Some Work, All Play

Dive into a vibrant discussion about caffeine's role in endurance sports and the controversy surrounding a notable ultra runner's Wikipedia edits. Discover the importance of strides in improving efficiency and learn how enforced breaks can spark breakthroughs. The conversation also touches on the balance of singles vs. doubles in training, the effects of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) on performance, and the intricate relationship between athletic training and sex drive. It's an engaging mix of insight, humor, and candid reflections!

Tara Dower, an ultra-endurance athlete, shares her inspiring journey of setting the Appalachian Trail record, showcasing her extraordinary resilience. Meanwhile, legendary runner Kilian Jornet's groundbreaking physiology study reveals shocking insights on endurance performance, including post-race cognitive effects. The duo discusses practical ultra-logistics tips, nutrition tactics, and the intriguing debate over super shoes versus trail shoes. This lively conversation balances deep insights with light-hearted moments, making for a captivating listen!

Delve into the game-changing research on post-exercise carbohydrate intake and its surprising influence on next-day performance. Discover Vincent Bouillard's revolutionary training methods for ultra-marathons and the exciting evolution of cross-training among elite athletes. Explore the booming world of trail running and the innovations in footwear that are reshaping race dynamics. Plus, enjoy light-hearted stories on parenting, the role of AI in coaching, and the importance of embracing individuality in sport.

Discover how heat training and strength work are reshaping endurance preparation for the Leadville 100. Explore the surprising impacts of fasted training on bone health and the study on hormonal contraceptives among female athletes. Dive into the epic adventures of Kilian Jornet in the Alps and the evolutionary quirks of toenails. Hear about the significance of personalized nutrition and training for optimal performance, along with a humorous take on athletic wear preferences. It's a whirlwind of science, personal stories, and hearty laughs!

The hosts dive into the thrilling highlights from UTMB, revealing insights on fueling strategies and the rising competition. They tackle spicy questions after the Leadville 100 record, pondering whether it's a turning point for the sport. Listeners are treated to a delightful mix of personal anecdotes about running, parenthood, and the ups and downs of ultra-marathon racing. The conversation is sprinkled with humor, touching community stories, and amusing reflections on the challenges faced by athletes. It's truly a buffet of engaging topics!

Dive into the thrilling world of the Leadville 100 course record with a no-holds-barred discussion on training techniques and mental strategies. The hosts share hilarious recovery stories while unpacking the nuances of fueling and pacing for ultra marathons. Expect insights on altitude training struggles, overcoming race jitters, and the importance of communication with support crews on race day. Add a dash of humor about bread bowls and heartfelt reflections on athlete camaraderie, all while navigating the complexities of sponsorships in running.

David, the new course record holder at the Leadville 100 Mile race, joins former champ Matt Carpenter, whose legendary run stood for 19 years. They discuss the rollercoaster of emotions during David's record-breaking 15:26 run, the role of scientific training, and the humor in race day chaos. The conversation also touches on community support, innovative fueling strategies, and the evolution of running gear. Their heartfelt reflections on challenges and triumphs make for an inspiring and entertaining listen.

Kilian Jornet, the GOAT of trail running, shares his secrets behind winning Sierre Zinal. He dives into his extensive training regimen and explores the intriguing double threshold workout study. The conversation also touches on hilarious challenges from the Leadville 100 and cross-training benefits, especially for female athletes. Jornet’s candid anecdotes and insights on Olympics performances add a light-hearted touch, while he humorously discusses unique glute engagement techniques that listeners won't want to miss!

In this lively discussion, Professor Nelly, an expert in heat training, reveals how just a few weeks of heat exposure can boost athletic performance by improving hemoglobin mass. The talk dives into the implications of heat training, contrasting it with hydration strategies and nutritional protocols. They also review the HOKA Tecton 3 trail shoe, share Olympic stories, and express admiration for athletes like Simone Biles and Noah Lyles. With a mix of humor and insight, they explore how heat may redefine health and performance in sports.

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")