Liam’s fresh off a Stradbroke Island camping trip full of whales, turtles, and a croc sighting in Noosa?!
Meanwhile, Courtney’s in Sydney with Red Bull.
The boys dive into the doping suspension of Ruth Chepngetich, make Tour de France comparisons, and ask if high-stack shoes are behind a new wave of running injuries.
Liam’s sore from squats, fired up about HYROX, and reuniting with his old Sydney crew “Runners in the Dark.”
Plus: the boom of non-contact sports, the wild world of “Run It Straight,” and what backyard boxing says about our sugar-hit content habits.
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Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
After a wild Gold Coast Marathon weekend, Liam’s voice is shot but the stories are loud—like calling the Suns’ first-ever Friday night AFL game alongside the great BT.
Meanwhile, Courtney's fresh off the boat (literally), navigating a mooring standoff in the Whitsundays and smashing a steep trail run.
The boys debrief Gout Gout’s breakout (and the early backlash), unpack Australia’s growing sprint and marathon depth, and revisit a powerful pitch from Michael Shelley: should the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Marathon finish inside a packed Brisbane stadium?
PLUS:
– Finish line shoutouts from the GCM community
– Liam sets a sub-40 10K goal ahead of Noosa Tri
– Post-marathon recovery Q&A (wine and all)
– A newly opened 42K trail in Northern NSW
– And why sometimes… you’ve just got to go off-grid
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Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
We wrap up the Gold Coast Marathon series with BRONTE’S MARATHON MASTERCLASS.
All good things come to those who train… and trust the plan. In this post-race episode, we relive Bronte Langbroek’s triumphant debut marathon at the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon—clocking a near-perfect 4:29 after months of build-up with Benita from Lace Up Running. She shares every gritty, joyful, and gel-fuelled detail, from pacing with precision to emotional finish line moments.
Liam dishes on his new role as race-day MC alongside the legendary Pete Murray, bleeding nipples and all. Courtney reflects on the series' full-circle moment, and the team swaps favourite signs, Strava stats, and future race plans (Melbourne, Noosa… maybe the Halfway House gets real?).
If you’ve followed the journey from Week 1 to 42.195K, this episode is the ultimate payoff. Thank you for running with us.
Contact Benita at Lace Up Running
Bronte on Instagram
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
This week Liam's copped a roast on Triple M but bounces back with Gold Coast Marathon finish line duties alongside Pete Murray. We talk Western States 100 (Winner Caleb Olson & lots of shoe prototypes), Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4 attempt and the madness of Dead Cow Gully (800km!)
Plus: prize money at City2Surf, Sydney Marathon’s stacked field, and marathon-week MARANOIA is kicking in.
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Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
Marathon pacing—it’s not just about data, it’s a full-blown psychological battleground. In this episode, we dig into the eternal risk vs reward debate: go out hard and risk blowing up, or play it safe and maybe never know?
Plus, we share mates’ race-day bets, wild bib-swap scams, ring finger theories (yep, really), massage therapy with a side of life coaching, and advice for buying bikes off Facebook Marketplace—Strava stalking included.
Also: Gymshark's genius event merch activation, Faith Kipyegon's sub-4 mile doco, and a very Dutch gym workout that has us questioning everything.
Got a mate vs mate bet? Slide into our DMs—we’re collecting the best ones.
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Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
Twelve weeks of training, sweat, setbacks and breakthroughs… and now we’re here. In our final episode before the Gold Coast Marathon, Bronte reflects on her taper, mental prep and pacing plan (hello, 4:30 pace group). Lace Up Running Coach Benita Willis shares key strategies for race week, from nutrition to mindset, and explains why you don’t need everything to be perfect.
Courtney and Liam weigh in on what race day means to them, and the team discuss the emotional rollercoaster of first-time marathon nerves, community support, and the value of having a real coach in your corner.
Expect laughter, tears, signs on course, last-minute shoe checks, and one massive final pump-up.
THE GOLD COAST MARATHON IS HERE.
Contact Benita at Lace Up Running
Bronte on Instagram
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
This week we recap the wild highs of Red Bull Race the Sun — frost, sprint finishes, and why it’s our favourite kind of chaos. Courtney and Liam share the races they’d relive, from China to Red Bull Defiance. Trail running 101 for beginners, thoughts on socks, the Big Five Marathon, and… is Liam back in for Gold Coast?
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Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
Congratulations Polar prize Winner - Jacqui Bladier
This week Courtney is in NZ but got his hands full today with Red Bull Race the Sun 24hr event on.
Liam is back running and rediscovering how good it is to quieten the mind.
We also cover the post running smoking trend, a world map myth, age vs performance and a few listener catchups.
Our local event for the week is from the central NQ's Milepost Events - trail runs and backyard ultras in gods country!
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Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
With just 3.5 weeks to go to the Gold Coast Marathon, Bronte bounces back from pneumonia to clock a half marathon PB, Benita from Lace Up Running shares taper wisdom and pacing strategies, and the crew navigates start zones, carb loading, and race-week nerves.
Contact Benita at Lace Up Running
Bronte on Instagram
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
This week Liam spills coffee on a $50K radio desk and doesn't get fired, Courtney recalls his weirdest Olympic photo shoot, and we ask: has ultra-endurance gone too far? Introduce the new catch cry "Don’t go longer—go harder".
Plus the final week of Polar 🚨 GIVEAWAY 🚨
We’re giving one lucky runner the ultimate setup — a Polar Pacer GPS running watch AND H10 heart rate strap 🎁
Whether you're training for your first 5K or lining up for your next marathon, this combo will level up your running game. Huge thanks to the legends at Polar Australia for making it happen.
HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣ Subscribe to In The Beginning podcast
2️⃣ Leave us a comment on Spotify or Apple
3️⃣ That’s it — you’re in the running!
We’ll draw the winner next week. Go on, treat your future self.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
SHOW NOTES:
Amateur runner interviews - @Jamie Runs Strong
This is just a marathon without the permits
This has to stop! - The Ultra murph
This episode is brought to you by Southern Cross University, naming sponsor of the 10km event at the Gold Coast Marathon.
We dive into both the physical and mental prep for the Gold Coast Marathon with two experts from Southern Cross University. Dr. Gabe Fernandez, senior physiotherapist, breaks down why Achilles and calf injuries are so common and how to build strength and endurance leading up to race day.
And Dr. Melanie Clark, post-doctoral research fellow, shares mental strategies for staying focused and calm during training and how to handle setbacks like injuries or bad training days.
Plus, we talk about the exciting new physiotherapy course launching at Southern Cross University next year and their long-running support of the Gold Coast Marathon.
Tune in for actionable tips, injury prevention insights, and a fresh perspective on running mindset.
It’s a big chat. We kick off with our first-ever giveaway thanks to the legends at Polar, before diving into the Gold Coast Suns ‘nepo baby’ drama, Courtney’s next marathon mystery, Kiwi endurance grit, tech in shoes and sailing, and Liam’s update after officially pulling out of GCM.
🚨 GIVEAWAY TIME 🚨
We’re giving one lucky runner the ultimate setup — a Polar Pacer GPS running watch AND H10 heart rate strap 🎁
Whether you're training for your first 5K or lining up for your next marathon, this combo will level up your running game. Huge thanks to the legends at Polar Australia for making it happen.
HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣ Subscribe to In The Beginning podcast
2️⃣ Leave us a review
3️⃣ That’s it — you’re in the running!
We’ll draw the winner in 2 weeks. Go on, treat your future self.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
With five weeks to go, Bronte smashes her 30K run (despite being sick), our coach from Lace Up Running, Benita Willis warns against getting too ambitious with marathon pace, and Liam makes the tough call to pull out of the race.
Plus, a deep dive into race gels, aid station strategy, and why planning your fuel matters more than you think.
Contact Benita at Lace Up Running
Bronte on Instagram
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
Courtney’s bouncing back, Liam’s breaking down (again), and Bronte’s smashing the 30K!
This week, the team dives into the wild world of the Enhanced Games, the madness of UTA trail jams, and William G’s run across Australia—beers, banter and record-breaking.
Plus: Strava’s new labels, the mystery of mismatched racing shoes, listener shoutouts from Scotland and a very big guest tease.
One of us is running, one of us isn’t, but the pod rolls on.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
Show Notes:
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Gold Coast Marathon?
We chat with Ryan McDonald, Athlete Services and Elite Program Manager, about everything from elite athlete demands to course tweaks, crowd science, and how to make the most of race day.
Whether you're running, spectating, or just curious, this episode has all the insider tips you need to know for this year's Gold Coast Marathon.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
This week, Courtney and Liam kick things off with the top 5 running songs as voted by 500 runners – are they the perfect playlist picks or total misses?
Then it’s back to the treadmill as they share their recovery runs, training tweaks, and Strava hacks as the Gold Coast Marathon looms closer.
Plus, they dive into the Gold Coast Pro’s surprise venue switch and what it means for future comps, and the buzz around Wrexham AFC’s upcoming Aussie tour
#running #marathon #fitness
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
SHOW NOTES:
It’s a full house in the studio this week as Courtney returns, and Bronte gears up for her longest run yet – a 30K mix of trail and road.
Benita shares essential advice on how to handle race day shoe choices, pacing strategies, and how to stay mentally tough when the going gets tough.
Plus, Courtney’s back with some perspective on dealing with injury setbacks and how to reset goals with just seven weeks to go until the Gold Coast Marathon.
Tune in for training insights, runner confessions, and a bit of banter to keep you going.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Bronte on Instagram
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
In this week's episode we go down some rabbit holes! Topics include:
Highs and Lows: From record-breaking splits to gut-wrenching injuries — the rollercoaster of elite endurance sports.
Strava Predictions: Can AI really predict your marathon time after a month off running?
Wings for Life World Run Wrap-Up: 71km to win — why the global charity run brings out the best in athletes.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @inthebeginningpodcast
Courtney on Strava
Liam on Strava
SHOW NOTES:
Eight and a half weeks out from race day and Liam’s calf is cactus. Again!
So we brought in one of the best — Olympic team physio and Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health director Britt Caling — to unpack how to stay unbroken on your marathon build.
In this episode:
– Bone stress, calf dramas & the U-curve of injury risk
– Why “just running” isn’t enough: strength, sleep & activation tips that work
– What to do when you’re sick during training (plus the myth of running through it)
– How to build a personalised pre-run routine (without losing your morning coffee)
– When to actually go see a physio, and what good physio care should include
– “Sleep monsters”, race hallucinations & the wild world of adventure racing
🎧 Whether you’re chasing a PB or just hoping to make the start line, Britt’s advice is gold.
