DCR AidStation

AidStation Podcast 013 – Beginning the Beginning. What to think about when planning a huge goal, with coaches Kerry Suter and Ali Pottinger 

Kia ora e te whānau!

On this episode of the DCR AidStation Eugene and Matt are joined by the brains trust of SQUADRUN Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter for a play-along-at-home adventure around the start of planning for a big adventure or event, in this case, Matt’s build up to the Tarawera Ultra Trail.

As usual with these conversations, Kerry and Ali are wise beyond years, and a font of incredible knowledge. Not to be missed. 

Dan Jones also checks in after his remarkable fourth-place run at Western States last weekend, and we debate the merits of standing in the way of Ruth Croft at UTMB (spoiler alert: Don’t).

Enjoy!

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Bradley Houghton – Trail Running NZ and the 2024 WUU2K Preview.  Dirt Church Radio 283. 

“At least I don’t have to listen to my own voice”. So goes the bio of Bradley Houghton, the maestro behind Trail Running NZ, the newsletter that has taken the scene by storm.

Breaking his own rule, Bradley sits down with Eugene and Matt to discuss his own history with trail running, and the motivation to start Trail Running NZ. Bradley, like most of us who start something creative, juggles a full time job, family, and a love of running to bring you a weekly dose of trail running goodness.

Whilst we had such a wealth of knowledge on the line we took a deep dive into the WUU2K (the Wellington Urban Ultra) a standout race in the Aotearoa running calendar since 2016, running through the courses, the history of the race and the stacked fields in this year's event.

Enjoy!

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

AidStation Podcast 012 – Lil’ Andy Gets A Statesmas

Kia ora e te whānau!

Our mate Andrew McDowall is quite good at running. Eugene calls him (inexplicably) the fifth Beatle of DCR, which is absolutely true if not numerically suspect.

Andrew has been trying to get into Western States for what has felt like 100 years, but is actually 9 years. Which can feel like 100 years, I’m sure.

He only went and bloody got in this year, and we speak to him about what this means for him, his training, and what he is most excited about.

We also crack into a game of Over and Under about the most over rated, and most underrated aspects of race preparation.

Baller. 

Enjoy!

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Anthony Kerr-Taylor. Down the Rabbit Hole – Backyards, Milers, and a Hell of A Four Years.  Dirt Church Radio 281. 

Kia ora e te whānau!

Anthony Kerr-Taylor – Ant K-T – couldn’t tell you what got him out onto the Riverhead trails during the country’s first Covid lockdown, but that first run four years ago has lead to a string of incredible results including an 8th place at this year’s Tarawera Ultra Trail 100 mile.

Then, a couple weeks ago Ant ran 348kms (or 52 laps) at Kings Backyard to take the record for the farthest run at a backyard on New Zealand soil.

Ant talks us through “going down the rabbit hole” in this amazing conversation. Honest, inspiring, and assured, Ant K-T is one to watch.

Enjoy!

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

AidStation Podcast 011 – Tasting Fitness, Finding Her Stride, and Running into the Teeth of the Gale: How to get out there in the worst weather 

We’re back for the 11th episode of the AidStation. This week we speak to the returning champion and guest on DCR episode 102 Coach Maree Leith of GoRunGirls.

We talk to Maree about her efforts in writing and publishing her first book, Finding Her Stride, a compilation of 19 New Zealand woman runners and their stories.

We also discuss our top tips for hitting the streets in the midst of winter, nerd out about headlamps (well, Matt does).

And we announce our new competition with The Spectacle, Aotearoa’s newest running festival, taking place December 13th-15th in Whakatū/Nelson. 

Enjoy!

Maree Leith Pledge Me for Finding Her Stride

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Caitlin Fielder - Rotorua’s Finest and Golden Trail Series Hotshot.  Dirt Church Radio 279.

Kia ora e te whānau! This week Eugene and Matt have the distinct pleasure of speaking to the incredible Caitlin Fielder. In her third year as a professional athlete for Salomon, Caitlin continues to go from strength-to-strength on the European trail circuit. With many strings to her bow, Caitlin discusses mindset, training, her fine art business, what it’s like to room with Courtney Dauwalter and are the Salomon camps as cool as they look on Instagram? Spoiler- Yes. Yes they are. Best Enjoyed Running.

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

AidStation Podcast 010 - F%$ked Heel, F&*ked Knee, F@#ked Off!

In this episode of the paid-subscriber-only DCR AidStation Podcast, the gloves come off, well sort of. 

We ask, is it okay to be okay with being injured and is it okay to rationalise your anger by comparing it to others? What’s up with our sport anyway?

And what are the biggest challenges facing trail and ultra-running as we move into an ever more uncertain world? 

Inia Raumati Kia Mau Kia Ora 

Enjoy!

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Paid subscribers can read the rest of the newsletter, including Eugene writing about the best and worst animal encounters, a Greatest Trail Ever that is close to home, and the good sauce in The Stoke. If you haven’t already signed up for a monthly or annual subscription, we’d love to see you in the AidStation crew!

2024 Ultra Trail Australia by UTMB Special + Live Show.  Dirt Church Radio 278. 

Kia ora e te whānau! This episode of the pod finds Matt returning to The Blue Mountains for the UTA running festival. With 7000 athletes over 4 days this is a one-of-a-kind spectacle in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Down to one wing, the ever dependable Ali Pottinger of SQUADRUN fame jumped into the fray, along with Ben Berriman and Dave Stewart to recap each day’s event. Ali and Matt also handled the elite Q&A, with Lucy Bartholomew, Charlie Hamilton, and Michael Dimunates. Matt and Ali discussed the Women in Trail Panel and the topic of equality and equity in the elite field. Best Enjoyed Running.

Enjoy!

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

AidStation Podcast 009: Things that make you go oh, oh …

In this episode of our paid-subscriber-only podcast, our beloved fancy bois talk to a real Southern (Northern?) man in Rocky himself, of Further Faster fame, about five things that he takes in his pack whenever he’s out for a big day in the big hills and mountains.

What are the things that could prove useful if an accident or medical event unfolded?

Eugene and Matt then run through their ultimate near-miss stories of near (or actual) trail running disaster.

Best Enjoyed Running. 

Further Faster New Zealand

Enjoy!

Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Kia ora e te whānau! This week, Eugene and Matt have got the band back together! We have the distinct pleasure of being joined by the brains behind SQUADRUN, Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter to preview the 2024 edition of  Ultra Trail Australia. Ali and Kerry are two people who know this race intimately, they share their favourite parts of the course and memories with us before giving us an incredible run down of the elite list across the 100km and 50 km distances for what is sure to be some very tasty racing. Best Enjoyed Running.