Team CPNZ - Endurance Sports Podcast

The Mackenzie Podcast | S3, Ep2: The Final Countdown

Team CPNZ - Endurance Sports Podcast

Show Notes

Let's get set for race day. This episode is all about the fine-tuning, whether that’s what you’re putting in your body or how you’re tackling the Mackenzie. We start things off with a session from sports dietitian Cushla Holdaway. Cushla is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to performance, and she’s here to help us figure out that all-important nutrition plan. We chat about how to actually use those aid stations effectively so you aren't carrying unnecessary weight, and exactly what kind of fuel you should have tucked away in your top tube bag for when the going gets tough on the bike. Then, we’re joined by Sam Shaw. Sam is no stranger to the Mackenzie, having taken out the MTB title last year, but for 2026 he’s switching things up and bringing his gravel bike to the party. We talk through his training mindset, how he’s planning to attack the massive 170km Drover course, and he even shares a bit about his insane mission late last year where he set the Fastest Known Time for the ride from Auckland to Wellington. It’s the perfect listen for your final taper rides or the drive up to the high country. Grab a brew, settle in, and let's get ready for The Mackenzie.

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