We’re back for 2026 and straight into it. After a short holiday break, Courtney and Liam reset the clocks, check the bodies, and ask the big questions about running in the year ahead.

Is the running boom still growing? Will HYROX plateau? Which brands and shoes are about to dominate? And are we heading for a shift back toward elite athletes telling better stories?

Liam unpacks his Japan trip — from ninja-quiet runners in Kyoto to disciplined Tokyo run clubs and why ON shoes might be everywhere in 2026. Courtney fires through bold predictions on injuries, events, and brands to watch, before the boys dive into training chat, favourite sessions, and the realities of staying injury-free while still chasing speed.

There’s also a sharp conversation on winning vs participation culture in sport, cross country making a comeback (with alligators involved), and why effort still matters more than ego.

2026 starts here.

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Courtney on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 67 is our New Year’s Special — a bit of a look back, a bit of a laugh, and a thank you to everyone who’s been part of the In The Beginning family this year.

With Liam away in Japan, Courtney jumps on solo to wrap up what 2025 actually looked like: the Gold Coast Marathon series and Bronte’s journey to the start line, Benita’s calm, no-hype coaching. Doubts, sickness, missed sessions and all.

We roll through some of the biggest moments of the year: sitting down with Jelly Roll before his first Aussie show, marathon gold from Michael Shelley, Matt Hauser’s world title season, physio tips from Britt Caling, plus plenty of blunders, banter and laughs along the way.

No fake motivation. No influencer noise. Just effort over ego.

Happy New Year legends — 2026, let’s get after it.

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Liam on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Merry Christmas 🎅

Most importantly, a massive thank you to the In The Beginning community. Your messages, questions, voice notes and support are the reason this podcast exists — and the reason we keep turning up each week. We wouldn’t do this without you.

Liam's going to be trading Christmas Day runs for Disneyland in Tokyo, while Courtney dives deep into Strava’s backend data to unpack what 2025 really looked like for runners.

We break down the anti-doom-scrolling stat (2 minutes on Strava = 1 hour of activity), the world’s most logged shoes (ASICS Novablast, Nike Pegasus, HOKA Clifton), SEQ vs Sydney run culture, Gen Z lifting for aesthetics, and why blokes jump straight to marathons while women dominate half-marathon training.

Plus:

🎄 The most intimidating sports to try

🎄 Why multi-sport athletes are the most consistent

🎄 Liam nearly concussing himself texting while running

🎄 UTA Miler prep and a Noosa Ultra Trail 50K qualification locked in

🎄 Favourite moments from a huge year of the podcast

A proper end-of-year wrap with plenty of running, laughs and perspective.

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Liam on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠