The ZenRUN Podcast

Have you ever been halfway through a run when a little voice in your head suddenly says, "Maybe that's enough for today"? 😄

This week's ZenRUN Moment is about noticing the moment you want to stop. It happens to all of us. Sometimes it's because we're tired, uncomfortable or struggling up a hill. Other times we're bored, distracted or simply not feeling it. And sometimes stopping really is the right decision. But rather than immediately acting on that thought, what if you took a moment to get curious about where it came from?

On your next run, if that little voice pops up, try noticing it without judging yourself. What's happening? Are your legs genuinely tired? Is something hurting? Are you stressed about something else? Or have you just reached a hill you'd rather not climb? 😄 Take a breath, ease your pace if you need to, and give yourself a moment to decide what you actually need. This isn't about pushing through pain or forcing yourself to keep going. It's about recognising the difference between a thought and a decision.

And it's a useful skill beyond running too. We don't have to react to every thought the moment it appears. Sometimes a little curiosity gives us space to make a better choice. Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do—Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

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

Levi Quinton is back for his first Delirious West 2027 check-in, although his preparation has taken a slightly unusual turn.

Instead of spending the weekend out on the trails, Levi climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest on a StairMaster. For 16 hours. 😳

It was all to raise money for Telethon, and what started as a fairly modest fundraising goal turned into something much bigger than he expected.

A couple of days later, though, Levi is feeling the effects. There are sore quads, a body that isn’t quite behaving itself and another big event sitting only a few weeks away.

So we chat about what that means for Feral Pig, and the not-always-easy job of making a smart decision when part of you really wants to race.

There’s also a useful little crossover between 16 relentless hours on a StairMaster and preparing for Delirious. Sometimes looking at the whole thing is far too much. You just need to work out what the next little target is.

Plenty still to figure out, and hopefully considerably less StairMaster time from here. 😂

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

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

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

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-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.

Kat Booth is back for our second monthly medic catch-up in the Delirious West 2027 series, and this time we're getting into some of the things you might want to think about before heading out for 100 or 200 miles.

And we've got questions from listeners! 🎉

Chelsea has sent through a few good ones, including a question about the little foot care kits Kat made for her and Scott Bunny last year.

Apparently Scott was rather excited about his little toolbox. 😂

So what exactly should your crew have ready when you arrive at an aid station with feet that aren't quite as happy as they were at the start?

We also get into something a little more serious.

Painkillers.

Kat has some strong advice about certain medications during these very long events, and there's a good reason she wants runners and crews to understand the risks.

And Chelsea's question about butt chafing? We're saving that one for another episode. Apparently there's plenty to discuss!

Got a question for Kat?

We're collecting questions from runners for our upcoming monthly chats. Whether you're preparing for Delirious or another big ultra, we'd love to hear what you want to ask the medic.

👉 Submit your questions for Kat here

If you're training for Delirious, this is another chat worth listening to!

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

Delirious WEST event website: https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-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.

Gabe Alves is back for his first regular Delirious West 2027 check-in, and apparently one of the things he needs to get better at for a 200 miler is... walking. 😂

Not wandering-around-the-shops walking either.

Gabe has been heading out with a full pack and deliberately stopping himself from running, even when running would feel easier. There’s a theory behind it, and with Feral Pig coming up very soon, he’s about to get a pretty good chance to test it.

Feral also comes with a little unfinished business from last year, which means Gabe is feeling good about his training while still having that tiny voice reminding him just how hard this race can be.

We also chat about what his Garmin has been telling him over the past few months, why he’s paying attention without letting one number completely run the show, and the ongoing puzzle of fitting strength work around big weekend training.

Then there’s the small matter of working out how to race keto when your cheese turns into mush in your pack.

Three weeks until Feral Pig.

Surely nothing interesting will happen. 😂

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

Delirious WEST event website
https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2. 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.

Have you ever noticed how much extra tension you carry when you're running, especially when things start getting a little harder?

This week's ZenRUN Moment is about something that made a real difference to my own running: learning to recognise the difference between effort and tension. They're not the same thing! You can be working hard, breathing heavily and giving your legs a proper workout without clenching your jaw, tightening your fists or hunching your shoulders. But it's surprisingly easy to add all that extra tension without even realising it.

On your next run, especially when you're heading up a hill or picking up the pace, ask yourself one simple question: "Is this effort, or is this tension?" Notice what your body's doing. Are your hands relaxed? Are your shoulders creeping towards your ears? Are you holding tension in your face? See if you can soften those areas without backing off the effort. You're not trying to make the run easy. You're just trying to avoid making it harder than it needs to be.

And it's a pretty useful lesson for everyday life too. We can put effort into something without adding unnecessary stress and tension along the way. Sometimes a little less fighting ourselves makes the whole experience feel better. So give it a go on your next run. Run strong, but not rigid. Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do—Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

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

Ben Ridley is back for his first regular Delirious West 2027 check-in, and before the serious trail training begins, there was one fairly important piece of unfinished business.

Melbourne Marathon.

Last time we spoke, Ben had temporarily become a road runner and was chasing the experience of running into the MCG. This time we find out how that little adventure actually went.

There were thousands of runners, a slightly chaotic start, a goal quietly sitting in the back of his mind and, somewhere towards the pointy end of the marathon, a knee that decided it might like to join the conversation.

But Ben came away from Melbourne with something else too.

Apparently the bloke who once thought one marathon would be plenty may have caught the marathon bug. 😂

Now the focus starts shifting back towards Delirious. Trails, hills, strength work and longer weekends are coming back into the picture, with a familiar event also waiting for Ben soon, although this time he’ll be standing on the other side of it as Race Director.

The road-running chapter might not be finished, but Delirious training is about to get much more real.

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

Delirious WEST event website:
https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-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.

Ben Pyman is back for his first regular Delirious West 2027 check-in, and apparently one of the six months between now and race day has already disappeared. 😂

The good news is that things are moving in the right direction.

Since we last spoke, Ben has squeezed in an ultra, spent plenty of time on the other side of the course volunteering, and discovered that perhaps lugging boxes, swinging sledgehammers and forgetting to eat the day before a 53K trail race isn’t ideal preparation.

There was still plenty to feel good about from the run though, and it gave Ben a useful little confidence check before the Delirious training starts getting more serious.

Then this week, training has taken an unexpected pause thanks to something completely unrelated to running.

A tooth.

Yep. Welcome to ultra training. 😂

We also start getting into the practical stuff that I suspect will become a regular part of Ben’s journey towards the 200. Sand, poles, packs, shoes and how much gear you really need when you’re planning to do the whole thing self-crewed.

One month down. Plenty still to figure out.

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

Delirious WEST event website:
https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2. 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.

Paul Watkins is back for his first Delirious West 2027 check-in, and he’s currently sitting in that very special part of a training block where the early enthusiasm has worn off and taper week still feels a very long way away. 😂

With Coast to Kosci coming up first, the training is getting done, although Paul is feeling the miles and wondering what it might be like to wake up without feeling tired and sore.

We chat about how he fits training around family and life, and why he’s become much less interested in having the perfect training week. Sometimes the long run happens on Thursday. Sometimes life says, “not this week, my friend”. Apparently the world keeps turning.

There’s also some discussion about gear, Paul’s reluctance to retire running shoes that still technically resemble shoes, and his slightly unconventional approach to strength training.

And with Coast to Kosci getting close, we discover something else.

Despite everything Paul has done, he still hasn’t figured out how to taper properly.

Which should make the rest of us feel considerably better. 😂

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

• Delirious WEST event website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/
• Event Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do - Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-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.

Ever noticed how your breathing changes once you reach the top of a hill?

Hills have a funny way of showing us exactly how hard we're working. Our breathing gets heavier, our shoulders tighten, and sometimes we're so focused on getting to the top that we forget to notice what happens afterwards. This week's ZenRUN Moment is all about paying attention to your breathing after a hill and noticing how your body recovers while you're still moving.

On your next run, once you've reached the top of a climb, check in with your breath. Is it still fast and heavy? How long does it take to settle? Try relaxing your shoulders, easing your pace slightly, or taking one comfortable, deeper breath. There's no need to force anything or judge how quickly you recover. Just notice what happens as your breathing gradually finds its rhythm again.

This is a useful skill that goes well beyond running. When life gets stressful, we often hold tension without realising it. Learning to recognise those moments and give ourselves a little space to settle can help us respond more calmly instead of simply pushing harder.

So next time you tackle a hill, remember that reaching the top isn't the end of the experience. Pay attention to what happens next. Recovery is part of running too, and learning to notice it can make your runs feel a little more relaxed and enjoyable.

Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels.

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do, Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

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

Sometimes in a Delirious build, no news is very good news.

Craig Maluish is a few weeks further into his journey towards the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 miler and, at the moment, things are rolling along pretty nicely. No niggles, no dramas, just training, work and life with a one-and-a-half-year-old.

Although the next couple of weeks might make things a little more interesting.

Craig is heading east to support the Australian team at the Backyard Ultra World Championships, and he’s hoping to keep his own training ticking along while he’s away. There may even be a fairly decent trail run squeezed into the trip if everything falls into place.

Back home, his 24-hour event is getting closer, so the training load is gradually building.

And because we’re getting closer to Delirious, we also wander into something that I suspect will become a regular feature of these chats: gear talk.

Shoes, socks, sticking with what works and just how much experimenting is actually necessary.

For now though, Craig’s Delirious journey is refreshingly uneventful.

Touch wood. 😂

Thinking about taking on Delirious West yourself?

If the stories in this series are giving you that little itch to be part of it, have a look at the event details and see whether 2027 might be your year.

Delirious WEST event website:
https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

---

💛 Running used to clear your head. Now it’s another thing weighing on it. Let’s change that.

If you’re tired of dragging yourself out the door, feeling guilty when you don’t, or comparing every run to what you used to do, Feel Like a Runner Again is for you.

This practical program helps you quiet the mental noise, drop the pressure, and rediscover running as time for yourself.

Less “I should go for a run.” More “I’ve missed this.”

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/feel-like-a-runner-again

---

🙏 A couple of big favours

1. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. It helps more runners discover these conversations.
2. 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.