FROM ADRENALINE RACER TO HIPPIE RUNNER

FROM ADRENALINE RACER TO HIPPIE RUNNER

Kate Dzienis • August 23, 2018
Contributed by Rob Donkersloot, AURA President

A few years ago I reckon my ultra running was about the adrenaline rush. About a week before race day it would start – the scarier the race, the bigger the rush. I would feed it like a smack addict, with harder races, longer distances. If I wasn’t jumping out of my skin at the start line, I would be worried there was something wrong. Everything was about the goal, the pace plan. Achievement or failure. During the race itself my mind would focus on what lay ahead, the pain that was waiting for me. Just to top up the adrenaline.

Then in 2015 after falling apart at Great North Walk, I fired my then coach, a hard core ‘man’s man’ legend in US trail running circles, and replaced him with a self-proclaimed hippie, a legend in Australian ultra track running circles.

I was introduced to meditation, and how to think differently about my running, both before and during events. In December that year, I stood on the beach for the start of Kosci, and rather than excitement and adrenaline, my mind was at peace and totally calm.

You’ve chosen a terrific way of integrating images and text into your website. Move the image anywhere you want in this container and the text will automatically wrap around it. You can display events team members new products and more easily and creatively. To start add an image from the Image Picker and edit it as you would edit any image in the system. For example you can link the image to existing pages in your site a website URL a popup or an anchor. After you’ve chosen the image add your text. You can add text that describes the image you’ve selected or simply use the image for decorative purposes. \nYou’ve chosen a terrific way of integrating images and text into your website. Move the image anywhere you want in this container and the text will automatically wrap around it. You can display events team members new products more easily and creatively. To start add an image from the Image Picker and edit it as you would edit any image in the system. For example you can link the image to existing pages in your site a website URL a popup or an anchor. After you’ve chosen the image add your text. You can add text that describes the image you’ve selected or simply use the image for decorative purposes.

Try being a hippie runner, and concentrate on the journey rather than the achievement. You may find you like it.

By Kate Dzienis July 10, 2025
This week's report includes results from Ultra-Trail Jervis Bay, Brisbane Trail Ultra, Freycinet Trail Run, the Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational, Red Dirt Backyard Ultra, and Dead Cow Gully
By Gary Mullins July 4, 2025
Applications for the 24 Hour World Championships are now open
By Gary Mullins June 27, 2025
Each month, the AUTRA Committee will bring you a quick hit from the inside and how they are helping shape the future of the sport.
Ultr
By Kate Dzienis June 27, 2025
Meet your new AUTRA Committee members for 2025.
June 27, 2025
Lisa Sherman unpacks the lesser-known impacts of drinking on recovery, sleep and performance.
LOAD MORE

share this

IN OTHER NEWS

By Kate Dzienis July 10, 2025
This week's report includes results from Ultra-Trail Jervis Bay, Brisbane Trail Ultra, Freycinet Trail Run, the Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational, Red Dirt Backyard Ultra, and Dead Cow Gully
By Gary Mullins July 4, 2025
Applications for the 24 Hour World Championships are now open
By Gary Mullins June 27, 2025
Each month, the AUTRA Committee will bring you a quick hit from the inside and how they are helping shape the future of the sport.
ALL NEWS