Sunday Runday The Podcast

45: Joy in the Journey: From the Pool to the Pavement; A Runners Journey

In this episode, we chat with Shori Hijikata, a former Harvard swimmer who discovered a whole new world in running from late‑night hotel treadmill sessions to chasing World Major marathons across the globe.
 
Shori shares how she transitioned from the structure of collegiate swimming to the freedom of running, how community transformed the sport for her, and what she learned from her first marathon in Sydney all the way to running Tokyo in her birthplace.
 
We dive into her fuelling breakthroughs, her love for the global running community, and her excitement for returning to the New York City Marathon with more experience and bigger goals including the dream of earning a Boston Qualifier.
 
It’s an inspiring conversation about growth, grit, and finding joy in every stage of the journey.
 

44: Your Stride Has a Story: Aletheia Run and the Future of Smarter Running; A Runners Journey

This week, we’re joined by Cooper from Aletheia Run, the groundbreaking wearable that measures motion directly from your center of mass giving runners a clearer picture of their form than ever before.
 
Cooper breaks down why most runners never see the real breakdowns happening in their stride, how center‑of‑mass data changes the game, and what you can actually do with that insight. We dive into smarter training, better movement patterns, injury prevention, and the small daily habits that make a huge difference over time.
 
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening beneath the surface of your run or how to train with more intention, efficiency, and longevity this conversation will shift the way you think about your body and your stride.

43: The Tokyo Marathon: A Dream Lived, A Line Crossed, A Day We’ll Never Forget; A Runners Journey

This week, we sit down to unpack our Tokyo Marathon experience a race that meant more to us than we ever expected. For Clara, it was the dream she’d carried for years. For both of us, it became the day everything clicked. We talk about the electric energy of Tokyo, the kindness of the Japanese people, the moments that pushed us, the moments that lifted us, and how we both crossed the line with PBs we’ll never forget. It’s a story about dreams realised, goals smashed, and a city that gave us everything.

42: Coffee, Community, and Courage: Inside Redfern Run Club; A Runners Journey

This week, Gerardo takes us inside the emotion of his first Sydney Marathon from the stranger whose words kept him moving, to the moment he saw his wife and daughters cheering with signs and cowbells, all the way to that iconic finish by the Opera House.
We also step into the early‑morning rhythm of Redfern Run Club, where simple routines, shared miles, and post‑run coffees have built a community that shows up for each other.

41: The Crazy Running Man: Running So No One Runs Alone; A Runners Journey

A raw, human, runner‑to‑runner snapshot of Jack’s unbelievable journey. In this episode, he shares how a simple COVID run spiraled into some of the most extreme challenges imaginable—50km every day for 50 days, then 100km every day for 100 days—all in the name of mental‑health awareness. Jack opens up about why he runs, how community keeps him going, and the power of starting real conversations while moving side by side.

40: From Guesswork to Growth: Derrick’s Marathon Evolution; A Runner’s Journey

In this week’s episode, Derrick shares how he went from guessing his way through long runs to training with real intention. He talks about the early lessons that shaped him, including his Sydney Marathon experience where underfueling taught him more than any finish time could. We also dive into the excitement of his upcoming Tokyo Marathon, where he’ll be lining up alongside a friend and chasing the next chapter of his running journey.

39: Pursuit of Performance: Where Community Fuels the Mission; A Runner’s Journey

This week, Rob joins the show to share his remarkable running journey from his first marathon to completing all seven World Marathon Majors in a single year. He talks about building Bronx Burners, the run club that grew into a nonprofit serving its community, and offers hard‑earned insight as a three‑time Tokyo Marathon finisher. Expect stories, lessons, and a look at what makes Tokyo one of the most unforgettable races in the world.

38: The Courage to Rise, The Strength to Go Further; A Runner’s Journey

After a life‑altering accident left him paraplegic, Jay was told his athletic days were over. Instead, he rebuilt himself from the ground up learning to walk again, reclaiming his identity, and pushing into territory no one in his condition had ever reached.
 
In this conversation, Jay shares the mindset, heartbreak, and relentless drive behind becoming the first paraplegic athlete to reach Everest Base Camp without the aid of a wheelchair and completing an ultra marathon. His story is a powerful reminder that limits aren’t fixed they’re meant to be challenged.

37: Inside the Runner’s Lab: Know Your Numbers, Unlock Your Potential; A Runners Journey

Nick from METS Performance Consulting joins the show to unpack the key physiology behind stronger endurance. He breaks down what VO₂ max actually represents, how runners can train to improve it, and why understanding lactate threshold and heart‑rate zones can transform the way you approach your workouts.
A clear, practical conversation for anyone looking to run smarter, race stronger, and make sense of the science behind great training.

36: Starting Late, Aiming High: Rachel’s Running Revolution; A Runners Journey

Rachel joins the show to reflect on where we first crossed paths at the Two Bays Trail Run and how discovering running later in life reshaped everything for her. She shares the story behind creating the RUN DCT run club, chasing marathon goals in Boston and Ballarat, and the big ambitions she’s lining up for the year ahead. A conversation full of community, momentum, and the power of starting whenever you’re ready.