Tales from the Valley - Episode 4 ft. Brad Croker

Sam and Russ get the chance to sit down with a real big dog in the running industry Bradley Croker. Crokes grew up in Mollymook and didn't run so much as a kid, but was inspired by the 96' Olympics and picked up running casually on the treadmill. Fast forward Crokes is a co-host on the Inside Running Podcast and has had a very successful running career with a 2:17 marathon and impressive PB's all the way down to the 800. 

Crokes runs us through some beautiful running trails between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, in fact was humbled on a few long runs by the Ulladulla Rats club when he was younger. We get to hear a bit of detail about Brad's greatest achievements including the Lake Biwa Marathon, Sydney 10 and Christchurch Half Marathon. He then gives us an overview of his experience winning the Christchurch Half Marathon a few years ago, though acknowledges the course will have changed when Russ and Sam head over.

Crokes updates us on his slow build back to fitness after being diagnosed last year with Ventricular tachycardia. Russ continues to struggle getting back into training with a pinecone jumping out in front of him during his run and starts to lean towards an approach of jogging his way back to fitness and stripping out the intensity. Sam stacks together 2 solid training weeks both of 118km, honing into marathon pace despite the humidity and caps things off with a very solid long run in Bawley point after celebrating Amelia Berry and Jake Tranter's wedding. 

The guys cap things off with an overview of the Canberra Marathon course given a large Wollongong contingent are running this, with some wise words from 2 previous 3rd place getters (guess which 2 hosts). A big shout out to Charl Jansen Van Rensburg's 2:40:41 result at Osaka Marathon coming very close to his A-goal. 

If you haven't already check out Inside Running Podcast via the link below:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0XNi1i6IdT2TJBc8uwy2IY?si=5c42817cae9a4403

Also support the Sam and Russ's Fundraiser for the Little Miracles Trust via the link below:

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/tales-from-the-valley-podcast-race-christchurch