Run With It

Happy International Women’s Day! This episode of Sole Sisters is an ode to women runners! Alice has a lot of time to think as she bunkers down for Cyclone Alfred. She unearths the memories of two pioneer marathoners - Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer who were the first women to run the 42.2k distance in the late 60s, despite many people trying to stand in their way. Elise has done some modern-day research and found that women’s marathon participation between Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast marathons comprised 27% on average between 2018-2023, with men making up 63% of the field. Participation was much more even in the half marathon. The pair then offer some general reflections on women’s participation in marathons and the barriers that still exist that prevent or hinder women from running today. These include not having enough time to train, concerns for safety, childbirth and caring responsibilities. They also have a good chat on the role of confidence and ego in the marathon. You can read the piece Elise wrote on this “Mind the Marathon Gap [https://theblueline.substack.com/p/issue-27]” in The Blue Line last year. Alice and Elise also debrief the International Women’s Day – Running Connection event organised by Love the Run last week. They rehash some of the conversation in the panel discussion about safety while running with ultra trail star Lucy Bartholomew and podiatrist/runner/coach/mum Sophie Fitt. Jess Stenson is the star of the results segment for her gutsy 2:22:56 run at Tokyo Marathon, while Izzi Batt-Doyle and Leanne Pompeani wait to line up at another Japanese race this weekend, Nagoya Marathon. Finally, here’s a no-context link [https://www.tiktok.com/@jacquessanstorm/video/7477520322200210706] to a Roy and HG video commentating men’s gymnastics from the Sydney Olympics. Follow us on Instagram: @runwithit.pod @alicebaquie @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

How fast can Ryan Reynolds, Oprah and Gordon Ramsay run a marathon? On this week’s episode of Sole Sisters, Alice and Elise dig into which tinsel town heroes are the best athletes, and who tried so hard they peed their pants? (Big kudos from us for digging that deep!) We also cover a couple of recent World Records (honestly, there’s been too many to mention all of them), and some outstanding Australian performances on the indoor track. As usual, we finish with a couple of recommendations not to be missed. We’d also LOVE to see you at a free event this week celebrating International Women’s Day! The Running Connection – Movement and Safety event is happening at Collingwood Athletics Track on Sunday 2nd March between 3:30-6pm. Elise will host a live panel with elite trail runner Lucy Bartholomew, runner/podiatrist and coach, Sophie Fitt and forRunners founder/Sole Sisters co-host, Alice Baquie. There’ll also be a community run in Yarra Bend Park, a strength and conditioning session hosted by Dani Bryan and a fabulous pilates session with AB. The day is organised by local community group Love the Run. Register here, or simply show up on the day: https://www.lovetherun.com.au/iwdrunning [https://www.lovetherun.com.au/iwdrunning] Follow us on Instagram: @runwithit.pod @alicebaquie @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Ellie Pashley is one of Australia’s most popular runners, and it’s easy to see why! The Tokyo Olympian and mum comes on for a candid conversation about her running career, pregnancy and balancing mum life with her athletic pursuits. This episode is part of a mini-series featuring some of our mighty marathon mums. We talk about some of Ellie’s most memorable races like New York Marathon, where she and Sinead Diver got lost on the course (captured on live TV!), and the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst where Ellie’s family and friends wore t-shirts sporting a giant print of her face. We dive deep into why Ellie was so determined to get that Olympic qualifying time for Paris 2024, and unpack her attempts to secure it in London, Osaka and Hamburg, with lots of help from her training pals at the Surf Coast Track Club. Ellie Pashley is a marathon runner who represented Australia at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she finished in 23rd place. Ellie started running marathons in 2016, clocking 2:46 in Melbourne on debut. She has since progressed to 2:26, which she ran in Nagoya in 2019. One of her best performances was an 8th place at New York Marathon in 2:27. She also has a 10km PB of 31:18 from the 2019 World Championships in Doha, where she finished 13th. Ellie is also a physiotherapist and co-owner of coaching company, Run Strong, with her coach Julian Spence. She is a mum to Tiggy and Luna (her kelpie). -- Ellie Pashley’s Instagram: @ellieopash Run With It Instagram: @runwithit.pod Elise Beacom's Instagram: @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

Sometimes it’s easier to learn from your f**k ups than your successes! This episode of Sole Sisters kicks off with a recap of Alice’s victory at the Cape Paterson Aquathon. Despite some trash talking from her sister on the start line, Alice came away with the win. On the flip side, Elise describes a horrendous 10k time trial which left her feeling defeated and deflated. We then jump into the main topic of the day – the biggest mistakes we’ve made in training and racing. From Elise collapsing at the end of Berlin Marathon or locking her keys (and race shoes) in the car minutes before a 10k race, to Alice putting herself in a glycogen hole with fasted runs – we share plenty of examples of what not to do so you don’t have to make the same mistakes! We cap off the episode with big news about Izzi Batt-Doyle’s new Australian record in the half marathon (67:17 in Marugame, Japan), as well as Cam Myers’ first open Australian record in the 3,000m on the indoor track (7:33.12 in Boston, USA) and some other great runs from Aussie runners overseas. Follow us on Instagram: @runwithit.pod @alicebaquie @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

From returning to running post pregnancy (x2), to infinite pros and cons lists, yoghurt explosions and orangutan drawings, we get personal with three-time Olympian, Jess Stenson. This episode is part of a mini-series featuring some of our mighty marathon mums. Jess and I chat about the many challenges women runners overcome after having kids, including navigating changes to the body, toddler meltdowns (always timed to perfection when you’re trying to leave for training) and a never-ending lack of sleep. We cover her lead up to the Paris Olympics, including some tough moments during the Australian team selection, and how despite all that, she was able to nail 13th place in the Olympic marathon with her family right there alongside her. Jess is one of the most positive people you’ll ever meet, and what comes though so strongly is that she runs from the heart. Keep an eye out for her next big race: Tokyo Marathon! Jess Stenson has represented Australia in the marathon at three Olympics, and has won multiple Commonwealth Games medals in the marathon, including gold at Birmingham in 2022. Jess is also a qualified physiotherapist and keynote speaker. -- Jess Stenson's Instagram: @jess_tren Run With It Instagram: @runwithit.pod Elise Beacom's Instagram: @elisebeacom Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer