In this sixth check-in, Gabe Alves takes us through his biggest training test yet—a 90K race simulation that included heat training, night running, and an important lesson in mid-race recovery. From hitting a massive energy crash at 30K to bouncing back with chocolate milk and lemonade, this was an invaluable test of physical and mental endurance.

Gabe also shares how he’s tackling pre-race niggles, shifting his mindset from high mileage to injury prevention, and finalising crew plans and race-day logistics with his wife, Belinda. With blister prevention strategies, foot care routines, and a fresh new race pack setup, he’s making sure nothing is left to chance.

With just weeks to go, Gabe is reframing his taper, trusting the training, and getting his mind ready for the adventure ahead!

Key Highlights: •90K ultra simulation—practicing sleep deprivation, night running & aid station stops. •Bouncing back from a total energy crash—why patience & fueling saved the day. •Managing a hamstring niggle and adjusting the final weeks of training. •Blister prevention & foot care routines—the importance of pre-race foot prep. •Finalising crew logistics & race strategy with the Delirious Race Bible. •Mindset shift—why he’s focusing on getting to the start line healthy over logging last-minute miles.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe for more athlete updates and ultra-running insights! Have you ever recovered from a mid-race bonk? Drop your best comeback story in the comments!

Check out the Delirious WEST event - https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ Event Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

In this sixth check-in, Andy and Del Thompson reflect on their biggest training test yet—the Tarawera Ultra 100K in New Zealand! From navigating a packed race field to experiencing stunning volcanic landscapes (and some serious humidity), this adventure was the perfect lead-up to Delirious West.

They share lessons on hydration, nutrition, and fatigue management, including a tough moment of dehydration that led to some unexpected race-day challenges. Back home, they’ve jumped straight into a “shock weekend” of long runs, balancing recovery and final big-mileage efforts before the taper kicks in.

With their crew plan coming together, an offline navigation strategy locked in, and even a menu of aid station food to look forward to, Andy and Del are gearing up for another epic 200-mile journey.

Key Highlights: •Running the Tarawera 100K—an unforgettable race experience in New Zealand. •Dealing with dehydration mid-race and key takeaways for Delirious West. •Final peak training weekend—hiking, sand running, and night training. •Crew logistics and race planning, including hydration and nutrition strategies. •Excitement vs. nerves—getting mentally ready for the big race ahead.

Connect with Us: Subscribe for more athlete updates and ultra-running insights! Have a race-day prep tip or hydration hack? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear it!

Check out the Delirious WEST event - https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ Event Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

This week’s mindful moment is mindful stair climbing, a simple way to bring awareness to an everyday movement. As you walk up or down stairs, focus on each step—how your foot makes contact, the push-off, and the rhythm of your movement. Sync your breath with your steps, inhaling as you lift your leg and exhaling as you step down.

Feel the strength in your legs and the support beneath you.

This practice turns a routine activity into a moment of presence and gratitude for your body’s capabilities.

Spend just five minutes with this practice, and see how it can bring calm and clarity to your day.

For more mindfulness ideas, head over to our ebook with 24 Simple Mindfulness strategies: https://fitmindfitbody.co/books/Help us spread the mindfulness:

1️⃣ If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave a like and review. Your support helps others discover the joy of mindful running.

2️⃣ Have a story or know a runner who'd be perfect for our podcast? Reach out to us on Facebook/Instagram or email (Michelle @ FitMINDFitBODY .co ).

Don’t miss a single episode. Sign up for our email alerts.

In this special episode, we shift the focus from the athletes to the unsung heroes behind the scenes—the crew! Shannon Dale, crew chief for his wife, ultrarunner Darlene Dale, joins us to share what it takes to support a runner through a gruelling 200-mile event like Delirious West.

Shannon shares his experiences from multiple ultras, breaking down the key elements of successful crewing, including organisation, tough love, and knowing when to step in—or step back. From preparing race-day gear bags to managing sleep deprivation and even whipping up mid-race Reuben sandwiches, he covers the highs, lows, and unexpected challenges of being a crew member.

Whether you’re crewing for the first time or a seasoned ultra supporter, this episode is packed with insights, humour, and practical tips to keep your runner moving forward when the going gets tough.

Key Highlights:

•The biggest secret to being a great crew: organisation and planning ahead.

•Tough love vs. compassion: knowing when to push your runner and when to let them rest.

•Food, gear, and aid station hacks—what runners really need in the middle of a 200-miler.

•The importance of community—how crews come together to support all runners, not just their own.

•Managing sleep, logistics, and the unexpected challenges of an ultra event.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe for more ultra-running insights and behind-the-scenes stories from Delirious West! Have you ever crewed for an ultra? Share your best crew tips in the comments!

Check out the Delirious WEST event - https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ Event Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

In this sixth check-in, Stuart Rainbow gives us an inside look at his final training block leading up to the Delirious West 200-miler. With a 12-hour run on the schedule, a deep dive into blister prevention strategies, and a heavy focus on gear refinement, Stuart is making sure he leaves nothing to chance.

He shares insights from his latest long runs, including tackling Melbourne’s scorching heat, managing minor knee niggles, and experimenting with new shoe choices after realising his old pair had logged nearly 1,000km! Stuart also dives into his race strategy, the importance of time on feet vs. speed, and the mental shift required to take on a multi-day ultra.

With the countdown officially on, Stuart is ready to embrace the highs, the lows, and the adventure ahead.

Key Highlights: •12-hour training run and the importance of peak mileage weeks. •Dialling in gear—new shoes, blister patches, and gaiters to combat WA’s sandy trails. •Managing heat training and knee concerns while staying race-ready. •The mental prep for 200 miles—why the Delirious mindset is as important as fitness. •Why seeing the sunrise multiple times during the race is both thrilling and daunting!

Stuart’s Video of Delirious 2024 - https://youtu.be/_XfVd7j4jL4?si=f4PWPrmwLQHp3a2u The Blister Prevention website - https://www.blister-prevention.com/?view=sl-4F3FF98A

Connect with Us: Subscribe for more athlete updates and ultra-running insights! Have a gear tip or blister prevention hack? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what works for you!

Check out the Delirious WEST event - https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ Event Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

In this fifth check-in, James Sawyer shares his final training push as Delirious West 200-miler draws near. While he’s been balancing a mix of rest, recovery, and focused training, he’s also been crewing for his wife during her Rottness solo swim, proving that endurance runs in the family!

James opens up about the mental side of ultra racing, discussing how long runs and fatigue teach runners to push through discomfort. He reflects on his ninth Yabbaru 50K, which was scorching at 37°C, and why time on feet is more important than speed for a race like Delirious. He also dives into his race strategy, tapering approach, and why he’s never had a blister in his ultra-running career—a rare feat indeed!

With just weeks until the race, James is resetting, refocusing, and getting ready for the challenge ahead.

Key Highlights: •Supporting his wife through her 22km open-water swim while kayaking beside her. •Completing the Yabbaru 50K in extreme heat, focusing on time over speed. •Why mental endurance is the real test in ultra-running. •Final tweaks to gear, pacing, and nutrition before Delirious West. •His unique blister-free secret—a mystery even to him!

Connect with Us:

Subscribe for more athlete updates and ultra-running insights! Got a pre-race ritual or a mental hack for long runs? Drop it in the comments!

Check out the Delirious WEST event - https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ Event Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/

This week’s mindful moment introduces a simple yet effective practice: hand movement meditation. Sit comfortably with your hands resting on your lap, palms facing up. Slowly open your fingers wide as you inhale, and gently close them into a fist as you exhale. Focus on the sensations in your hands—the stretch of your skin, the movement of your fingers, and the rhythm of your breath.

This grounding practice is perfect for a quick reset, helping you find calm and mindfulness in just a few moments.

Spend just five minutes with this practice, and see how it can bring calm and clarity to your day.

For more mindfulness ideas, head over to our ebook with 24 Simple Mindfulness strategies: https://fitmindfitbody.co/books/

Help us spread the mindfulness:

1️⃣ If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave a like and review. Your support helps others discover the joy of mindful running.

2️⃣ Have a story or know a runner who'd be perfect for our podcast? Reach out to us on Facebook/Instagram or email (Michelle @ FitMINDFitBODY .co ).

Don’t miss a single episode. Sign up for our email alerts.

This week, we welcome Todd Crush, an ultra-runner, author, and mental health advocate whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Todd’s story isn’t just about running—it’s about survival, resilience, and transformation.

After battling schizophrenia and spending years living in the wilderness, Todd found healing through running. What started as fearful laps around his block evolved into 50-mile races, midnight marathons, and an unwavering commitment to pushing limits. He’s now training for the gruelling Grindstone 100-miler and has two new books on the way to help others navigate their own mental health and running journeys.

In this episode, we dive into:

✅ Todd’s past—how he went from isolation to embracing the running community.

✅ The mental and physical battles he faced running his first 100-mile race.

✅ Why he trains by running 50 miles at midnight on rugged trails.

✅ His philosophy of turning fear into fuel and failure into lessons.

✅ The power of running in silence and being present in the moment.

✅ His upcoming books: Freedom is Running with Nothing Chasing You and Running with Freedom.

Todd’s Running Wisdom:

🏃 Train your mind—the biggest battle is always in your head.

🌙 Face your fears—he went from fearing the dark to running marathons in it.

📖 Your story matters—Todd’s journey proves that sharing struggles can inspire and heal.

Todd’s links: Crushing Impossible Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571303172126

Book - From Beneath the Ice - https://amzn.asia/d/2uWJ4mO

Previous FitMIND FitBODY Episode - https://fitmindfitbody.co/episode-350-running-through-adversity-todd-crushs-journey-to-mental-clarity/

Todd’s story is raw, powerful, and full of life-changing insights. If you’ve ever doubted yourself or faced challenges that felt impossible, this episode will show you what’s truly possible.

🎧 Hit play now and get inspired!

A couple of BIG favours: 1) please like and review this podcast so more people will discover it :) 2) come on the podcast and talk about your running journey and/or refer someone you’d love me to interview (whether you know them or not :) ) Lets not keep the power of running a secret any more! Hit me up on Facebook/Instagram (FitMIND FitBODY) or send me an email - Michelle @ FitMINDFitBODY .co

Don't miss an episode of the FitMind FitBODY Podcast. Sign up to our email list and get notified when new episodes are released.

https://fitmindfitbody.co/podcast/