Interview - David Haunschmidt (SCO/NZ)
Read time 4 minutes
Introduction
David Haunschmidt has a LOT of medals. I clocked twenty 1st’s and 2nd’s from last year alone. He took out the UTMB Tarawera Ultra Marathon (50) in 2023, and also claimed the course record. He recently came to do his first run on Australian soil at the Ultra Trail Australia by UTMB event, in the 50k where he took out 2nd, hot on the heels of Australia’s Charlie ‘cowboy’ Hamilton. What makes all this even wilder is that he is an emergency room doctor, founder of the myED app, and an endurance coach with Trail Athlete. As his Instagram account notes, he is certainly living life to the fullest. Let’s find out how he manages to juggle and perform at such a level. You can find David on Instagram @david_zebedee
Interview
Let’s start at the beginning. How did you get into trail running?
I’d always been very active since childhood growing up on a tiny Scottish Island. I did a bit of running during medical school and whilst a junior doctor in the UK, mostly just as a counterbalance to workload/stress. I came to New Zealand at the end of 2016 and with a much better work-life balance spent a lot of my free time walking many of the amazing trails here. I soon became aware I could run these trails and explore so much more. I then discovered there were actual events bringing together like-minded people to do just that. I was hooked!
What is your proudest trail running achievement so far?
I think my biggest achievement is being pretty versatile in the sport. I love the idea of being functionally fit in order to do pretty much anything you ask your body to do. You can have a friend ask if you want to go on this big running adventure last-minute or a long cycle, or swim around that island, and it is such a great feeling to say “Yeah, I can do that, I know I’m capable”.
It also keeps things really interesting. For example, I remember winning Kawerau king of the mountain, which is a 6km super steep up and down gnarly mountain race where you are using your hands and legs to climb, followed 2 weeks later winning Queenstown marathon. They were such different types of movement and intensity. Similarly, doing Ironman events, or recently winning the Obstacle Course Racing Elite Ultimate Athlete a few weeks back. I think we as humans are meant to move and to do these things. It’s great to explore what your body is capable of.
What is your favourite kind of trail to run?
Mountainous, technical, challenging terrain with an epic view. Losing myself in the mountains for a few hours.
Photo credit: David’s Instagram
What is your favourite trail you have ever run, and why?
I have been lucky enough to have had some amazing trail running experiences. Right up there is a short trip to the South Island in 2020 where I ran the Kepler Track, Milford track and Rakiura track, all for the first time, in the space of 5 days. Fantastic weather, quiet trails (due to COVID), lots of wildlife, epic views. Three of the “NZ Great Walks” in one trip. This is why I got into trail running! I remember feeling so happy on the flight home, and was amazed my body was robust enough now to do the mileage and elevation and feel good. It’s incredible how quickly trail running fitness can build-up to let you do these adventures.
What does your typical weekly training schedule look like?
I do a lot less mileage than most of my competitors, favouring plenty of strength-work and cross-training as I think these have such great benefits.
I am a shift-worker, so have to balance training with unusual hours, poor sleep and lack of regular routine. Within a couple of days I can go from finishing work at midnight and being on-call overnight, to being on a day-shift waking at 6.45am. This has led me to become very good at training by feel. Fitting in what I am capable of on the day and not pushing when the body says no. Time-efficiency, being kind to yourself and allowing time for recovery and easier sessions are paramount.
Photo credit: David’s Instagram
Have you always juggled a lot of things on your plate? How did you get so skilled at doing so much at a high level?
This is a constant challenge and I frequently don’t get it right. I think two things are central to this.
My main drive is always that of self-improvement, in all aspects of life. Even if this is just 1% per week or 2 minutes per day, there is always something you can do to improve.
This needs to be balanced with self-acceptance with where you are at now. Not having the second part just leads to anxiety and unhappiness. Learn to be kind to yourself. Learn when to say “No”. Carve out time for ‘you’ and time to do nothing. Often this is where the best ideas and inspiration come from.
Let’s chat nutrition, what is your go-to snack for, let’s say, a long training run?
I train primarily with just water as most of my sessions are under 90 mins. I make sure to fuel well 2-3 hrs before a session and then eat really well within an hour afterwards. For races I use a mixture of gels and tailwind.
Any gear, nutrition, or apparel you swear by?
I’ve been using CurraNZ for a number of years now. The benefits of many handfuls of super nutritious NZ blackcurrants in a daily supplement. Some great evidence based benefits to these.
I love Creepers Toe Socks, fantastic for preventing blisters.
Jabra Elite earbuds are so good if you listen to podcasts or audio books on your runs.
T8 underwear have been a favourite for years.
CurraNZ
Any advice for new trail runners on how to improve their overall performance?
Consistency is key. Just keep chipping-away and you will see gains on gains over time. If you have the right mixture of easy efforts, a sprinkle of harder sessions, some cross-training and enough specific strength-work, you can become unstoppable.
The other main thing is to just enjoy it. You are doing this for fun. So keep it fun. Mix up what you are doing, find new trails, travel to a new event, cross-train, go on adventures. If you keep the consistency and the joy, the results will follow.
Where can we follow along on social media?
Instagram @david_zebedee
Thank you for your time and interest in this content
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Happy, safe trails everyone.