In this Delirious 2026 athlete check-in, I catch up with Gabe Alves with just four weeks to go until the big dance - and as always, Gabe brings the perfect mix of thoughtful insight, calm perspective and delightfully nerdy stats. This time we dive into his fascinating experiment with continuous glucose and ketone monitoring, where he shares what he learned about food, focus, fatigue, exercise and even how mentally demanding work can create a response similar to a hard run. It’s a brilliant reminder that no two bodies are the same, and that understanding your own body might just be one of the most powerful tools you can take into an ultra.

We also talk about Gabe’s big back-to-back training weekend, how the numbers helped him tell the difference between a real physical problem and his brain just having a little wobble, and why building your own personal “toolkit” matters so much in an event like Delirious. There’s plenty here for runners who love the detail, but also for anyone who knows that ultras are never just physical - they’re mental, emotional and wildly personal too. Gabe shares how he’s using data to guide recovery, stay healthy, and keep showing up consistently without tipping over the edge.

Of course, we also get into the ever-changing Delirious course, crew planning, pacing possibilities, campervan logistics, sleep strategy, taper plans, and the strange but comforting truth that almost everything in life somehow becomes “Delirious training” at this stage. It’s a fun, honest chat about preparation, problem-solving and doing your best to arrive at the start line healthy, steady and ready for whatever unfolds. Gabe is in a strong place, but he’s also realistic - which is probably exactly where you want to be this close to a 200-mile race.

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

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

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