The Renovation That Broke Me

Alex spent an entire week off work trying to build a deck. What he found underground nearly sent him over the edge. Buried rocks the size of a coffin, mystery pipes, failed inspections, and a $1,200 hole-digging bill with almost nothing to show for it. This is the most honest renovation meltdown you'll ever hear.In this episode:- The full deck disaster saga, from Kanga loaders to jackhammers to total surrender- Troy's post-race comedown and what it feels like when the cheering stops- Why running in the rain alone after a big race is where the real work begins- The official launch of the Pulling Threads Book Club and the first book pick- Top 3 best smells of all time, including one that will divide every listener- The evolutionary reason your armpits stink and whether clipping them actually helps- Why one night camping fixed more stress than a week of grinding ever couldTimestamps:(00:14) Welcome back and Troy's post-race comedown(01:01) The emotional low after finishing your first ultra(03:18) Ultra runner status and run inflation(05:06) Alex's week of severe unhappiness begins(06:46) The deck project prep, pallets of concrete and $6K of composite decking(10:39) First hole hits a massive buried rock(17:09) Digging out a mystery rock the size of a 12-year-old's burial plot(21:06) Second row of holes hits a steel pipe underground(25:25) $1,200 in Kanga hire and almost no holes to show for it(28:49) Calling off the deck and reverse logistics nightmare(33:27) Launching the Pulling Threads Book Club(38:10) What makes a book worth reading on the pod(42:59) Top 3 best smells, KFC outside the building(47:37) The smell of rain and the science of petrichor(50:00) Petrol at the go-kart track(51:31) Troy's final pick and the evolutionary purpose of armpit hairFull episode out now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Follow the pod on Instagram: @pullingthreads