The Double | A Debrief with the Crew

132 miles, 54,000ft, no medals — just savagery, surrender, and a lot of love.

What happens after someone completes a Double Bob Graham Round?

You sit them down. You sit yourself down. And you talk.

This is a post-run debrief with some of the Poles & Crocs crew. No agenda. No script. Just stories, laughter, and a few thousand-yard stares. We talk about what it took, what it meant, and what nearly fell off. Mental health, group dynamics, physical collapse, and moments of unexpected tenderness.

Benji might have been the one in the arena, but we were all on the mountain.

Give it a listen. Share it with anyone who’s ever tried to do something stupidly hard for no good reason — and came back full of grace, grit, and maybe a few blisters.

It’s not a snazzy, fast-paced, high-production podcast. It’s a few blokes having some rambling craic, so go get a brew, put your feet up, sit back and relax.

And of course, enjoy!

AI-Generated Transcript of Conversation Highlights

Benji's Supported Run Challenge

Benji shared his emotional experience during a recent run, particularly the challenging leg 3 anti-clockwise with Dan, where he had to push through difficult moments. He described the significant support from his father, who joined him for the last leg, and the special connection he felt to the terrain, which reminded him of training with his father as a child. Ben and Chris highlighted the impressive pace of the run, noting that Benji and his team completed it in a faster time than his previous solo attempt, with Benji's father providing encouragement and a change of clothes at the top of a particularly challenging ascent.

Mountain Descent Health Challenge

Benji experienced severe gastrointestinal distress during a challenging mountain descent, which he attributed to consuming a high-calorie donut and caramel syrup. Despite feeling unwell, Benji managed to complete the descent with Ben's support, though the weather conditions deteriorated significantly as they descended. The team maintained a buffer of about an hour and ten minutes, allowing them to complete the section before twilight despite the difficult conditions.

Building Resilience Through Weather Challenges

Benji discussed his experience with the weather during his first attempt at a round, noting that it was challenging but helped him build mental resilience for future attempts. He highlighted the importance of experience and preparation, mentioning that his fitness was better during the first attempt compared to the previous year. Benji also praised the lightweight waterproof jacket provided by Tom Dunbar, which he found to be effective throughout the round. When asked about lessons learned, Benji mentioned that he was satisfied with his kit selection and couldn't identify any significant improvements needed.

Race Support System Success

Benji and Ben discussed the successful support system during a race, highlighting the efficiency of the pit stop-like transitions and the strategic placement of supplies by team members ahead of Benji on the course. Benji praised the paces set by the team, particularly on challenging legs, and expressed gratitude for the support, including the use of soup as a game-changer for his nutrition. Ben explained their approach of asking Benji about his needs for each peak to keep him focused and described how they rotated team members to provide supplies efficiently.

Challenging Weather and Safety Concerns

The group discussed their challenging experience running in harsh weather conditions, particularly during leg 4 where they faced strong winds, rain, and cold temperatures. They highlighted safety concerns, including technical sections and the risk of injury, and noted that managing fatigue and hypothermia was a significant challenge. Despite the difficulties, Benji and others found motivation in their strong performance, the support from pacers, and interactions with other runners, including Irish Dave's comedic abuse, which helped maintain their morale.

Race Hallucinations and Recovery

Benji shared his experience of hallucinations during the race, particularly on Leg 6 and Leg 4, which he attributed to the challenging terrain and physical exertion. He mentioned that his legs felt fine after the race, thanks to Leon's training program, but he experienced some sleep disturbances due to his restless sleep. Despite the physical challenges, Benji was able to return to work immediately after the race, with the support of his colleagues who allowed him to take it easy.

Team Unity and Shared Experiences

The group reflected on their recent challenging experience, emphasizing the strengthened bonds and shared memories formed during the event. They discussed the importance of support and camaraderie, with Benji highlighting the surreal experience of meeting Billy Bland, a significant figure in fell running, and the encouragement he received from him. The team expressed gratitude for the support and unity that made the experience memorable and successful, with plans to support Felix in the next challenge.

Benji's Bob Graham Round Experience

Benji shared his experience of completing the Bob Graham Round, a challenging fell running route, in 13 hours. He described his humble and focused approach, noting that he was able to maintain a state of "tunnel vision" throughout the run, similar to Ayrton Senna's description of being in the zone. Benji attributed this to his thorough preparation, including visualizing the course and knowing the terrain well. The team expressed admiration for his performance and discussed the importance of finding that same level of focus for future challenges.

Benji's Inspirational Double Run Achievement

Benji reflected on his strong work ethic and determination, which he attributed to his father and his past boxing experience. He discussed his recent achievement of completing a challenging double run, which he described as a monumental moment. Ben and Chris expressed admiration for Benji's accomplishment, and Benji shared his emotional experience of completing the last leg of the run with the support of his father's voice in his ear, guiding him to keep going.

Team Celebrates Successful Weekend Event

The team reflected on a successful weekend event, with Benji expressing gratitude for the 39 people who supported him over three days. Chris and others echoed that the experience was extraordinary, noting how the team's collective effort made it possible. They agreed that the event's success was marked by smiles and positive energy, with Benji still processing the experience and looking forward to sharing more details.

Benji's Endurance and Mental Fortitude

The group discussed Benji's extreme endurance experience, where he encountered hallucinations during a 38-hour non-stop adventure. David explained this as a yogic perspective of intense energy movement through the psyche, while Chris and Ben highlighted Benji's remarkable mental fortitude and lack of ego during the challenging conditions. The conversation concluded with Ben sharing an anecdote about tending to Benji's feet during a rehydration stop, where, despite concerns about potential toenail loss, Benji maintained his focus on the overall mission.