The ZenRUN Podcast

Nikki Frost is back for another Delirious W.E.S.T. series.

And yes, she’s also my daughter, which means there is absolutely no shortage of opinions about who is responsible for any of this. 😂

Nikki’s relationship with running started long before she had much say in the matter, thanks to a childhood spent being dragged along to running events by her mother. Then, after barely running for years, things escalated rather quickly from getting her 10,000 steps a day to ultras.

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we get into that slightly accidental return to running, Nikki’s rather relaxed approach to planning enormous events despite being ridiculously organised in every other part of her life, and what happened when she took on the Delirious 200 in 2026.

That attempt didn’t quite go to plan.

Now she’s coming back to finish the job, with a 100 miler at Kosciuszko along the way and a potentially questionable new member of her crew learning the ropes.

This could be an interesting six months. 😂

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

💛 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.”

👉 Find out more about Feel Like a Runner Again

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Stuart Rainbow has already had a rather complicated relationship with the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 miler.

There’s been a DNF, a return trip, a finish line… and at one point a very definite “never again”.

So naturally, he’s coming back in 2027. 😂

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we go back to how Stuart somehow progressed from running 10K on a treadmill to deciding that 200 miles sounded like a reasonable idea.

We also get into the Delirious experiences that have shaped how he approaches the race now, including one fairly memorable lesson about feet, sand and just how much trouble a blister can cause.

But this build has another challenge.

After spending the past six months dealing with a ruptured plantar fascia, Stuart is only just starting to put some bigger runs together again. And, rather neatly, the day we recorded this was exactly six months until Delirious.

The countdown has officially started.

And yes, Stuart still has very strong opinions about gaiters. 😂

Stuart’s video of the blister year:

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:

Event Facebook group:

💛 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.”

👉 Feel Like a Runner Again

🙏 A couple of big favours

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @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.

Shane Connolly is currently travelling around Europe, lives out of a Troopy when he’s back in Australia, and has signed up for his first 200 miler.

This feels entirely consistent with the rest of his life. 😂

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we get to know Shane and how a bloke who discovered he was pretty handy at a 5K rather quickly found himself wanting to run much, much further.

There’s a travelling lifestyle that has taken him around Australia and now Europe, a love of exploring places on foot, and a tendency to choose running challenges that scare him just enough to keep things interesting.

We also chat about why Shane spent three months living near the course before his first 100 miler, what he’s learned from volunteering at Delirious for the past two years, and the slightly unusual Delirious training block currently happening somewhere between the Dolomites, France and whatever country comes next.

There is one small complication involving a knee.

And Shane is also, by his own admission, very competitive.

This could get interesting.

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

💛 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.”

👉 Feel Like a Runner Again

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Ashling Rogan isn’t entirely sure she’d call herself a runner.

Which is interesting, because she’s currently training for the Delirious W.E.S.T. 100 miler. 😂

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we get to know Ash and how running went from something easy and convenient to something that became much more important in her life.

There were some pretty tough years along the way, and running gradually became a place where Ash could get some time for herself, disappear onto the trails for a few hours and discover she might be capable of more than she thought.

Somewhere in there, things escalated rather quickly into ultras.

We also chat about the Delirious 100, why an event that once seemed completely unreachable started to look a little different after Ash experienced it from the other side, and the fact that this adventure is becoming something of a family affair.

Oh, and apparently Ash runs to terrible music.

Her words, not mine. 😂

There’s plenty to follow between now and March, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

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:

Event Facebook group:

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

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

How often do you expect every run to feel exactly the same?

This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a gentle reminder that every run meets a different version of you. Some days you feel energised, strong, and ready to go. Other days your legs feel heavy, your mind is busy, or you’re simply running on empty. Instead of fighting those days or wishing you felt different, today’s invitation is to let your run meet you where you are.

If you’re feeling tired, run a little softer. If life has been stressful, slow the pace and let your breathing settle. If you’re feeling flat, simply enjoy moving your body without expecting a personal best. Your run doesn’t have to prove anything. By adjusting your expectations to match the day, you create space to enjoy running instead of battling against it.

There’s a lesson here that reaches well beyond running. We spend so much of life comparing today with yesterday or expecting ourselves to perform at our best all the time. But real progress comes from working with ourselves, not against ourselves. On your next run, notice how you’re feeling before you decide how the run should unfold. You might discover that the runs where you stop fighting yourself become the ones you needed most.

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 [email protected]

Murray Hodgson has been running in one form or another for most of his life, but at 66 he reckons the best might still be ahead of him.

And somehow, retirement has turned into a rather serious backyard ultra habit. 😂

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we get to know Murray, from growing up as one of nine kids in Geelong to a teaching career that eventually took him overseas for almost three decades.

Running has woven its way through a lot of that story, although not always in the way you might expect.

We chat about why Murray says running makes him feel alive, how his son introduced him to backyard ultras, and why a handshake in Melbourne has now landed him on the start line at Delirious.

There’s also one part of Murray’s story that puts his love of being able to run into a very different perspective.

And then there’s his current view of Delirious itself.

Apparently it might just be a training run. 😂

This is going to be a fun journey to follow.

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

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Paige Krekeler is travelling all the way from the United States to Western Australia to take on the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 miler.

And after talking to Paige for a while, this decision starts to make a surprising amount of sense. 😂

Paige has a slightly unusual way of choosing races. Sometimes the name helps. Sometimes there’s an interesting bit of race merchandise involved. And apparently a 200 miler on the other side of the world fits rather nicely into that system.

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we go back to where Paige’s running started, how a fairly miserable first marathon somehow led to wanting to do another one, and the adventures that eventually took her into some very long races.

We also chat about a difficult year of injuries, why she loves the problem-solving and solitude that comes with being out there for days, and one potentially important question about Delirious.

Is it safe to take a dirt nap in Australia?

There is a lot to follow with Paige between now and March.

And I suspect this journey is going to be fun.

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

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

In this episode of ZenRUN, I chat with Chris Sarra about running, resilience, identity, family, and the powerful lessons that can come from simply putting one foot in front of the other.

Chris grew up in Bundaberg, in a big family, with rugby league, backyard sport, and plenty of stories from childhood. Running, however, was not always something he loved. In fact, Chris admits he used to hate running at school.

That changed later in life, when he began running to stay healthy and eventually found himself taking on half marathons, the New York Marathon, and now a total of nine marathons. Through his connection with Robert de Castella and the Indigenous Marathon Project, Chris discovered how deeply transformative marathon running can be - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

We talk about the first time Chris began to feel like a runner, why he started taking his running shoes on work trips, and why he believes you “can’t cheat a marathon.” Chris shares how training and finishing marathons helped him realise how mentally strong he could be, and how running at night under the stars became a space for thinking, reflecting, and doing some of his best inner work.

Chris also shares stories from his work in education, including his time as the first Aboriginal principal at Cherbourg State School, the importance of high expectations, and the belief that kids can be both strong in who they are and smart enough to thrive in the modern world.

There are beautiful reflections in this conversation about family too, including Chris’s Italian heritage, his marathon-running sister Venere, his son training for New York, and the way running can quietly model a healthy adulthood for your children.

Check out The Stronger Smarter Institute - https://strongersmarter.com.au/

Chris answered Kelli O’Neill’s question: “What’s your favourite aid station food?”

His answer? He doesn’t really have a favourite aid-station food. He tends not to eat much during marathons, doesn’t like gels, and prefers snakes or chewable chews. He did, however, remember the smell of roast beef and roast pork skewers during the Rome Marathon, and a magnificent post-race T-bone steak with red wine afterwards.

And Chris has left a brilliant question for my next guest - but you’ll need to listen to the episode to hear what it is.

💛 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

🎧 Don’t miss an episode

Ben Pyman is back on the podcast and back at Delirious West in 2027, although this time he’s doubled the distance.

After completing the 100 miler twice, Ben has decided there was really only one logical next step. The 200. 😂

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we go back to where Ben’s running started, how he became such a big part of the ultra-running community from both sides of the course, and why these ridiculously long events keep appealing to him.

We also get into how his training has changed this year, including the slightly alarming discovery that perhaps every run doesn’t need to be the same moderate effort for a couple of hours.

And then there’s the 200 itself.

Ben has some interesting ideas about how differently, or perhaps not so differently, he’ll approach it compared with the 100. He’s already suggested a few things that may come back to haunt him over the next six months. 😂

This is going to be a very interesting journey to follow.

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:

Event Facebook group:

💛 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

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

John Herzfeld has already finished the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 miler once.

Apparently that means the obvious thing to do is come back and do it again. 😂

In this first catch-up for the Delirious West 2027 series, we get to know John and the slightly unconventional path that eventually led him into ultra running.

Running hasn’t always been a carefully planned pursuit for John. In fact, his approach to training has occasionally been rather… minimal. Somehow, a strong mind, a love of long adventures and a willingness to keep plodding have taken him a very long way.

We chat about why running gives John a sense of freedom he doesn’t find anywhere else, what happened when a challenge that had kept him running week after week suddenly collided with real life, and why things look a little different heading into Delirious this time.

Because John has done something fairly radical.

He’s got himself a coach.

Whether he actually does what she tells him is another question entirely. 😂

There are just under 200 days to go, so this could be a very entertaining journey to follow.

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

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club

Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.