Episode 591 - 2026 Delirious Series - Sym Mercer’s Delirious Check-In #4 - High-Vis, 47 Degrees & a Teddy Bear

#4

Sym Mercer checks in this month… live from a 47-degree audit site, in high-vis, somewhere in outback Queensland 😅

And honestly? She sounds calm. Strong. Ready.

In this episode we talk injury management, heat acclimatisation, race planning squeezed between remote jobs, and that very familiar feeling of:

“Can we just start already?”

Sym has been modifying her training but still knocked out 34km with 1000m elevation and pulled up well – which is a huge confidence boost at this stage. She’s managing the injury rather than obsessing over it – and that mindset shift alone is powerful.

We also dive into:

• How she handles 44-degree afternoon runs (yes… 44 😳)

• Travel logistics when you won’t be home until just before you leave for WA

• Banking work time now so she can “spend it” on adventure later

• The simplicity of ultra thinking – just get to the next checkpoint

• And… the real star of the episode… Ranga 🧡

For those new here, Ranga is Sym’s 39-year companion – a soft toy from the 80s who travels to every event and waits at checkpoints with the crew. He has his own T-shirts. He has front seat privileges. He does not go in the backpack (because we don’t get him wet).

It’s quirky. It’s human. And it’s actually beautiful.

Because this is what these long-distance adventures are really about – rituals, meaning, loyalty, community… and getting yourself to the start line in whatever way works for you.

There are many paths to Delirious.

Sym’s just happens to include high-vis, 47 degrees, and a 40-year-old Elf.

And I love it.

⸻

💛 Why You’ll Love This Episode

•Real talk about managing niggles without spiralling

•Practical heat adaptation mindset

•Planning under pressure (when work is full-on)

•A beautiful reminder to focus on what you can control

•The story of Ranga – Delirious’ unofficial emotional support crew member

⸻

🏃‍♀️ Sym’s Quiet Wisdom

When things aren’t perfect:

• Don’t overthink it

• Focus on what you can do

• Manage, don’t obsess

• Get to the next checkpoint

Simple. Powerful. Ultra mindset at its finest.

Delirious WEST event Website – https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/

Event Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428304207182387

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