Backyard Schmackyard | DCR AidStation 063

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comThis week, Ali and Matt really get into the nitty-gritty of the toll that the unceasing grind of 2026 is taking on the running industry and all of us—injuries, Sickness, and the relentless burden of having to have something, ANYTHING to say we are training for lest we be seen as someone who runs, rather than a real runner. It’s hectic out there, and the…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.com Photo Credit: J Woodhouse There is nothing we enjoy in Aotearoa more than two little Latin words: per capita. We may not have the economy of scale, or GDP or any of those other things that big countries have, but by hokey me, per capita, we’ve got the goods. This is especially true in the elite trail running space, which is …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comThis week, Ali and Andrew run (ha!) down the notion that suffering in something you choose to do may not even be suffering at all. They peer into one leg of the ultrasphere’s bifurcation and decide that, whilst looking fun, and all, Backyards may not be their thing. Influencers get a dishonourable mention, and as a bonus we’ve got interviews from Ali’s …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comThis week on the AidStation, our heroes gather once again to dissect the thorniest issues in the ultraphere. For some of us, strictly following doctor’s orders is the go; for others, it’s all coming up fondue, or fon-don’t, as it were. Beyond that, we’re pondering why you’d cancel a 240-mile race or even start one; we’ve got cold opens, hot takes, and d…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comCorrine Malcolm aspires to be trail running’s biggest super fan. She’s also been described as a Swiss Army knife of knowledge about the sport and culture. You’ll have heard her on countless live streams at massive races such as Western States. Corrine is part of the Freetrail family and the Trail Society Podcast. With a background in winter biathlon tha…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comThis weekend was about love. Love of the trails, Love of the sport, Love of grassroots events (Yes, CTC, we mean you too) and love of the people who dream up these foolhardy endeavours.Long story short, we all ran a bunch of loops of Blue Lake, and it ruled. We did a tonne of interviews, and they were great too. It all got very Scottish. Give it a hoon.…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comKatharina at TDG in 2024The boundaries between what is possible and what was once thought impossible are crumbling by the day. This is especially true in the ultra space. This week, Ali and Andrew speak to the mighty Katharina Hartmuth about her journey to Tor des Géants, and what she hoped to achieve before her incredible, emphatic win. Pragmatic, driv…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comLook, we’ve lately taken to welcoming the heat death of the universe, or a comet, to rid us of the continued madness of the ultrasphere. Our dudes, it’s getting bad. We’re in a hectic headspace, and we’re here to chat s**t. What’s that alternative to the Sweeny-ness of it all? Can you have your OnlyFans and eat it too? (Sorry). Why is golf? WHILE WE ARE…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.comAll we are is a collection of stories. As hard as we may try, we scream a narrative. It seeps from our pores. Everything speaks, from our genetics to our blood markers; our history written for us, and the history we make ourselves. We became who we are by telling stories, and at the end of the day, all any of us really want is that sense of excitement, …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.com