2:35 Debut
16:13 First Marathon Block Lessons
17:32 Team Training and Balance
20:20 Nutrition and Fueling Mindset
25:52 Fueling Matters Most
26:25 Race Day Nutrition Plan
28:54 Shoe Rotation Choices
30:49 Carbon Shoes Debate
32:07 Elite Start Experience
35:13 Doubts and Dark Patches
38:31 Next Goals and Races
41:21 Strength Training Add On
42:39 Wrap Up and Where to Follow