Dr. Alyssa Olenick on Ultramarathon Training Tips, Why Speedwork Matters, and Balancing Life and Training
Everyday Ultra
Why speedwork matters for ultrarunners
Joe asks how speed translates to ultras; Alyssa explains raising VO2max, thresholds, neuromuscular efficiency, and periodization.
If you’re an ultrarunner who wants to get faster, train smarter, avoid burnout, and actually reach your potential, this episode is a must-listen.
Dr. Alyssa Olenick — exercise physiologist, hybrid athlete, 17-time ultramarathon finisher, and creator of The Lyss Method — joins the show for one of the most insightful, science-backed, and refreshingly honest conversations we’ve ever had on the podcast.
Alyssa doesn’t just talk theory. She lives this stuff: running ultras while running a business, earning her PhD, navigating injury, rebuilding her speed, and transforming her mindset through some of the most demanding seasons of her life.
In this episode, we dive into:
The counterintuitive strategy that made Alyssa dramatically faster
Why most ultrarunners are leaving huge performance gains on the table
How ultras reshape your identity — and why that matters for training
The “life-load” mistake almost every busy runner makes
The neuroscience of going long
The hidden cost of being a high-performing runner
How to design a race season that builds fitness instead of destroying it
The mindset shift that separates long-term healthy runners from burnt-out ones
If you’re training for a big goal, trying to balance real life with big mileage, or simply want to understand the science and mindset behind becoming a stronger, more resilient runner — this episode will change how you train.
Huge thank you to Alyssa for coming on the show!
SHOW LINKS:
Register for our race, The Desert Peak Ultra 100K + 50K at desertpeakultra.com
Want to work with me to crush your next ultramarathon in our group coaching program? Sign up for our group coaching program here: https://www.theeverydayultra.com/group-coaching
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Follow Joe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/
Everyday Ultra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUelKGeptWZivD6yRIDiupg
Follow Alyssa on IG: https://www.instagram.com/doclyssfitness/
Alyssa's Social Links: https://doclyssfitness.com/insta/
Learn more about The Lyss Method and Work with Alyssa: https://www.thelyssmethod.com/
Alyssa's Website: https://doclyssfitness.com/
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