Run Spesh Podcast by Frontrunner Colombo

Run Spesh: Nike Billboard Drama, Boston Dominance, New Shoe Drops & Trail Tech Oska, Tom and Maia from Frontrunner Colombo riff on Nike's Boston Marathon billboard ("runners are welcome, walkers are tolerated") and the backlash, noting Nike had nobody on the Boston podium while ASICS prototypes featured heavily. Oska shares he's back near full training at ~95 miles with doubles and new hill-600 workouts; Tom reports a right-hip impingement diagnosis, an uphill-only running phase, and a strength plan with Emily and Todd. They recap big results: John Korir's Boston course record and Sharon Lokedi's win, plus Ironman standout Magnus Ditlev, and NZ mountain running champs where Toby ran in loose laces and lost a shoe. The crew also covers new product in-store—Nike racing shoes returning, premium Norda trail shoes—and travel plans to Paris, plus Grind's relaunch aligned with Global Running Day. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Banter 01:03 Nike Billboard Controversy 02:27 Boston Podium Shoe Talk 04:46 Oscar Training Update 09:01 Maya Hip Rehab Plan 13:55 Tour of Canterbury Preview 18:22 International Racing Highlights 18:59 Boston Records and Prototypes 26:23 Trail Champs and Toby Drama 29:42 Shop News New Shoes 29:59 Race Walking Madness 30:59 Olympic Events Rant 32:09 Nike Super Shoe Review 32:51 Fit Foam Plate Breakdown 34:02 Cornering Stability Test 36:28 Norda Trail Shoes Arrive 37:52 Trail Tech Specs 41:32 Paris Europe Travel Plans 44:21 Jet Fuel Supply Worries 48:53 Grind Event Update 51:55 Winter Gear Merch Drop 53:18 Sports Weekend Wrap 54:31 Sign Off And Promos

Christchurch Marathon Week Hype: Tapers, National Champs & Expo Deals | Run Spesh Oska, Tom and Maia (from Frontrunner Colombo) kick off Run Spesh with some banter, then dive into Christchurch Marathon week—the biggest week on the local running calendar and a major week for the shop. They reflect on achieving a longtime goal of being headline sponsor for the Christchurch Marathon, preview the nervous community energy around Hagley Park, and discuss Maia's lead-in to her second half marathon (workouts, running with Ruth Croft, and back-to-back rest days) and Tom's no-taper approach as he races the half at national champs. They outline shakeout run details (9am Saturday at the finish with giveaways), explain course congestion and safety on the four-lap route, share expo hours and shoe deals, preview key contenders in the half and marathon fields, and debate new standalone marathon world champs plus doping and record implications. 00:00 Podcast Introductions 01:11 Dad at the Concert 03:25 Marathon Week Buzz 05:10 Maya Taper Week 09:04 Tom Racing Approach 12:36 Run Club and Course Tips 15:37 Shakeout Run and Expo 19:33 Race Day Cheering 22:02 Race Morning Mindsets 28:38 Women and Men Predictions 33:57 Old School Speed Era 34:37 Race Picks and Comebacks 35:50 Marathon Fields Breakdown 38:13 Pace Groups and Strategy 39:30 Why Marathons Sell Out 41:44 Standalone Marathon Worlds Debate 46:30 European Road Racing Highlights 50:08 Running What Ifs 54:16 Doping and Record Stripping 56:44 Shoe Industry Purist Rant 59:22 On LightSpray Tech Future 01:03:44 LightSpray Fit and Ride Review 01:09:50 Release Info and Sign Off

https://frontrunnercolombo.co.nz/ Run Spesh: Wild Hamner Training Camp Tales + Nike Pegasus 42 Review + Christchurch Marathon Week Plans Oska, Tom, and Maia from Frontrunner Colombo chat through a chaotic weekend training camp trip to Hamner that started with sideways rain, TT bikes in gale-force winds, and a mid-ride turnaround before salvaging the camp with cycling, running, swimming, and pub hangs, plus stories about their wheelchair-using swim coach Rolly and his personality. They cover injury updates on a hamstring, upcoming Christchurch racing (including a 10K and the women's half marathon field), mindset around pacing and workouts, and frustration with elite-level doping while noting standout performances like Kai Robinson's sub-27 10K and Christian's rapid-fire 70.3 wins. They discuss Nike product returning to stores and review the Nike Pegasus 42: $240, durable ReactX feel, full-length Air Zoom, curvy last, and an everyday "more fun Ghost" option. They finish with Christchurch Marathon week run club and expo details and taper advice. 00:00 Podcast intro chaos 01:20 Christchurch long run vibes 01:57 Headwind bike mission 05:21 Hamner camp recap 05:53 Rolly stories and laughs 08:20 Training load and recovery 10:16 Watching the podcast back 12:41 Hamstring update and rehab 15:32 Christchurch 10K plans 18:02 Mindset chats and sleep 21:30 Workout confidence debate 25:27 Christchurch half field hype 29:07 Doping in distance running 32:37 Doping and Integrity 33:49 Aussie Sub-27 Breakthrough 35:13 Triathlon Double Win 38:54 Nike Returns to NZ 41:27 Run Club Community 43:40 Cartoon Nostalgia Detour 45:20 Topless Winter Runner 50:40 Pegasus 42 Deep Dive 58:27 Marathon Week Plans 01:01:14 Taper Week Mindset

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

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

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 vs 3: Lighter, Wider, More Responsive? | Run Spesh at Frontrunner Oska and Tom from Frontrunner Colombo discuss Puma's return to running and compare the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 to the popular Deviate Nitro Elite 3, praising the 3 for reliability and versatility from 5K to marathon. They explain how the 4 updates the formula with a wider midfoot and forefoot base, a closer-fitting thinner upper, a more aggressive plate/rocker geometry, and a more responsive Nitro Elite feel, while keeping an 8 mm drop and trusted PumaGrip with reduced coverage. They note the 4 is about 12% lighter (170 g vs 194 g), feels stable and consumer-friendly for non-elites, and is priced at NZD 360. Comparable models mentioned include the ASICS Metaspeed Edge (especially the older version), Hoka Rocket X 3, Nike Vaporfly, and Puma Fast-R. 00:00 Welcome to Soulmates 00:38 Puma's Comeback Story 01:23 Why Deviate 3 Worked 02:38 First Impressions Deviate 4 05:06 Fit and Upper Changes 06:22 Foam and Rocker Feel 08:53 Weight and Outsole Updates 10:21 Price and Value Breakdown 10:57 Comparable Racing Shoes 12:31 Wrap Up and Where to Buy

ASICS Superblast 3 vs Superblast 2: LEAP Foam, Fit Changes & Who Each Shoe Is For | Run Spesh In this Run Spesh "Solemates" episode from Frontrunner Colombo, Oska and Tom compare the ASICS Superblast 2 and the revamped Superblast 3, focusing on the major shift to softer, faster-compressing LEAP foam (an A-TPU with an EVA stability piece) versus the firmer feel of Superblast 2's EVA/Peba blend. They discuss how the new foam changes underfoot comfort, pace effort, stability, and likely durability (estimating Superblast 2 around 700 km and Superblast 3 closer to 500 km), plus how use cases may shift toward Superblast 3 as a premium super daily trainer for easy miles, recovery, long runs, and even marathons. They also cover improved upper fit/forefoot accommodation, missing rear pull tab, aggressive heel bevel, wide stable base, reduced weight to 237 g, and a 46 mm stack. 00:00 Welcome to Soulmates 00:40 Why Superblast 3 Matters 01:25 Foam Change Explained 02:05 Feel Underfoot Debate 04:03 Durability Expectations 04:52 Best Runs for Each 06:12 Where It Fits in Lineup 07:11 Stability and Break In 08:04 Fit and Upper Updates 09:27 Heel Bevel and Ride 10:26 Weight and Stack Numbers 11:49 Who Should Buy It 12:54 Wrap Up and Release Date

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

Join Oska, Tom and Anna for a jam-packed episode of Run Spesh! This week's highlights include a recap of the latest Run Club events, an exciting announcement about switching locations for interval training, and heaps of gratitude for community support. Oska gets real about his upcoming Osaka Marathon and shares some laughs with Tom and Anna over everything from lawn maintenance to cat shenanigans. Dive into shoe talk, where we explore the latest gear from Saucony, Brooks, and more! Also, stay tuned for a sneak peek at some thrilling upcoming events including the coast-to-coast race, and Tawawera Ultramarathon with some incredibly fierce competition. Buckle up for a blend of running insights, gear reviews, and pure fun! 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Updates 00:05 Run Club Announcements and Community Events 00:38 Personal Messages and Marathon Preparation 01:16 Casual Conversations and Humor 02:40 Running and Training Discussions 03:37 Upcoming Events and Travel Plans 14:54 Triathlon and Track Events 24:58 Coast to Coast and Other Races 29:57 Track and Field Highlights 35:04 Chasing Records and Fact-Checking 35:30 Top Female Contenders in the 102K Event 35:55 Dan Jones: The Gladiator of Trail Running 36:37 Listener Questions: Wide Toe Box Shoes 39:52 Guidelines for Race Shoes 45:06 Choosing the Right Tempo Shoe 54:26 Shoe Reviews: Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 01:05:12 Upcoming Events and Final Words

Running Records Smashed and Surprising Gear Revealed! 🏃‍♂️💥 Hey, it's Oska, Tom, and Anna from the Frontrunner Colombo team on the latest episode of Run Spesh, your weekly running specialty podcast! This week, we dive into some of the craziest running results we've ever seen, including Sam Ruth's incredible 3:48 mile! We chat about our weekend runs, updates in athletic gear, and even touch on surprising Instagram purchases. We also discuss upcoming events, and exciting news from the international running scene. Join us for the latest in running news, gear reviews, and a few laughs along the way! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️✨ 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:42 Record-Breaking Weekend in Running 01:29 Sam Ruth's Historic Mile 04:42 Impact on New Zealand Athletics 07:52 Personal Running Experiences 10:29 Training and Upcoming Races 21:27 Shoe Talk and Recommendations 27:02 Material and Consultancy Fees 27:22 Shoe Stability and Innovations 28:42 Race Results and Highlights 32:24 Upcoming Events and Records 37:15 New Shoe Models and Features 43:00 Personal Purchases and Reflections 47:17 Run Club and Upcoming Events 49:24 Concluding Remarks and Weather

Puma Deviate Nitro 4 Review & Running World Updates | Run Spesh Podcast 🎙️ Welcome to another episode of the Run Spesh podcast! Join Oska, Tom, and Maia from Frontrunner as they discuss the latest in the running world, including the massive news of Ter's $1.8 billion investment in Puma and what it means for the future of Puma running shoes. They dive into details about the new Puma Deviate Nitro 4, give an inside scoop on their own running experiences, and banter about pacing, nutrition, and training strategies. Plus, get updates on upcoming races and special events like an evening with trail runner Hillary Allen. Tune in for all this and more to keep you company on your next run! 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:39 Nervousness and Emotional Intelligence 01:23 Big News in the Running World 02:29 Puma's Business Strategy 03:26 Running Product Inventory Issues 04:14 Personal Running Experiences and Challenges 06:40 Upcoming Half Marathon Plans 11:03 Training and Nutrition Insights 16:55 Park Run and Running Community 19:42 Colin's Running Achievement 20:56 Shannon's Ultra Marathon Feat 22:50 Mark's Training Update 27:14 Colin's World Championship Experience 29:08 Training Hacks and Performance 29:42 Unusual Customer Encounters 31:56 World Records and Indoor Track Insights 38:07 Pacing Strategies and Race Experiences 47:56 New Running Shoe Review: Puma Deviate Nitro 4 55:11 Community Updates and Upcoming Events

Run Spesh Episode: The Great GOAT Race, World Cross Country Madness, and the Tennis Ball 1080s Join Oska and Tom in this week's episode of Run Spesh, brought to you by Frontrunner! We dive into the latest updates from the running world, including Maiya's race at the GOAT, a deep dive into the brutal conditions of the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, and the blazing fast Valencia 10K. We also discuss the exciting changes in the New Balance 1080v15, hilariously answer burning questions from our Facebook followers, and set the stage for the upcoming 800m showdown at the Potts Classic. Don't miss out on this fun and informative episode! 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:36 Upcoming Races and Events 01:07 Trail Running and Personal Preferences 03:00 Training Updates and Shop Talk 05:21 Weather Challenges and Running Conditions 09:36 Track and Field Insights 12:13 Cross Country Championships and Predictions 20:07 World Cross Country Championships Recap 33:30 New Zealand Record and James Preston's Journey 33:47 800m Race Strategies and Challenges 35:49 International Track Meet in Christchurch 37:36 Social Media Shenanigans and Facebook's Decline 39:45 Sharing Body Glide Sticks: Social Media Reactions 41:55 Desperate Measures: Picking Up Half-Finished Gels 45:03 New Balance 1080 V15 Review 58:08 High Rocks Shoes and Upcoming Releases 01:01:14 Upcoming Races and Events