37: Reece Langdon - World Para Champs, racing through injury & cat-dad life
From running back and forth to the letterbox on his family’s farm, to standing on a Paralympic podium, Reece Langdon has already packed a lot into his short para sport career. He’s a world record holder in the T38 1500m and T38 5000m, he won a silver medal at the World Para Championships in 2023 and a bronze medal at the Paralympics in Paris in 2024.
In this episode, Elise chats with Reece about the sting of finishing fourth in the T38 1500m final at this year’s World Para Champs in New Delhi, racing through plantar fasciitis, and why lining up fully healthy is now his biggest performance goal.
Reece also tells us about the freak virus that changed everything at six years old – strep throat that led to partial paralysis, months in hospital, and doctors warning he might not be a very active kid. He takes us through learning how to walk again, speech therapy, living with ataxia, and the 13-month paper trail it took to be classified as a para athlete. We also chat about the growing depth of the T38 field and his friendly rivalry with fellow Aussie (and friend of the podcast) Angus Hincksman.
Off the track, Reece is a proud new cat dad to Lola (yes, there’s a kangaroo-style pouch to carry her in), a full-time runner with ASICS, and an athlete who’s learning to actually celebrate PBs instead of instantly chasing the next one.
--
Loved this episode? Subscribe to Run With It, share it with a mate who loves a good 1500m, and leave a quick rating or review to help more runners find the show.
--
Follow us on Instagram:
@reece_langdon
@runwithit.pod
@elisebeacom
--
Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer
--------
1:14:06
--------
1:14:06
36: New York Marathon: The biggest wall I hit was border security
Elise explains why she’ll be a DNS (did not start) at New York Marathon this weekend…
Sit back, relax and settle in for a series of unfortunate events and a good ol' yarn.
--
Follow us on Instagram:
@runwithit.pod
@elisebeacom
--
Music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer
--------
38:30
--------
38:30
35: "This is Vanessa. She is so cool." - Catching up with Vanessa Wilson post World Champs
Vanessa Wilson is back for a catch up post her World Championships debut in Tokyo!
Vanessa never expected to be selected for the Australian team. Her husband (and coach) submitted her nomination without telling her, and lo and behold, she got the call up!
The 43-year-old teacher and mum finished the marathon in 38th place overall and was the first Australian home on a difficult course in brutal conditions. Vanessa talks through the lead-up navigating work, home renovations and heat prep, which included trips to Queensland, infrared saunas and ice baths.
More than anything, this conversation is about quiet confidence. Vanessa reflects on "belonging" at this level, the mental side of a late-career debut, and the consistent work behind a performance that surprised even her.
If you want to hear more about Vanessa’s story, including her 2:28 breakthrough run at Berlin in 2024, and how she got into running later in life, go back to episode 16 of Run With It.
--
This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.
--
Follow us on Instagram:
@runwithit.pod
@vanessateacherrunner
@elisebeacom
@mikrocoffeeroasters
--
Music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer
--------
1:08:32
--------
1:08:32
Sole Sisters - 18: The ex-files - a marathon redemption tale
One year on, Alice opens up about the heartbreak, anger and a low-mileage training that turned Melbourne Marathon into a personal redemption story. From moving states and Eat-Pray-Love inspired therapy, to proving to herself she could finish 42.2 km on her own terms, it’s raw and relatable for anyone who’s ever run through a break up or other tough times.
Along the way Elise shares her own New York Marathon training update (including a lonely 32k long run digesting the Geelong Cats’ recent Grand Final loss). There’s also a cameo from a very attentive pool lifeguard, and we swap notes on Berlin’s hottest marathon and Harry Styles running incognito.
--
This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.
--
Follow us on Instagram:
@runwithit.pod
@alicebaquie
@elisebeacom
@mikrocoffeeroasters
--
Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer
--------
1:23:08
--------
1:23:08
Sole Sisters - 17: Sequin bathers, start-line sass & building for New York
Lost luggage, sequin bathers, and start-line poses we probably shouldn’t attempt…
Elise is home from Italy and Alice is back from Portland and Hood to Coast with a LOT to unpack. From field-event fandom at the World Athletics Championships, to Sydney Marathon’s debut as a Major, to Elise’s short-and-sharp build for New York, this one’s part catch-up, part race recap, and part therapy. Spoiler: trail relays are brutal, you can never have enough cowboy-boot shot glasses, and sunglasses at night might be a thing.
If this episode made you laugh, crave tomato salads, or impulse buy a sparkly one-piece, share it with a mate, rate/review the pod, and follow along as Elise builds to New York with AB in tow as number one hype gal.
--
This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.
--
Follow us on Instagram:
@runwithit.pod
@alicebaquie
@elisebeacom
@mikrocoffeeroasters
--
Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer
Run With It is a running podcast with a human face. The running boom is here, and host Elise Beacom is determined to find out who’s behind the hype. Often playful, sometimes serious, this show explores juicy topics with the most influential people in running. Each week, Elise interviews a guest shaping running culture in unique ways, whether as a sports journalist, a professional runner, a coach, or a leader of a community run club.