320: Potluck Discussion: Holding a Wheel, GI Issues While Running, and Training Physiology or Performance
May 24, 2024
auto_awesome
Topics include strategies for holding onto a wheel in cycling, handling GI issues during long runs, and balancing training physiology with performance outcomes. The discussion offers insights on mental toughness, geographical stereotypes, and navigating sports nutrition challenges.
01:08:18
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Prepare for GI distress in endurance events by training the gut with carb intake during exercise.
Balance training for both physiology and performance to maximize athletic potential.
Avoid excessive focus on numerical data and prioritize real-world performance outcomes for athletic success.
Deep dives
Causes of GI Distress During Endurance Events
During long endurance events like the one mentioned in the podcast, gastrointestinal distress can occur due to mechanical stress on the GI tract, decreased blood flow and oxygen to the gut, and dietary factors affecting digestion. The shock and strain from prolonged physical activity can lead to increased permeability in the gut, impacting its ability to retain contents. This can result in issues like leaky gut syndrome, especially in events where blood flow is redirected to other muscles.
Strategies to Address GI Distress
To tackle GI distress during endurance events, preparations like training the gut through intake of carbs during exercise, as discussed in previous podcast episodes, can help acclimate the body to such conditions. Understanding the impact of stress, dietary choices, and blood flow on gut health allows athletes to adjust their nutrition and hydration strategies accordingly. By recognizing potential causes and training the body to cope with the demands of endurance events, athletes can better manage GI distress.
Addressing Fears and Practical Approaches for Races
For athletes like Griffin gearing up for long-distance races, it's essential to acknowledge concerns about GI distress while maintaining a pragmatic approach. Learning from past experiences and individual bodily responses to certain activities can inform pre-race routines and expectations. Incorporating familiar practices, monitoring hydration, and gradually acclimating the gut through training runs can help mitigate fears and uncertainties surrounding GI issues during races. By actively preparing for potential challenges and focusing on strategic adjustments, athletes can navigate endurance events with confidence and preparedness.
Training for Performance vs. Physiology
The podcast episode delves into the debate of whether athletes should focus on training for performance or physiology. It highlights that both aspects are crucial, emphasizing that building the physiological engine is essential to lay the foundation for performance. The discussions revolve around the considerations of how to balance training to improve physiological markers like FTP and LT, while also emphasizing the importance of honing performance skills, mental fortitude, and tactical awareness. The host's insights underscore the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates both physiology-focused training and performance-oriented methodologies to maximize athletic potential.
Balancing Metrics and Real-World Performance
The conversation in the episode touches on the significance of balancing data-driven metrics with real-world performance outcomes. It raises concerns about athletes' excessive focus on testing and numerical data, advocating for a more holistic perspective that prioritizes actual performance outcomes over singular test results. The examples shared highlight the limitations of solely relying on metrics like power outputs or lactate thresholds, emphasizing the importance of practical performance indicators such as speed and race results in determining overall success and progress in athletic pursuits.
In this potluck we discuss what to do when you’re struggling to hang on to a wheel, what the overall goal of training should be, and how to handle needing to poop during a long running event.
