Women’s Running Collective

Women’s Running Collective Podcast
Episode 69: Training for Your First Half Marathon

Episode 69

In this episode, Hayles & Jussie kick things off with a catch-up on the week that was, including a fun trip to Sydney for the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 launch… and a not-so-fun run-in with an aggressive runner at Centennial Park (because apparently even runners need etiquette reminders 🙃).

From there, we dive deep into everything you need to know about training for your first half marathon. Whether you’re eyeing the start line for the first time or just want to feel more confident in your training, this episode is packed with practical tips, personal stories, and reassurance that you’re doing better than you think.

We chat fueling (yes, carbs are your friend), pacing, easy runs, hills, recovery, cross-training, and why the right shoes can genuinely change your running life. We also talk about the magic of running with friends, setting realistic goals, and remembering why you started in the first place.

As always, there are a few laughs, a few tangents, and some very real moments because training isn’t perfect, and neither are we.

If you’re training for your first half marathon (or thinking about it), this one’s for you 💕

 

Time Stamps

00:00 – Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective
00:32 – Celebrating Episode 69 🎉
01:07 – Running adventures in Sydney & the ASICS launch
02:19 – A not-so-kind runner encounter (and why kindness matters)
06:29 – Current training sessions & new goals
10:17 – Gold Coast Half Marathon prep
11:11 – Half marathon training tips for beginners
24:19 – Why proper running shoes really matter
27:55 – First marathon memories & questionable grooming choices
28:22 – Grossie McGross face & glue mishaps (you’ll have to listen 😂)
29:21 – Lessons we learned the hard way in marathon training
30:54 – Fueling: what, when, and why it matters
32:50 – Recovery, rest days & listening to your body
41:38 – Setting realistic and achievable race day goals
48:52 – Key components of half marathon training
50:30 – Final thoughts, recommendations & wrap-up

 

See you next week xo Hayles and Jussie

Starting the Year Strong: Setting Yourself Up for Running Success in 2026
Women’s Running Collective Podcast

Welcome to our first episode of 2026 🎉 and a little moment to pause, reflect, and set the tone for the year ahead. In this episode, Hayles and Jussie celebrate three years of the Women’s Running Collective podcast (Well kinda) more like we are in our third year, share a big holiday catch-up, and chat about easing back into running after the festive season.

This one is all about starting the year strong (without going too hard, too soon). We talk goal setting, finding your “why,” building habits that actually stick, and redefining what success in running really looks like especially as women balancing real life.

Whether you’re training for something specific or just hoping to feel good moving your body again, this episode is full of gentle motivation, practical tips, and honest reflections to help you start 2026 feeling confident and supported.

⏱️ Episode Time Stamps
00:00 – Nostalgic Infomercials & Childhood Memories
A light-hearted start as we head down memory lane.

00:14 – Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective
Kicking off 2026 together and welcoming listeners into a new year.

00:29 – Reflecting on the Past Year
A little look back at what 2025 taught us — on and off the run.

00:56 – Holiday Highlights & Family Time
Festive season chats, rest, and finding joy outside of training.

01:25 – Running Adventures & Parkrun Stories
Easy runs, family parkruns, and easing back into routine.

02:21 – Starting the Year with a Positive Mindset
Why January doesn’t have to mean pressure, punishment, or perfection.

08:00 – Setting Goals & Finding Your ‘Why’
How to set meaningful, achievable goals that actually motivate you.

15:04 – Planning for a Successful Year of Running
Structure, flexibility, and allowing space for life to happen.

20:08 – Reflecting on Last Year’s Deload Weeks
Why rest weeks matter more than you think.

20:31 – The Importance of Strength & Mobility Training
Supporting your running with strength, mobility, and longevity in mind.

22:39 – Fueling Like a Runner
Why eating enough is part of training (and not optional).

25:34 – The Power of Running with a Community
How connection keeps us consistent and lifts us on hard days.

28:21 – Measuring Success Differently
Moving beyond PBs and redefining what “progress” looks like.

32:51 – Vision Boards & Atomic Habits
Layering small habits, building momentum, and dreaming big (without burnout).

34:06 – Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Encouragement for the year ahead and a reminder: you’re doing better than you think.

Hayley reccomended

@Total.balance.nutrition Nicole Miller (nutritionist)

AND this podcast about habit stacking

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SJytDQlco71aFzzTIt2vV?si=aNe5ZeWvSui1Jz2AT9y-UA

💛 Key Takeaways

You don’t need to “start over” — just start where you are

Easy runs, rest, and strength matter

Success isn’t just pace or distance

Community makes running better

Small habits add up in big ways

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who’s easing back into running this year, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming in 2026 🏃‍♀️✨

 

XO Hayles and Jussie

Unscripted Laughs & Holiday Chaos: Women’s Running Collective Bonus Episode
This bonus episode is exactly what happens when Hayles and Jussie hit record with no plan, no script, and zero self-control and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

To wrap up the year, we’re bringing you a light-hearted, laugh-out-loud episode full of running-related Would You Rather questions, cheeky confessions, embarrassing moments, and the kind of chaotic banter that usually happens off-mic. There’s not a whole lot of running advice in this one — but there is plenty of joy, silliness, and end-of-year energy.

Perfect listening if you’re out for an easy run, folding laundry, driving to a Christmas catch-up, or just need something that feels like chatting with your running mates. Thanks for being part of our community this one’s just for fun 💫

In this episode we cover:

Unfiltered running banter

Ridiculous runner questions we all get asked

Would You Rather: Running Edition

Confessions, chaos, and Christmas vibes

Time Stamps
00:00 Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective
00:15 The chaos begins (no turning back)
00:39 Banter, laughs, and funny stories
01:22 Would You Rather: Running Edition
08:19 Quirky questions & runner confessions
16:35 Hilarious (and relatable) running stories
17:39 The most annoying questions runners get
19:29 Would You Rather: Running Edition (round two)
20:22 Random questions & fun facts
23:59 Confessions and embarrassing moments
29:55 Christmas gifts, gratitude & wrapping up the year

Time Trials, Training with Your Cycle & Tackling Taboos with Lydia O’Donnell
The Women’s Running Collective Podcast

This week on the pod, Hayles and Jussie are back with a big catch-up on life, running, and those 5K time trials 😮‍💨. We chat all things pacing, nerves, race-day lessons, and why time trials are just as much a mental workout as a physical one. Spoiler: mistakes were made, lessons were learned, and growth is happening.

We also squeeze in some festive chaos, post-run reflections, and plenty of laughs before sitting down with our incredible guest, Lydia O’Donnell is the co-founder of Femmi.

Lydia is a former elite marathoner and Nike Pacific Running Coach who’s now leading the charge in changing how women train. We talk openly about disordered eating, RED-S, menstrual cycle education, and why so many women have been training against their bodies for years without even realising it. Lydia shares how aligning her training with her cycle completely changed her performance, health, and relationship with running — and how Femmi is helping other women do the same.

This episode is powerful, educational, and honestly a must-listen for any woman who runs (or wants to).

Episode Breakdown
00:00 Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective
00:20 Christmas vibes, festive chaos & recent run trials
00:40 The 5K time trial – pacing, prep & post-run emotions
08:47 What we learned (the hard way) & race-day reflections
11:21 Christmas party shenanigans
13:48 Meet Lydia O’Donnell, co-founder of Femmi
22:55 Big dreams, elite running & chasing athletic goals
23:16 Lydia’s journey into Nike & the world of high-performance sport
23:45 Using sport to inspire and empower others
24:27 Gender barriers in running and high-performance environments
25:32 Coaching women & creating better opportunities
26:31 Founding Femmi and challenging outdated training models
26:58 Personal struggles, RED-S & reconnecting with her body
30:19 Why menstrual cycle education matters for runners
32:30 How Femmi is empowering female runners
43:43 Mindset, confidence & visualisation techniques
48:33 The power of community and shared experiences
52:40 Final thoughts, recommendations & wrapping up

Femmi Instagram 

FEMMI 

Lydia Instagram

SHOKZ OPENDOT ONE

Accelerate 3" High-Rise Running Short

If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or disconnected from your body as a runner — this one’s for you. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a run friend, and let us know what hit home 🤍🏃‍♀️

Women’s Running Collective, Episode 64
2025 Year in Review: Our Runs, Fails, Faves & Festive Chaos
In our final episode of the year, Hayles and Jussie sit down with a peppermint tea, hot choccy (or something stronger…) and unpack everything that made 2025 iconic, chaotic, emotional, and very, very sweaty.

From the highs of Sydney and London Marathons to the lows of period disasters mid-run, this one is basically our Spotify Wrapped but Runner Girl Edition. We cover our top shoes, clothing, books, guests, training blocks, hilarious fails, plus a new Christmas movie you’ll absolutely want to watch.

Whether you’re here for motivation, pure entertainment, or to feel better about your own questionable running choices this episode has it all.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 — Introduction & Banter
The festive chaos begins.

00:05 — Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective
Final ep of the year energy!

00:42 — Reflecting on the Year: Our Spotify Wrapped
Yes, Taylor Swift makes an appearance.

01:03 — Weekly Running Recap
Silly season training: heroic or horrendous?

02:52 — Running Gear Reviews
What stayed, what slayed, and what got returned.

07:07 — Top Running Shoes of the Year
Our holy grails of 2025.
(Want a full list for Instagram? Just say the word!)

11:56 — Favourite Running Clothing
Shorts that don’t chafe. Bras that actually support. The winners.

18:00 — Best Running Songs
Cue the playlist: the beats that carried our legs this year.

21:28 — Top Running Books & Podcasts
The ones that inspired, educated, and stopped us doomscrolling.

26:14 — Proudest Runs & Funniest Fails
From big PBs to big… embarrassments.

29:31 — Period Horror Story
It always happens on the long run.

30:53 — Menstrual Cup Woes
Say a prayer.

31:53 — Top Three Running Events of the Year
Our favourite races vibes, views, medals and all.

33:58 — Most Unhinged Running Decisions
Would we do them again? Absolutely.

35:04 — Running Playlist Wrapped
The bangers that defined 2025.

37:10 — Regrettable Purchases
Money was spent. Lessons were learned.

39:49 — Iconic Guest Conversations
Our most powerful, helpful, hilarious guests of the year.

44:31 — Community Highlights
Shouting out YOU — the girlies who make WRC what it is.

51:54 — Charity Spots for Sydney Marathon
Where to sign up, how to join, and why you should. APPLY to be a charity runner here https://sm26.grassrootz.com/batyr

53:57 — Christmas Break & What’s Coming in 2026
Big plans. Big dreams. 

🎄 Year-End Recommendations from the Ep
Top Shoes 
Hayley 

Tempo - Superblast 2 

Race shoes - New Balance sc elites V4 

Everyday running shoes - Nike Vomero 18plus 

Jussie 

Jussi- superblast 2  

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo 

ASICS Kayano 

Shoe you’d save in a house fire – NEW super blast or Vomeros, Jussi Vomeros 

Top Running Songs
Perfect for your Year-End WRC Wrapped playlist.

Best running songs 

Hayley -Taylor swift I can do it with a broken heart & life of a showgirl 

Hayley - Benson boon - beautiful things 

Hayley and Jussie – Unwritten Natasha Beddingfield 

Jussie- Queen don’t stop me now 

Jussie – APT & Pink Pony Club 

Book & Podcast Picks
Running books - Hayles

"Born to run" 

"Choosing to run" Des linden 

"In the long run" Emma Mugglestone 

Podcasts - Jussie

Just the gist 

I catch killers 

Do you fucking mind- alexis fernandez 

Movie Recommendation
Two Christmas ones hehe - Merry Xmas and Champage Problems (YOU ARE WELCOME)  XO Hayles