Episode 524 - From Sickly Kid to 200-Mile Trail Conqueror: Duc Do’s Unorthodox Running Journey

Guest: Duc Do – AI expert, entrepreneur, author, and ultra-runner with a penchant for the “boring” and a training schedule that defies all conventional wisdom. Get Ready For: A wildly inspiring, deeply honest, and surprisingly hilarious conversation that proves there’s no single “right” way to be a runner. Duc’s story is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and finding your own path. Why You’ll Love This Episode: The Ultimate Underdog Story: Duc grew up in Vietnam and India, plagued by chronic illness from overuse of antibiotics. He was the kid who finished dead last in school runs, huffing and puffing while the girls passed him. Fast forward to today, and he’s tackling 200-mile races like Delirious West. How? You’ll have to listen!The “Cunning Plan” (a.k.a. The Anti-Training Plan): Forget 6am track sessions and weekly mileage logs. Duc’s secret weapon? Running just once a week. That’s right. He’s a self-proclaimed “specialist at tapering” and has built an incredible ultra-running career on a single, long Sunday run. His philosophy: make it work for your crazy life, not the other way around.Embrace the Boring (Seriously): Duc didn’t choose running because he loved it; he chose it because he feared and found it utterly boring. His logic? If something is that unappealing, it must be exactly what he needed to break his cycle of illness. Spoiler alert: it worked.Running as Radical Honesty & Meditation: For Duc, ultra-running isn’t about medals or bragging rights. It’s a “privileged playground” to practice mindfulness and be brutally honest with yourself. When you’re 100 miles in, there’s no facade left—just you, your breath, and your footsteps. He shares how this practice bleeds into everyday life.The Power of the DNF: In a world obsessed with finishing, Duc offers a refreshing perspective. He finds deep satisfaction in his Did Not Finishes (DNFs) because the races that cause them are often the most fascinating and transformative. It’s not about the result; it’s about the raw, unfiltered experience.Tips from the Maverick:For Motivation: Sign up for races! Duc calls them “valid excuses” to get out the door and commit. The financial investment and the start line are powerful motivators.For Mental Toughness: When your mind starts to wander (especially when you’re tired or in pain), gently bring it back to the basics: your breath, your footsteps, or the simple rhythm of your movement. Counting or focusing on colours can help.For Race Strategy (His Way): Don’t fight your need for sleep in ultras. Duc, a self-described “big sleeper,” prioritises 1.5-2 hour chunks of quality sleep over micro-naps during 200-milers. Find what works for your body.For Injury Prevention (Maybe): Being a slow runner might be his secret. Duc credits his lack of serious injuries to not pushing for speed, which puts less strain on the body. He’s also transitioning more to trails for their softer impact and muscle variety.The Golden Rule: “There’s a million ways [to run ultras], and there are a lot of ways that I have not even thought of just yet.” Your path is yours alone. Experiment and find what feels right. Duc’s Next Big Adventures: He’s eyeing the gruelling Volstead 500K in the US (because it sounds “boring as hell”) and is determined to conquer the Tour de Trails after two DNFs. His cunning plans for these are already in the works! Connect with Duc: Duc’s LinkTree (all his links) - https://linktr.ee/ducdo 💥 WIN a $150 Tarkine Shoe Voucher - 3rd chance to win! This episode of the ZenRUN Podcast is proudly sponsored by Tarkine — an Australian running brand inspired by Tasmania’s Tarkine wilderness. Their road shoes (like the AutoPilot Burst I’m currently loving!) are light, springy, and seriously comfy. And… one lucky ZenRUN Podcast listener will win a $150 voucher to spend on their own pair of Tarkine shoes! 🎧 How to enter: 1️⃣ Follow @tarkineathletics and @zenrun.club on Instagram 2️⃣ DM the secret code word “Pilot” to @zenrun.club 3️⃣ Comment “Done” on the giveaway post for this episode on Instagram 🗓 Entries close Monday at 11:59pm AEST. Open to Australian residents aged 18+. 📌 This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram. By entering, you release Instagram from all responsibility. We’ll only use your info to contact the winner. 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 (ZenRUN.club) or send me an email - Hello @ zenrun.club Don't miss an episode of the ZenRUN Podcast. Sign up to our email list and get notified when new episodes are released. 💛 Looking for more running motivation? ...