The ZenRUN Podcast

This week on the podcast, we welcome the one and only Scott Bunny—fellow Delirious WEST runner, race director, and the man who probably spends as much time gazing at the stars mid-race as he does watching where his feet are going. Scott’s journey to ultra running is anything but traditional. He grew up in WA, served 18 years in the Navy (including in submarines!), and only took up running in his 4...

This week’s mindful moment is mindful stretch-and-twist, a simple practice to energize and ground yourself. Stand tall, lift your arms overhead, and gently twist your torso from side to side. Feel your core engage, your spine lengthen, and let your breath guide the movement—inhale as you lift, exhale as you twist. This easy stretch helps reset your body and mind, bringing a refreshing boost of foc...

After months of following their journeys, the full crew of Delirious podcast athletes is back for one last episode—together, unfiltered, and full of post-race stories. In this special wrap-up after-party, we reflect on the wild highs, brutal lows, and hilarious moments that defined the 2025 Delirious West 200-miler.   With surprise guest Sean Kaesler (yes, the race director himself!), we dive into...

In this heartfelt and uplifting wrap-up episode, Darlene Dale opens up about her 2025 Delirious West experience—an ultra that started with doubts and dizzy spells but transformed into one of her strongest performances yet. Darlene gets honest about early race struggles with plantar fasciitis, nausea, and energy dips, and how one small anti-nausea tablet (thank you, trail angels!) turned her race a...

In this wrap-up episode, we sit down with Gabe Alves to hear the full, raw, and real account of his 2025 Delirious West experience. From a pre-race family emergency and late arrival to the start line, to trail highs, epic views, and unexpected pain—Gabe’s journey is a rollercoaster of resilience and heart.   He shares the joy of finally getting his gear dialled in, the beauty of Conspicuous Cliffs...

  In this warm and wonderfully candid wrap-up episode, Andy and Del Thompson take us inside their 2025 Delirious West adventure—a journey packed with unexpected twists, heartfelt moments, and lessons in patience, teamwork, and trust. From managing race-day fatigue with dirt naps to handling a major campervan breakdown mid-race (seriously… it broke at Broke Inlet!), Andy and Del show what true part...

This week’s mindful moment is mindful cleaning, a beautiful way to turn everyday chores into moments of presence and gratitude. Pick a simple task, like washing dishes or sweeping the floor, and give it your full attention. Notice the feel of the soap and water, the sound of the broom moving, or the patterns that form as you clean. By focusing on the sensations and movements, you transform routine...

In this wrap-up episode, Kevin “Big Kev” Matthews takes us deep into the heart of his fifth Delirious West finish—sharing all the highs, lows, and hilarious moments that made 2025’s edition “The Hilly Year” one to remember. From Mandalay-to-Mount Clare misery (times two) to epic pasta dishes and the infamous “magic hill” at Shelley Beach, Kev recounts a race that was tough on the legs but full of...

In this wrap-up episode, Stuart Rainbow takes us through his unforgettable Delirious West 2025 experience—a journey filled with epic scenery, wild mishaps, emotional highs, and some truly hilarious trail moments. After a DNF the previous year, Stuart returned stronger and more determined than ever, and his storytelling doesn’t disappoint. From an early fall and a missed turn just 2.7km into the ra...

In this deeply personal and powerful wrap-up episode, James Sawyer shares how his Delirious West 2025 unfolded across four days, 79 hours, and hundreds of emotional highs and lows. From the outside, James’ run was smooth—no gear drama, no major disasters—but what made it remarkable was the mental depth, emotional vulnerability, and sheer human connection along the way. Running shoulder-to-shoulder...

In this laugh-out-loud and surprisingly heartfelt episode, Glen Smetherham unpacks his seventh (!!) Delirious West 200-miler—and it just might be his most satisfying yet. Despite going in with a painful heel niggle and a patched-up knee, Glen navigated the course with a unique combination of trail smarts, dry humour, and sheer stubbornness. Alongside his race buddy Felix, Glen ran the full 200 mil...

This week’s mindful moment is planting mindfulness, a grounding practice that connects you with nature. Whether you have a garden or just a small potted plant, take time to care for it with full awareness. Feel the soil in your hands, notice the textures of the leaves, and breathe in the earthy scent. Engaging with plants through movement and touch is a simple yet powerful way to slow down, be pre...

In this powerful wrap-up episode, Mel Gregory shares the full, unfiltered story of her Delirious West journey—from last-minute logistics chaos to emotional lows, stunning trail highs, and a finish line moment that brought everything full circle. Mel opens up about the unexpected challenges before the start line, including car breakdowns, solo travel, and forgotten snacks. But her ability to adapt...

This week’s mindful moment is mindful arm swinging, a simple yet effective way to release tension and connect with your body. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and let your arms hang loosely at your sides. Gently swing them forward and backward, noticing the natural momentum and the way your shoulders relax. As you continue, sync the movement with your breath, allowing each swing to feel m...

In a delightful flip of roles, this episode brings you something special—Michelle Frost is in the hot seat, interviewed by none other than her daughter, Nikki, just days after finishing the epic Delirious West 200-miler. What unfolds is a beautiful, funny, and deeply honest conversation about what it’s really like to spend four days and nights on the trails, chasing dots, dodging frogs, navigating...

This week’s mindful moment is mindful water drinking, a simple yet powerful way to bring awareness to an everyday action. Hold a glass of water in your hands and notice its weight, temperature, and even the condensation on the surface. As you take a slow sip, feel the water move across your tongue and down your throat, imagining it nourishing your body with every swallow.   By fully focusing on th...

In their final check-in before Delirious West, ultra couple Andy and Del Thompson are keeping it real, calm, and kind of hilarious. With their house in full packing chaos, kids to prep for while they’re away, and lists galore, Andy shares their thoughtful, practical, and sometimes cheeky approach to pre-race prep. This episode covers everything from 5K-a-day fundraising for brain cancer, to managi...

In this fourth check-in, Big Kev (Kevin Matthews) brings his trademark honesty, humour, and ultra wisdom to the mic as he faces down his sixth Delirious West—aka what he’s dubbed “The Hilly Year.”   Despite battling a cold and a calf injury, Kev is all systems go. From talking about his almost-gold-buckle chase, hilarious misadventures with March flies, and why this reversed course is both brutal...

In this final check-in, Stuart Rainbow is all-in for Delirious West—even if it means being stalked by a fox mid-run, gluing his shoes to keep the sand out, and completely reworking his race strategy after a last-minute course change.   He shares the highs of a smooth 75K night training run (with donut aid stations, naturally) and the lows of a brief knee scare that had him resting just weeks befor...

This week’s mindful moment is perfect for anyone who spends long hours at a desk: a mindful stretch session. Start by rolling your shoulders forward and backward, noticing the tension releasing with each movement. Then, interlace your fingers and stretch your arms overhead, feeling the length in your spine. Finally, gently twist to each side, focusing on your breath and how your body feels. These...

In his final pre-race check-in, James Sawyer brings his signature low-fuss, high-heart approach to the mic as he prepares to line up for the Delirious West 200-miler. From night runs with his brother to a back-to-back weekend of endurance capped off by a 25K mental health fundraiser walk, James shares how he’s gotten his mental game right—even if he still feels like he’s “not done enough.”   With...

In his seventh and final check-in before Delirious West, Gabe Alves shares how he’s navigating a pre-race curveball—a fractured little toe just four weeks out from race day. Instead of pushing through, Gabe’s leaned into rest, mindfulness, and perspective, choosing recovery over panic.   With help from an ultra-running doctor (who casually offered to “fix it after the race if it snaps again”), Gab...

In her final check-in before the big event, Darlene Dale shares her honest, grounded perspective on what it takes to show up for a 200-miler when things aren’t going perfectly. With plantar fasciitis still lingering, Darlene has shifted from chasing a PB to simply focusing on finishing strong and smart. She talks through her adjusted taper strategy, the role her husband and crew chief Shannon play...

This week’s guest is the energetic, big-hearted Matt Dingjan—a husband, dad of four, small business owner, and now… 24-hour runner! 🏃‍♂️ But Matt’s story goes way beyond the track.   After hitting rock bottom battling stress, burnout, and alcohol, Matt turned to running as a lifeline. What started with a single run has evolved into marathons, life transformations, and now a massive goal: running...

This week’s mindful moment is all about mindful shadow play, a fun and creative way to bring awareness into the present moment. Find a light source, like the sun or a lamp, and observe your shadow. Move your hands, arms, or legs, and notice how your shadow shifts and changes. Play with shapes or simply watch the interaction of light and movement. This practice sparks curiosity and a sense of wonde...