243. “No Secrets” Q+A on VO2 Max, Very Hard Workouts, Fueling Easy Days, Iron Levels, Confidence, Genetics, and More!
Jan 28, 2025
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Explore the psychological battles athletes face, from brain panic to overcoming self-doubt. Discover the evolving landscape of nutrition in endurance sports and the significance of fueling for both high-intensity and easy days. Dive into the complexities of doping, compassion in testing, and the emotional toll it can take. The discussion also hints at the interplay between genetics and performance, while highlighting the importance of monitoring iron levels for optimal health. Laughter, wisdom, and stunning personal stories make this journey unforgettable.
Community support significantly uplifts athletes, motivating them to be authentic and navigate challenges in their training.
Mental preparation is crucial for overcoming the 'brain panic' experienced during intense workouts, enhancing overall athletic performance.
Fostering a culture of communication in competitive sports encourages empathy, making participants feel more welcomed and supported during races.
Consistent high-carb nutrition is essential for improved energy and performance in athletes, impacting even short-duration workouts significantly.
Deep dives
The Kindness of YouTube Comments
The discussion highlights the surprisingly positive comments received on their YouTube videos, especially from the latest episode titled 'Trial by Miles.' The speakers reflect on how these comments provide them with unexpected encouragement and motivation, emphasizing the power of community support in helping them be authentic and vulnerable. They note that the feedback is coming from a mainly non-podcasting audience, showing how their content resonates beyond their usual listeners. This interaction enables them to feel uplifted before engaging in their challenging workouts or podcasts.
Training Insights and Hard Workouts
The hosts discuss their recent experiences with workouts, where one host recounts a particularly hard training session done postpartum. They connect this to a broader conversation about the mental challenges faced during intense training, particularly the 'brain panic' that comes with pushing oneself physically. The speakers emphasize the importance of preparing mentally for such workouts, suggesting that recognizing and accepting the difficulty can enhance performance. They agree that sharing these experiences helps to normalize the struggle athletes face, adding a layer of authenticity to their journey.
The Role of Compassion in Competition
A key point raised in the podcast is the balance between competitiveness and compassion in sports. The hosts explore how the running community sometimes defaults to a culture of competition that can leave some athletes feeling intimidated or unwelcome, especially when rules about pacing and proximity are unclear. They stress that communication is essential, encouraging participants to be open about their needs during races to foster a supportive environment. By promoting dialogue, they believe that both sides—those pacing or those being paced—can create a more comfortable atmosphere.
The Impact of High-Carb Nutrition
During the episode, the importance of high-carb nutrition for athletes is discussed, drawing from recent experiences and adaptations in their training regimens. The hosts share their findings that fueling consistently with carbs, especially during workouts, can lead to better energy levels and improved performance. They acknowledge that many athletes may overlook the significance of these nutritional choices during shorter sessions but emphasize that even short-duration workouts benefit from structured fueling. Their conversations frame nutrition as a critical element in achieving athletic goals, particularly in endurance sports.
The Challenges of Drug Testing
The podcast dives into the sensitive topic of doping and drug testing in sports, prompted by a recent case involving a professional athlete. The discussion uncovers the complexities and emotional toll that athletes experience in the face of strict liability measures and the uncertainty surrounding test results. The hosts advocate for more compassionate support systems for athletes undergoing testing, emphasizing the need to treat them with dignity rather than suspicion. By doing so, they hope to foster a culture of trust within the sports community.
Self-Love and Performance
Throughout the conversation, the host reflects on the interconnectedness of self-love and athletic performance, arguing that one cannot thrive without the other. They share personal anecdotes of recognizing their self-worth through training and succeeding, which further cultivates confidence. This evolution of mindset leads them to the conclusion that athletes must embrace their journey wholly to see true gains. Their insights reaffirm the idea that nurturing one’s mental and emotional health is as paramount as physical training.
Overcoming Mental Barriers
The speakers delve into the mental barriers that come with training and racing, particularly in long events. They discuss how recognizing and reframing thoughts of self-doubt can be a powerful tool for athletes, allowing them to push beyond their perceived limits. They advocate for training techniques that allow athletes to face these mental challenges head-on, equipping them with coping strategies for real race scenarios. The outcome of addressing these mental barriers can lead to transformative experiences in athletic performance.
Compassionate Communication in Racing
In sharing their thoughts on trail etiquette and respectful racing, the hosts emphasize the significance of clear communication between participants. They convey that while racing can be a competitive endeavor, it is essential to approach fellow athletes with empathy and understanding. The discussion highlights that situations which may seem awkward, such as directly trailing another runner for a period, should be handled with respect. This approach not only enhances the race experience but also promotes a healthy and supportive community.
This episode is one of our all-time favorites, diving into tons of the most important (and most frivolous) topics! As always, it’s in the “no secrets” style, where we lift the curtain and show you what people are thinking at the top end of endurance sports, but might not want to say publicly. Plus, there were so many laughs mixed with serious moments. This one is a JOURNEY.
Topics this week: the “Trial by Miles” video, going to dark places in workouts, dealing with brain “panic” when things are hard, fueling in the cycling peloton, how we are evolving on fueling easy days, Stian Angermund’s important story, compassion in drug testing, speed and the “limits” of genetics, going farther than 100 miles, fueling lower intensity efforts, how coaching and confidence interact, why playing a character is sometimes important in developing confidence, VO2 max workouts for athletes of different levels, the culture of alcohol in endurance sports, ferritin and iron levels, blood testing, the iron supplements we are recommending now, and more.
It’s so much fun to get to be a small part of your journeys. Today's Listener Corner is wildly beautiful, and it means everything to us to know that the podcast might help you navigate hard moments. Remember Mary Oliver’s urging:
“Finally, I saw that worrying had come to nothing / And gave it up. And took my old body / and went out into the morning / and sang.”
