Some Work, All Play

323. The Theory of Zone Compression, Surgery (Oh No), What Comes Next, and The New Big Supplement!

We brought some big foot energy to this great episode! The main training topic was a discussion of “zone compression,” where harder efforts get sustainable for longer durations in weird and wild ways. Our theory: zone compression techniques are driving lots of training theory. We break it all down!Before that, the episode starts with David’s news that he’s going to get surgery on his foot. We discuss the process to get here and what comes next. Answer: jokes come next. Life!And this one had so many fun topics! Other topics: creatine update, a study on stretching and blood pressure, why the Tour de France Femmes absolutely ruled, a strange study on blueberries and performance, a paper on negative social ties, the Sierre Zinal mascot, a hamster that is taking over Strava, side short pees, a question on PEDs, what to wear in the home sauna, regrets, and so much more.So much love for you all! Thank you for everything over the years. We got this. Maybe. Actually, yes. Most likely!Squirting it right out the back,-David and MeganClick "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swapBuy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP")Get a deal on the best treadmill on the market from Wahoo: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap

322. Why Exercise Physiology Wisdom Can Be Wrong, Doping in Ultrarunning, Bicarb in Long Races, and AI Controversy!

We excavated sand from sensitive places before this great episode! A main topic was a new study on cold water immersion, with surprising results that contrasted with the hypothesis of researchers and upended the conventional exercise physiology wisdom. We talked about why that offset might be important for how we think about big training and physiology questions. The word of the day is “nuance.” Also “Andromeda.”We also did a Controversial Topics Corner! The 3 topics were recent discussions on doping in ultrarunning, the Hank Green AI conversation, and speculation about illegal “fairings” being used in the Tour de France Femmes. Our opinions may not be right. But in our defense, at least we’re not making front-facing social media videos about them.And this one was full of cool topics! Other topics: Megan’s learning experience, a study on bicarb in longer events, 2 cool studies on low energy availability and variable carb intake, and questions on returning to running, hot yoga, nasal hair, strength, immortality, ferritin, and more.May your bras be long, strong, and down to get the lack of friction on due to their aerodynamic construction.We love you all! Huzzah!Click "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swapBuy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com/swapGet a deal on the best treadmill on the market from Wahoo: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)Follow Kate: https://www.instagram.com/road_to_leadville/ For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap

321. Why Hydration Unlocks Endurance, A Creatine Experiment, Tour de France Takeaways, and Athletic Identity Crisis!

We got intellectually swole on creatine and astrology before this great episode! The main science topic was a study connecting carb oxidation to hydration status. We explain how hydration is the gateway to fueling.We also provided details of the first week of David’s creatine experiment. There is some very strange heart rate data that we’re tracking. Correlation or causation? We'll find out!And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: bailing on workouts on bicarb days, how runners should think about improving bike power, tons of thoughts from the Tour de France including the massive power numbers and a follow-up on overnight drug testing, AI in mathematics, a fantastic article in JAMA on tendon healing, and questions on dealing with an identity crisis in athletics, stairmill v. biking, a listener passionate about oysters, a grooming tip, Malcolm Gladwell, stoppage time in runs, and low iron levels.You’ll never look at Cheez-Its the same. We’re sorry and/or thank you. We love you all! HUZZAH!-David and MeganClick "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swapBuy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP")Get a deal on the best treadmill on the market from Wahoo: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap

320. Why POWER Makes Champions, The Key Downhill Cue, Overnight Drug Testing at Tour de France, What We’re Trying Now, and Adult Potty Training!

We learned way too much about toe weightlifting before this great episode! The main topic was a discussion of a difficult, nuanced topic: how to think about power development over time, and what that means in a messy athletic life. It all comes from a “Dear Younger Me” letter that David wrote to his 11-year-old self, and it extends forward to the performance revolution we’re seeing across endurance sports. Running is a POWER SPORT. That discussion starts at 55:04.And this one was full of the best topics! Other topics include: the downhill “monster truck” running cue, 5 things we’re trying now, Josh Kerr’s mile world record, overnight drug testing at the Tour de France, the Enervit lactate gel, why Kate Courtney is our favorite athlete, and questions on adult potty training, uphill treadmill threshold work, the mental side of running hard, and the Leadville documentary.When in doubt, remember: the shockwave machine is not what it looks like.We love you all! Huzzah!-David and MeganClick "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swapBuy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP")Get a deal on the best treadmill on the market from Wahoo: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap

319. New Fueling Lessons from The Tour de France, Uphill Treadmill Threshold Theory, Prototype Shoe Ranting, The Hardrock 100, and Coaching Questions!

We spread our toes wider than nature intended before this great episode! A main topic was on the fueling evolution in the Tour de France, and how that has predicted everything that has happened across endurance sports. We also break down what fueling looked like in the 1990s from an old study! High carb is changing everything, and cycling is always the first mover on the next breakthrough.We also did an update on uphill treadmill threshold workouts. More than any training intervention we have ever seen, these workouts seem to be correlating with better performance for road runners, where every 1% counts. And this one was full of fun topics! Other topics: David’s embarrassing online order, the wild and mostly unchecked world of shoe prototypes, the Hardrock 100 (featuring 50-year old Ludovic Pommeret setting another course record!), AI cheating in college and what that means for creative work, a “supplement” at the World Cup, when to move to the 100-mile distance, peeing thoughts, our uncertain take on Nomio in ultras, our heat video in the hot tub, and a big discussion of how we think about learning in coaching.Come for the vibes. Stay for David realizing mid-hot-take that he is a hypocrite and should stop talking about shoes.We love you all! HUZZAH!-David and MeganClick "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swapBuy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP")20% flash deal for the Wahoo Kickr Run treadmill on Wednesday: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap