Some Work, All Play Podcast

This episode was such a fun mix of science, emotions, and hot tubs that could cook a turkey! We started with some thoughts on Western States, less than 3 weeks out from the race. Does embracing the stage also mean embracing social media posts telling you that you arent being picked to perform well? Our argument channeling Tyrese Halliburton of the Indiana Pacers: the noise can be performance enhancing if you have fun with it!

The main science topic was a WILD study on the hot tub improving hemoglobin levels, resting heart rate, and altitude performance. Its wild because the hot tub was set astonishingly high, with participants staying in for an astonishingly long time. I like my participants like I like my eggs: hard-boiled. We talk about what it means and why passive heat training might be the easiest advanced training intervention that goes beyond the basics.

And this one was full of our favorite topics! Other topics: a training trip out to the Western States course, Kilian Jornet searching for a pacer, Cam Jones consuming 185 grams of carbs per hour on his way to winning Unbound Gravel, Jessie Diggins amazing poem on fueling her body to take a hit, a study on ketones and altitude that found no benefits, using downhills to improve strength for flat running, and a genetic link between muscle stiffness and strains, plus a Q+A on the new OTQ standards getting faster for men (we dont like it), whether to GO FOR IT if going for it might not lead to your big goals, a hypothetical about gold medalist Kristian Blummenfelt at a mountain race, and heat and family planning.

The episode finishes up with questions about alcohol and celebrity-flavored bathwater. Itll make sense soon. Maybe.

We love you all! A unit for a unit,

-David and Megan

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We gulped down some pungent juice before recording this amazing episode! The main topics were the two big pieces of news: Jim Walsmley won't be racing Western States, and Kilian Jornet is making training videos now. Jim is the GOAT and we gave him an 85% chance of winning just last week. He's the supermassive black hole at the center of the Western States galaxy. Without Jim at the start line, how does it change the race?

Kilian is the GOAT too (yes, we have a GOAT herd), and he just released a training video! He abides by the "no secrets" approach, and we analyzed every frame of that video to try to find clues about whether he might be beatable. Answer: no. Bonus answer: Kilian is the best and it's fascinating that he started his own video series by talking about his heat training.

And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: our magical coaching day at the US Mountain Championships, thoughts on training for mountain races, Unbreakable 2 cancellation, the wild triumph of Simon Yates, a new bicarb gel that could upend the bicarb market, the wild science of broccoli sprouts and a new juice supplement from Nomio, anti-histamines and athletic performance, why we're eating dark chocolate (it tastes good), lung training via breathing devices, the relationship between speed work and form in ultras, a hypothetical about Conner Mantz racing Leadville or Western States, an article in the New York Times on unethical mountaineering, training with a newborn, dealing with life transitions, fitting the Naked Belt, the cost of running, cheaper suphershoes, and an incredible poem on failing and flying.

Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew. Also, if Icarus had broccoli sprouts and Kilian's training video, maybe he would have flown a bit longer.

We love you all! HUZZAH!

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This episode was a total joy with toe warmers in all the right places (and some of the wrong ones)! The main scientific topic was a new study on how high carb fueling may improve heat adaptation. We broaden that out to a question from a listener on the old "calories-in, calories-out" framework, and why that doesn't apply to athletes from evolutionary or exercise science perspectives.

The big takeaway from 2 decades of research: avoiding excessive within-day deficits from training may improve health, performance, and body composition. Eat during hard training, or the body may have to take unhealthy steps to avoid shutting down.

And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: a hopeful update on David's knee heading into Western States, the decision to get a cortisone injection, Megan having enough watts to be confused for an e-bike, a new study on weight-vest warm-ups improving running economy, how we think training theory might evolve based on that study, last week's controversial news in trail running, why we think that love and grace for humans needs to lead the way, and a Q+A on fear of vulnerability, workout intensity, and athlete sponsorship.

Stick around to the very end for the hardest we have ever laughed on an episode!

May your knees stay healthy and may your tooth bags stay hidden. We love you all! HUZZAH!

-David and Megan

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We had a ridiculous amount of fun recording this episode! The main science topic was on a new pre-print study on post-exercise ketones, showing higher carb storage and lower glycemia in athletes taking them.

Is it possible that high carb has a special interaction with post-exercise ketones that might be at the heart of recent performances? It's uncertain. We just take them because we like the taste of robot butt.

We also had a big breakdown of the cost of high-carb fueling. Megan did calculations on the price per gram of carbohydrates of different fueling sources, from gels to drink to at-home creations. It seems like some companies are giving you amazing deals, and some... are not. We name names.

And this one was full of great topics! Other topics: heat training, a promo for the Core 2 sensor, David's post-race knee pain and the uncertainty of being an athlete, total energy expenditure during and after ultras, thoughts on the Cocodona 250, Stephanie Case's remarkable performance at Ultra Trail Snowdonia, plus a Q+A on depletion runs and a how-to on uphill treadmill.

May your pantry be full of carbs and your secret drawer be full of SECRET hair.

We love you all! Huzzah!

-David and Megan

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Endurance sports are in the midst of a revolution that will change everything about what we think humans can do. This week at the Quad Rock 50 Mile, we felt it firsthand.

David set a 14-minute course record at this classic, steep Colorado race. We break it all down, "no secrets" style. Topics: high-carb fueling, big hydration totals, why heat training might be the next frontier, pre-race meals and supplements, ice bandanas, gut training, downhill running, uphill treadmill, and lots more.

No matter what distance you go or speed you run/bike/hike, there's a path within these approaches that will make everything easier, healthier, and more fun. It's one thing to talk about it... it's another thing to FEEL IT. We try to bring you within those feelings, laying it all out there so that you can use the playbook.

Thank you so much for being here for the whole journey. If you told us when we started this podcast 5 years ago that we'd be 7 weeks before the Western States 100 with this level of hope, we'd have said you're dreaming. Listeners have made it all possible. You have showed us that love is waiting on the other end of both success and failure.

It's one thing to say that results don't matter and that love is waiting either way. It's another to FEEL IT. Thank you and we love you.

7 weeks until the Western States 100 Mile moonshot. We got this.

-David and Megan

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