Frontrunner Colombo's "Run Spesh" Podcast

Welcome to The Run Spesh Podcast, New Zealand’s go-to podcast for all things running! Hosted by Tom Moulai, Oska Inkster-Baynes, and Anna Gibbs, we bring you a fresh, fun, and occasionally chaotic take on the world of running. From training tips and shoe reviews to life beyond the pavement and the wild thoughts that pop into our heads, we cover it all. Please tune in for lively banter, expert insights, and the occasional guest appearance from our wider crew. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a weekend jogger, we’ve got something for every runner. Join us for your weekly dose of running chat, laughs, and everything in between!

96 | Hoka Mach 7 Review, Borrowing Future Workouts, Listener Questions and the Sponsorship Debate 03/27/2026

96 | Hoka Mach 7 Review, Borrowing Future Workouts, Listener Questions and the Sponsorship Debate Run Spesh (Frontrunner): Hamstring Chaos, Half Mara Woes, Shoe Recs & the Scavenger Hunt Run On Run Spesh from Frontrunner, Oska, maia and Anna fill in while Tom’s away and riff on podcast awkwardness, eye contact, and office life like new clock-in/out time tracking, late emails, and Oska’s delegation habits. They touch on maia’s voiceover video, Oska using a “brick” to shut off phone distractions, and Oska building a massive shed he now can’t move. The running chat covers Oska’s post-marathon hamstring pain eased by high-dose anti-inflammatories, maia’s rough half-marathon-pace long run and fatigue from too many hard days, and Anna’s sore hip and the balance between loading and longevity. They recap a sold-out On-sponsored 5K scavenger hunt with riddles and checkpoints, announce a collab run with Connor from The Hits, answer Instagram shoe questions (Superblast 2 replacement, Adios Pro 3 replacement), and review the Hoka Mach 7. They also note World Athletics qualifying all six misdirected women and Emma Bates alleging a sponsor dropped her after announcing pregnancy. 00:00 Tom Is Gone 00:50 Eye Contact Anxiety 02:25 Voiceover Video Drama 03:16 Clocking In Business Talk 05:42 Phone Brick Boundaries 07:26 PC Talk And Manosphere 09:59 Hamstring Pain Fix 10:48 Shed Building Saga 17:36 Half Marathon Training 22:53 Training Fatigue Mindset 32:02 Shoe Talk Naming Chaos 34:23 Scavenger Hunt Run Event 38:39 Scavenger Hunt Recap 39:53 Logan and On Sponsorship 40:53 Future Event Ideas 41:51 Upcoming Run Club Event 42:39 Dom Harvey Podcast Shoutout 43:47 Listener Questions Super Blast 47:28 Race Shoe Recommendations 51:45 Coffee Shop Tangent 55:35 Women's Road Running Decision 58:59 Emma Bates Sponsorship Controversy 01:03:31 Hoka Mach Seven Review 01:07:48 Mach Seven Fit Discussion 01:13:35 Final Thoughts and Wrap /episode/index/show/96b7f0c9-6fbd-4f59-a1b5-cb2f557c8b5a/id/40639285

Sole Mates #6 | Adidas Hyperboost Edge vs Asics Megablast 03/20/2026

95 | Adidas Hyperboost Edge Review, Le Race, Back into training and weekly round up 03/20/2026

95 | Adidas Hyperboost Edge Review, Le Race, Back into training and weekly round up Run Spesh: The Race, Devonport carnage, City2Surf record crowds + shoe hot takes Oska, Tom and Anna (from Frontrunner Colombo) ramble through a late-week Run Spesh catch-up: Tom previews “La Race,” a brutal Christchurch-to-Akaroa bike event with ~500–600 riders, rolling road closures, gnarly climbs, safety concerns (fog, road debris, acorns), and why road cycling feels harder and riskier than running. Anna recaps the Devonport Triathlon/Oceania champs trip, including a chaotic swim, Saxon’s health scare then 5th place, and Henry’s recovery to 9th overall and 4th U23 despite a disappointing swim; she also updates her long-term hip rehab and gradual return to running. Oska discusses post-Osaka fatigue, family/training balance, and ongoing nerve/glute-hamstring issues with plans for sports doc/MRI. They note Christchurch City2Surf’s biggest-ever turnout (~11,000) with new timing chips and FreshChoice “grocery” activation, celebrate trail results (Logan Griffin wins Three Peaks), preview World Indoors in Poland with a 14-athlete NZ team, debate marathon doping skepticism, review Brooks Glycerin Flex and critique the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo/“Hyper Boost” super-trainer direction, and plug upcoming Run Unknown (maia’s notes) plus Tuesday club hills. 00:00 Friday Chaos Intro 01:25 OnlyFans and Sleep Podcasts 02:57 Tom Preps for The Race 07:15 Why Cycling Hurts More 12:40 Race Day Tips and Hazards 14:53 Anna at Devonport Tri 22:10 Anna Hip Rehab Update 23:25 Oska Post Marathon Struggles 29:22 City to Surf Recap 32:08 Brooks Night and Glycerin Flex 38:26 Food and shoe banter 39:20 Three Peaks results recap 40:35 Ski pass price shock 40:57 World Indoors preview 42:36 NZ team highlights 46:34 Mondo and pole vault talk 47:32 Athletes skipping indoors 51:41 Marathon doping debate 55:36 Enhanced Games skepticism 56:31 Adidas Hyperboost review 01:06:35 Run Unknown event details 01:08:26 Marathon taper and signoff /episode/index/show/96b7f0c9-6fbd-4f59-a1b5-cb2f557c8b5a/id/40550680

94 | On Cloud Monster 3 Hyper Review, Crack Runs, Motatapu, NZ Track and Field 03/13/2026

94 | On Cloud Monster 3 Hyper Review, Crack Runs, Motatapu, NZ Track and Field NZ Track Champs Chaos, Taupō Ironman Drama & a Brutal Motatapu Win | Run Spesh Run Spesh (from Frontrunner Colombo) opens with sponsor chat before Oska, Tom, and Maia recap a huge weekend: New Zealand Track & Field Champs in Auckland, celebrating Rosa Twyford’s Triple Crown despite recent injury worries, and discussing improved broadcast coverage, crowd energy, and the value of constructive feedback. They highlight the celebrity sprint won convincingly by Zoey, Sam Ruth’s dominant 1500 win and strong post-race interview, Preston’s 1:46 800, and a tactical men’s 5000 where Toby surged late as Hayden raced aggressively and showed emotion. They cover Laura Nagel’s emotional final track race as she shifts to road running. The episode also breaks down Taupō Ironman drama and results, including a broken TT bar, nutrition mix-ups, Trevor winning with a 2:35 marathon, and a women’s course record despite Hannah Berry’s mechanical. Maia shouts out Emily Malloy’s half marathon PB off a half Ironman. Maia then recounts winning the Motatapu Miners Trail while sick and suffering, before previewing the “Run Unknown” event, run club updates, and thoughts on the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper and upcoming launches. 00:00 Sponsor Hyper Boost Edge 00:45 Podcast Intro Banter 01:36 Moon Law Tangent 02:12 Rosa Twyford Triple Crown 04:02 Champs Coverage Debate 06:45 Celebrity Race Moment 10:00 Why Coverage Matters 13:35 Mens 5000 Drama 16:36 Toby Comeback Tactics 21:59 Laura Road Transition 23:22 Sam Ruth Solo 1500 25:34 10K And XC Format 31:04 Taupo Ironman Chaos 35:58 Ironman podium recap 38:02 Savage points idea 39:20 Endurance inspiration 40:30 Mo Tap race struggle 46:48 Racing mindset reset 49:48 Kia series math 53:24 Training life balance 56:32 Run Unknown event 59:35 Cloudmonster 3 Hyper review 01:09:52 Launch dates and wrap 01:10:36 Resilience lessons 01:13:53 Sponsor message /episode/index/show/96b7f0c9-6fbd-4f59-a1b5-cb2f557c8b5a/id/40421800

Solemates #5 | Puma Devaite Nitro Elite 3 vs Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 03/08/2026

93 | On Cloudboom Volt Review, National Track and Field Preview and Taupo Ironman 03/06/2026

Sole Mates #4 | Asics Superblast 3 vs Asics Superblast 2 03/01/2026

92 | Asics Superblast 3 Review, Osaka Marathon, Challenge Wanaka and Moonlight Marathon 02/28/2026

92 | Asics Superblast 3 Review, Osaka Marathon, Challenge Wanaka and Moonlight Marathon Run Spesh: Oska’s Osaka Marathon Debrief, Tommy’s Frozen Challenge Wānaka & Maia’s Moonlight Half + Superblast 3 Launch In this Run Spesh episode, Oska recaps a busy stretch for the Frontrunner crew six weeks out from Christchurch Marathon, including his trip to Japan to race the Osaka Marathon. He details travel, pre-race logistics, chaotic bottle-drop rules, starting too far back, heat changing his strategy, and finishing in 2:18 with a strong negative split feel—passing 90 runners late and rebuilding marathon confidence ahead of a May Launceston World Champs qualifier attempt. Tommy debriefs Challenge Wānaka in brutal cold, struggling through the swim and transition, freezing on the bike, then warming into a strong run, winning his age group and finishing 10th overall while discussing future pro plans and World Champs goals. Maia covers her Moonlight Half Marathon in Queenstown, nutrition testing, river crossings, and finishing second overall. The team also shares highlights from a quick Sydney trip with Anna for the ASICS Superblast 3 launch, then breaks down Superblast 3’s comfort, geometry, and where it fits versus Megablast, plus a Christchurch run club launch and limited stock details. 00:00 Training Week Check In 00:48 Podcast Intro Chaos 01:26 Car Pranks And Speeding 03:15 Japan Travel Highlights 06:45 Tokyo To Osaka Journey 09:45 Race Logistics Bottle Drop 11:45 Race Morning Fuel Fails 15:43 Elite Warmup And Start Mistakes 20:24 Marathon Strategy And Results 23:37 Confidence Rebuild And Next Races 27:03 Tommy Challenge Wanaka Recap 31:05 Freezing Bike And Run Finish 38:43 Rough Roads Recap 39:52 Run Split And Pro Plans 42:28 Shoulder Rehab And Swim Grind 43:45 Moonlight Half Race Story 46:57 River Crossings And Shoe Choice 50:32 Fueling Strategy Lessons 56:16 Bondi Trip And Run Culture 01:05:30 Superblast 3 First Impressions 01:15:30 Launch Details And Wrap Up /episode/index/show/96b7f0c9-6fbd-4f59-a1b5-cb2f557c8b5a/id/40260910

91 | Hillary Allen, Brooks Elite Trail Runner + Brooks Cascadia Elite Review 02/19/2026

91 | Hillary Allen, Brooks Elite Trail Runner + Brooks Cascadia Elite Review Hillary Allen (Hilly Goat) on Survival, Joy & the Brooks Cascadia Elite | run spesh This week on run spesh, Oska and Maia sit down in Christchurch with elite trail runner Hillary Allen (aka “Hilly Goat”) ahead of Tarawera 50K. Hillary talks NZ trail life (Hillary Track, oxygen-rich workouts, rugged underbrush, and the joy of trails with no bears), how she went from neuroscience grad school + tennis scholarship to winning the US Skyrunning Series and racing Europe, and what it’s really like being a sponsored pro. They go deep on Hillary’s 2017 near-fatal fall in Norway (150ft, 14 broken bones), the non-linear recovery (surgeries, learning to ask for help, walking again, depression, journaling, and rebuilding identity beyond “runner”), and why she wouldn’t undo it—even after years of ongoing issues. Plus: women’s fueling and training, performance pressure vs joy, why “big dogs gotta eat,” and a geeky shoe chat from Frontrunner HQ—including Hillary’s move to Brooks and her take on the new Brooks Cascadia Elite. If you’ve ever been injured, lost motivation, or just needed a reminder that you’re stronger than you think—this one’s a goody. 00:00 Meet Hillary Allen (Hilly Goat) + Her Wild Comeback Story 00:02 Welcome to the Pod: First 2026 Interview & Setting the Vibe 02:26 New Zealand Adventures: Van Life, Hillary Track & Racing WAI 50 03:40 How NZ Trails Compare: Rugged Terrain, Oxygen, and No Deadly Wildlife 07:40 Origins: Outdoorsy Childhood, Science Family, and Tennis Scholarship 10:48 From Grad School to Ultrarunning: Discovering Talent & Early Races 14:29 Getting Sponsored: SkyRunning Series Wins & The North Face Call 17:40 Joy vs Pressure: Staying Motivated When Running Becomes a Job 20:19 Resetting the Spark: Removing Expectations, Journaling, and Running for You 27:12 The 2017 Norway Fall: SkyRunning, Exposure, and the Moment Everything Changed 33:48 Aftermath & Rescue: 14 Broken Bones, Helicopter Evac, and Survival 35:34 Recovery Reality Check: Surgeries, “Never Run Again,” and Finding Purpose 41:44 Rebuilding Identity: Momentum, Teaching Science, and Being More Than a Runner 43:20 People First: How the Accident Changed Everything 44:10 Would You Undo the Fall? Living With Surgeries & Choosing Growth 45:54 Accepting the ‘New You’: Resilience as a Practice 50:13 Learning to Walk Again: Zooming In on the Next Step 54:53 Body Image, Fueling & Gratitude: Rebuilding Trust in Your Body 01:00:38 Why Keep Running? Joy, Mountains & Not Making Racing the Point 01:02:03 Driven, Not ‘Chill’: Balancing Ambition, School & Recovery 01:04:28 Why New Zealand & Tarawera: Culture, Community and the Full Experience 01:07:39 The Reality of Pro Trail Running: Sponsorships, Training Shifts & Identity 01:10:46 Women in Sport: Fueling, Stigma and Changing the Narrative 01:13:34 Switching to Brooks: When Shoes Make or Break Your Career 01:18:22 Deep Dive: Cascadia Elite—Plates, Foam, Lockdown & Trail Performance 01:26:53 Final Reflections: Advice to Younger Self & Closing Thanks /episode/index/show/96b7f0c9-6fbd-4f59-a1b5-cb2f557c8b5a/id/40169965