Some Work, All Play

David Roche and Megan Roche

Five to ten topics, sometimes about running, with lots of love and enthusiasm and science. We dig deep into training, races, studies, pop culture, and much more! With Megan Roche, M.D. and David Roche!

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326 episodes
Updated July 28

Episodes326

Newest first

Sep 3, 2024 · 1 hr 37 min
222. History at UTMB, Leadville 100 CR Spicy Questions, The World's Greatest Sports Headline, Post-Run Uphill Treadmill, and What We Did To Our Scale!
We put lubrication in all the right places before this amazing episode! The main topic was a rundown of our big takeaways from the UTMB races, the most important week of the trail running year. Times get faster and faster... but carnage comes with it. We talk about how the fueling revolution may be impacting races, both in terms of speed and GI issues. Plus we break down the biggest storylines from the races, with some behind-the-scenes info you'll only get here! And we had fun with some of the spiciest questions that came in after the Leadville 100 record. Do we think this is a turning point in the sport? (No.) Do we recommend running on hate? (No, with exceptions.) Do we know our weight and bodyfat%? (Absolutely the heck not.) We also share the best headline of all time, from the website Defector. Prepare to run your D, V, A, and/or F off! This one was a total buffet of the best topics! Other topics: thoughts while watching the livestream of UTMB, warnings from strangers in pregnancy, Allie Ostrander's tear-jerker new video on Leadville, data on uphill running economy, how we use the uphill treadmill to improve uphill running economy, Vincent Bouillard's bonkers UTMB debut, Katie Schide's dominance, the Petergod Returns, why Hayden Hawks has the Ultra Runner of the Year rankings locked up, Mike Smith Leaving NAU for Nike, and Hot Takes. Stick around for the most touching Listener Corner message ever. Fill up your Panera Bread bowls with joy and let's feast! Watch Allie's Leadville 100 video and subscribe to her channel here: https://youtu.be/B6k6XgHeSCI?si=OUHOm_xdKhrGA7y6 Follow Huzzah for science insights: https://www.instagram.com/thehuzzahhub/ Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") For weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap
Aug 27, 2024 · 1 hr 54 min
221. Leadville 100 Course Record Q+A! The "No Secrets" Episode. Telling All on Training, Fueling, Pacing, Mindset, and More!
We had so much fun with this no-secrets episode on the Leadville 100 Mile course record! We answered a couple dozen listener questions on everything from training theory to race execution to supplements. We even detailed some harrowing stories about post-race recovery that will leave you breathless (from laughing). Throughout the history of the podcast, we have tried to be open books about everything. Now, there's this big opportunity for a case study into what some are calling one of the best 100-mile performances in North American history. Have you ever wondered about training, nutrition, logistics, mindset, or anything else? We're holding nothing back. This podcast audience has been there since the beginning. Thank you for believing in us as we've been so open along the way. You can never be sure where the journey goes, especially athletically when so much is out of our control. But if you stack bricks for a decade or two, you might just F around and find out. This one is for the brick-stackers. We love you all! HUZZAH Follow Huzzah for science insights: https://www.instagram.com/thehuzzahhub/ Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Follow Cody Bare: https://www.instagram.com/codybare_/ For weekly bonus podcasts and articles: patreon.com/swap
Aug 20, 2024 · 2 hr 1 min
220. Leadville 100 Mile Record! What Just Happened?! Stories, Lessons, and Gratitude from a Dream Day
We pinched each other to make sure it wasn’t all a dream before recording this celebration episode! This one was all about processing David’s course record run at the Leadville 100 Miler. For 19 years, Matt Carpenter’s Leadville record of 15:42 has been talked about as one of the most untouchable marks in running. But a lot has happened since 2005, with advances in training, fueling, shoes, and altitude science. So even though Matt is a GOAT, we thought it was possible. Yes, it seemed like low odds. All we knew for sure is that there would be a chance for one half-court shot at history. And shooters shoot. David ran 15:26, setting the new record by 16 minutes on a magical day. We share all of our initial reactions: the build up, what made the shot seem work taking, why adversity might have been a blessing, how the sport is changing, and how it all unfolded. During the race recap, we took tangents to talk about all of the weird and wild moments! We are still processing everything, so you’re getting our raw, sleep-deprived feelings on what happens at the edge of human experiences. The race story ends with an emotional moment that we’ll both never forget. We just want to take a step back and share that with you all. Throughout this journey, the podcast has been our weekly check-in with people who we love so much. Yes, there has been humor, sadness, frustration, joy, setbacks, and everything else along this journey. But coming into that finishing chute, breaking the unbreakable record... that was only possible because of love. And we love you all! This is also the LAUNCH DAY for Huzzah, the new female athlete performance and health hub from Megan! It’s the culmination of so much work, and you’re going to love it. Follow now at the link below. Thank you all. If this is a dream, we hope that when we wake up, we remember what it felt like to know there were all of these people out there shooting big shots, being silly, feeling feelings, and shining their lights. Shoot your shot. Follow Huzzah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehuzzahhub/ Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap
Aug 13, 2024 · 1 hr 35 min
219. Kilian Jornet's Training, New Double Threshold Workout Study, Strides Speed Tutorial, The Best Olympics Ever, Unique Glute Engagement, and Hilarious Adversity!
We felt infinite gratitude to not feel infinite stomach acid before this celebration episode! The main training topic was Kilian Jornet's training to win Sierre Zinal, the Olympics of trail running. The GOAT described his weekly volume, approach to training structure, and all of his workouts. We broke down what it means for everyone else! We also talked about a new study on double threshold workouts. The authors sought to answer a novel question: how do stress responses differ when a big workout is split into two parts in the AM and PM versus when it is conducted all at once? If this study was any more Norwegian, it would be listening to weird pop music and telling us that the secret is not keeping score in youth sports. And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: the hilarious adversity we faced in the Leadville 100 taper, why our baby is tougher than we are, when specificity training is taken too far, cross training for aerobic development, using the uphill treadmill for threshold training, how fast to run strides, a coach in politics, Fiona O'Keefe and the decision to race with health concerns, concerning parent heart rate at the Olympics, Courtney Dauwalter motivating the U.S. Women's Soccer team, Cole Hocker's gold medal pass on the inside, Sifan Hassan's bonkers race schedule, lots more Olympics thoughts, and hot takes. Do you want to know one listener's way to engage their glutes? Stick around to the end of the episode. PTs don't want you to know this one big secret! We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP") Get 15% off a Raide belt with 2L capacity: https://raideresearch.com/products/lf-2l (code "SWAP15")
Aug 6, 2024 · 1 hr 28 min
218. Science of Year-Round Heat Training, Tecton 3 Review, New Bicarb Performance Study, Pommel Horse Guy, and Our Favorite Olympics Stories!
We considered buying our very own pommel horse before this amazing episode! The main topic was a new study that may show a big reason for performance leaps across sports. In the study, just a few weeks of heat training caused 3% improvements in hemoglobin mass, associated with jumps in fitness. However, the adaptations reversed to baseline rapidly. What does it mean? Heat may be the next frontier of health and performance. Professor Nelly said we should take off all of our clothes, but the study authors beg to differ. We also talked about the Tecton 3, the new trail supershoe from HOKA. It's a total remake, with similar responsive softness as road supershoes. We are big fans, with some small gripes. All of these shoe companies are now on the clock to take a similar evolutionary leap. Adapt or die, trail shoe edition. And this one was packed full of the best topics! Other topics: putting the finishing touches on Leadville 100 training, saying big goals out loud, bad hot takes on gymnastics, medium hot takes on politics, built-in gaiters, another study showing performance improvements from sodium bicarbonate, the uncertain future of bicarb supplementation, our favorite stories from the Olympics, Pommel Horse Guy, Simone Biles and the power of FAAFO, our admiration for Noah Lyles, Grant Fisher's 10k bronze, Kristen Faulkner winning gold after quitting her VC job, Olli Hoare and critics, Snoop Dogg, the wild marathon course, and hot takes. What do Garfield and Clifford listen to when they want to get freaky? Tune in and find out. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jul 30, 2024 · 1 hr 42 min
217. Microbiome and Performance, Hydration with Electrolytes, Easy and Hard Training Doses, Keeping Running Weird, Sky-High VO2 Max, and Exploring Talent!
We brought hearts full of love to this episode! We start by remembering the amazing Maddie Giegold, an ultrarunner and doctor who passed away suddenly several days before finishing her medical residency. Maddie was so full of life and love. The Universe will always be brighter because she was here. The main science topic was on data connecting microbiome composition to athletic performance, which companies are now racing to develop into supplements. The more research is done, the more we are seeing that gut health is tied to every aspect of health and performance. Will there be a future where we can take a personalized pill to optimize our brain and body via the microbiome? The jury is out on that question. In the meantime, there will be poop jokes. We also talked about studies that compare stress from easy training and higher-intensity training. How much more stressful is harder exercise? The answer has major implications for how we think about intensity distribution. And there were tons more great topics! Other topics: quad soreness from downhill running, Leadville 100 training, the importance of electrolytes in hydration approaches, core work "snacks," Kristian Blummenfelt reportedly moving to cycling in 2025, what we think about suspiciously high VO2 max numbers, why we loved the Opening Ceremony at the Olympics, stories from the Olympics so far, why running should embrace "weirdness" of terrain and outcomes, a study on genetic variation and red blood cell counts, implications for what we call "talent," a follow-up on cardiac output, and hot takes. Let's all yell "woohoo" extra loud today, for Maddie. We love you Maddie, and we will miss you forever. Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jul 23, 2024 · 1 hr 31 min
216. Using Heart Rate Data, Why Everyone is Faster in Cycling, Strides and Cardiac Output, Fueling Performance Leaps, Sweat Testing, and Hot News!
We had a party with our insect friends before recording this great episode! A big topic was answering a listener question on how to use heart rate zones in practice when the data can seem so noisy. We think that calibrating effort is incredibly helpful for athletes... as long as they keep it simple. We break down what that looks like! Plus, we tried something new in this episode with a segment called "Hot News" near the start. This week, it included Tadej Pogacar's remarkable Tour de France (and the entire peloton's stunning improvements), Jamil Coury purchasing Ultrarunning Magazine, Nike's stock plummeting, McKendree Hickory's record at the High Lonesome 100, and Joe Biden's DNF in the Presidential race. We had to edit out one especially spicy political take. Let your imaginations run wild. And this one was full of so many fun topics! Other topics: meeting a podcast listener on a summit, why "don't change" might be the most powerful message of love, how carbs and caffeine interact for fatigue resistance, a theory for why fat oxidation doesn't need to be trained in a specific way, the value (or not) of sweat tests, a new study on "strides" in hockey players and how that impacts cardiac output, and hot takes. We'll tell you what we told the insects invading our house. You are welcome here. You are loved. Make yourself at home in the protein powder. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jul 16, 2024 · 1 hr 33 min
215. Hardrock 100 Resets What's Possible, Courtney Makes History, Steep Uphill Training, The Cooling Revolution, and a Cycling Performance Mystery!
Our GPS watches told us we were "Peaking" for this great episode! The main topic was inspiration from the Hardrock 100. Ludovic Pommeret won just before his 49th birthday, setting a course record in the process, redefining what's possible with age. Courtney Dauwalter set her 3rd consecutive course record, once again proving that she's the GOAT. We talk about how athletes should think about training for steep uphills and downhills, along with lessons for everyone from the record-setting era we are in. The regular news right now is bonkers in a bad way. But the endurance sports news? Only the best type of bonkers! And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: nonsense metrics from GPS watches, the Leadville 100 decision, red meat rumination, applying principles from The Cooling Revolution in summer runs, the best drink mix, whether to consider taking ketones on race week, a new study on downhill running, how hot and cold exposure impact recovery from muscle damage, why we love CICLISMO, amazing reporting on carbon monoxide rebreathing possibly being used illegally in cycling to increase red blood cell production, individual variability with supershoes, and hot takes. Megan makes a provocative statement about alien octopus love at the end of this episode. Stick around. Feel the slimy tentacles of happiness. We love you all like Megan loves octopus aliens! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Skratch Lemon Lime Drink Mix: https://thefeed.com/products/skratch-labs-exercise-hydration-mix Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jul 9, 2024 · 1 hr 27 min
214. Silver Rush 50 Mile and Getting Back Up, Shoe Hot Takes, Fueling Slower Efforts, Unconventional Tapers, Mount Marathon, and Tour de France Stories!
We took some Big Leadville Energy into this great episode! The main topic was the Silver Rush 50 Miler, which David raced on Saturday. The last few months have been a doozy, starting with the bike accident and severe concussion back in early April. It has been hard at times, in ways that go a lot deeper than athletics. This episode is about falling, and the power to GET. BACK. UP. The 50 Miler was David's best ultra yet, and it possibly sets up a date with destiny at the Leadville 100 in August (or not). It gave us an excuse to talk about so many fun topics: the decision to race after sickness, the non-linear mental health journey since the concussion, pre-race meals, Naked belts, road shoes in trail races, unconventional tapers, altitude racing, the logistics of high-carb fueling and how that relates to effort level, and whether to bicarb or not to bicarb. Plus lots more! And that was just the start of a celebration episode! Other topics: Tour de France stories including Mark Cavendish's legendary win record, embracing power and finding your strong, the most epic aero glasses, lessons from Klaire Rhodes' win at Mount Marathon, combining ketones and caffeine, the UK's ridiculous Olympic standards, Michelle Rohl's podium finish in racewalking at 58, and hot takes. David wore Hoka Mach Xs (a road shoe without any traction) for a 50 miler with tons of rocks. So maybe keep that in mind during his spicy shoe take at the end of this episode. Or better yet, treat it like advice from George Costanza, and do the opposite. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jul 2, 2024 · 1 hr 37 min
213. Western States 100 Insanity and How The Sport Has Changed Forever, Why Everyone is Getting Faster, The Biggest Trail Breakthrough Ever, and History at the Olympic Trials!
We were flying high after the best sports week of all time for this amazing episode! The main topic was the 2024 Western States 100, the most insane race we have ever seen. It was not a cool year, but the times were wildly faster across the board, building on massive speed breakthroughs from 2023. What are we seeing? The same trends are present on the track and even in other endurance sports. We have theories! The biggest, most exciting question of all: where might this trend be going next? We aren't sure, but after seeing this year's Western States unfold... we think it's indicative of a fundamental shift across endurance sports, and we can't wait to see where things go from here. Storylines included Jim Walmsley and Katie Schide further establishing legacies as two of the best ever, Rod Farvard's breakthrough that might be the story of the race, the importance of pushing the pace earlier than previously thought, the cruelty of sports existing right alongside the uplifting stories, aging athletes resetting what's possible, and so much more! Plus, we brought tons of fun stories from the Olympic Track Trials, which we got to experience firsthand with the athletes. There are so many lessons to share. Most importantly, there were unlimited free snacks. We'll be eating like we stole a vending machine for weeks. This episode is full of so much love, joy, and inspiration! We hope that you feel it, absorb it, and go on to chase your own limits. How fast can you go? How many snacks can you grab? There's only one way to find out. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jun 25, 2024 · 1 hr 28 min
212. Olympic Trials Stories, Western States Preview, Jim Walmsley's VK, Salty Foods for Training, Broken Arrow Breakthroughs, and Arm Band Heart Rate!
We are coming to you from Eugene, Oregon at the Olympic Track Trials for this amazing episode! The main topic was on some inspiring stories from the first half of the Trials, which feels like the ultimate party of the US running world. And like most good parties, it features a lot of Snoop Dogg. We also talked about lessons from Broken Arrow, including Jim Walmsley doing the Vertical Kilometer race prior to the Western States 100, right alongside Anna Gibson racing the VK prior to the Olympic Trials 1500 meters. It's clear that we are seeing something about how this type of skill applies to all types of events, whether those events are 4 minutes or 14 hours! And this one was full of some of the greatest topics! Other topics: our initial thoughts on Oregon and Tracktown USA, getting coaching credentials at the Trials, birthday reflections, a question on salty food options for endurance events, why Broken Arrow was one of the most competitive races ever on US soil, Jade Belzberg's incredible journey for an incredible race in the 23k, Drew Hunter's gutsy 4th place in the Trials 10k, the psychology of racing in heats, why an emphasis on coaches in Olympics coverage makes David nervous, why Megan thinks it's a weak argument, a Western States preview, how this year's race will unfold, the incredible tech of the Coros Arm Band HR monitor, UTMB's new prize money announcement, and hot takes. The episode finishes with a meditation inspired by our spiritual teacher, Ludacris. May all of your days and all of your drinks be crunk. We love you all! HUZZAH! Trucks! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Tater Boost at The Feed: https://thefeed.com/products/tater-boost Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jun 18, 2024 · 1 hr 35 min
211. Speed for Long Races, Olympic Trials and Western States, vVO2 Workouts, Roger Federer's Speech on Belief, and Bicarb Hacks!
We thought long and hard about alien physiology before recording this great episode! The main topic was a wildly cool wrinkle in training science. Across all different types of events, the most predictive variable for performance is often how fast an athlete can go at VO2 max effort. That could have massive implications for how we think about training and what we consider "specificity" for long events! We discussed why we think that is, along with workout designs, the use of hills, and how much we want to get aliens on a treadmill. ET can phone home after ET does a VO2 max test. And this one was full of our favorite topics! Other topics: Addie dog going strong at nearly 12 years old, the upcoming Olympic Trials on the track, our wild travel schedule between the Trials and Western States, stroller running and our worrisome experience, sodium bicarbonate hacks, workout design, the power of using set-based structures, running economy and other predictors in ultras, a new study on fatigue resistance/durability and its relation to training status, Alex Honnold running the Lavaredo 50k, Roger Federer's wonderful speech on perseverance, messages about ferritin increases from liposomal iron, Joey Chestnut's ban from the hot dog eating contest and what it says about sponsorships, the increasing cost of shoes, Keely Hodgkinson's low-volume approach with lots of cross training, and hot takes. When the aliens arrive, we should give them a cup of chocolate Nesquik so they can experience our finest delicacies. Then it's straight onto the treadmill for some podcast content. We love you all! HUZZAH! Aliens! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jun 11, 2024 · 1 hr 34 min
210. Why Strides Work, Supershoe Tech Review for the Trails, History at NCAA Champs, Parker Valby's Dominance, and AI Songs!
We put on some bouncy shoes for optimal energy return before this great episode! The main training discussion was a new study on a speed protocol that caused major improvements in high-level runners. We zoom out to discuss other studies that have similar findings, including one that provided a theory for mechanisms in slow-twitch muscle fibers. There is one thing almost every endurance athlete should be doing--short speed/hill repeats under 30 seconds. It's wild how simple it can be! Before that, we got to share amazing news: we just got our hands on a trail supershoe that seems to channel the tech that changed the game in road running. The Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is soft underfoot and built-up like its road counterparts, and it'll feel familiar to anyone who has had the silky smooth feeling of going fast in the new generation of shoes. We have some gripes (what is up with that sizing? Are they stable/durable?), but mostly we are excited about what it might mean for the future once this tech approach trickles down across the sport, including to training shoes. And this episode was full of amazing topics! Other topics: matching outfits, the fun of track coaching, why trail shoes are lagging behind, what the future might hold for shoes based on the timeline from roads, running economy improvements after speed-based interventions, how to incorporate strides into a training plan, "delivering the message" in ultras, On sponsoring Zendaya, Allie Ostrander's win at the Portland Track Festival and why we think it's one of the best stories in sports, Shane Cohen's breakthrough win at the NCAA Champs, Parker Valby's dominance (and shoe craftsmanship), an AI song from a listener (plus other AI thoughts), a study on potential mitochondria-based changes from sodium bicarbonate, and hot takes. If On has Zendaya, the SWAP podcast needs to get Timothee Chalamet. Someone text him for us! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Find Chia Smash Jam at The Feed: https://thefeed.com/products/chia-smash Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
Jun 4, 2024 · 1 hr 36 min
209. Love With Limits, Spring Energy's False Nutrition Labels, Kilian's Unmatched Dominance, Running Club Romance, and The Future is Female Coaches!
We were emotionally hardened by some sleepless nights before recording this special episode! A couple months ago, a brilliant podcast listener on Reddit published her predictions that Spring Energy's Awesomesauce gel had incorrect calorie counts. Three weeks ago, those findings were confirmed by a German lab. This past week, everything exploded on social media with all of Spring's gels listing fraudulent calorie totals, roping us into a situation that we never hope to relive. This episode talks about our emotions. We are furious about the mislabeling. We wish we could go back in time and tell ourselves that nutrition labels can list fraudulent calorie totals, and we wish we could undo the health and performance struggles that so many runners have felt due to the egregious mislabeling. We are sorry for our connections to Spring years ago, and we love you all. At the same time, love has limits. This past week pushed us to our emotional edge. It demonstrated some of the problems with social media and a society that can chase clout and clicks over kindness and nuanced facts. Podcast listeners got us through, and we are emerging with more compassion, more courage, and fewer f's to give. As Megan wrote, "Love to you all, especially to any woman who has dealt with a small man: may you become larger in who you authentically are." And we threw in a bunch of fun topics! Other topics: reflections from sleepless nights, Pride Month joy, lessons from some of the highest energy expenditures ever studied, women in coaching, Unbound Cycling and the success of multisport athletes in bike races, Kilian's legendary dominance at Zegama, a study on CBD in runners, running club romantic connections, our love of Park Runs, and hot takes. We finish with some Listener Corner messages that kept us going in a really hard time. We love you all! Yes, ALL. The world can be dark and scary, especially on social media, and we hope that we can help fill your lives with as much light and as many calories as possible. PSA: empty your septic tanks and don't let the stank affect who you are. HUZZAH!!! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Find Thorne Iron at The Feed: https://www.thorne.com/products/dp/iron-bisglycinate Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
May 28, 2024 · 1 hr 35 min
208. Gel Controversy Grows, Courtney's Nutrition Strategy, Fueling Case Studies, World Record 10k, Trash Talking on the Track, and A Meaning of Life!
We ate a bag of performance waffles to get ready for this awesome episode! The first topic was a follow-up on the controversy about a gel that may have mislabeled its calorie count. We discuss emails from listeners that provide more context, along with what it might mean for food labeling generally. It's a wild, wild world out there! The main training topic was Courtney Dauwalter's race-day nutrition, which she discussed in a recent interview. The GOAT says she only consumes 200 calories per hour during races, well below most other elite athletes. What are we seeing? We dive into metabolic variance, and how that might be relevant based on gender and background. There is lots of wiggle room to find what works for you! Become one with the slurp. And there were so many other great topics! Other topics: how often nutrition labels might be misleading, what we predict will happen next in the controversy, strange body connections via David's post-crash experience, practicing competition in training, pre-training meals, why Vafels are our new favorite pre-training fuel, case studies on race-day fueling numbers, a fun study on "grounding" science, the 10k world record, the Pre Classic mile and how trash talk is making track more fun, David's experience with sodium bicarbonate prior to intense workouts, why frivolous pursuits are meaningful, a survey on sleeping in separate beds, Brooks' surprising new sponsored athlete (an actor!), and hot takes. If you put this episode in a calorimeter, you'd see that it has enough energy to power a spaceship! Just don't check our math on that. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Find Vafels at The Feed: https://thefeed.com/products/vafels Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
May 21, 2024 · 1 hr 35 min
207. Core Strength, Controversy in a Gel's Calorie Total, Track Coaching Takeaways, Ketones and Hormones, Big Hope, and Coaching AI!
We gathered liquid courage (chugging from a gallon of chocolate milk) for this great episode! The main training topic comes from the world of track, where athletes are probing the limits of human physiology. Because the margins separating athletes on the track are so small, there are takeaways for all endurance performance. Raise the ceiling to raise the floor! Yes, raising the roof is making a comeback like it's 2002 again. We also talked about the ongoing controversy about an energy gel's nutrition label, and whether the actual carbohydrate total is lower than stated. It's a conversation that stumbles toward enlightenment while careening into a few ditches along the way, trying to balance love and accountability. This conversation also includes our first ever sound effect. Big time! The gel controversy may not be awesome, but it's definitely interesting. And we had some of the best topics to fill out the episode! Other topics: big hope for the bundle of cells, our core work routines and how we think about core training for athletes, a small-but-important study on ketones and reduced testosterone, aerobic v. mechanical adaptations, upcoming updates to Strava including an AI coaching feature, more AI thoughts, and hot takes. This episode is a wild journey! Grab your personal gallon of chocolate milk and let's ride. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/ (code "SWAP")
May 14, 2024 · 1 hr 31 min
206. Doing Hard Things, Longevity and Training, Fueling Short Workouts, The Power of Placebo, AI Bots, and Cocodona 250!
We sat in a stew of uncertainty before recording this awesome (and healing) episode! The main training topic was a pair of studies looking at longevity outcomes in serious athletes. Extra-hard training seems to have longevity benefits compared to general population lifestyles, contrary to some warnings you might hear! Let's all plan on doing uphill treadmill runs in the nursing home. The big conversation was in the spirit of sharing all of the ups and downs of life. TW: deep discussions of pregnancy uncertainty. Megan courageously shared her current health status, and how she is thinking about vulnerability in a tough time. Over the last 4 years of this podcast, we have opened up about everything, and our lives have opened up with so much love as a result. We got this, whatever "this" ends up being, even if it takes a while. And we discussed so many of our favorite topics! Our theory is that talking about interesting things (and making jokes) is restorative. Other topics: Conan O'Brien's commitment to the bit, how the new Jim Walmsley video played a role in our weekend, fitness return after David's accident, caffeinated gels and fueling workouts, AI bots and how we think it may change human interaction as we know it, a new study on sodium bicarbonate and the placebo effect, the Cocodona 250 and multi-day ultras, Zwift's price increases, Emma Coburn's toughness, and hot takes. There may even be a poetry reading at the end. Stick around to find out... If you dare! On a day like today, we are even more thankful for the amazing listeners out there who give us strength and courage to wander through the darker forests along the way. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap
May 7, 2024 · 1 hr 33 min
205. The Mystery of Training Non-Response, Strength Work Approaches, Health Metrics, New Bike Day, and Track Going Mainstream!
We celebrated a week with minimal life drama (YAY) before recording this great episode! The main training topic was a new study monitoring response v. non-response. Imagine two similar athletes who are given the the same training program. One could have breakthroughs, and one could face physical disaster. Why? We use the study to talk about how we have seen athletes respond differently, and ways you might be able to understand your own unique physiology. Training theory is such a cool window into how every body is different! We also talked about metrics we track! Almost every watch has a treasure trove of data if you know where to look. For David, that data helped guide a non-linear post-crash recovery. For Megan, it helped reveal an unexpected pregnancy. For you, it could help you move through the uncertainty of things like response v. non-response with more confidence. Plus, we all love fancy graphs! And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: new bike day, a mystery about a signature, why we might want to remain skeptical about AI, 3 shoes we are reviewing, a new study on running economy variance and fatigue resistance in trained v. untrained runners, how combining strength training approaches may be helpful (with possible neuromuscular rationales), a new track league that promises to do everything differently, how questionnaire response rate may influence study outcomes, mixing creatine and caffeine and sodium bicarbonate, and uninformed horse thoughts. Stick around to the very end for a special Easter Egg from the editing process. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap
Apr 30, 2024 · 1 hr 29 min
204. Canyons 100k Breakthroughs, Why Megan Didn't Race, Carb-Loading Thoughts, Bloodwork Season, TikTok Ban, and Big Surprises!
We got the surprise of our lives before recording this dazed-and-excited episode! The main topic was the Canyons 100k. It was Megan's dream race, and you may have seen... she did not start. We had some incredibly surprising news right before we boarded our flight to California for the race, and we process it in real-time on the episode. Hopefully the discussion and Megan's openness helps you deal with whatever big surprises you face in life! Even though Megan didn't race, we cheered and crewed as ultra history was made at the race! This year's Canyons 100k had a performance for the ages from Katie Schide, plus a breakthrough from Rod Farvard, a selfless act from Drew Holmen, and so much more. We break down the dynamics, full of joy from seeing it all live! The big discussions revolve around training theory, fueling approaches, how cooling mattered even in temperate conditions, our complex thoughts on carb loading, hydration needs, and inspiration from the back of the pack. And we brought a giddy, delirious energy to some awesome topics! Other topics: why we were so surprised by the big news, how Megan feels about it all, societal expectations in early pregnancy, Allie Ostrander's wonderful reflections on crying after races, continuous lactate monitors, the 776 Invitational's huge investment in women's track and what it might mean for the future of the sport, why it's bloodwork season and what people should test, the new ruling making non-competes unenforceable and how it's relevant for endurance sports, the TikTok ban, and hot takes. Life comes at you fast. Maybe that's why we podcast fast! Knowing you all are along for the journey means so much to us. Into the great unknown we go! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Subscribe to AllieO's channel: youtube.com/@allie_ostrander Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap
Apr 23, 2024 · 1 hr 33 min
203. Canyons 100k Pre-Race, Improving Power, Perils of Energy Availability Cycling, Wild Shoe Tech, and Crash Recovery!
We sipped on some of the finest, chalkiest electrolyte drink for this great episode! The main topic was gearing up for big events, spurred by Megan's upcoming adventure at the Canyons 100k. After the health issues, we were unsure whether we'd ever be able to have this sort of discussion on the podcast, and listeners have been there every step of the way. If there is any test, it's in training. Racing is a celebration. This episode celebrates the broken road to get to the race-day party! This one was also packed with fun science! The main study helped debunk energy availability cycling, where athletes intentionally reduce energy availability in an attempt to improve power-to-weight ratio. Running is a power sport, and it's all about improving that power! And we had tons of our favorite topics to discuss! Other topics: getting used to on-course nutrition options, the emotional process of getting to start lines, vibes-based earrings, David's up-and-down crash recovery, a new study on fasting metabolism, 3D-printed shoes winning the Boston Marathon, the new UTMB and HOKA partnership, an international doping scandal, a cool study on e-sports training, Dan Quinn's approach to coaching, a new menstrual cycle study, and hot takes. Thank you for helping us with the courage to do scary things! We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Claim Reward" for $80 at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Support the podcast: patreon.com/swap Try Athletic Greens: drinkAG1.com/swap