Co-host Alison Mariella Désir is joined by Chris Z, a 47-year-old writer, ultrarunner, cat lover, and coffee connoisseur living in Germany; he is also a former touring musician and music professional, having played in hardcore-punk bands.
Co-host Alison Mariella Désir is joined by Chris Z, a 47-year-old writer, ultrarunner, cat lover, and coffee connoisseur living in Germany; he is also a former touring musician and music professional, having played in hardcore-punk bands.
Chris is also the founder and CEO of the running clothing brand Willpower. As a writer, Chris writes on Substack under the account Das Z about ultra trail running culture; he’s the author of the book Runhundred, about his experiences at the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run; and he regularly contributes stories to various running magazines like Runner’s World, Laufzeit, and Like the Wind.
In this episode, Chris and Alison talk about Chris’s background in the punk-hardcore scenes and how he made the change to become an ultra trail running. They also reflect on running culture, how it’s changed, stayed the same, and what we can do to call out problematic elements of the culture itself.
EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com
Our Season 3 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com
Mentioned in this Episode
Chris Z on Instagram: @chrisxwillpower
Chris Z on Substack: dasz.substack.com
Runhundred: runhundred.run
EARTHMOVERS Hosts
Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4
Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir
Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin