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.
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 sporty, although he always enjoyed running, even when he was near the back of the school cross-country field.
His adult running journey began when a mate entered a team in the Busselton Half Ironman without actually having a team.
David agreed to run the half marathon leg, downloaded a sub-two-hour training plan and finished in 1:59:40.
From there came half marathons, trail races and a growing curiosity about how far he could go.
But in 2020, everything changed.
After taking steroids for a medical condition, David developed severe damage in his hips. A surgeon told him his left hip was unsalvageable, his right hip was at risk and he would probably need a hip replacement within 18 months.
He was also told he would never run again.
David fainted in the surgeon’s office.
After spending several years away from running, he gradually began walking again. Walking felt too slow, so he tried running.
He increased the distance, completed a 10km event, progressed to a half marathon and then decided to run almost every half marathon he could find in Western Australia.
Naturally, this eventually led him to the Feral Pig 50km.
From there, David’s running journey escalated rather quickly.
He jumped from 50km to the Delirious W.E.S.T. 100 miler, then completed Cape to Cape, Feral Pig and other major ultras before stepping up to the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 miler.
David shares how he mentally approached the 200 miler by treating the first 100 miles as the journey to the start line of a race he already knew he could complete.
Although there were some very dark moments, including briefly hoping a snake might bite him so he would have a legitimate reason to stop.
Later in the race, when he actually encountered snakes, his attitude had changed considerably.
We talk about the strange mental places ultra running can take you, what it feels like to spend days alone on the trail and how David deliberately clears unfinished conversations, work problems and life admin before a race.
Instead of using the trail to solve problems, David tries to arrive with what he calls an “empty brain”.
He focuses on the scenery, wildlife, people and experience around him.
David rarely listens to anything while running because he wants to fully experience nature, although during the lowest points of Delirious he discovered that the right song could help change his mood and get him moving again.
We also chat about:
Why David runs with a separate phone during racesHis fear of spiders and the discovery of “spider baseball”The importance of respecting the trail, wildlife and other runnersWhy his children choose his race outfitsKermit, Bluey, SpongeBob and shark boxer shortsAccidentally leaving two left socks at an aid stationBlisters, swollen feet and losing six toenailsHis first trip to emergency after DeliriousWhy his physio believes strong muscles may help protect his damaged hipsHis dream of finding the limits of how far he can goThe Bibbulmun Track and fastest known time ideasWhy race entries help give his training a clear purposeThe impact ultra training has on family lifeThe pride, fear and support that comes from David’s wife and childrenWhy he believes runners rarely achieve these things aloneThe community of volunteers, medics, physios, family and fellow runners who help us reach the finish lineDavid also shares plenty of practical lessons from his rapid rise through the ultra distances.
David’s Running Tips
Build gradually, even when the next challenge feels exciting
David used marathons, 50km events and looped ultras to test his body, equipment and nutrition before moving into longer distances.
Train on the terrain you will race on
Before his first marathon, David repeatedly drove an hour each way to practise on the actual course.
Use smaller events to test your systems
David used a looped 50-mile event to test shoes, nutrition, Tailwind and race equipment before attempting his first 100 miler.
Expect your feet to swell
David loosens his shoelaces later in races and plans shoe and sock changes around how his feet respond over long distances.
Strength work matters
After being told he would need a hip replacement, David built strength around his hips. His physio now believes that this additional muscular support may help him avoid surgery.
Deal with life before you reach the start line
David tries to resolve difficult conversations, emails and unfinished problems before racing so he can stay present rather than spending hours mentally stewing over something he cannot fix from the trail.
Let the event become your permission to disconnect
During long races, David removes work email, uses a separate phone and allows himself to be unreachable.
Respect the environment and the people around you
Carry the required safety equipment, look after other runners, respect wildlife and remember that the next person along the trail may be the one who helps you in an emergency.
Do not assume you have to do it alone
David credits fellow runners, race volunteers, family members, medics, his physio and the broader trail community with helping him reach the start and finish lines.
Carry toilet paper or wet wipes
This lesson may have been learned the hard way on a beach at 3am during Delirious.
David’s message is simple.
Do not assume that a huge running goal is impossible.
You may not know how you will reach it yet, but you can learn, build experience and find people who will help you along the way.
https://statistik.d-u-v.org/
And make sure you stay until the end to hear David answer Kat Booth’s Pass the Baton question:
“What shoes, if you had to, would you chop up to make it to the end of your race? You might have to tape them, chop them up or cut open the toe box. Which pair would you do, and what would it take for you to decide to chop them up?”
You will also hear the question David has chosen for my next guest.
Let’s just say the Pass the Baton questions may be developing a slightly concerning toilet theme.
💛 Want to feel like a runner again?
If this conversation resonated, Feel Like a Runner Again is a simple, practical program designed to help you rediscover the joy of running. You’ll learn how to quiet the mental noise, let go of the pressure, and make running feel like your escape again, not another thing on your to-do list.
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