#190 Izzi Batt-Doyle: Chasing the Australian Marathon Record & Coming Back from 7(!) Stress Fractures

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Kristian sits down with Izzi Batt-Doyle, a two-time Australian Olympian (5000m at Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024) who is now fully committing to the marathon, where she holds a PB of 2:22:59 and Australian records in the half marathon and 10k on the road.

Izzi talks openly about the pressure of racing as a favorite rather than an underdog, her rocky path through college running in the US including seven stress fractures and a toxic culture around weight and eating disorders, and how she rebuilt her training around strength work, sleep, and fueling to become injury free for seven years.

She breaks down her marathon training in detail: weekly mileage, her signature "monster session," carb loading, and the strength program that's transformed her recovery. She also shares her Boston Marathon experience, her ongoing chase of the sub 2:20 barrier, and what's next in her career.

In this episode:

- Racing as the favorite vs the underdog

- Two Olympics, missed finals, and never winning a national title on the track

- Transitioning from track to the marathon

- Seven stress fractures and a toxic college running culture

- What actually fixed her injury cycle: sleep, fueling, strength, footwear

- Marathon debut: 2:28:10 and nailing her nutrition

- Boston Marathon 2025 recap

- Chasing the Australian marathon record and the sub 2:20 barrier

- A breakdown of her marathon training week and her "monster session"

- Strength training specifics: hip thrusts, single leg stability, and more

- Founding and coaching her own recreational running group

Content note: this episode briefly touches on disordered eating culture in college athletics. Please take care while listening.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and racing as a favorite vs an underdog

02:51 Where the real pressure comes from

04:51 Izzi's background: two Olympics and a marathon debut

07:27 Transitioning from track to the marathon

09:49 What her track career taught her

12:13 College in the US and the injury years begin

18:08 Realistic goals and staying consistent

20:31 Starting out at university in New York

22:35 What caused her stress fracture cycle

24:06 Toxic culture and disordered eating in college running

24:43 What finally fixed the injury cycle

28:37 Why she always knew she'd end up in the marathon

30:33 Her first half marathon and marathon debut (2:28:10)

34:46 Nutrition, carb loading, and her background in the field

36:39 Boston Marathon 2025 recap

41:22 Her marathon PB and chasing the Australian record

43:47 Training breakdown: weekly mileage and structure

45:34 Her marathon "monster session" explained

1:00:21 Using Nomio (broccoli sprout supplement) in training

1:02:27 Balancing an early coaching group with early morning fueling

1:08:12 Strength training: how and when she trains it

1:12:45 How heavy she actually lifts

1:14:04 Closing thoughts and where to follow Izzi

Izzi on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@izzibatt-doyle

Izzi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izzibattdoyle/

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Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns

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