The ZenRUN Podcast

When was the last time you ran for five whole minutes without checking your watch?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a simple challenge that can feel surprisingly difficult. On your next run, leave your watch alone for the first five minutes. No checking your pace. No looking at your distance. No wondering whether you're running "well enough". Just run.

Instead of relying on the numbers, tune into your body. Notice your breathing. Feel your posture. Listen to your footsteps. Take in what's happening around you. Pay attention to your rhythm and how the effort fe...

Craig Maluish has a bit of an all-or-nothing streak.

He wasn’t a runner growing up. Skateboarding was his thing, and running only really entered the picture during a pretty significant turning point in his life. His solution? Start with a few kilometres, attempt some enormous days on the Bibbulmun Track and sign up for an 80km ultra before he’d even run his first race. 😂

That probably tells you quite a lot about Craig.

In this first Delirious West 2027 catch-up, we chat about the rather unexpected path that brought him into ultra running...

Ben Ridley once said he was never doing Delirious again.

So naturally, he’s signed up for the 200 miler in 2027. 😂

In this first catch-up of the Delirious West 2027 series, we go back to where Ben’s running started, which is quite a long way from 200-mile ultras. Running definitely wasn’t his thing growing up, and his first parkrun involved considerably more stopping and gasping than running.

Somehow, things escalated.

We chat about how he found the ultra community, his complicated history with Delirious and why, despite having some very good reasons n...

Kelli O’Neill hated running at school.

These days, she’s a trail runner and ultra runner who has taken on everything from UTA 50 to Delirious 100 milers, with plenty of adventures, wrong turns and good stories along the way.

In this episode, we chat about how a women’s triathlon helped lead Kelli towards trail running, why being out in the bush and sharing adventures with friends became such a big part of her life, and how running has given her confidence that carries into life away from the trails.

Kelli also has a fasc...

Paul Watkins describes himself as having “close to zero sporting ability”, which makes the rest of his story rather entertaining.

Running started as the sport he could actually get into at school. Somehow, that eventually led to mountaineering expeditions, Arctic ultra marathons, dragging sleds through ridiculous conditions and, most recently, completing the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 miler.

Paul came into Delirious this year wanting to experience the event rather than chase a result. He loved it so much that he’s coming back in 2027 with a slightly different question: now that he knows the course...

Gabe Alves is back for another Delirious West adventure.

After three starts at the 200 miler, including finally making it all the way to the finish in 2026, you might think he’d be happy to tick that one off and move on.

Apparently not. 😂

In this first catch-up for the 2027 series, Gabe talks about why he’s heading back and the slightly dangerous question sitting in the back of his mind: was last year’s finish a fluke?

There’s also a new twist this time around. His usual race setup may not be avai...

Have you ever noticed the exact moment during a run when you start actually enjoying yourself?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is about something that sounds obvious, but most of us probably miss it: notice when you start enjoying yourself. There’s often a point where the run shifts. Your body loosens up. Your breathing settles. You stop thinking quite so much. Maybe you even catch yourself smiling for absolutely no reason at all.

That moment matters because it reminds us that running isn’t only about fitness, pace, distance, or ticking off a session. Someti...

What happens when running has always been part of who you are… and suddenly your body changes what running can look like?

This week on the ZenRUN Podcast, I’m chatting with runner, triathlete and physiotherapist Alissa Wilkinson.

Alissa grew up in the little surf town of Crescent Head before moving to Virginia in the US as a teenager, where swimming was replaced by cross country and track, and she really started to see herself as a runner.

Since then, running has taken her through triathlon, age-group success, injury, motherhood and a return to s...

Have you ever noticed that your breathing has its own rhythm while you run?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is all about becoming curious about your breath, not trying to control it. As you head out on your next run, simply notice what your breathing is doing. Does it speed up on the hills? Settle into an easy rhythm on the flats? Become shorter when you're feeling stressed or pushing the pace? Your breathing is constantly giving you clues about what's happening inside your body.

Think of your breath as your own personal running weather re...

Frank Collins hated running growing up.

These days, he seems to have a habit of looking for running challenges that appear slightly ridiculous and thinking, that sounds good. 😂

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with Frank about how someone who didn’t enjoy school sport or road running found his place on the trails, and eventually discovered that the harder and more technical the challenge, the more interested he became.

We chat about his rather eventful introduction to ultra running, the races that have tested him physically and mentally, why he’d...

Not every difficult run is caused by tired legs.

Sometimes it's our thoughts that make the run feel harder than it really is. We start telling ourselves we're too slow, not fit enough, or that we should be running better. Before long, our mind is working against us instead of with us. This week's ZenRUN Moment is about recognising those moments and responding with kindness instead of more pressure.

If you notice your thoughts starting to spiral during a run, try something that might feel a little unexpected - slow down. Not because you've failed...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with trail and ultra runner Nida Collins.

Nida grew up in Bangkok, where heading out the door for a run definitely wasn’t part of everyday life.

In fact, her own running journey didn’t really begin until years later in Australia, thanks in part to a Kelpie Labrador called Arnold.

Since then, running has taken Nida a very long way from those early jogs.

She’s discovered a love of trails and ultras, taken on some seriously challenging terrain, run in some b...

Do your shoulders seem to climb the hill before the rest of you?

Hills have a funny way of creating tension without us even noticing. As soon as the gradient increases, our shoulders creep towards our ears, our jaw tightens, our fists clench, and our breathing can become short and choppy. This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a simple reminder to check in with your body every time you reach a hill.

As you begin a climb, take a quick mental scan. Can you drop your shoulders? Loosen your grip? Relax your face? Take one de...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the incredibly inspiring Bart Campbell.

Bart grew up in the Adelaide Hills and, by his own admission, wasn’t the sporty kid. He was the chubby kid hanging out the back of the softball field, more interested in computers, movies and gaming than running.

By his early twenties, he weighed around 130 kilograms, had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and spent most evenings sitting at a computer while his wife brought dinner to his desk.

If you’d met Bart back then, you probably woul...

How many times have you finished a run and realised you barely noticed where you were?

It’s easy to spend an entire run focused on pace, distance, or the thoughts swirling around in our heads. This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a gentle reminder to look up, look around, and notice just one beautiful thing during your run.

It doesn’t have to be anything extraordinary. It could be sunlight filtering through the trees, a dog happily hanging out a car window, fog rolling across a paddock, birds gliding overhead, rain glistening on the road...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Kat Cacavas.

Kat is a dietitian, health promotion officer, yoga teacher, marathon runner, charity founder, traveller and someone who has spent much of her life helping other people live healthier lives.

She grew up in Melbourne in a family where movement was simply part of everyday life. Running, dancing, swimming, surf lifesaving, athletics… if there was a sport going, chances are Kat gave it a go.

Although she loved running from a young age, dancing was her first love for many ye...

Every running step begins with one simple thing - your foot meeting the ground.

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is an invitation to become curious about that connection. As you head out on your next run, notice how your feet land. Are your footsteps light or heavy? Quick or flat? There’s no need to analyse or judge what you discover. Just pay attention to the conversation that’s happening between your body and the ground beneath you.

As your awareness grows, you might naturally begin to soften your landing. Not by trying to run with “...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with Western Australian ultra runner David Martin.

David works in IT and finance, once spent his teenage years sailing yachts to Rottnest Island, accidentally became president of AURA, owns several running phones and has a collection of boxer shorts chosen by his children for different stages of his ultra races.

As you do.

David grew up in Fremantle in a multicultural family, with a Polish mum and Russian/Ukrainian family heritage on his dad’s side. He describes himself as much more academic than sp...

Running isn’t always quiet.

There’s the sound of your footsteps, your breathing, passing traffic, birds, people, and, of course, the constant chatter inside your own mind. It’s easy to think a peaceful run means complete silence, but this week’s ZenRUN Moment invites you to discover something different.

Today, listen for the quiet moments hidden within your run. They might only last a few seconds. The stillness after a car passes. The calm at the top of a hill. The moment the wind fades. The gentle rhythm of your breathing once you’ve settled...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderfully energetic, endlessly entertaining and slightly foot-obsessed Kat Booth.

If you have been anywhere near the Delirious W.E.S.T. events, you may already know Kat as the nurse who appears when your feet have stopped resembling feet.

She is the calm, capable and very funny person runners trust with their blisters, wounds, mysterious swelling, chafing, exhaustion, hallucinations and occasionally very questionable toes.

But there is so much more to Kat than feet.

Kat grew up in Western Australia...

When was the last time you thought about what your arms were doing while you ran?

Most of us spend plenty of time thinking about our legs, our pace, or our breathing, but our arms quietly play an important role in helping us move efficiently. This week’s ZenRUN Moment is about bringing your attention to your upper body and simply noticing how your arms are moving.

As you head out on your next run, check in every now and then. Are your shoulders creeping up towards your ears? Are your arms swinging naturally, or ar...

Today on the ZenRUN Podcast, I’m chatting with the wonderful Sally Pymer - runner, Ironman athlete, Comrades finisher, former fitness instructor, counsellor, speaker, farmer’s wife and strong believer in the power of a smile.

Sally grew up in regional Victoria in a family where learning, sport and community were all important.

As a young girl, she dreamed of playing AFL. Unfortunately, girls weren’t allowed to join the local team, and the football boots she desperately wanted for her ninth birthday didn’t arrive until her 40th.

Bett...

How often do you head out the door and settle into your running pace almost immediately?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is an invitation to do the opposite. On your next run, deliberately spend the first five minutes running slower than feels necessary. It might feel strange at first - maybe even a little frustrating - but stick with it. This isn’t about fitness or holding yourself back. It’s about giving your body the time it needs to settle into the run.

Starting gently allows your breathing to find its rhythm, your muscles to war...

Today on the ZenRUN Podcast, I’m chatting with my wonderful friend Nancy Williams.

Nancy is a runner, ultra runner, race director, event manager, single mum, serial degree collector, cross-stitch enthusiast and the calm-looking swan behind some seriously complicated running events.

Although, as Nancy explains, there is often a LOT of frantic paddling happening beneath the surface.

Nancy grew up in Adelaide in a highly academic family and describes herself as the girl who always felt different. School was difficult, running was something she actively avoided, and she became very skilled at finding re...

Have you ever noticed what your jaw is doing while you run?

It might sound like an odd thing to pay attention to, but it’s amazing how much tension we carry there without even realising it. This week’s ZenRUN Moment is all about one simple check-in: relaxing your jaw while you run.

As you’re heading along, pause for a moment and notice. Is your jaw clenched? Are your teeth pressed together? If they are, gently let them soften. You might even let your mouth hang open slightly for a second - it feels...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderfully adventurous Jos Middleton - mental health leader, ultra runner, traveller, volunteer, reluctant road marathoner and someone who seems genetically incapable of doing anything by halves.

Jos grew up in Scarborough in the north of England, surfing in the freezing North Sea, playing sport and dreaming of one day living in Australia.

Her early adventures weren’t exactly uneventful.

At just 13, Jos broke two bones and fractured and displaced another in her neck after hitting a sandbar while surfing. She somehow paddled ba...

When was the last time you paid attention to the air around you while you were running?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a simple invitation to reconnect with the environment you’re moving through. Instead of focusing on pace, distance, or what’s next on your to-do list, spend a few minutes noticing the air. Where does it feel cooler? Where does it feel warmer? When does the wind pick up? When does it disappear?

As you run, you might notice that shaded sections feel completely different to open roads. Trails often have their own mi...

Welcome to this special bonus episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast.

So far in this series, we’ve been following individual athletes through their event - from the start line, through the yards, into the tired bits, the funny bits, the crew moments, and eventually to wherever their race finished.

But this episode is a little different.

Because once the runners head out on a yard, there is a whole other event happening back in the event village.

There are crews making food, filling bottles, hunting fo...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful, funny, honest, mud-covered-in-the-car-after-a-run, Nagiska Mayes.

And honestly?

What a joy.

Nagiska first appeared in the Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series, but this time we get to properly sit down and find out more about who she is, where she came from, and how running has become such a huge part of her life.

Nagiska was born in a car on the way to hospital - which feels very fitting, really, because she says she’s always been in a hurry to...

Have you ever noticed that many runs start out feeling a bit… awkward?

Your legs feel heavy. Your breathing feels off. Your body isn’t quite sure what’s happening. And sometimes your brain is already suggesting that maybe today isn’t the day for a run at all.

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is about noticing something that happens on almost every run: the moment your body settles. That point where your stride starts to feel smoother, your breathing finds a rhythm, and running begins to feel more natural. It’s often subtle, but once you sta...

Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast.

This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey - not just the neat result at the end, but the little check-ins along the way. The early excitement. The crew moments. The emotional wobbles. The rain, the snacks, the tired conversations, and the honest wrap-up when their race is done.

In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Paul Pratt.

And this one is a little different.

Paul came into Melbourne Fr...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Jason Rantall - runner, dad, mental health advocate, Better Mental founder, and a very familiar face in the Melbourne Frontyard Ultra world.

And honestly, this one is powerful.

Jason’s story starts in Gisborne, growing up in a small country town where football was everything, everyone knew everyone, and sport was a big part of life. As a kid, Jason loved running without even really realising it. He was fast, he loved footy, and movement gave him a kind of freedom.

Bu...

Have you ever noticed how your breathing and your running seem to have a conversation with each other?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is all about bringing awareness to the relationship between your breath and your stride. It’s a simple practice that can help you feel more connected, relaxed, and present during your run.

As you head out, try matching your breathing to your footsteps for a few minutes. You might breathe in for three steps and out for three, or perhaps two steps in and two steps out feels more comfortable. There’s no per...

Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast.

This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey - not just the polished finish-line version, but the little check-ins along the way. The early excitement. The tired bits. The crew moments. The food updates. The emotional wobbles. The “why are my toes doing this?” moments. And eventually, the wrap-up chat when their race is done.

In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Rachael Johnstone.

And this one is full of heart.

...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Paul Pratt.

You might already recognise Paul from the Melbourne Frontyard Ultra mini-series, but this time we get to sit down properly and find out a little more about how Paul ticks.

And honestly?

There is a lot going on in the world of Paul Pratt.

Paul grew up in Gippsland, in the tiny town of Buln Buln near Warragul, where everyone knew everyone, sport was part of life, and running laps around the school oval for a fundraiser...

Where do you look when you run?

If you’re like many runners, the answer is probably down. Down at the trail. Down at your feet. Down at your watch. And while there’s nothing wrong with that occasionally, it can sometimes make running feel smaller, tighter, and more effort-focused than it needs to be.

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a simple invitation to look further ahead. As you run, gently lift your gaze and take in more of the world around you. Notice the horizon, the trees, the next bend in the trail, or the...

Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast.

This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey - not just the neat little result at the end, but the real story along the way. The pre-race nerves. The crew tent chaos. The tired check-ins. The food, the feet, the weather, the tiny naps, and eventually the wrap-up chat when their race is done.

In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Luke Slater.

Luke came into Melbourne Frontyard Ultra with a lo...

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderfully dry, very funny, and deeply embedded-in-the-Delirious-world Simon Poli.

Simon is one of those people who seems to quietly sit behind the scenes making things happen - which is possibly a terrible description because he also has a habit of casually doing ridiculous things like 200 milers, running from Bunbury to the start of Delirious, drinking beers mid-ultra, and helping race direct some of the most loved Ultra Series events in WA.

As you do.

Simon grew up in Bunbury, spending weekends playing...

Have you ever really listened to your footsteps while you run?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is all about tuning into one of the most overlooked parts of running - the sound your feet make as they meet the ground. It sounds simple, but it can completely change the way you experience a run.

As you head out on your next run, spend a few minutes listening to your footsteps. Are they light or heavy? Fast or slow? Smooth or uneven? Don’t worry about changing anything straight away. Just notice. Your footsteps can tell you...

Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast.

This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey - not just the neat and tidy version after the event, but the little check-ins along the way. The early excitement. The crew moments. The tired bits. The food dramas. The “how are you still going?” moments. And eventually, the wrap-up chat when their race is done.

In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Jason Rantall.

And this one is powerful.

Jason...