255. The Shocking Shoe Study That Changes Everything, Boston Marathon Reactions, Creatine for Endurance, and Resting Heart Rate!
Apr 22, 2025
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Discover groundbreaking insights from a new study on Puma's R3 super-shoe, revealing a remarkable 3% improvement in running economy. Relive thrilling moments from the Boston Marathon, including a standout runner's inspiring performance. Dive into discussions on the quirks of nose strips, the evolution of marathon fueling strategies, and the dynamic impact of running gear. Enjoy hilarious anecdotes about unconventional recovery methods and the future of AI in coaching, while exploring the complexities of resting heart rates and innovative nutrition for endurance athletes!
The Puma R3 super-shoe study revealed a significant 3% improvement in running economy, potentially altering competitive standards in running.
Jess McClain's impressive 2:22 finish at the Boston Marathon highlights evolving pacing strategies and the impact of high-carb fueling.
The integration of AI, as seen with Strava's acquisition of RUNNA, could revolutionize sports coaching while raising concerns about human oversight.
Discussing creatine's role, the hosts emphasize its potential benefits for endurance athletes while addressing the concerns of weight gain and physiological differences.
Deep dives
Boston Marathon Excitement
The hosts express their excitement about the Boston Marathon and their personal connection to the event, highlighted by the success of athlete Jess McLean, whom they coach. Jess achieved a significant personal record, finishing as the top American woman at Boston with a time of 2:22, which sparked intense emotions for the coaches as they followed her progress. The joy and anxiety of coaching her as she competed in such a high-stakes race were palpable, emphasizing the strong bond between the athlete and her coaches. This moment represents not only a triumph for Jess but also a reflection of the dedication and support she has received throughout her training.
The Shift in Racing Dynamics
The podcast delves into the changing dynamics of racing, particularly in marathons, drawing parallels with ultra running's evolving strategies. Athletes are now starting off at fast paces, as demonstrated at the Boston Marathon, illustrating a more aggressive racing mentality. Fueling strategies, especially with high-carb intake during races, have become a game-changer, allowing athletes to maintain intense speeds for longer periods. This shift indicates a broader transformation in running culture that embraces both speed and strategic fueling, enhancing performance across the board.
The Importance of Proper Hydration and Fueling
The hosts discuss the significance of hydration and proper fueling for endurance athletes, stressing how this has become a pillar of modern racing. They mention successful fueling tactics seen in elite athletes, such as Jess, who adopted high-carb strategies during her marathon, setting a record along with others. The realization that many athletes now effectively utilize carbohydrate blends throughout their races signifies a move toward optimizing energy management in endurance sports. This adjustment not only preserves performance but also contributes to the overall health of athletes, allowing for quicker recovery times post-race.
The Impact of Shoe Technology
A game-changing study on the Puma super shoe is introduced, revealing substantial performance benefits that could redefine standards in running. The podcast highlights how this shoe demonstrated marked improvement in running economy, outperforming competitors such as the Nike Alpha Fly and Adidas models. This discussion raises concerns about the lack of regulations around shoe technologies and the implications for fair competition in the sport. The need for oversight and standard practices becomes evident as the evolution of running shoes continues to accelerate, increasingly impacting race outcomes.
The Transition to AI in Coaching
The discussion shifts to Strava's acquisition of the AI coaching app RUNNA, highlighting the burgeoning trend of integrating artificial intelligence into sports coaching. The hosts reflect on how tools like AI can benefit athletes, particularly those without access to traditional coaching methods. Concerns are raised regarding the potential for AI to overshadow human coaching, while acknowledging that it can serve a purpose in providing invaluable resources and guidance for aspiring athletes. This new development suggests a hybrid future where technology and personal coaching can coexist to support diverse runner needs.
Creatine Usage in Running
The podcast addresses the use of creatine among endurance athletes, particularly women, discussing the benefits and concerns surrounding its use. Creatine can aid recovery and enhance muscle performance, making it a strategic addition for serious runners. The conversation touches on the potential weight gain from creatine due to water retention, prompting a debate about its use leading up to races. The hosts recommend that if runners find creatine beneficial, they should continue using it close to race day while emphasizing the importance of personal physiology over generalized comparisons.
Taking Back Ownership of Personal Narratives
The hosts emphasize the importance of personal narrative in the context of athletic journeys, especially for women and marginalized communities in sports. By sharing their own experiences and vulnerabilities, the hosts aim to foster a supportive environment where listeners can feel valued and understood regardless of their running level. They recognize the challenges that come with identities outside of the mainstream sports narrative, and they encourage all athletes to embrace their journeys, fostering inclusivity. This approach seeks to inspire resilience and connection among runners of all backgrounds.
Acknowledging Everyday Athletics
A listener expresses gratitude for the support found in the podcast, sharing personal stories of balancing running with life's challenges, including being a queer person and the realities of facing adversity. The hosts acknowledge the emotional weight behind these words and how important it is to create a safe space for all athletes. This listener's message highlights the power of community and connection within the sport, underscoring that everyone has their own unique struggles and victories. The recognition of these individual narratives reinforces the importance of being inclusive and empathetic within the athletic community.
Our minds were blown by the Boston Marathon right before recording this great episode! The main topic was a new study on the Puma R3 super-shoe, conducted by a top researcher. It showed a shocking 3% improvement in running economy relative to the previous generation of super-shoes, with a universally positive response among study participants.
We discuss the evolution of the tech, how it was made with the help of optimization algorithms, and what might come next. Running may never be the same, and we don't think people have realized it yet.
We also had some instant reactions to the Boston Marathon! That included Jess McClain running a 2:22 for top American while working a busy job and training with lower volume. We break down some of her training!
And this one was full of amazing topics! Other topics: Boston Marathon thoughts, how carbs are changing the dynamics of road marathons, nose strips, the awesome Coffee Club podcast, an incredible article in Outside Mag by Devin Kelly, Strava's acquisition of AI coaching app Runna, a hilarious post-exercise cooling study, a quick-hitter news rundown, fatigue resistance efforts, how time on feet in your job may change training, resting heart rate variation among people, downhill form, and creatine for endurance athletes.
This one was so fun! Thank you so much for being here.
Let's go girls,
-Megan and David
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