Welcome back to the Peak Endurance Podcast with Isobel & Ron.
In this episode, we flip the script: instead of adding more to your training, we’re looking at what to avoid. Because sometimes, progress isn’t about piling on — it’s about cutting out the habits that hold you back.
We cover the 10 things smart runners don’t do, including:
kipping strength training
Ignoring recovery
Pushing through every niggle
Chasing junk miles
Winging nutrition
Going out too fast
Comparing everything to Strava
Neglecting mindset
Overcomplicating training
Going it alone
You’ll hear how small shifts in these areas can keep you injury-free, build confidence, and make you a stronger, more consistent runner.
Ready to put these principles into action? That’s exactly what I do with my athletes inside the Ultra Performance Method — integrating training, strength, nutrition, and mindset into one system. Check out www.peakendurancecoaching.com.au
A lot of runners think that hiring a coach means guaranteedresults. Or that once you’ve trained enough, ultras somehow get easier. In this episode, Isobel and Ron break down why both of those ideas are myths.
We talk about:
- why coaching is guidance and accountability - not a magic shortcut.
- the truth about training: it never makes ultras easy, but it makes you stronger at handling the ahrd.
If you’ve ever wondered why ultras still feel brutal nomatter how fit you are, or if you’ve questioned whether a coach can “guarantee”your success, this episode will set the record straight.
👉 Tune in to learn whychasing “easy” is the wrong goal—and why embracing the challenge is where themagic happens.
Ultras never go to plan. The runners who finish strong aren’t the ones who hope for a perfect day—they’re the ones who are ready for anything.
In this episode, I break down how to prepare for the inevitable curveballs of ultrarunning: nutrition mishaps, gear fails, weather chaos, and those mental lows that creep in at 3 a.m.
You’ll learn:
Why training in adverse conditions is a hidden superpower
How to fuel flexibly when things don’t go to plan
The art of problem-solving mid-race (without panicking)
Mental strategies to carry you through the final 20% when grit matters most
Quick fixes for common race-day disasters
By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to stay calm, adapt, and finish your ultra feeling strong.
👉 Grab my free Race Day Problems & Quick Fixes Checklist by commenting CHECKLIST on any post on Instagram
Ron and I break down what it actually takes to build true endurance over months and years—not just survive a big weekend. We unpack the physiology of aerobic capacity (why an easy-paced base is your performance superpower), how to apply progressive overload without tipping into fatigue, and the mindset tools that turn consistency into confidence on race day. You’ll learn how to build the base, add stress slowly, and let patience compound.
If you want a plan you can trust, check out Peak Endurance Coaching and sign up for my free workshop!
Whether you’re logging long runs on quiet trails or squeezing in miles along busy roads, safety should always come first. In this episode, Ron and I dive into practical strategies every runner can use to stay safe while training.
We cover:✅
Road running safety—visibility, traffic awareness, and sharing space with others
✅ Trail running safety—gear, navigation, wildlife, and running solo
✅ Personal safety tips—staying alert around people, tech use, and what to carry
✅ How to build safe habits without losing the joy of running
Staying safe doesn’t mean running scared—it means running smart. Tune in for actionable advice to keep your training consistent, confident, and worry-free.👉
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a running friend. Also, go to Instagram @peakendurancecaoching and DM me 'safety' for the tips. Also, check out my free workshop 'Spot and Fix Your Training Blind spots' on my website here<<
Are you forcing your runs even when your body is screaming at you? That’s a fast track to overtraining and injury. In this episode, we break down:
How to recognise the signs your body needs rest
When it’s okay to swap, shorten, or walk your run
The difference between productive discomfort and damaging fatigue
Why adjusting your training is not “quitting”—it’s the smartest move you can make
Listen in and discover how listening to your body can actually make you a stronger, healthier, and faster runner.
Ever had a week where every run feels like a slog and you start wondering if you’ve lost all your fitness? You’re not alone—and it’s probably not your fitness that’s the problem. It’s your recovery.
In this episode of the Peak Endurance Podcast, Ron and I break down:
Why “feeling flat” doesn’t automatically mean you’re unfit
The key signs you’re dealing with fatigue, not a loss of fitness
How to tell when you should push through and when you should back off
Practical recovery strategies to get your energy and performance back
If you’ve been training hard but can’t seem to find your spark, this episode will help you reset, recover, and return stronger than ever.
🎧 Listen in, learn how to work with your body, and stop beating yourself up over a bad run.
Think your best running days are behind you?
Think again. In this episode, Ron and I dive deep into what it really takes to thrive—not just survive—as an ultrarunner over 50.We explore the key physiological shifts that come with age, including hormonal changes and slower recovery, and explain how smart training, targeted strength work, and a more thoughtful approach to rest can keep you performing at a high level for years to come.
We share powerful insights from both coaching and personal experience, and we unpack:
Why running less can sometimes lead to more progress after 50
How to adjust training loads for long-term consistency
The real reasons you feel flat—and how to fix it
Simple recovery strategies that actually work
Whether you're an experienced ultrarunner or just starting your endurance journey later in life, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to hit the trails with purpose.
Are you training hard but still not getting faster, stronger, or closer to your goals? You’re not alone—and chances are, it’s not your motivation that’s the problem. It’s your approach.
In this episode of the Peak Endurance Podcast, coaches Isobel and Ron Tait break down the top 5 training mistakes most runners make—and how to fix them with smarter, more strategic methods. From running too hard all the time to ignoring recovery, you’ll learn exactly what’s holding you back and what to do instead.
✅ You’ll discover:
Why more training doesn’t always equal more progress
How to structure your runs for long-term gains
The critical role of strength and recovery
Why personalised plans beat cookie-cutter programs every time
Whether you're training for your first ultra or trying to shave minutes off your marathon, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you train smarter—not harder.
👇 Ready to take your running to the next level? Book a free discovery call or learn more about coaching with Peak Endurance here:
🔗https://koalendar.com/e/peak-endurance-coaching-consultation
📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a running mate who needs to hear it!
Join Isobel and Ron as they dive deep into Isobel's recent experience at the Ultra Adelaide 100 Miler. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Isobel shares her journey through the grueling race, while Ron offers insights from his perspective as Isobel's dedicated crew.
🏃♂️ Highlights:
The highs: Moments of triumph and unexpected joys
The lows: Battling fatigue, doubt, and physical challenges
Crucial lessons learned from this epic adventure
The unique challenges and rewards of ultra running in your 50s
Ron's perspective: What it's like to crew for a 100-mile race
Whether you're an experienced ultra runner, a curious beginner, or simply intrigued by endurance sports, this episode offers valuable insights and motivation. Discover how age is just a number when it comes to pushing your limits and achieving extraordinary goals.
Don't miss this honest, humorous, and heartfelt discussion about what it really takes to conquer 100 miles on foot. Like, subscribe, and share to join our community of passionate runners and adventurers!
In this episode of the Peak Endurance Podcast, we’re back from our UK adventure and catching you up on all the running, travel, and turbulence (hello, jet lag!). We share insights from our runs abroad, the struggle of returning to routine, and the powerful reminder of just how crucial sleep is for performance and recovery. Plus, after rotating back into new running shoes, we felt the difference—big time. It’s your friendly nudge to check your shoes and keep your feet (and joints) happy. Tune in for stories, laughs, and real-world reminders to support your strongest running self.
Ron and I chat about our UK adventures so far...and some of the interesting town names here in England :)
In this episode of the Peak Endurance Coaching Podcast, we bring you updates from our whirlwind trip to Scotland and dive deep into the raw and honest recount of the Isle of Skye Ultra — where Isobel faced brutal conditions and made the tough call to DNF. 🌧️🌪️ With driving rain, gale-force winds, and zero visibility, it was a true test of grit and respect for the mountains.
Ron and Isobel unpack what it means to respect a race, how to stay grounded in your ‘why’, and why training in all conditions is essential — not just physically, but mentally too. Whether you're an ultra runner or just love the stories behind the miles, this one’s a powerful listen.
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a running mate who needs a dose of real talk and resilience!
In this episode, Izzy and Ron tackle a common but costly mistake many athletes make—racing their training. If you've ever pushed a session too hard to chase a Strava segment or beat your last effort, this one’s for you. We unpack the risks of turning workouts into unofficial races, from increased injury risk to arriving at race day already cooked. Learn how to train with purpose, keep your ego in check, and arrive at your start line fresh, fit, and ready to fire.
Aaron Crook is no stranger to extreme endurance, but his recent victory at the 6633 Arctic Ultra — a 620km foot race through brutal Arctic terrain — took his limits to an entirely new level.
In this episode, Isobel and Ron dive deep into Aaron’s preparation, mindset, nutrition, and the brutal realities of racing in temperatures that can drop below -30°C.He shares the highs, the hallucinations, the problem-solving, and the personal transformation that happened mile by frozen mile. Whether you're training for your first 50k or chasing your own wild ultra dreams, this conversation will light a fire in you.
Today, Ron and I give our updates then discuss the importance of training suffering. If you don't ever suffer in your training, when you start to suffer in a race it will be a big shock!
Ron and I give our running life updates, then we discuss using motivation vs discipline for running. Enjoy!
Isobel's daughter Elizabeth comes on the podcast to share her experience as crew at The Barkley Marathons.
The Runner's Fuel: Why Carbs are King.Carbohydrates are quickly converted to glucose, the body's primary energy sourceGlucose is stored in muscles and liver as glycogen, which fuels intense exerciseRunning depletes glycogen stores, making carb intake crucial for performanceThe Mental Game: How Carbs Affect Your Running Psychology.Carbs influence serotonin production, affecting mood and motivationProper fueling can prevent the dreaded "bonk" or "hitting the wall"Mental clarity and focus improve with adequate carb intake
Ron and I chat about my Barkley experience! And boy, was it an experience. This is a tale of trials and tribulations: enjoy!
