Run With It

53: Sarah Billings – Years in the Making, But Just Getting Started

Sarah Billings is on fire! As we wait for Australia’s 2026 Commonwealth Games team to be announced, the Aussie middle-distance runner is well and truly in the mix for selection. Sarah sits down with Elise to discuss her recent form, including two massive PBs – a 3:58.81 in the 1500m at the Shanghai Diamond League, and a 1:57.61 in the 800m in Rabat, which is the second fastest time ever run by an Australian woman! But these results have been a long time in the making. Starting her career as a sprinter before moving into middle-distance in her junior years, Sarah has always been an excellent runner. But in her first years as a senior athlete, Sarah felt like she wasn’t getting the performances she had hoped for. Then the injuries hit. They hit hard. And repeatedly. When Sarah was able to finally break that injury cycle, she could at last string some good consistent training together and sought the help of a performance coach to work on her mental approach to racing. She said it’s made all the difference. We talk about what she learnt during those tough injury-riddled years, her breakout 2024 season, and how her persistence, mindset and consistency is now paying dividends in the results she is seeing on the track. -- Sarah Billings has represented Australia multiple times, including at World Juniors in 2016 and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in 2025. She is currently coached by Nic Bideau at Melbourne Track Club, and is sponsored by New Balance. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram: @sarahbillings @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

52: Winning Two Marathons While Pregnant – Catch Up With Calli Hauger-Thackery

British athlete Calli Hauger-Thackery didn’t even know she was pregnant when she ran (and won) Honolulu Marathon in December last year. She uncharacteristically vomited during the race, which she later realised was morning sickness! Calli then went on to win Houston Marathon in 2:24:17 in January. But only she and husband Nick knew she was carrying a plus-one through the tape! Most recently, while 22-weeks pregnant, Calli ran Boston Marathon in 2:43:58, despite needing to stop four times (to release a pinched nerve and to pee). Boston especially captured the attention of so many people around the world, inspired by what Calli has been able to do during her pregnancy. It was an absolute joy to have Calli back on the podcast to discuss her pregnancy in detail, the planning process for athletes trying to start a family and to debrief the three marathons she’s now run with baby Evan on board. If you’d like to learn more about Calli’s story (she’s the 2nd fastest British woman of all-time over the marathon distance by the way!), go back to episode 28. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram: @callirianne @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

51: Jimmy Whelan – Former Pro-Cyclist Soft Launches Marathon Debut!

Former pro-cyclist Jimmy Whelan reveals where he intends to run his debut marathon later this year – you’ll have to listen to find out! Dialling in from his home in Barcelona, Jimmy talks about his transition from pro cycling to a brief stint as a triathlete and his newfound status as a professional runner sponsored by Salomon. He’s never been happier as an athlete! And we tap into what that’s all about. We talk about his breakout 61:37 half marathon in Valencia, the disappointment of Berlin half, the chatter centred on his scorching potential, and why he’s not afraid to say big goals out loud, including his ambition to be in the marathon conversation for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Jimmy also gives us a unique window into pro cycling on the European circuit. Aside from the joys of long group rides, living in Europe and café stops, the other headlines are: stress, contract pressure and terrifying crashes, which all ultimately pushed him away from the sport and back towards his first love of running. It’s a full-circle moment for Jimmy, and what a pleasure it was to talk through his evolution and reinvention as an athlete on the pod! Enjoy! -- James “Jimmy” Whelan is an Australian athlete whose career has spanned professional cycling, triathlon and now distance running. Jimmy made a real statement last year when he ran a 61-minute half marathon in Valencia, attracting the attention of the athletics community and major sponsors alike. Now signed with Salomon, and coached by Andy Henderson, Jimmy has his sights set on the marathon distance, hoping to make his debut later this year. Jimmy’s professional cycling career included affiliations with renowned teams such as Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Anicolor/Tien21 Cycling Team and EF Pro Cycling. Jimmy is currently based in Barcelona, Spain. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Check out Jimmy’s YouTube: youtube.com/@jimmywhelan [youtube.com/@jimmywhelan] -- Follow us on Instagram: @jimmywhelann @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Sole Sisters – 25: Elise’s Copenhagen Marathon Recap!

Elise and Alice get together to debrief all things Copenhagen Marathon, including the perfect conditions, incredible vibes, some fuelling trials and tribulations, and a surprise encounter with Jakob Ingebrigtsen (his little brother Kristoffer ran 2:29 by the way)! Elise gives a play-by-play breakdown of the race and how she felt finishing her 11th marathon in a city that means so much to her (with 2:53 on the clock). Meanwhile, AB is set to line up for her debut half marathon in Brooklyn this weekend, but is probably most looking forward to the swim post-race. Though this episode starts with a discussion on hair washing and canned foods, we promise it goes up a notch after a couple of minutes! Enjoy!    -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram: @runwithit.pod @alicebaquie @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Sole Sisters - 24: Copenhagen Race Nails & Winning in a Unitard

Elise and Alice are finally back for a chaotic cross-continental catch-up, with Elise in Copenhagen preparing for the marathon this weekend, and Alice living her best semi-Carrie-Bradshaw life in New York. There’s plenty discuss in their usual unhinged way, from Alice’s Boston Marathon game show debut to Elise’s commentary at the Bendigo 5k Frenzy, and Copenhagen Marathon build (including the changes she and coach Kate made compared with Ballarat last year, and some Etsy magic behind the scenes). Alice also gives the full story behind her win at the Canyons 25k trail race in California (which she did without trail shoes in a unitard through poison oak). Also, buckle up for some side quests featuring characters like Dorothy the Dinosaur and the unsung heroes on vomit clean up duty! Enjoy.   -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram: @runwithit.pod @alicebaquie @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer