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

Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb 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/ Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwick Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns Follow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runs Music from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY