We kick things off with the Australian Cross Country Selection Trials under the lights at Stromlo. With automatic spots on the line and no livestream (cheers, Inside Running IG Live), we try to unpack who will make the team, who is in pole position and who's spots could be in jeopardy - but realistically who can predict what the selectors will do! Plus: Leanne’s statement run, and how the crafty 'qualification times' may come into play.

Then we head to the UK, where Great Britain’s Euro XC teams were announced. We talk through the final selections, the debate around the 6th spots, and how recent form shaped the squad.

From there, it’s all eyes on Spain with our Valencia Marathon preview — elite fields, surprise additions, and the Aussies and Brits lining up for big runs. We look at the major contenders, the storylines to watch, and the names we think could explode on race day.

In the news segment, the Grand Slam Track saga somehow gets even messier. Financial restructuring, unpaid vendors, athlete payment issues, and letters requesting 50% settlements… we break down the latest chapter in what has become the sport’s biggest clown show.

Plus:
🏃‍♂️ Training Weeks – Ryan’s return-to-run update & how Dean’s build is tracking. Eoin continues in fine form getting back into it after national XC
📺 YouTube Diaries – what we’ve been watching (and what we haven’t…)
🤝 Double Trouble – you know Eoin won't let it slide

Ryan and Dean break down the Irish National Cross Country Championships with Eoin joining briefly sharing his race experience and the tough conditions on course. We also celebrate Ryan's very special engagement.

The conversation expands to NCAA Cross Country Championships results, collegiate recruitment policies, and team competition dynamics. Plus: training updates, racing reflections, athlete YouTube highlights, and a preview of upcoming events. Join the Boys having a casual chat about the sport we all love.

A very light agenda meant for lots of off topic discussions and jumping down some different rabbit holes this week:

- After Ryan read out the complete incorrect start lists, we previewed the upcoming Australian Selection Trials for World Cross Country Championships in Florida in January. They Australian selection race takes place this Friday in Stromlo over 10km and star athletes such as Cam Myers, Morgan MacDonald, Haftu Strinzos, Seth O'Donnell and Leanne Pompeani feature amoung the start lists.

- We discuss who our favourites and picks are for the races as the athletes fight for 6 places on the team, despite only 2 places being offered as guaranteed as part of the selection trials.

- Eoin previews the upcoming Irish Athletics National Cross Country Championships that he will be a part of this weekend and explains just how deep the fields will be and gives some insight into his race tactics.

- We touch on the British equivalent in Liverpool where we hope to receive some on the ground correspondence from with full race reports to follow next weekend - start lists are out but only the entire field so we search a few key names - shock, no Mo Farah

- Seth O'Donnell runs remarkable back to back 3000m races at the VIC Milers meet last week

- Ollie Hoare has been bigging up Perth as a top living destination, we discuss some pros and cons (sharks)

- Ryan and Dean have been at it again on the bikes so we share some laughs over the past weeks rides

- Dean provides YouTube diaries from Gen Gregson

- Ireland Soccer teams recent successes

00:00 Introduction and Cycling Discussions

02:50 Injury Updates and Recovery Challenges

05:46 Upcoming Cross-Country Events and Predictions

08:40 Results from Recent Races and Athlete Highlights

11:27 Australian Cross-Country Championships Preview

14:02 Discussion on Perth and Living Conditions

16:38 Final Thoughts and Predictions for Upcoming Races

26:53 Cultural Differences and Perspectives

29:42 Ocean Fears and Swimming Experiences

33:29 Running Trials and Selection Standards

36:26 Irish National Cross-Country Insights

44:29 Training Strategies and Race Preparations

47:02 Upcoming Races and Athlete Insights

53:26 Elite Athletes and Their Training Regimens

56:26 Training Insights and Shoe Preferences

59:58 Strava Segments and Competitive Spirit

01:03:05 Recovery and Massage Benefits

01:06:25 Threshold Training and Race Preparation

01:12:30 Cycling Dynamics and Group Ride Etiquette

01:23:52 The Journey of Recovery and Progress

01:30:07 Insights from the Running Community

01:33:01 Emerging YouTube Channels in Running

01:38:00 The Challenges of Balancing Parenthood and Elite Sports

01:46:14 Doping and Integrity in Athletics

Keywords

running, cross-country, training, injuries, performance, cycling, athletics, competition, coaching, events, elite athletes, training regimens, recovery techniques, threshold training, cycling, injury recovery, race results, athlete insights, doping in sports