One run at a time
Fueling the missions with the magic bean
Saturdays are for running chats!
A few months back, the New Zealand trail running podcast, Dirt Church Radio, launched a Substack. On it, they have a fortnightly audio nugget of awesome, especially for paying subscribers.
It’s one of the few Substacks I pay for, not only because it’s great quality, but also because they continue to keep dragging me back into running - a sport I hate but can’t stop taking part in.
Substacks worth paying for
Dirt Church Radio - running newsletter and podcast from journalist/runner Eugene Bingham and punk rocker/medical professional/runner Matt Rayment
Boiler Room - music newsletter from stand-out music and entertainment journo, Chris Schulz
Webworm with David Farrier - investigative journalism, looking into some of the strangest parts of the world, never letting the darkness get in the way of important stories.
Oh, and they listed The Magic Roast as a part of their ‘Recommended by Dirt Church Radio’ list. I can’t help but wonder if that was a mistake, but I quickly jumped on it and posted this amazing news on Instagram.
You know, to guilt them into not taking TMR off the list.
Funny thing is, this recommendation has driving quite a few new readers to The Magic Roast. Turns out runners like coffee.
So, to all of you who have come over from Dirt Church Radio, welcome. And to the DCR lads, thanks!
Better go for a run then
The DCR crew have a knack of making the simple act of going for a run seem incredibly exciting. They have the ability to inspire you to do things that might seem out of reach. They plant little seeds inside your mind-brain that bloom into crazy missions and year long obsessions.
This ability of theirs has encouraged me to do something I’ve been putting off for a while - the Tarawera Ultra Marathon - 50km.
In February 2025, I hope to standing at that start line, with a long playlist of DCR podcasts to listen to, as I trudge my way through the magical forests of Rotorua.
It’s 11 months way, but I’m going to need that time to make sure I get to the finish line strong, rather than just collapse.
I’ve never run that far before. In fact, the longest I’ve run is 25kms. So, half of what the goal is. Shit.
The aim is to tick off a few other events along the way, including the Summerhill Skedaddle in May, and Taupo Ultra 24km in October.
The other aim is to try and enjoy it.
Come with me
This week is the first week of the Squadrun training plan. I’ll post from time to time with progress, updates from missions, coffee inspired off-track bowel movements.
I’m sure this will be a hoot.
I’ve written about running over the last few years, as I’ve trained for the Taupo Ultra 24 (which got cancelled), and TUM 21.
It’s been good looking over some of those posts and watching the journey, the ups and downs, the fun bits and the really shit bits.
What the fuck have I done?