237. The Wild Connection of Top Speed and Endurance, Plus "No Secrets" on Supplements, Mental Toughness, AI in Sport, and Cold Plunges!
Dec 17, 2024
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Dive into a fascinating exploration of the connection between sprinting and endurance in elite athletes, unearthing the crucial role of speed training. Discover candid insights on dietary supplements, as the hosts share their personal experiences and the importance of transparency. With humor and inspiration, learn about the intriguing use of AI in training and new research on hydration. Plus, hear amusing anecdotes about unconventional training methods and the evolution of running footwear, all while celebrating the joy in racing and athletic achievements.
The podcast discusses a study linking speed and endurance in elite runners, suggesting impactful training theory connections.
Listeners receive candid insights about supplements, with hosts sharing personal experiences while maintaining a humorous and transparent tone.
The hosts explore the financial challenges faced by unsponsored athletes in competitive sports, emphasizing community support and individual dedication.
Mental toughness is examined in-depth, highlighting the role of physiological factors in endurance performance over purely psychological barriers.
Deep dives
Inspiration from Strava Year in Sport
The discussion revolves around the recent release of Strava's Year in Sport, sparking excitement about personal achievements and goals. One host reflects on how their running routine has become repetitive, primarily focusing on the same neighborhood loop. They humorously reminisce about their initial adventurous running days and a shift toward basic routines, highlighting the contrast between their past desire for varied routes and their current consistency. The conversation illustrates a light-hearted view on running habits and the quirks that come with training, underlying the importance of motivation in maintaining fitness.
Women's Health and Pregnancy Insights
The podcast delves into personal experiences related to pregnancy and health, discussing crucial topics like baby positioning and the challenges of maintaining physical activity. One host shares an enlightening account of spending time in a hospital over potential complications during pregnancy while striving for a natural birth. Various methods to encourage the baby to turn are considered, from medical procedures to yoga poses, including amusing anecdotes about the failed attempts that lead to a deeper understanding of body movement. This insight emphasizes the nuanced connection between fitness, health, and the physical changes that accompany pregnancy.
Valuing Eastern Medicine Techniques
A focus on the exploration of Eastern medical practices emerges through the discussion of moxibustion, a technique aimed at aiding fetal positioning. Although originally skeptical about this approach, the hosts recount their humorous and insightful journey of attempting this remedy and its potential effectiveness. Research highlighting the benefits of techniques like moxibustion in reducing exercise fatigue is mentioned, framing the experience as both a personal experiment and a broader commentary on the intersection of cultures in health practices. This evolving perspective encourages openness to alternative methods alongside Western medicine, fostering a holistic view of health.
Reflections on Sponsorship and Financial Burdens
The financial implications of competing in major events, such as the Western States race, are examined, particularly concerning self-funding as an unsponsored athlete. One host candidly shares their experience of paying high registration fees and associated costs while highlighting the ongoing struggle of maintaining financial independence in the athletics world. Also noted is the importance of a supportive community, which can often alleviate the financial burden through platforms like Patreon. The contrasting experiences of sponsored versus unsponsored athletes emphasize the dedication needed to navigate the challenges of competitive sports.
Mental Toughness Beyond Physical Limits
The conversation delves into psychological aspects of running, particularly the notion of mental toughness in relation to physical capabilities. One listener shares their experience of a marathon as their body indicated readiness, while their mind perceived limitations, raising questions about the true nature of mental barriers in endurance sports. The hosts encourage a focus on physiological factors rather than purely mental attributes, suggesting that understanding fueling strategies and biology can help athletes perform better. This discussion highlights the complexity of endurance racing, encouraging a balanced perspective between mental resilience and physiological preparation.
Shoes and Innovations in Running Gear
The hosts share updates from the running event highlighting emerging trends in shoe design, emphasizing innovations like high stack heights and advanced cushioning technologies. There's a playful critique of the ever-growing size of running shoes, comparing them to 'clown shoes' while acknowledging their performance benefits. Specific attention is given to Puma's new super trail model, showcasing a noticeable shift toward integrating road technology into trail shoes, creating excitement among running enthusiasts. This discussion showcases the evolution of running gear alongside the increasing emphasis on maximizing performance through technology.
Community Support and Achievements
Listeners are encouraged to share their experiences and achievements, reflecting on the supportive community surrounding running. One listener expresses gratitude for guidance received leading to a personal best at a marathon, illustrating the importance of celebrating progress rather than fixating on unmet goals. This positive reinforcement promotes a healthy mindset, turning the focus to the joy of running and the shared experiences within the community. The story highlights how a supportive environment helps athletes to evolve and find fulfilling connections through their races.
Embracing the Frivolity of Running
The hosts revisit the light-hearted notion of embracing the frivolous aspects of running, underscoring that enjoyment should be at the forefront of athletic endeavors. They reflect on how humor and a playful attitude can enhance the overall experience, encouraging runners to not take themselves too seriously. This perspective fosters a community environment where the joy of running is celebrated alongside the serious pursuit of performance. Through anecdotes and discussions, the hosts reconnect with the core joy found in running, emphasizing that laughter and enjoyment are vital components of the sport.
We bowed down to the power of hot mugwort before this amazing episode! The main topic was on a study that may be the long-lost "missing link" in our training theory. It took 12 elite endurance runners and had them do sprints of 100 meters and 400 meters, along with a VO2 max test. Their findings (and one striking non-finding) may connect studies on speed interventions with real-world implications.
We also answered listener questions in the "no secrets" style! The most hairy question was on a topic that people don't talk about too much in public: supplements. We say what we take and why we take it, with a million disclaimers because we're cool like that.
And this one was full of the best topics! Other topics: takeaways from Strava's Year in Sport, why an experience this week may influence how we think about training theory, the cost of the Western States 100, year-end voting, how fueling and hydration are letting people race more, AI use cases for athletes, our thoughts on cold plunges, a framework for mental toughness, nose strips in poker, the evolution of shoes, and Listener Corner.
In the episode, we talk about a video we saw where champion triathlete Lionel Sanders had his treadmill directly in front of a photo of one of his competitors celebrating a victory. We're inspired. So if you hear some extra motivation in our voices, it's probably because we put a photo of the Smartless guys in front of the mic in our bedroom.
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