The ZenRUN Podcast

Have you ever noticed that your breathing has its own rhythm while you run? This week’s ZenRUN Moment is all about becoming curious about your breath, not trying to control it. As you head out on your next run, simply notice what your breathing is doing. Does it speed up on the hills? Settle into an easy rhythm on the flats? Become shorter when you're feeling stressed or pushing the pace? Your breathing is constantly giving you clues about what's happening inside your body. Think of your breath as your own personal running weather report. It reflects how you're feeling in the moment without judging whether that's good or bad. The beautiful thing is that when we stop trying to force our breathing and simply notice it, it often begins to settle naturally. Instead of battling against your breath, you start moving with it. This simple practice can help you feel calmer, more connected, and more present on every run. Rather than getting caught up in pace, distance, or what your watch says, your breath becomes a gentle anchor that keeps bringing you back to the present moment. On your next run, let your breathing guide your awareness for a few minutes. You might be surprised how much easier and more enjoyable your run feels when you stop fighting your breath and start listening to it. 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]

Frank Collins hated running growing up. These days, he seems to have a habit of looking for running challenges that appear slightly ridiculous and thinking, that sounds good. 😂 In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with Frank about how someone who didn’t enjoy school sport or road running found his place on the trails, and eventually discovered that the harder and more technical the challenge, the more interested he became. We chat about his rather eventful introduction to ultra running, the races that have tested him physically and mentally, why he’d rather take the hard path than the easy one, and what keeps drawing him towards challenges that initially seem impossible. Frank also shares why he genuinely enjoys the training and preparation as much as the event itself, how he handles those inevitable moments when things start going badly during a long race, and why running with other people can be one of the simplest ways to get yourself out the door when motivation disappears. We also talk about his upcoming Harry’s King of the Hill challenge, which has a very personal meaning for Frank as he raises money for MND Victoria in memory of his dad. And, of course, there’s Pass the Baton. Frank answers the question left for him by his wife Nida: How do you pick yourself up in a race or event when things aren’t going well? Then he leaves a question for my next guest which suggests we’ve finally moved on from toilet stories… …and entered the world of gruesome runner feet instead. 😂 You’ll have to listen to hear exactly what he asks. Frank’s MND fundraising page https://www.mnd.org.au/conquering-the-hill-for-mnd Frank and Nida’s reno business https://www.facebook.com/FNRandD 💛 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 or email [email protected] 🎧 Don’t miss an episode Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Not every difficult run is caused by tired legs. Sometimes it's our thoughts that make the run feel harder than it really is. We start telling ourselves we're too slow, not fit enough, or that we should be running better. Before long, our mind is working against us instead of with us. This week's ZenRUN Moment is about recognising those moments and responding with kindness instead of more pressure. If you notice your thoughts starting to spiral during a run, try something that might feel a little unexpected - slow down. Not because you've failed. Not because you're giving up. Slow down because you're choosing to reset. Take a deeper breath. Lift your eyes. Notice what's around you. Give your body and mind a chance to reconnect. It's amazing how often thirty seconds of easing off can completely change the emotional tone of a run. Rather than fighting your body or arguing with your thoughts, you create space for them to settle. More often than not, you'll find your rhythm again naturally. Running doesn't always need more effort. Sometimes it needs more awareness. On your next run, if your mind starts racing, see what happens when you respond by listening instead of pushing. You may discover that's exactly what your body needed. Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels. 💛 Want to feel like a runner again? If this conversation resonated, Feel Like a Runner Again will help you get back to enjoying your running. It’s packed with practical tools and guided runs to help you quiet your mind, run with less pressure, and reconnect with the runner you already are. 👉 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]

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with trail and ultra runner Nida Collins. Nida grew up in Bangkok, where heading out the door for a run definitely wasn’t part of everyday life. In fact, her own running journey didn’t really begin until years later in Australia, thanks in part to a Kelpie Labrador called Arnold. Since then, running has taken Nida a very long way from those early jogs. She’s discovered a love of trails and ultras, taken on some seriously challenging terrain, run in some beautiful places around the world and, more recently, completed 24 yards and 162km at Melbourne Front Yard Ultra. But what I really enjoyed about this conversation is Nida’s approach to running. We talk about fear and what happens when you keep going back to something that scares you. We chat about the strange mental game of backyard ultras, dealing with the moments when a race isn’t going the way you hoped, and why sometimes the best strategy for getting yourself out for a run is simply not to think about it too much! We also talk about running as a way to explore when you travel, why Nida always packs her running gear, and some rather impressive Thai trail race aid stations. Let’s just say Australian aid stations may have some catching up to do. 😂 There are plenty of simple, practical little lessons in this conversation too, particularly if you’re someone who thinks you’re “not a runner” or that running longer distances is something other people do. And Nida shares one lesson running has taught her about life that has stuck with her well beyond the trails: Nothing lasts. The good or the bad. Plus, of course, there’s our Pass the Baton question for the next guest. You’ll have to listen to find out what Nida asks them. 😉 💛 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. 👉 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 or email [email protected] 🎧 Don’t miss an episode Subscribe to the ZenRUN Podcast in your favourite podcast app so new conversations land straight in your ears.

Do your shoulders seem to climb the hill before the rest of you? Hills have a funny way of creating tension without us even noticing. As soon as the gradient increases, our shoulders creep towards our ears, our jaw tightens, our fists clench, and our breathing can become short and choppy. This week’s ZenRUN Moment is a simple reminder to check in with your body every time you reach a hill. As you begin a climb, take a quick mental scan. Can you drop your shoulders? Loosen your grip? Relax your face? Take one deeper breath? None of these things will make the hill disappear, but they can make the climb feel much more manageable. We often create extra effort by holding unnecessary tension, and releasing it can help you move more smoothly and efficiently. This is a great reminder for life as well as running. When things become challenging, our instinct is often to tense up and push harder. Sometimes, though, the better approach is to soften first. Relaxing doesn’t mean giving up. It means using your energy where it matters most. So next time you see a hill, don’t just prepare your legs - check in with your whole body. You still have to do the work, but you might be surprised by how much easier it feels when you climb with awareness instead of resistance. Small moments of awareness like this can completely change the way running feels. 💛 Want to feel like a runner again? If this conversation resonated, Feel Like a Runner Again will help you get back to enjoying your running. It’s packed with practical tools and guided runs to help you quiet your mind, run with less pressure, and reconnect with the runner you already are. 👉 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]