<a aria-current="page" href="/" class="router-link-active router-link-exact-active"> The ZenRUN Podcast

5 days ago

Episode 605 - Floods, Heat and “Let’s Just Go” - Sym Mercer’s Delirious Check-In 5

5 days ago

In this fifth Delirious 2026 check-in, Sym Mercer joins me fresh off a very eventful few days - including flood-affected roads, an unexpected overnight stop, and arriving home just in time for our chat. As always, Sym takes it all in her stride. We talk about her latest training block, racing at Hell of the West, dealing with heat, humidity, and a lingering injury that thankfully isn’t stopping her moving forward.

There’s also plenty of classic Sym humour in this one - from her poor damaged bike, to retirement from swimming, to practical race wisdom like not overthinking the packing and remembering that if you forget something… Western Australia does, in fact, have shops. 😄

What really stands out in this episode is where Sym’s head is at now. She’s done the work, she’s packed most of the bag, and she’s ready to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and get to that start line. It’s a great chat about adaptation, resilience, and the strange relief that comes when all you need to do is put one foot in front of the other for a few days.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

⸻

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.

2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

⸻

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

⸻

🎙️ Explore all episodes:

6 days ago

Episode 604 - Bianca O’Neill: Mountains, Meaning & 30 Days to Delirious

6 days ago

With Delirious WEST 2026 getting very close, Bianca O’Neill is back for Check-In 4 - and while she says she “hasn’t done much,” that turns out to be very untrue 😄

In this chat, Bianca shares how her Sandman 50K didn’t quite go to plan, with a sore knee turning the final 10K into a very determined fast walk… but thankfully with no lasting damage. From there, it’s been a full month of adventure, including family time in Albury-Wodonga, parkrun, beach hiking, a girls’ trip to the Stirling Ranges, and a sunrise mission up Bluff Knoll after a 3am alarm and a slightly traumatic swag escape.

We also talk about Bianca’s role as race director for Herdy’s Frontyard Ultra, the fun she brings to the event, and how she’s already dreaming up more big adventures beyond Delirious - including more epic road running in preparation for her bigger goal in America.

But this episode also carries a deeper layer. Bianca shares that she’s running Delirious for her friend Danielle, who has incurable brain cancer. What started as a fundraising effort has already been met with incredible support, and Bianca’s reason for running now goes far beyond the race itself. It’s a moving reminder that these big events are never just about mileage - they’re about people, purpose, and making the most of the life we’ve got.

On top of all that, Bianca’s coaching business is growing beautifully, with four athletes already on board and more waiting until after Delirious. She shares how coaching is helping her become a smarter athlete too - practising what she preaches, thinking longer term, and learning when not to race all the races.

This one is fun, honest, full of laughs, and grounded in what matters most.

Check out the fundraiser Bianca spoke about - https://fundraise.curebraincancer.org.au/fundraisers/biancaharding/bee-strong-for-danielle

Interested in Coaching with Bianca - https://www.facebook.com/bianca.j.harding

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

⸻

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.

2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

⸻

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

⸻

🎙️ Explore all episodes:

Thursday Mar 12, 2026

Episode 603 - MM - 213 - Dry yourself mindfully

Thursday Mar 12, 2026

This week’s mindful moment invites you to slow down during an everyday transition: dry yourself mindfully. After your next shower or bath, take an extra minute to truly notice the experience. Feel the towel against your skin, the contrast between cool air and warmth, and the gentle movements of your body as you reach different areas. Instead of rushing through, let this be a full-body check-in.

There’s something deeply grounding about caring for your body in this fresh, in-between state—clean, awake, renewed. When you bring presence to this simple ritual, it can shift from routine to something quietly sacred.

This small habit can become a quiet anchor in your day — a moment to pause, breathe, and return to the present without needing to stop everything you’re doing.

Little moments like this add up. And often they’re the beginning of something bigger.
⸻

💛 Want your running (and your headspace) to feel a little lighter?

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

⸻

A couple of small favours

1️⃣ If you’re enjoying the podcast, a quick follow, like, or review helps more runners discover it.

2️⃣ Got a running story — or know someone we should chat with? I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

👉 https://zenrun.club

⸻

🎧 Explore all episodes

Wednesday Mar 11, 2026

Episode 602 - Injury, FOMO & Sleep Banking – Nikki Frost’s Final Month Before Delirious

Wednesday Mar 11, 2026

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I catch up again with Delirious WEST 2026 athlete Nikki Frost as we enter the final stretch before the start line.

And as you’ll hear… the last few weeks haven’t exactly gone to plan.

Nikki has been managing a stubborn ITB injury, juggling moving house, searching for a new gym in Melbourne, and figuring out how to keep training without making things worse. The good news? The injury is improving — but it has meant missing events like Gone Nuts 75K, which brought a fair bit of FOMO along with it.

We also talk about the realities of preparing for a huge race when you’re still learning the ropes of ultra running — including nutrition experiments, gear that hasn’t quite been organised yet (much to my amusement), and the importance of practicing crew support with her sister Natasha before race day.

One of the more interesting ideas Nikki shares is “sleep banking” — deliberately maximizing sleep in the days leading up to the race to prepare for the inevitable sleep deprivation during the event.

There’s also discussion about:

• Managing an injury while still building confidence

• The mental challenge of skipping races when the bigger goal matters

• Practicing aid-station teamwork before race day

• The chaos of last-minute gear planning (or lack of it!)

• Training runs, including a planned practice 50K

• Nutrition ideas — including Nutella, Ferrero Rocher and pancakes

• Why sleep might be one of the most important race strategies

With just a month to go before Delirious WEST, the excitement is building — and like many athletes heading into their first big ultra, Nikki is balancing preparation, patience, and a healthy sense of humour.

And if you enjoy a bit of mother-daughter banter… this episode definitely delivers.

⸻

Why You’ll Love This Episode

• Honest talk about training through injury

• The emotional side of missing races (FOMO is real!)

• Practical ultra preparation ideas like sleep banking

• A behind-the-scenes look at crew planning

• A fun and very real conversation between mother and daughter preparing for the same race

⸻

Next Big Adventure

Nikki will be lining up at Delirious WEST 2026 in just a few weeks — one of Australia’s toughest trail ultra adventures through the forests of Western Australia.

We’ll be checking back in after the race to hear how it all unfolded.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

⸻

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.

2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

⸻

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

⸻

🎙️ Explore all episodes:

Tuesday Mar 10, 2026

Episode 601 - Holiday Mode to Race Mode: Kylie Bell’s Delirious WEST Check-In 4

Tuesday Mar 10, 2026

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I catch up with Delirious WEST athlete Kylie Bell as the countdown to the start line gets very real.

Kylie has just returned from an incredible two-week holiday in Japan — complete with runs around Lake Fuji, cooking classes, and some very adventurous food choices (including puffer fish… which she only realised after eating it!).

With around a month to go until the race, Kylie is shifting from holiday mode back into race mode. The training might not have been perfect over the last couple of weeks, but like many of us preparing for big adventures, she’s focusing on consistency, preparation, and trusting the experience she already has.

We also chat about gear choices, sleep strategies, the mental challenge of running past the finish before actually finishing, and why sometimes the best race strategy is simply sticking with what already works.

Kylie has completed the Delirious event before and brings a calm, practical mindset to the start line — including a plan to run the 100-mile event without sleeping, something she’s successfully done before in other ultras.

As always, these conversations give a real behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like preparing for one of Australia’s toughest trail ultras.

And with the race now just weeks away… the adventure is about to begin.

⸻

Why You’ll Love This Episode

• Kylie’s Japan holiday stories (including the accidental puffer fish dinner!)

• Running around Lake Fuji with Mount Fuji as the backdrop

• How “tourist training” (20,000 steps a day) might still count

• Why experience makes race preparation simpler over time

• Gear choices and sticking with what works

• Thoughts on sleep strategies for the 100-mile race

• The mental challenge of running past the finish before actually finishing

• Why sometimes the best preparation is simply consistency

⸻

Tips from the Kylie

1. Stick with what works

If your shoes, socks, and gear worked in the last race… don’t overthink it.

2. Experience reduces the stress

The more ultras you do, the more you learn what really matters — and what doesn’t.

3. Consistency beats perfection

Even if training gets disrupted (hello holidays!), getting back into a simple rhythm can make all the difference.

4. Preparation can calm your crew too

Kylie uses spreadsheets for aid stations so her husband knows exactly where to be.

5. Stay flexible

Plans change during ultras — being adaptable is one of the most important skills.

⸻

Next Big Adventure

Kylie is lining up for the Delirious W.E.S.T 100-mile race in Western Australia — one of Australia’s most challenging trail ultras.

With about a month to go, the focus now is simple:

consistent training, gear checks, and getting ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

⸻

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.

2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

⸻

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

⸻

🎙️ Explore all episodes:

Monday Mar 09, 2026

Episode 600 - Running Through Life’s Toughest Moments: Jason Phillips’ Journey Back to the Start Line

Monday Mar 09, 2026

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with Jason Phillips – a runner whose journey into endurance running has been shaped by resilience, adventure, and some deeply personal challenges.

Jason grew up in a sailing family near Newcastle in New South Wales. Boats, windsurfing, and life around the water were a huge part of his childhood. Running, on the other hand… not so much. In fact, as a kid he was a sprinter and absolutely hated cross-country running.

Fast forward a few decades and Jason has found himself drawn to longer distances and big adventures.

But his running journey hasn’t been straightforward.

In 2024 Jason was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which led to surgery and a long road back to fitness. During that time he lost a lot of the speed and conditioning he’d built over the years, and had to start again almost from scratch.

Instead of giving up, Jason decided to channel his energy into something meaningful.

He organised a run of the Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia, finishing on Anzac Day, raising funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

And now he’s preparing for an even bigger challenge – the Delirious WEST 100 miler.

This race carries a deeply personal reason. Jason is running it to raise funds and awareness for the Liver Foundation, after his father Brian passed away suddenly last year from liver cancer.

It’s a powerful reminder of how running can become more than just a sport. Sometimes it becomes a way to process grief, honour loved ones, and do something positive in the face of life’s hardest moments.

Jason also shares what it’s really like to rebuild fitness after illness – including starting again with very simple training and learning to trust the slow process of base building.

This conversation is honest, raw, and incredibly inspiring.

Why You’ll Love This Episode

• Growing up in a sailing family and discovering running later in life

• Why Jason hated cross-country running as a kid (and how that changed)

• His prostate cancer diagnosis and the long road back to running

• Running the Cape to Cape Track to raise awareness for prostate cancer

• Training again from scratch after surgery

• Why he’s running the Delirious WEST 100 miler to honour his father

Tips from Jason

• Start small and build gradually. Even experienced runners sometimes need to go right back to basics.

• Don’t rush fitness after illness or injury. The body needs time to rebuild.

• Slow training builds the foundation. Jason spent months running very slowly to rebuild his aerobic base.

• Trust the process. Progress can feel frustratingly slow – until one day it suddenly starts to click.

Jason’s story is a beautiful reminder that running isn’t just about races or times.

Sometimes it’s about healing, honouring people we love, and simply putting one foot in front of the other.

Jason’s fund raising page - https://www.mycause.com.au/page/388321/running-for-bryan-100-miles-for-the-liver-foundation

The MAF Method mentioned - https://philmaffetone.com/method/

⸻

💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

⸻

🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.

2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

or email hello@zenrun.club

⸻

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

⸻

✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

⸻

🎙️ Explore all episodes:

Wednesday Mar 04, 2026

Episode 599 - MM - 212 - Fold something slowly 🧺✨

Wednesday Mar 04, 2026

This week’s mindful moment is beautifully simple: fold something slowly. Whether it’s a towel, a t-shirt, or even a napkin, take your time. Notice how your hands move across the fabric, the texture beneath your fingers, and the neat lines forming as you fold. Let the task become your anchor. As you slow the movement, notice how your breath softens and your thoughts settle. You’re not just tidying up—you’re creating a moving meditation.

When we choose to slow down on purpose, we give our nervous system space to breathe. And that, in itself, is a quiet gift.

This simple habit acts as an anchor - a grounding point in your day that brings you back to presence without needing to stop everything. Small, consistent mindfulness adds up - and this is a beautiful place to begin.

💛 Want running (and life) to feel a little lighter?

If you loved this Mindful Moment, you’ll enjoy The ZenRUN Reset Collection — a simple set of guided audios and tools to help you reset your running rhythm, clear your head, and get back to enjoying movement again.

Help us spread the word:

1️⃣ Enjoying the podcast? A quick like or review really helps other runners find it.

2️⃣ Got a story - or know a runner we should chat with? Message us on Facebook or Instagram, or email hello@zenrun.club

✨ Run happy. Run easy.
ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and people who get it.
👉 zenrun.club

🎧 Explore all episodes:

https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/

Tuesday Mar 03, 2026

Episode 598 - 2026 Delirious Series - Karin Ridley - Undercover Ultra Runner, TFL Tears & Red Dirt Sunrises

Tuesday Mar 03, 2026

This week on the ZenRUN Podcast, I’m checking back in with Delirious 2026 athlete Karin Ridley — and wow… this one is full of grit, humour, and real-life curveballs.

Since our last chat, Karin discovered that her “niggly hip” wasn’t just tendinopathy — it was a 4.8–9cm tear in her TFL 😳

Yes. A tear. In a tiny little muscle.

And instead of spiralling (okay… maybe just briefly), she did something radical…

She listened to her physio.

For the first time ever, she followed medical advice to the letter — and it’s working. She’s now back to gentle run-walk sessions, stacking strength work, biking like an “undercover ultra runner,” and carefully loading the body so it doesn’t re-tear.

We talk about:
• The difference between fatigue and pain (and why that matters right now)
• Why strength training is her non-negotiable
• How going alcohol-free has dramatically improved recovery and energy
• The mental game of starting underdone… and backing yourself anyway
• Smart drop bag strategy (labelled Woolies bags and all 😉)
• Sleep hacks (including why she sleeps on her stomach mid-ultra!)
• And… casually starting FIFO work in the Pilbara 7 weeks before race day 😅

There’s something powerful about watching an experienced athlete adapt instead of panic.

Karin knows it’s going to hurt.

She knows she won’t feel perfectly prepared.

But she also knows she has the skills, the support, and the mindset to get to that start line.

And sometimes… that’s enough.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

💛 Want a steady plan - and someone in your corner?
If you’re ready for more structure, clarity, and personalised support, I offer one-on-one ZenRUN coaching.

No pressure. No ego. Just a plan that fits your real life - and keeps running feeling like the best part of your week.
👉 Learn more about ZenRUN Personalised Run Coaching
https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/

A couple of BIG favours:
1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please like and review the podcast — it helps more runners discover it.
2️⃣ Come on the podcast and share your running journey, or refer someone you’d love me to interview (even if you don’t know them personally!). Let’s stop keeping the power of running a secret.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram at ZenRUN.club, or email hello@zenrun.club

🎧 Don’t miss an episode
Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

✨ Run easy. Run happy.
ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and people who actually get it.
👉 zenrun.club

🎙️ Explore all episodes:
https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

Monday Mar 02, 2026

Episode 597 - 2026 Delirious Series - Eve Knudson - Life Is Part of the Training

Monday Mar 02, 2026

This week on the ZenRUN Podcast, I catch up with Delirious 2026 athlete Eve Knudson — and wow… real life has been LIFE-ing.

New high schooler.
12th birthday celebrations.
A $40–50 million work submission.
Midnight finishes.
And almost no running for a week.

Sound familiar? 😅

In this honest and refreshing check-in, Eve shares what it feels like when everything stacks up at once — and how sometimes the very thing that would help (a run!) is the thing you’re too tired to do.

But here’s the good news…

She’s back on track.

Sunday long runs are now adventure-style outings with Brian — 26km loops, coffee stops, pole practice, four hours on feet, and zero concern about pace. Slowly ramping. Pulling up well. No injuries. No blisters. No nail dramas. 🙌

We also dive into:

• Her detailed 100-mile spreadsheet (yes, she built it herself and she’s VERY proud of it)

• Aid station timing, sleep strategy at Denmark, and pacing goals under 48 hours

• Gear testing, pack dilemmas, anti-chafe realities

• Beach running (and why neither of us love it 😆)

• Training tired as part of the process

• Nutrition tweaks, protein goals, and the slow-but-steady body composition journey

• Giving up alcohol (almost permanently… almost 😉)

• The mindset shift from “scattered and overwhelmed” to calm and steady

One of my favourite lines from this episode:

“Life is part of your training.”Because Delirious isn’t just about kilometres.

It’s about parenting.

Work stress.

Sleep deprivation.

Staying consistent when things aren’t perfect.

Eve might feel slightly “undercooked” — but she’s uninjured, consistent, and mentally steady.

And with 44 days to go… that’s a very good place to be.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

💛 Want a steady plan - and someone in your corner?
If you’re ready for more structure, clarity, and personalised support, I offer one-on-one ZenRUN coaching.

No pressure. No ego. Just a plan that fits your real life - and keeps running feeling like the best part of your week.
👉 Learn more about ZenRUN Personalised Run Coaching

A couple of BIG favours:

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please like and review the podcast — it helps more runners discover it.

2️⃣ Come on the podcast and share your running journey, or refer someone you’d love me to interview (even if you don’t know them personally!). Let’s stop keeping the power of running a secret.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram at ZenRUN.club, or email hello@zenrun.club

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

✨ Run easy. Run happy.
ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and people who actually get it.
👉 zenrun.club

🎙️ Explore all episodes: