Run Spesh Podcast by Frontrunner Colombo

Todd Andrews: From Outback Runner to S&C Coach — The Dream Run Across Australia for Cholmondeley Hosts Oska and Maia welcome Todd "Toddy" Andrews on The Front Runner Colombo's weekly running podcast to trace his path from a love-filled but financially tight childhood in Australia—frequent moves, single-parent upbringing, and finding stability through running—to a life-changing Melbourne school scholarship after coach Neville Sillitoe spotted his talent, mentored him, and even bought his first running shoes. Todd shares how he adapted academically, his competitive drive, and how marrying and becoming a parent young shifted his Olympic ambitions toward coaching and strength & conditioning. After moving to New Zealand in 2005, he qualified as a personal trainer, enrolled in a sport coaching degree at the University of Canterbury, graduated top of his class, entered S&C via post-earthquake opportunities with the Canterbury Academy, and completed a master's. He describes a midlife identity shift and outlines "The Dream Run": attempting three marathons a day for 30 days from Cottesloe Beach to Bondi Beach to inspire young people and raise funds for Cholmondeley Children's Centre, now aiming for next June after injury delays. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:45 Meet Todd Andrews 02:28 Family Life And Fatherhood 03:21 Outback Childhood And Moving 05:43 Growing Up With Less 09:22 Freedom And Early Memories 12:56 Finding Identity In Running 16:19 Scholarship To Melbourne 24:05 Overwhelmed But Determined 25:47 Neville The Mentor Coach 32:03 Imposter Syndrome And Resilience 34:20 Early Competitive Fire 36:29 Competitive Drive 37:01 Academic Survival Skills 38:58 Young Family Shift 41:33 Personal Training Pivot 43:28 University Breakthrough 46:46 Four Ps Framework 48:15 Earthquake Opportunity 53:21 Midlife Identity Reset 01:02:38 Three Marathons Plan 01:10:35 Cholmondeley Mission 01:19:55 Setbacks New Timeline 01:21:46 Closing Reflections

The crew kicks off this week's episode from a freshly moved (and very unfinished) Frontrunner office to bring you a massive mix of raw training realities, major global athletics news, and technical gear deep dives.
The biggest news of the week hits close to home: Oska shares his recent scan results, revealing a linear tear at the top of the proximal hamstring alongside severe high hamstring tendinopathy. It's a tough blow that likely sidelines him from competitive racing until around December, shaking up the training block but shifting the focus to a solid rehab phase.
On the racing front, the team recaps a blistering week of athletics. They break down Sam Tanner's clinical 3:33 season opener in Nice, celebrate the seven new additions named to the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team, and track standout Kiwi performances across the NCAA circuit. Plus, they dive into the Oslo Diamond League action featuring Zoe Hobbs, Peter Bol, and Imogen Ayris, and discuss the wild crossover of triathletes Alex Yee and Cassandra Beaugrand stepping onto the track for a Monaco Diamond League 5K.
To wrap it all up, the team checks in on the Wintergrind leaderboard, debates local track infrastructure wishes, and delivers a comprehensive review of NNormal's newest release, the Cadí trail shoe—Kilian Jornet and Camper's first true maximum-cushion, user-friendly daily cruiser.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to The Rundown

01:17 New Office Setup

02:20 Travel Plans and Staffing

03:44 Training Updates and Shoes

05:44 Tom's Routine and Movie Talk

09:28 Oska's Hamstring Diagnosis & Scan Results

14:37 Comm Games Selection & NCAA Highlights

18:34 Cross Country and Parkrun Hits 1 Million Events

21:01 London Marathon Goes Two-Day for 2027

26:06 Triathlon Dating Banter

26:51 Monaco Diamond League 5K Predictions

28:52 Steeplechase Pain and Heat Realities

29:46 The Betting Ethics Debate in Athletics

30:51 Cold Weather Running Gear Essentials

34:56 Caps In The Dark: Running Fashion Crimes?

36:31 Wintergrind Leaderboard Update

37:19 Christchurch Track Wish List

41:18 NNormal Cadí Shoe Deep Dive & Review

49:02 New Arrivals (On Drops, Saucony Endorphin Elite 3) & Wrap Up

Episode Highlights
The Injury Report: Oska's Hamstring
A tough reminder of the razor's edge of elite training. The MRI confirmed a linear tear at the top of the proximal hamstring coupled with severe high hamstring tendinopathy.
The Timeline: Competitive racing is on ice until roughly December 2026. The focus turns completely to active rehab, isometric loading, and supporting the local community from the sidelines.
Gear Review: NNormal Cadí
Kilian Jornet's brand departs from its ultra-minimalist, hyper-technical roots to launch its first highly approachable, max-cushion door-to-trail shoe.
Specs: 35mm heel / 29mm forefoot (6mm drop), 4mm lugs, weighing in around 270g.

The Verdict: Built on a wider, more accommodating last than the Kjerag or Tomir, featuring a supercritical foam midsole and a rock-solid Vibram Megagrip outsole. It sacrifices a bit of snappy, playful energy return in exchange for pure, protective comfort on smooth, rolling mountain miles.

Quick Hits & News
Sam Tanner: Opens his European campaign in style with a sharp 3:33 over 1500m in Nice.

London 2027: The iconic marathon announces plans to expand into a massive two-day weekend event to accommodate surging demand.

Parkrun Milestone: The global community movement celebrates a mind-boggling milestone of one million unique events worldwide.

Run Spesh: The Rundown — Injuries, NCAA Chaos, World Road Champs Squad & Novablast 6 First Look Oska, Tom and Anna kick off Run Spesh from Frontrunner with a rebrand to "The Rundown," then share training updates: Anna is back running pain-free after gym strength work, while Oska is nearly two weeks off with a diagnosed tendon tear and plans a cautious return. Tom recaps a fast, tactical winter bike race series and his current swim/bike focus. They run through major results and storylines including Stockholm and Rome Diamond League highlights, NCAA Nationals hype and a collegiate hurdles world record, plus discuss questionable wind-aided sprint times. They confirm New Zealand's largest-ever World Road Champs team for Copenhagen, shout out Winter Grind Strava pattern challenges and leaderboard, and close with a first take on the ASICS Novablast 6 specs, pricing, and where it fits. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:45 Meet The Hosts 01:00 New Name Rundown 03:46 Anna Returns Running 06:33 Oscar Injury Update 11:22 Tom Bike Racing 16:12 Future Race Plans 18:57 Diamond League Highlights 25:27 NCAA Champs Hype 28:27 NCAA Kiwi Results 29:16 Kiwi Athletes at Nationals 29:42 Collegiate Hurdles World Record 31:44 Windy Times and 200m Controversy 34:16 Blind Shoe Knowledge Challenge 35:49 NZ World Road Champs Team 41:11 Reddit Running Investment Advice 46:46 Winter Grind Strava Challenges 49:23 ASICS Novablast 6 Breakdown 55:37 Wrap Up and Podcast Outro

Oska, Anna and Maia banter through a chaotic Run Spesh episode from Frontrunner, covering a week of shop life, travel, racing and brand meetings. Oska recaps flying to Melbourne, then heading to Launceston for a half marathon where he felt flat (low HRV, blocked nose, sore hamstring/ankle), fell off pace early, and turned the race into a 70-minute tempo, likely missing his last World Champs qualifying chance; he later sees a physio and gets a plan. They highlight standout performances including Izzy "Bet" Doyle's 68:30 (with her pacer) and Haftu Strintzos' 60:41 on Australian ground. The crew also share their Melbourne trip to meet Adidas, Puma, Nike (under NDA), Mizuno and On, plus a 70th-floor Airbnb disaster, great burgers and pizza, and a callout for a new Sydenham office/podcast space and tradie help. 00:00 Welcome to Runspash 00:46 Chaotic Team Intro 01:05 Socks and Laundry Talk 01:57 Mars and Moon Detour 03:02 Podcast Vibe Explained 03:51 Shop Floor Week Recap 05:28 Movies and Pop Culture 07:18 Travel Week Rewind 08:39 Melbourne to Launceston 13:32 Race Morning Mindset 15:56 Race Falls Apart 19:11 Records and Reflections 23:02 Injury and burnout 24:08 Rest and running mortality 26:16 Stress and training load 28:32 Friends check in 30:12 Early flight to Melbourne 33:48 Brand meetings kickoff 34:56 Airbnb chaos in rain 39:06 Nike NDA and showrooms 40:59 Mizuno factory detour 44:22 New podcast room hunt