The Endurance Episode: Zach Bitter on How to Push the Boundaries of Endurance
The Strength Running Podcast
Strength Training for Different Race Distances
The chapter explores the importance of strength training for different race distances and its benefits, such as improving force production and finishing kick in 5k races. It then shifts to discussing training strategies for runners preparing for half marathons and marathons, suggesting that incorporating more zone two easy volume can be highly effective.
Do you want to have a monster aerobic engine? No matter what your level of experience, you can learn how to build volume safely and implement intensity to get the most from your training miles.
Zach Bitter was formerly the 100-mile world record holder, and is currently the American record holder in the 100-mile and 12-hour events. He's a four time national champion at the 50-mile, 100k and 100-mile distances between 2012 and 2021.
Zach has won some of the country’s most competitive ultra races and competed on Team USA’s 100k world team on three occasions. He is also a coach and host of the popular podcast, Human Performance Outliers.
Our conversation today focuses on:
- Zach’s journey to 100+ mile weeks
- The process of learning to truly race a 100 miler
- How Zach maximizes his benefits from zone 2 running
- Understanding how and when to train in zone 3
- The holy grail of distance running: how to run faster at a lower heart rate
- Zach’s preparation heading into a fast 100 miler
- How Zach uses cross-training in various ways through the training cycle
- Advice for new and lower mileage runners to take their training to the next level
No matter what distance you're training for or where you are at in your running journey, my discussion with Zach will help you build your own massive endurance engine!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Learn more about Zach’s training and coaching
- Follow Zach on Instagram and Facebook
- Listen to Zach’s podcast: Human Performance Outliers
- Follow Zach’s training on Strava
- Check out our YouTube channel for more actionable advice to reach your endurance goals
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