In the beginning, episode 27, let's start with the big story. What's the Courtney? Elliot Kipchoge is coming to run Sydney Marathon. It is a big story, the biggest story. What do you what do you think when you heard? I thought a very smart move by him. Why? Well I mean every time he runs you're literally looking at records. So he pretty much has all of his pressure on him to become this sub two hour guy every time he races. It's all about time.
Sydney has elevation, it's not the course to run a fast time on and that means he can come here and just concentrate on trying to win a race. This is, this was a bombshell. When I saw the email come up that Sydney had an the Elliot Kipjoge was coming to run this first time ever as a major. He's coming to run it. My mum was blown. And the ripples throughout the running community have been, it's been everywhere. It's the biggest story. And I have gone deep like I have.
I've been prepping ahead of wanting to talk about this with you. Yeah, right. Do you know what his marathon record is from profession as a professional marathoner? Outside of the sub two hour. Yeah, outside of the project, obviously. Vienna, which is where he broke, became the first human ever to run under 2 hours. No, you've 21 marathons. Yep, 16 wins. Yeah, that's crazy. He's never finished worse than eighth.
He had 10 consecutive wins across the marathon from 2014 to 2019. He is running London in in next month on the 27th of April before he comes down here in Sydney. So I've got questions I'm gonna litter you with here. I don't know. I don't know how. Good. I'm gonna be on the questions but but he's a goat, right? There's no argument. A lot more excited than I am about this. Yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm pumped. You're. You're going to Sydney.
Well, I want to go and run. I want to go and do the marathon now. Changed you. You're like 100% in. Yeah, This is, this is a, this is a once in a lifetime money can't buy opportunity to say you've run in a marathon with the greatest marathoner of all time, in my opinion. That's how I'm viewing it now. OK. Four months between races, that's is that a That's a relatively short turn around right for a marathoner. It probably is as if he if he's
trying to do world records. But like I said, I think this is a smart move. Come take the money, show up Sydney Marathon, try and win. Time's irrelevant. Let's get to the money in a moment, because that is a talking point too. I've done some research into that. Yeah, good. He's never run in Oceania before. So. Jet lag another thing makes.
It long way to come and jet lag when you can run in Europe and America. Makes it a big I, I think it adds to it The, the, you know, he's four years of age once he's raced Sydney, New York then becomes the only major he hasn't raced as well. OK. So that and he's mentioned after the Olympics that he wants to compete in all these majors as well. Well. This makes sense then. Yeah, I I sound like I'm being negative on this one. No, no, this is this is absolutely my.
This is amazing. He's coming down here. You're just not as excited as me. I'm just not as excited as you and I'm just also playing the other side of it and being realistic about, you know, I suppose some of the other factors that may contribute to these decisions. Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's get to the money because this really interests me. Yeah, In I've got, I actually think. Have you done some research? I've done because I I thought I thought I was going to and I didn't get.
No, no, no. I've done some research. In fact, before you get the money, can I just quickly say because I don't want, I want the money to stay separate because I think it's a really big talking point. This is a huge win for Sydney as a as an event. I think I think prior to we know Sydney made that major push or massive push to become a major in the last two years. They they made the decision they wanted to become a major
marathon. They spent the marketing money on getting the numbers up from a competitive standpoint. They made the changes to the courses necessary and they earned the classification last year. This will be the first year as a major marathon to land Elliot Kipchoge in your first year as a major marathon. If there was any doubt about the pre Eminent Blue Ribbon Marathon in Australia, it's gone now. Yep, it is Sydney.
Well done. You got to tip your cap to the race organisers for for making this. Yeah, talking about talking about tipping your cap because we're going to talk about the money and we we're just talking we have no idea here or I have no idea here. Do you think being the first year it's a major and the fact they've signed it on the majors themself actually helped tip in here? Absolutely, 100%. Have to, absolutely, they would have to make sure it's
successful. Yeah. I've thought more about this whole, you know, because since we've been talking about these, the marathon in Sydney and we talked about, you know, there's been existing marathons in Australia. I mean there was really no other option if you're going to run a tourism style like scenic run in Australia. Yes, Gold Coast obviously has high rises and the beaches and everything else, but you know, Sydney really is, and I'm hating saying this, but it is the
global capital of Australia. Absolutely. If you're in America, if you're in middle America, if you're in Montana, you might recognise Sydney with the Opera House and and the the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You're not going to recognise Melbourne, you're not going to recognise Gold Coast, you're not going to recognise Sydney. You know, of course there's certain parts of the world that would, but realistically Sydney and Airs Rock or Uluru are the two places that foreigners recognise.
That's it. The, the beaches of the Gold Coast, you would say. I, I think it's more iconic and more recognisable internationally than anything Melbourne has to offer. Melbourne, Melbourne. And the other thing about Melbourne's marathon itself is it's it's not that interesting aside from the finish at the MCG. But it come I'm saying it purely comes down to recognisable global icons. Exactly so. And Sydney's Scotland.
And when? Yeah. And when you measure it alongside, you know, the Brandenburg Gate of Berlin, London, with Buckingham Palace and running down the Mall there, New York into unto itself, it was the only option. That's the only option conclusion I've come to. It was the only option that didn't make it a Gimme. Sydney did the work. We money makes it a give me. Yeah, yeah, but but. Like you, you throw enough money at something and eventually.
But it's, yeah, it happens. Money can fix, money can fix it. It can cover up those things. So Sydney's a winner for me. The city of Sydney, the marathon itself, the running community in Sydney, I think they'll benefit from from this. The other winner out of Elliot Kipchoge coming to town is Nike. True. Nike is a big winner here.
Because reservations, yeah. It's all the run brands will be looking to make the most of Australia, having it's first ever major this year in Sydney. All of the run brands will be looking to host events, bring influences into it, have people Rep reping their brand as well as the elite runners themselves. It's as bad having as many of those 50,000 plus marathoners wearing your kit as possible. I think this instantly tips the scales in favour of Nike for the Sydney race.
Yep, Ellie Kipchoge, the most recognisable marathoner on the planet. The GOAT coming down here wearing Nike shoes. He will be everywhere throughout the city from a branding perspective. It's not just shoes, it's, you know, there's a lot the, the logos everywhere, right? And it's on that. This will feel like a Nike event for mine now. This first year with Elliot, you, you don't know what the future holds, which. Shoe brand actually sponsors Sydney Do you know I. Sure, I think it's ASICS.
Right. Oh. I think Sydney Marathon, I'm going to do some quick. Yeah, do some quick Googling now. I've got a. This is a. This is actually it's probably a question that some people are gonna. It's wow, the race itself is presented by ASICS. Wow. It's the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS. And yet I think the perception will be it's a. Nike event because the one man you keep bringing it back to is going to take over. Great. Bit of ambush marketing, Yeah. By Nike.
Now you're talking as a like a die hard runner. You love running. Yep. I've got a question that's probably gonna rub some people because most people are runners that listen to us up the wrong way. But it's it's an honest question. Do you actually think, how many people do you think in a marathon who are just out there running? Of the 30,040 thousand, 50,000 people even know who wins the race?
If you're running Gold Coast Marathon, how many of you, how many of those marathoners that day know the winner of the race? Less than less than 20%, I would guess. I would say less than yeah, I'd say maybe 10% are aware of who the winners are The. Actual winners are and do you think that's because they just it's irrelevant to them, they don't care? Or is it the job's not done well
enough to make it a thing? And do you think so where I'm leading with this question is do you think by having Jacoby here that that will change that? And if he wins or loses everyone in that race and knows or is are we runners thinking that? And do 40,000 people who are, you know, 30-40 thousand people who are running that in that other 80% still don't care. Well, I'll give you an example. I don't know who's won the Gold Coast Marathon the the last since I've been competing in it.
And you know what? I don't know who's won the cities of Surf every year I've competed in. See, that's wild. I don't, I don't know. For such big events that the winners. Are almost irrelevant. Are irrelevant. Yeah, are. Almost irrelevant, I think if you're a spectator on TV because of the coverage, the result is a known thing. But I think that. It's minimal. I mean, that's minimal
spectators. Maybe this will be different because you know, it'll be kind of shown a little bit more, but then you've got to be still watching free to air TV, happen to be there on a Sunday morning and probably half interested in running. Yeah. And I I think what to talk about. What do you think They'd I'm I'm. I'm Why do we? Go down. Why do you think runners in participating in a sport? Because it's not like tennis or golf.
Yeah, everyone who plays recreational tennis, everyone who plays recreational golf is gonna watch the Masters and and know who wins, know who the best players are. But we do this sport, it's probably got more participation than the most sports out there, if not the most participation. Yep. People don't care about why. Do we not care who wins? What do you reckon?
Jesus, it's a good question. I haven't really thought about it. And there's probably and, and I imagine anybody who's running along on their long run is thinking the same thing about. Well, do you care if you're running along listening? Do you, do you care? Like I'm saying that in a harsh way, do you care? But does it make a difference to you and going to an event and doing it if who the actual winner is male and female? I, I guess it's, it's one of those rare.
It's unlike any other sport in the world in that and I get to come back to Sydney and the reason I now want to go down and run. I can line up on the same start line as the GOAT, as Elliot Kipchoge and run the exact same course on the exact same day under the exact same conditions and the only difference is that he's going to run it a lot faster. I will never be able to walk on the court with Roger Federer. That's true. I will never be able to take the court with LeBron James.
There is this defined line between excellence and the best and what they're allowed to do and the way they and, and where they play their sport and how they play their sport and the conditions under which they play their sport and running in which and, and particularly marathon running. I think that's the point as well. I wouldn't be allowed to walk out onto a track with Usain Bolt or, you know, never. That's that's not even the short track and field stuff, the sprinting stuff.
It's something, now as I think about it, it's something truly unique to marathon running that you can at any at, well, at any number of events around the world, take the track, take the same field, enter the same arena with the best. In the world, that's true. And make that comparison, yeah. But you could then argue you're still not, so you're a 4:30 or five hour. Run marathon. You've been put in Group F Do you ever see that front of the
line where the race starts? Do you ever get near a time when you cross the line and the race finishes? Are you even going to be exposed to that at the race? No, you don't. But just results, but then we've just also said 80% people. I care, don't care and. Sandy, that's my, this is my question. And I there's no way, I don't know, no, no answer to it.
It's, I think it's a really, it's something we should think about as a like, as you know, runners and we keep saying there's a running boom, there's a running, you know, everything's happening. But there is a real disconnect in running in particular between what elites follow and what participation of this sport follows or is important to what this follows. And that even probably then you
could add in that middle group. We've all, you know, earlier on in the episodes we talked about a lot of then, you know, influences doing things and how much impact they have to an audience. Versus Shiko Kipchoge. Yeah, I wonder. It's now I'm now I'm interested to know. You see where I'm going? Yeah. No, no, no. I. Really do.
It fascinates me because I've generally been involved around areas of sport where you're, so you're so focused on who's the best, who's coming up, what's happening. It's sort of like a competitive nature of a sport and watching big sports, like I said, golf, tennis, where you know you've got people sitting at home for hours on end watching at the end of a competition who don't even, some of them don't even play tennis. Why in running is that
disconnect there? I don't know but and I and I don't want to get all fruity and fluffy about this, but there's something you. Just want to get back to talking. About no, no, no. There's something kind of there's, there's something kind of romantic and beautiful about the idea. Again, I come back to that at these major marathons or non major marathons around the world, Gold Coast for example, let's look at Jen Gregson. Yes. I raced on the same course as Jen Gregson last year.
This is an Aussie athlete I see at the Olympics. This is an Aussie athlete I've seen at Commonwealth Games. This is, you know, just these are the to know that I'm out running the same course on the day. I saw Jen Gregson on the marathon course last year and I I think I was, I was probably at 27 KS or something like that when she was coming back the other way. But I remember thinking, this is cool.
That's Jane Gregson coming. I think she finished second or third in the women's category last year. I'm like, that's cool, that's amazing. That's that is a feeling you can't get in any other sport. I don't know why I can't tell you who won the women's race last year, but I can't. So yeah. Yeah. All right, let's go back to jargon. Yeah. Yeah. What do you want to ask? No. Well, let's get to the money. Let's get to the money for the money and leave.
We've spent plenty of time on this and I know this is I could do I could you all spend the whole episode and I'm going to move Liam, Liam, Liam on. For those of you that want to hear more, call me. But for those of you that want to hear less, I'll do this quickly. Some data. Yeah. Usain Bolt at his peak when he came down here, he was paid. Do you remember there was a, a series of three meetings where it was like the US versus I don't remember the world know
this. He was apparently paid a 7 figure appearance fee to commit to all those three meetings. Yes, as well as giving a stake in the company running the event. Apparently during his peak he was getting paid 200 to 350,000 as an appearance fee to compete for context, right? I just want to give you that context. Ellie Kipchoge Some research I've done In 2021, the top marathoners in the world were receiving appearance fees of about 200,000 per race. So that's US. That's US.
That's irrelevant of what he'd done. I found a Reddit thread which said Kipchoge was paid 300,000 US to run in London in 2020. Yep, in 2024 there was his marathon. He had an appearance fee and this was all in Kenyan money, but his appearance fee plus his sponsorship of the various brands he was associated saw him earn 500,000 US for one of his marathons. What do you think he's getting paid to run here? No idea. That's my that's that's my honest answer if you had to have no idea.
What would he be worth to you? You have an. Understanding, knowing the NSW government and their spending, yeah, they could be paying him $1,000,000. That's what I think he's being paid. That's my honest answer. I, I, I reckon I do believe they would overspend to get an outcome. He also could be getting paid 200 grand like a normal fee. But I doubt with all of the circumstances we talked about at the front, we're just purely guessing here.
But I just think the money that was pumped into this from a, in a government perspective to get it here. Why not? Why would they stop now? The tap was on. Keep the tap on. Yep, I think Ellie Kipchoge is being paid $1,000,000 to come to town to come and run the Sydney Marathon first year as a major. As you said, it's now. Why would you get to this point and try and nickel and dime a situation?
In for a penny, in for a pound. We can get the greatest marathoner in the history of the sport to come and compete in our first year as a major marathon. Write the cheque. What's the money roll in? Boom. Yeah, I think he's getting paid $1,000,000. We're completely guessing here. What I do, what I remember with marathoners, like some of the more Australian runners who would go to the majors, I was always surprised, the depth of
payment for the marathon. It's like we're talking, you know, maybe 10/20/30 thousand U.S. dollars for that top 20. So to get the whole, you know, how a major's got to attract a certain level of field so that payment debt goes right throughout the field. So obviously you got your marquee guys who are being paid them, you know, real big bucks. But marathoning of all the running, you know, always was like, you know, they're still getting even down.
They're still getting dollars down at the bottom when you're obviously the best in your country, but you're definitely not running with a chance of meddling in those events they're still looking after. Them all right, keep Chogo free zone from here on out all right over to you. Over to me, I'm going to throw up some audio because I think I have found the best marketing campaign I've ever seen. So talk about maybe NSW government and whoever the benefit. All the different people are
spending a lot of money on that. This thing cost 2 pairs of shoes. Have a listen. Sportswear is the biggest hype right now so people would do anything to get items which leads our store to sell out in minutes, but most of them only wear them to do that. Talk about. Instead of doing sport shoes only as a running store 1st we wanted to bring sport back into sportswear. So on the 13th of September we decided to drop an exclusive access distance presents.
Rob it to get it for one day. We made our most wanted items available for free. The only thing you had to do was rob them. Oh wait, there was just one condition to run faster than the security guard we especially hired. The security guy was a French sprinter. Only the true runners could get them. After more than 100 attempts, only two people managed to get away. But then things got out of control. A running store in Paris allowed customers to steal shoes.
All this for the price of only two pairs of shoes. Yes, it definitely was a robbery. Now I got some stats. So what it was called, it was Robert to get it. It was a shoe store in Paris. Nick Stone shared this. Now look they got 14,000,000 organic views. They, it was about like it was said, €12 million in marketing. In it they gave away 2 pairs of
shoes. Obviously there would have been a bit of money in, you know, the social and all that, but we're talking about probably less than a few grand here. And I think probably one of the most successful guerrilla campaigns you would have seen in marketing. So the guy who was chasing the security guard was a French Olympic sprinter? Really clever. This is. Really clever.
I don't know. We've we've seen, we've talked a bit about marketing and the shoe marketing and really clever in the eye and all this, this is just. Really clever. When was this campaign, do you know? No, I don't know. What I love though, is there's nothing new. Under the sun is a phrase that basically says that all ideas are stolen. You've seen this. In 2011, OK, the you know, have you ever stayed at the Art
Series Hotel in Melbourne? I've stayed in the one in Yeah I had favourite near Albert Park. Yep, Yep. They ran a campaign in 2011 to steal a Banksy. They had a Banksy painting hung up in the foyer behind the reception desk and they invited guests to steal it. And if you stole it, you kept it. It was an authentic Banksy painting and they said. With security, obviously you. Steal it, you keep. And someone, someone stole it and pinched it.
And I was, from what I can remember, they came in posing as maintenance staff, managed to get it down into the car park, into the boot of the car, off they went. It was could have been set up. It could. Have been set up but amazing campaign right? Like this out of the box stuff is, but they've you know, for running this was gold. That and that is brilliant, brilliant marketing, Brilliant marketing.
Interestingly, was it, what was the brand actually that that didn't that didn't jump out to me in the marketing campaign? Well, it's a shoe store that sells, so it's a. Specific. Multiple brands. So they were saying like generally they sell out for when they're doing sports style shoes. Yeah, but they're a running brand. It's cool. So they wanted to focus on. Running, it's a. Really, it's a great. Great piece. I'm I'm gonna say it's probably the best. Well, until I've heard about the
Banksy one. It's. Probably the best one, but let's say. It's the best running one, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I've heard that's so. Yeah. Thrilled. To bring that one in. Nice. Now this is do you know, you know Logan Martin. Logan Martin. Yep. Logan from Logan. Logan from Logan So Olympic gold medallist in park freestyle at Tokyo. Tokyo Olympics. Yep, runner. You mentioned this on the phone the other day. Tell me more about.
This I'm trying to hook up more but for the moment I still think let's just have a quick chat about this. Logan Martin, for people that don't remember the Tokyo Olympics, he burst on the scene because the reason he kind of became known a won Olympic gold. So he's the best in the world, but also he had this purpose built set up, park set up in his backyard. Yeah, that overlooked the whole. Suburb. It was incredible, incredible. And all the TV stations picked up the story.
The fact that he was Logan from Logan, he had all these great little storylines around him aside from his performance. So yeah. Logan So he's a, he's a like literally flips bikes in quarter pipes, half pipes, all of that. What do you reckon he runs a marathon in? Has he run marathons? He's run a marathon. What do you reckon? Have a Have a gamble. He's an Olympic athlete. I'm gonna say he's runs a three 4340. 308. He runs a 308.
In non race conditions on the Gold Coast on the 16th of March. So when was that? What on Sunday? On Sunday? Last weekend. Him. So on. Tim Rigby, who's Alex Rigby's brother. No, the brother of Rigby's brother. He's his strength and conditioning coach.
So I've been fed this information, but I went in, he's on Strava. He's run a 428 average for moving time, 3 hours 8. A few boys got together, ran 42.2 and up and down the coast, like literally it looks like the Gold Coast Marathon course and he's run a 308. Right. It I, I, it tells me, I mean, let's not forget we, we talked about this with Caleb Ewan when we're just like, there's just freaks out there that and Caleb Ewan jumped in that pool and did that insane thing of 100
hundreds. No, no, Richie. Port. Sorry, Richie. Port. Not Caleb. Yeah, but how old's Logan Martin? Let me have a look. Well, why you look that up? No, I've got him. He's born 93, so what's that make him? 31, so he's 31 years of age. OK, so but also you how much I've, I have never BMXed. I've never BMXed. I assume there's got to be some level of cardiovascular output with the peddling. It's probably not the extent well. Yeah, but I mean, it's still, it's still trick BMX.
It's not like he's he's, you know, racing around the BMX. Not like Siasaki Kibara. No right? No, no, no, no. This is like peddled down do jumps type thing. Geez, that's impressive. The 308 now. What's gonna make this more impressive now he did it off. Six weeks of training, 1212 weeks. I don't like that 12 weeks of winning. He was 12 weeks post winning the world champs from Freestyle Park and he's. Right knocked out a three O 8. So that's the context.
Forget the how long he told to do it, he just won BMX park worlds. Yeah, but this is what, 12 weeks later? He's managed to run a three O 8 and the machine 'cause I machine. Yeah, look, I I assume there's because Harry, Harry Garside's another one. Who I think we're going to see a lot more of in the once his boxing subsides. He's the one that we could see pop up as a bit of a triathlete or a long distance runner 'cause he's got his cardiovascular is
incredible. Apparently he goes all right in the Tri world. Yeah, right. The boxer you remember talking about. These are the ones we've got to try and, or try and discover, yeah, not uncover or uncover is who, who are the, who are these? Like who are the athletes? Who are the people out there? Who? Sneaky runners, Sneaky runners. All right. Runners in the closet, can you get? Logan on the show I'm. Gonna do my All right. He's Rockstar, so Nah.
He's not. Even we can have we can have a Rockstar and a Red Bull at the same time. That's fine. No, but I've gotta. I'll give you a little. Bit more. Oh, you mean he's Rockstar? Rockstar Tarik, don't you? Bet he's a Rockstar. He's a Rockstar. Though evil, he's a Rockstar. If mate, we're Rockstar. He would be a Rockstar. All right, shout out, Logan. Yeah, we'll just punch out a casual marathon. We'll save it, we'll save it 'cause let's hopefully you can
come and have a chat. All right now we are two weeks out from today, the day people listen to this, we are two weeks out. In two weeks time we will be down in Tasmania preparing for the Salomon Golden Trail series. Kunani. We will be. Well, you will be. Yeah, let's talk about this, Courtney Atkinson. So it's a disaster, Liam, I mentioned last week I had a bit of a hip or something impinging
on something not right. And then I've been down in Melbourne. I was down in Melbourne for the F1 and a few things over the weekend. It, it hasn't improved. And as of today I've just come out of an MRI and actually Doctor Ben was just giving me a call while we're on here. Doctor Ben calling you. I wanted to know what the result, the results were. Now it doesn't seem too bad. Let's fingers crossed. But what it is, Liam versus Courtney looks like it's
probably off. If I can run next weekend, it's gonna be a little bit more of a candour. I'll be down there, don't worry. In my opinion, it's gonna be you versus. Pete, but in my before you get to me versus Pete from Salomon. I was scared of I'm making this is a win the win to you this. Is a win to me This is Courtney V Liam now reads school on Liam 1 Courtney new yeah yeah fair you're gonna you're gonna take the I'll I'll accept it you're gonna take the yeah OK yeah. I'll, I'll that's.
On record, by the way, that is on record Liam won Courtney zero it's. It's not a great way, not a great time to be. How do you? Feel. Like an idiot, because here I am preaching. Preaching about, you know that. What's that saying when they say, you know, never take your own advice or you never take your own advice? Do as a, not as I do. Not as I do, yeah. And that's simply what I did when when the when the floods were on or when the cyclone was here. I did something I wasn't used to.
Gotta my something. Frustrating though, because you've been running really well, you've been getting that speed back that you've been searching for and and then to now have this niggly thing. It, it's, it's, yeah, no one wants to hear excuses anyway, and I'm going to get this
sorted. But I think the other thing is, what with what's coming up over the next kind of three to four months and what what what we have planned, there are going to be other people in my situation who have either hurt themselves coming back from something, you know, doesn't matter what the experience is, you can always take something out of it and learn. And at this stage, I'll give you the the, I suppose the most transparent I can be is I can't
run as of today. So as of this week, I'm not being able to run. I've been about, it's been about 7 days since I've been able to get on. Yeah, no running. And so, but as you pointed out, there are going to be other people in this circumstance and your attitude right now, I thought you'd be flatter than you are. And I think there's probably something in this a little bit just as a pre emptive.
We're going to talk about this more over the next couple of months because of leading into Goldie Marathon, all the rest of it. But your perspective of just can you just talk a little bit about the idea of like, right, you're injured, you you're getting it diagnosed and and now what? Like what's your attitude to it? You're just going to get it right. Well. Probably what's the what's the phases agree. You probably caught me at the you know more towards the end
phase you. Seeming you seem very accepting of it, There's no. I'm, I'm in the acceptance phase for sure at the moment, but I'm also optimistic that great, you know, I suppose the reason look, I went to see professionals. That's the first thing. Like I tried to manage it for my by myself for about 5 days, six days. And then when I saw it wasn't, you know, I could have waited another week. I could have waited three weeks.
But I went. And lucky enough, my run group have, you know, it's multidisciplinary kind of this. Professional. We've got some professionals in there that can help out and everyone chipped in, but like I actually ask for help this time. And that's the key. That's probably the thing in the past I have not done really well. I'll let things go too far and this has gone far enough to stop me running. But I think we're also like, let's go and sort this out.
Let's make sure we know what it is because I've got to get back. And that's why I'm probably in a decent mood is that I'm like, I'm going to get answers. I'm not guessing any. Isn't it weird? And this and this is this can be a lesson and you know what? Blokes were talking to you. Women are so much better at when there's an issue, whether it be physical, health wise. Let's go and get it sorted. Blokes is a stereotype and I realise I'm throwing a broad
blanket here. We stick our heads in the ground and we ignore things. But as soon as you go and get it actually checked and share and it's like, oh, weight gets lifted. Yeah, it's not as bad as I thought. Oh, it's actually there's a simple fix to this or there's a fix to this. I'm not gonna have to figure it out in my own brain if I go and actually talk to somebody. About, oh look, I was, I went for a run out of Melbourne CBD down to the tan and I, I was so
emotive, I was hobbling. But, but I said I'm going to go, I'm going to get through this. You know, it's all good, it's all good. But then at some point you just realise, Nah, it's not, it's not as good. So yes, I'm frustrated 'cause I know what I did. I know exactly why I did it and what I did. Yes, I'm accepting at this stage as well. And look, I'm still, yeah, you've got to be optimistic. I'm optimistic. We're still like, either way, we'll be down in Tassie. So this is on me now.
Watch, it's you verse Pete talking about Pete over there. Pete from Solomon, he heard us talking last week and he doesn't want you to have any excuses at all that he has all the equipment. I got to say I haven't met Pete, but I admire the man because if I if if I was put into a match race against somebody and I could not disadvantage them, but certainly not bring them up to an even playing field by gearing them up with the best stuff, I would take it.
There is no way if shoe was if shoe was on the other foot, there's no way I would have done what Pete has done. He'd. Give you the training shoes instead of. Literally arm me. He he has. I've walked in here to the studios today, Courtney, and you have a gift pack from Pete for me, from Salomon, and he has arm me to the teeth with everything I need. That is, that is. Talk to me about this shoe. That is A cause a it. Looks epic. It's an expensive shoe it. Looks. Unbelievable.
He's looked after you, that's for sure. So that's the S Lab Genesis true story that is actually designed by Ryan Sands, who is a South African Red Bull guy who, you know, runs around Ultra. Yeah, he's run across Nepal of, you know, he holds a heap of fastest known time records, does all the same marathons, all that type of thing.
But that's so the way Solomon worked, they obviously have all of their range and then anything you see with S lab on it is there, you know, top of the range like the HS finger. Holder, yeah. Right. It's like that, you know, next level up. If that Chinese carbon shoe you got me was the ugliest looking shoe I've seen, this isn't. This is the sexiest looking running shoe. Like hold hold it up to the camera so I can zoom in on it for once it.
Feels I'm getting what's that famous brand that uses kind of the corduroy pattern stylings over it? I can't think of what it is anymore. It's got fashion written all over. It doesn't. Have it is this is as fashionable a shoe as I've if someone walked down the runways of at a fashion show and this you'd go yeah, that looks that doesn't look out of. Place Yeah, so this is my shoe
work. We were giving you the the soft Genesis. Yeah, no, we had you in the the Ultra Glide. Yeah, the Ultra Glide. Yeah, very comfy. But we talked about the fact that. But this is what I race. This is what I'd race in down at the speed off and I'll be doing my faster fart like in this shoe and that type of thing. So Pete's racing trail shoe he's got. Me a pair of these which is big. Of him so no excuses he's got literally decked you out there with.
Packs and I've got I've got the the Salomon vest, I've got the hat. What you know is you got no excuses. Now Liam, I know I did get some great feedback off our chat last week when I you were surprised about the course and how much elevation. Was in the first. What was that? Or just people laughing at you. That I'm not aware and preparing, yeah. Yeah, that. That I'd literally thrown you under the bus. And not only have I thrown, are you under the bus now?
I may not do. It Oh, I look, I again two weeks out. Yeah, I actually couldn't be. We'll talk about our running weeks in a SEC, because, and not to rub salt into your tight hip pointer wound, I'm actually running really good at the moment. Well, that's good to hear. I'm running really good, he's. Not gonna like to hear that I'm running really good. I'll tell you a bit more about. The way to do that?
I'm I look two weeks out. I'm gutted that you're where you are with the injury I am. I'm getting genuinely more and more excited about this. I can't wait. I'm so excited. It's gonna be a great adventure. I'm looking forward. To Yeah, well after this one, the next time we actually chat we'll be be coming out on the Saturday morning of of. We'll be down there.
The event, yeah, Alright, so the last one on this type of thing, well, not running specifically, but you know, we're talking about High Rocks and CrossFit and the CrossFit is moving over, funny enough. Talk about trends. I see CrossFit is up for sale. The whole thing. The the whole thing so funny enough, isn't, isn't Berkshire Partners? Isn't that who we're talking about? Owen Brooks? Was that the same old? Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway. Now that's famous.
Who's the? Well, go figure. This one says after five years, Berkshire Partners they who acquired CrossFit have now put it up for for sale. Not a good sign. Yeah, what is it? What do you read into that? I read into it that they. Has the bubble burst? Interestingly, do you know who signed with High Rocks as like a provider or a partner? F45F45 used to run their own events too.
It's an interesting, like I suppose there's no different to running to having multiple or triathlon, having multiple distances, multiple brands who own events and all that type of thing. But what is more interesting I think around this, like call it the hybrid space or whatever it is, they seem to kind of all flock to the one and then move to the next. I'm just trying to think. And then the next. If there's a sport that's died before. What about it wasn't called True
Grit? What was the Tough Mudder? Tough Mudder? Have you had a Tough Mudder reason? No, I haven't. How big? Tough Mudder was. Yes. Everyone going to Tough Mudder that. Was when you think about it, really what High Rocks is doing at the moment, It is to an extent causing I, I, I'm trying to think of another sport or event that has kind of caused the extinction of, of so many other things because CrossFit. Tough Mudder, I don't think
we've not very. Extinct but like, but it's certainly diminished the the spotlight time. Spartan racing is the other one. Spartan racing was a big thing. A lot of those Spartan race athletes have have converted now to high rocks. Yeah, I, I wonder. Well, interesting like say Tia Claire Toomey, who yes, thought we talked about. Race with James Newberry in High Rocks in Brisbane. Correct, but I mean she was the Crossfitter. Fittest woman on the planet?
Suddenly she's the face of Hyrox in the sense of every single thing I'm seeing on Hyrox everyday. She's in it, she's in the top 15, she's going to the chair, she's actually running. Really like watching her run. She's moving really well. This. Is really interesting that yeah, as you say, CrossFit is officially for sale. I wonder, look, it doesn't mean the end of it. UFC, famously, that's true, was
for sale, got sold, right? And the people that took it over and Dana Wyden, the, I forget the name of the brothers Cahns or something, they turned it into what it is now. It's a monster. It's a monster. It's unstoppable. Maybe whoever buys CrossFit does the same thing. I don't know, but it's certainly at a crossroads. Yeah, so there was AF 45 and High Rocks I saw were putting an event on in Sydney.
I'm not sure. It might be a new one, like they might have added one, or whether it's just the Sydney version of it. In the comments people were whinging because they were saying it's on the same day as Gold Coast Marathon. So the crossover is real. Wow. The crossover's real. Which is. Yeah, that's fascinating. Really good to see. Interesting. All right, quick, quick loose end from last week Yep. And oh, what on earth from what on earth?
What on earth mate from? He's showroom Drew the Cyclone. He was down in Chugen, hanging out out the front of Fox's pantry. Yeah, great man. He said he was challenging us because we're talking a lot about Strive to Survive being the original that kind of brought sport to the mainstream. He was actually saying, like the movie Unbreakable is exactly the same. The scenes with the ultra runners. Oh. Hold on now, there's a movie. Isn't there a movie Unbreakable about? No. Well, this.
Must be. Which ones are you talking about? I. Reckon it must be someone that says scenes with ultra runners, the movie with the behind the scenes with ultra runners. And he said, Also Courtney, when I first come to run Trails, Solomon had the channel Solomon TV, which I'm pretty sure the F1 show was based on. They do a behind the scenes of the kind of golden series, but it's it's really focused more on running than the actual circus of it. Just had a quick Google, I'll have to watch it.
I haven't seen this. There's a movie called. It was filmed in 2012 called Unbreakable. The western states one. 100 OK, so it's around Western. States it's four world class undefeated mountain runners compete in the gruelling Western States 100 mile endurance race I'm gonna have to watch it OK I'm already excited to watch it I wanna watch it but yeah I couldn't comment on that now there's a movie called unbreakable with Bruce Willis in it is that's. Is that the bone?
The yeah, yeah, yeah, the glass. Man, I don't think that's what Anderson's. Referring to, yeah and all right. Let's talk about our running weeks. Well, you haven't done anything. I've got plenty to talk about. I've I've don't worry, I've done a lot of this has probably been my busiest week of the year, just missing the running. Missing the running? Let me wrap you up my running week so far to all those people
out there. I had so many people reach out saying hey mate, I'll go for a long run if you. Want Liz was so nice. Liam the loner over there it was. So nice, like people were genuinely concerned that I was too scared to face the long run by myself and I genuinely appreciate it and I will take you up on, I will take some of you up on the offer. I got a long run done OK last weekend. I managed to punch out 2425 KS, maintain my pace, felt good.
You know what the key was actually in the end, taking a water bottle with me, like just taking like a Little Popper water bottle thing that my kids had had from somewhere, filling that with water along the way, just constantly filling that up and sipping as I was running really made a difference. So just water. Just just. Water, No, I didn't have any, didn't have any stuff to put in at the time, but yeah, it, it really helped. So I got a long run done. So thank you to everybody.
I'm OK. I've overcome my fears. Yesterday at the day before we were recording this, I went out and did an interval session. I got a new one KPBI have not as part of an interval session. So I'm sure I could probably go out and if I just ran 1K flat out I could probably beat it. But as part of an interval session. Where were you doing? This just along the front at in Chugen sort of cure around there I went. I did 4K warm up and then it was 51K intervals.
The plan was to do 55 hundreds as well walking in between but I popped on the third one and jogged a couple of K home so that was enough. But the 5K, the 51K intervals that I did the breakdown went 55. Sorry 35348, three 43340 and a 337. Oh Gee, 337 is the fastest I have ever run a kilometre. Well controlled really. It's yeah, 337's as quick as I've ever run a car. 'Cause you've never really gone out to just do a 1K like. No, but as part of an interval
session and that was my last. Well, that's that's. Exciting, I know This is this is what I mean. I'm running. You're running well I'm running really well. I've. Given you all my mojo out here. So I'm I got over my long run fear. I had a great interval session the other morning and shout out to Ryan L Worthy, who I stole the set from here. I saw it pop up on his driver. I said that looks like a fun set. He's like it's a cracker. I stole that.
So thank you. And then lastly, last thing I want to wrap up. After I did that interval session, I went to one of those foot the the the massage places just in the mall. One of those massage. Places. Just not those massage places. Well, there's well. It's it's like just in the, you know, you never know around the Gold Coast where you what rock into. It is hard to tell what's what.
The rule of thumb I operate with is if it's got the fluoro sign out the front saying open, it's not that kind. What is that kind of place? You know, this was one in the Pines, Eleonora there. So I'm as long I go with. If it's in a mall you're pretty safe. As long as it doesn't have curtains draped over the. Front yeah, I love the I just go the old foot reflexology.
I just love them, you know, surprise runner, the bloke who was doing my fate wearing a Sydney marathon shirt and I said, oh, did you run the marrow? And he's like, yes, two years ago I'm like, oh, amazing, how'd you go? He's like, yeah, it was good. And he said I just ran APB in a soccer and I was like, really? He said yeah, I ran a 255. And I was like, and and you know, we didn't spend the next 15 minutes talking to him about running. So, new listener, Yeah, yeah, I
put him on the pod. I put your. Recruit Here's the link. Give me a phone run Subscribe. Yeah, the important. Thing yeah, so shout out to shout out to the new, my new mate at the the massage joint there, he was great. He's and I just loved runners were everywhere, Courtney and I think again it came back to this why we started doing this 'cause you never know who's a runner. Yeah. Everywhere, everywhere, everywhere. Now talk to me about your week
of non running. Yeah, what I'm going to talk about runners being everywhere. So yesterday morning I walked, I was down at Carawa Broad Beach and I just walked around the park for about 50 minutes, 'cause I couldn't, I couldn't run and I just wanted to get out. And do you know what I noticed suddenly when I started walking? How many runners are around? The next thing I'll notice is how quick runners are going at the moment. All of a sudden everyone seemed in the weather.
It was just 'cause I was walking and they were flying like people out doing interval sessions, tempos, like ice. We've we've been seeing runners. But at the moment now I'm seeing runners actually running, you know, not just jogging around. Just say it's the in the beginning effect. Yeah, of. Course. Yeah, they. So how did you, what did you, I mean, aside from observing the the speed of it, what else did you notice about it it. Was just sad that people were
moving really like that. Multiple people I saw, both male and female that morning were moving really well. Yeah, like, look like runners out there, like, you know, they could have turned up to a Gold Coast Run Coast session, joined in and not being out of place. Mr Beat, not even Mr Beat and I. And whether like I said, whether I was, I was just walking and I took more in, but that's the observation I made yesterday morning. But go back to the previous week. I've had a huge week, mate.
Absolute. I mean, when I say week going back to last Wednesday, I did get last Wednesday, I flipped down to Melbourne and the first thing I did was did a little bit of goodwill and went out and saw a young triathlon group out of Port Melbourne Momentum share that to the Momentum Triathlon Group and just a hippy young. It was actually nice because it
was just a hippy young. When I say young kids, probably anyone from I think the youngest might have been 1213 all the way up to a young lady who just got 8th in the New Zealand Iron Man. Like said like amazing, like professional and we just sat in the park and and just chewed the fat. How do they compare to how you were at that age? Do you know that? Did you find yourself thinking back to? Yeah, just, well, that that was a lot of the stories I was telling.
It's just, you know, a lot of them are trying to make, you know, young Australian teams or, you know, even nowadays some of the questions come up as around like how do I, you know, how do I market myself in a social media era? Like how do I get some of? The stuff you tell them. Yeah, well, I think one of the main things came out around, you know, if I want to attract sponsors, I'm not the best, like I'm not winning, you know, how do I track sponsors?
And the, the, the main thing I said to them is when, Yeah, this is my thoughts, at least on social media, is, you know, social media is made to create sheep. And why, why is why I say that is social media is, you know, if you get on there, it's generally trends you think about, whether it's Tiktok or Instagram or whatever. It's nearly like you're taught to be successful by following others and and adhere to the trend.
Yeah, but unless you're at the top of the tree of that trend, yeah, you're just another another person. There aren't. You. Yeah, like. Why would someone, why would a, why would a company, why would a sponsor and we're to a sport here or whatever. If you're just doing the same thing as someone who's doing the same thing, but they're actually performing better than you, you know, why would the company want to invest in you? So my thing was all about, you know, creating individualisation.
Yeah, standing out from the crowd. And that doesn't mean being a clown. That just means doing things your way and being, you know, being yourself. Because at the end of the day, really, that's your only point of difference. That is the only point of difference and I can tell you right now it's what businesses love. In the end, there's a story about you. It's how you can relate to that business or the product. And then it's a story about you. You know, people will follow
you. They won't follow you just because you're doing the same thing as, you know, the other thousand people before you. You know, it's very similar to some of the shoe stuff you see around where you know someone will flick some shoes on their feet and then you might get a lot of clicks. But how does that actually relate and, and make a conversion to someone going, oh, I saw that. I actually, I actually, you know, have a connection with that person or a connection with
what they're doing. They're telling me what they wear or what they do or how they go about things. And then suddenly that's going to make a conversion for me to then go and choose that product. Click that up. There's there's the video. There's the video from this app, Courtney I. Can never find them when we go. No, I don't know. That's that's gold. It's you. You. You are so right. But you just can't.
You can't do the same thing as everyone else and expect to just get the same result because you're not first to market. No, it's, it's, it's interesting. It's. Interesting because the young kids are asking those questions. You know, as opposed to how do I cut down my transition times? I'll run better off the bike. Exactly like, you know, I thought you were going to go how do I cut weight or something, but probably, you know, yeah. So there was it was, it was, but it was just nice.
It was really informal. We just sat down and did that. So that was the start of my big weekend. So then I was off to the F1 Friday we had could I have in town. I had a bit of AFL for the day. Lots of inside information mate that I can't share with a commentator like yourself. Now I've got a bone to pick with you. OK? What the hell are you doing out on the MCG? Covered in Collingwood paraphernalia supporting Magpies. No accusations here. I. I've seen the photo mate.
I've seen the photo, I know there's a story behind. It that is sent to me by several people saying what the hell? They're not, they're not really like that. So the last place I expected to end up was on the MCG in in the middle of, you know, the big banner. Well, they're up on the side of the banner so well through Red Bull, it was a connection through Red Bull.
Obviously they deal with AFL and a whole range of things, but Chucky. So Daniel Sanders, DACA winner, is a hardcore Collingwood fan as. Well, you can tell from the photo. Yes, I had who do we have? We had like Jess Fox, Matt, Matt Hall of the guy does the stunt play made me throw up in the
play. I had the guy Alpha blokes podcast, Tommy was with us. We had a goal group before we knew it, someone from Collingwood just shove flags in their hands and said go out and and then and then someone takes a photo and then before you know it, on Friday I had Brisbane with me. Yeah, and the two Adelaide teams with me. How do you think? How do you think I know I? Hope they've all seen that. Just at defence of all they shoved the flag in my hand.
That's not going to hold up in court, mate. That's no. If you've got, I mean you, you probably have if you got the chance to go out in the embassy. Politely decline. You say thank you, but I'm a man of principle. No one was a man of principal or woman or woman of principal that night. It was literally like we just did it. But it was a great. I mean, that was like, these are the things that. What did you what did you find? How did you find being out in the G?
Did you take a moment to look around? I just got chastised 'cause I pulled my camera out and then they, you know, the rights holders come up. Oh. Yeah, 'cause you're not never, Yeah, you're not even taking photos and stuff. No. Did you get in trouble? I got in a little get a little bit of a. Slap on the wrist. But what I was gonna say, I've been to the MCG plenty of times and you know, they've obviously got meeting rooms around there. I've never been to a sporting
event at the MCG. Oh wow. So that's the reason I ended up there. I was incredible, right. Hey, we've got a chance to go and you know, see a game tonight Port we're playing. So Trav Boaks or Red Bull athletes. Yes, that's right. Stewie Graham, the high performance manager I've just been with the day before, and then I ended up on the opposite team. Has Trav reached? Has Trav messaged you? No, Trav's wouldn't have. Been happy about that. They weren't. They didn't play very well.
They didn't play very well. I think he got hurt too. So yeah, a couple of days at the F1, which were long days, which, you know, obviously, yeah, Red Bull giving us great hospitality, checking out the cars on the. Back foot this year on the good Red Bull. Still got a second, but one second. McLaren looked very sharp. They they look very sharp. They are. There's, don't worry, there's plenty of bandit. There's a lot of Ferrari fans who thought they were gonna, like, win.
It's good for the sport. I think the domination of Red Bull for the last decade with Verstappen has been incredible to watch. But as a neutral, I think it's and and someone who can't wait for the next series of Broad Survivor to come out. Yeah, it's great because I love what it's cut I. Think it's over. What? Yeah, don't take that as gospel. Anyone listening? But they after we just said it was the best show we've seen last week, they're not bringing it back. And they've copped.
They've copped a lot of Flack about the last series, about making up the storylines. Do you know one thing I will share to you or share? I'm, I'm frantically, Yeah. While you're Googling that, I'll tell you a bit of a story about the difference between F1 and any other sports. So, you know, through my role at Red Bull, we get to, you know, obviously attend plenty of sporting events.
Like I said, ended up on the MCG on the weekend, you know, at the pits, in super cars, a whole range of different sports. F1 is then another level. Really. So like even you know, going on a pit tour, say at the F1, as you enter the pits, it's like literally cameras down. No one take a photo. You just are ushered in.
Even as like isn't as a company, you know, as part of the company as being, you know, within the family of the company who own the team, you are literally just ushered in like just like 1 of 30 they've got through that day. Don't touch anything. Don't bring that phone out of your pocket.
Because of the IP. Because of the IP, they don't want to show anything on those cars and they also don't want to, you know, you can imagine all the, I suppose, hospitality sponsors, everything happening at that event over the weekend. It's just, we think it's great for them and they're just working. It's another weekend and they do that. I think what is it, 24 or 26 races this year they're doing that week in, week out every time. And how would you be at?
You're doing your radio show each morning and 10 people just come and decide to sit on your shoulder. And if someone and they wanted to touch the thing. And they want a photo with you. Why are you trying to do the keyboard? You know, touchpad. I will say we've had that happen a couple of times already this year. They've had functions happening on in the mornings in the radio station and all of a sudden you see 30 people fall past the studio.
And they come in. And it's, you know, it's a bit of fun. It's not high pressure and all. And. But yeah, if you had to do that every time you tried to do your job, it would become. Yeah, but. It's it's the next, it's the next level. Then once you get out the front of the pits, there's a red line and then it's OK to kind of then within a reason, you can take take your photos and look, they've obviously got to cater to their sponsors as well.
But yeah, it's it's unique in that way that there's nothing that I've been around, I suppose that compares at that level. I was disappointed for the race itself. I was a bit disappointed that they had to go through the the the weather and the weather. That was the best race they've had in. Years. This is what everyone tells me, but yeah. So I got home. I actually watched the race back here in the You didn't. Even stay for the race.
No, I watched there for qualifying, had the boys from actually shout out to the boys from Alpha Blokes podcast, which obviously you know, we're doing our little thing here, but the boys were down with me and having a lot of fun and being recognised. So that's what we put on for for people to come and have a good time.
I've I've got a poll I want to put out to the to maybe at another time, But because I do want to get a sense of the other podcasts that the the the the in the beginning family listened to because I want to, I want to get wrap my ears around some other stuff to get a sense of the other stuff that our listeners listen to just to get a you. Think it'd be out like heavy? Run. I don't know, I'm just genuinely curious. Yeah, I'm looking to expand my
podcast horizons. I think it'd have to be a like a write in question because you couldn't do a poll. Too hard to do a. Poll too hard to do a poll. Another one. What else is going on mate? So much this morning actually talking about F1. Still, this morning I was sitting here on the computer and Christian Horner the. The team, The team, the principal. Probably one of the best
interviews here. He was in the Red Bull office down in Sydney and one of the best interviews I'll probably listen to. Can you give us anything from it I can? Egotistic, lots of humour. Yep. And strategically brilliant. Yeah, right. There's so many, so many perlers. One of the big things he said that are like a few things that came back and I heard. One thing is, he said, because someone was asking about you got so much data, it was like the rain on the weekend falling.
You've got all that data from the rain, but how do you make the call? When do you bring them in? When do you get them on that tyre? And the one thing he said, he goes, you can have all the data in the world, but the worst thing you can do is just follow it blindly. Yeah. Because sometimes you just go, well, he was saying, look up because of the rain. You've actually just got to physically go feel it. But I suppose the rather one is you just got to listen to the we got in the real world.
Sometimes he's saying like, I've just got to listen to my driver because they're the ones who know. So it's taking both sides. You can have you got to have a bit of everything and balance, just like we talk about in running or life to make the decisions, right? And that's how they make the decision. It's it's. Use the data you got but go and go. I was thinking about that attitude, the philosophy, in a similar way to watching The Players Championship of golf the other weekend.
Because there was a, there's some, there's a conspiracy theory or a theory that's come out that JJ Spawn, who lost in the playoffs to Rory McIlroy, made the mistake of looking at what club Rory took off the tee on this one of these playoff holes where Rory landed it. Basically Rory gave a three quarter swing on his pitching wedge or his nine or something and JJ Spawn saw him pull out the nines. So he went for an 8 and blasted it over the green or something
like that. I might be getting the clubs mixed up and the idea of the commentators picked up on him looking at Rory's club selection saying, oh, I don't know if that's a good idea of making your selection off what someone
else is doing. Basically your strategy around your competitor and that idea of going at the end of the day, you know you're going to be the one and this applies to everything I guess, but you're going to be the one responsible for, you can cite other factors you can cite, oh, well, my competitor did this and my Co worker did that and so and so was doing that.
So therefore I did this. But at the end of the day, you're the one that has to deal with the outcomes of your choices, so you might as well make it on your own merits. Yeah, but there's something about, well, what I took away from it, about this, you you internally sometimes just know when something you know, you know when there's something right or wrong. Yeah. And trust your gut. Cool. Trust your. Gut great experience. Amazing. Now, finally, a little bit of
gear. Oh well, let's talk, let's talk gear I'm still enamoured with. Have you finished about weeks slab? Shoes. Yeah, yeah, that's me. I'm. I'm so I can't. Stop looking at your your shoes. Quickly before those shoes, should I give them a run around before Kanani? Yes, OK. Thank you. I'd I'd run them in right. They'll handle, they'll handle a lot of quesos on the design, kind of like Ryan. I'll run in them, yeah. I'll run in them this weekend. If you see me on the trails,
shout out my shoes. So this, this is something, I don't know how interested you'll be in this Liam, but now Taka Kasuga. Now would it? Yep. Taka Kasuga. Well, Japanese at least you pronounce it. It's a very easy print. That's the one thing I can pronounce Japanese words. Yeah, 'cause it's just on the the two two letter syllables, right. So he's the creative force behind Arterix. Yeah, to Ark. Terex I've always been fascinated how you pronounce that brand and.
I'll probably pronounce it wrong, no? No, no, I love it. Arterix. Ark for sure, yeah, you can never get it wrong with that one. But obviously that's a it's a Canadian company like outdoor company, a little bit like, yeah, you top end retail North face, North Face thing, right. Like it's really it's their gore Tex Jack. Isn't that a really expensive They are actually part of the Solomon family, like the the the bigger umbrella family.
What is interesting. So like he's obviously made a massive impact with this in street style sports and everything. He has moved to Nike as VP of Design Excellence for apparel, accessories, accessories and equipment. Interesting. Very interesting. So what does that say to you about Nike? Because clearly they've poached him. They've gone and said we want you. What it says is watch out for what's coming because you know, he's taken a brand.
It's it's very street, but the technical way they do like if you talk to and it's probably more the Americans and Canadians. But if you have anyone who has our stuff, not only is it bloody expensive and you know, on trend, but from what I've heard, I haven't tried a lot of it, but from what I've heard, it's like the bomb on technical. As well from the technical perspective. Yeah, I mean what you know. And now you're.
Using all the same types of materials, but like from a technical point of view, you know, all of their down jackets and their Gore Tex jackets and everything like that. It's like, you know the best in the business, but you pay for. It and now he's going to a company with all the bells and whistles where budgety budget will be unlimited. But also like more matte like you know, number wise, like what then the amount they produce is, you know, matte on scale, I
would say compared. To I wonder what the I wonder what the challenges that will present for him to go from somewhere like that with Arc to somewhere like Nike. Yeah. Well, I would even wonder whether they're looking at, you know, maybe creating more custom lines in this like custom. Oh, OK. Sort of more niche stuff within. The IKEA scope, yes, or whether it's just like purely, you know, to work on collaborations with with artists or influencers or whatever it is podcast, I don't
know, but watch his space. Because I like it. What he's done with Ark is, is being, you know, huge. And yeah, he's on his way tonight. They're. Very nice. OK, very nice. You want to hit some of these listing questions before we finish things up. How are we going? Yeah, we've got time probably for one or two. Hey, say Brett, this came in on our podcast. Anyone always leave, feel free to leave questions or comments on our Spotify comments as well.
We'll always look there. So he says hi guys, love and the pod wanted to get your opinion. Living in Sydney in the running club boom is ever present here Great that everyone is exercising but for a long time runner the lack of etiquette does my head in. Wondering your thoughts, Liam and Courtney, if you were running on the if you were running on the left side of the path and a run club is coming towards you the other way four or five abreast, yelling out
let's. Go. Whilst filming selfies, is it OK to proceed like a Gordon Telus and run straight through the pack? Yes, yes, yeah, it's a. Little bit like the Hedges Ave biker this year, but runner runner on runner. No, look like don't there's what's the win, right? Well, there's it might feel good in the moment. You probably get pretty sweaty because most of them have got their. Shirts What's the win of.
It's gonna make you feel good for a moment, but ultimately the outcome is five of them turn around and suddenly you've got an awkward, aggressive confrontation that you have to deal with. Or alternatively, I don't know what happens, You might knock him over and you might actually hurt him again. Momentary win for potentially longer term drama. The just don't run bloody fibre
breasts. If you're a run club and you're particularly if you're running in Sydney, and I've run in Sydney for years, the footpaths aren't built for you to run on mass like that. If you're not running at a time where you can run around some tracks or some roads with space, find a better time to run. Don't be that group that blocks an entire run path or footpath or whatever it is.
Just don't be that group. So Brett, I know it's frustrating mate, and I know you want to drop the shoulder for the moment of satisfaction it might give you. It's probably not going to be worth it. You know what I took out of this? What? It's interesting as a he's in Sydney, but he's he's Gordon Tallis. Oh, he's a rugby league fan. Yeah, but he must be a Queenslander. He knows the boy. He must be a. Queenslander. Anyone can appreciate the beauty of Gordon Tallis.
I just, I'd like when we've talked about etiquette on the pass, forget run clubs, I just think everyone should be just aware to go left and right. Yeah, this is my left. Stay on the left. If people are just common sense, right? Hey. Everyone's got a youth path. Hey, look, if, if, if only common sense was so easy to find. If only common sense was so common, Courtney. And probably we should be called not so common sense.
Not to find. I think that's about enough today, Liam, so. Hey so this is this is our last EP before we are Tassie bound. Yes. So we will then. Yeah, the next step after this one, you hear, will literally be. You will, hopefully both of us, but we'll be live running it up the mountain and Tassie. This is exciting. This is big stuff. You're gonna be, I'm breathing heavy, but you're gonna be looking good while you do it, Liam. Yeah, I'm. I'm so excited. This is gonna be a lot of fun.
Yeah, and thanks for everyone to continue tuning in. It's growing week to week. And yeah, leave comments, give us a lie. We. Got we got some exciting stuff that's happening. The best thing you can do for us if you're enjoying the journey is to leave comments and and share the love. Word of mouth is what's helping grow this in an amazing way at the moment. We've got some stuff planned that we are continuing to do and hopefully we can share that with
you very soon. But yeah, keep sharing the love, keep commenting, and we'll see you next week. Enjoy, you're running.