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"Belgium massively punches above their weight."

On this episode of the pod Troy Meadows has a  conversation with Stephan Parker.

Stephen Parker shares his journey from a casual runner to an author of a book about the Backyard Ultra format, “There Is No Finish”. He discusses his evolution from road running to trail running, the impact of community events like Parkrun, and the balance of family life with his passion for running.

Stephen delves into the unique psychological dynamics of the Backyard Ultra, emphasizing the importance of community and support among runners. He also shares insights into the logistics and strategies of endurance running, highlighting the mental resilience required to push limits in such challenging events. 

In this conversation, Stephen Parker and Troy Meadows delve into the intricacies of the backyard ultra format. They discuss the importance of managing both physical and intangible needs during long races, the unique dynamics of the Belgian running community, and the evolution of world championship formats due to COVID-19. Stephen shares an extraordinary story about Greg Armstrong, who managed to euthanize a goat and remove a snake while competing in a race. The conversation also touches on personal reflections on endurance racing, future goals, and the significance of community support in achieving success in ultra-endurance events.

Stephan’s Links

IG: thebackyardultrastory -  https://www.instagram.com/thebackyardultrastory/

Website:  www.runningforever.au

FB: The Back Yard Story - https://www.facebook.com/thebackyardultrastory/

Stephan’s Book: There Is No Finish https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DD42GD27/ref=nosim?tag=runningforeve-22

Things we talked about during the show:

Park Run

Underwood Park Run

Atomic Habits

Bigs Backyard Ultra

Laz Lake - Gary Cantrell

Harvey Lewis

BackYard World Champions

Greg Armstrong - Vol State Winner - Run For Water

2020 Quarantine Back Ultra

8-hour overnight Rogain

Mt Coot-Tha Tails  Daisy Hills Forest 

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Stephen Parker, Backyard Ultra, Trail Running, Endurance Sports, Parkrun, Family Life, Running Community, Mental Resilience, Ultra Running, Hash House Harriers, endurance, backyard ultra, running community, world championships, COVID impact, Greg Armstrong, personal stories, Australian Backyard Masters, mental endurance, race formats