225. Kilian's Wild Physiology Data, Tara Dower Sets the Overall AT Record, The Next Race After Leadville, 7 Ultra Logistics Tips, and How Elite Athletes Eat!
Sep 24, 2024
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Tara Dower, an ultra-endurance athlete, shares her inspiring journey of setting the Appalachian Trail record, showcasing her extraordinary resilience. Meanwhile, legendary runner Kilian Jornet's groundbreaking physiology study reveals shocking insights on endurance performance, including post-race cognitive effects. The duo discusses practical ultra-logistics tips, nutrition tactics, and the intriguing debate over super shoes versus trail shoes. This lively conversation balances deep insights with light-hearted moments, making for a captivating listen!
Tara Dower's record-breaking performance on the Appalachian Trail demonstrates the potential for redefining limits in ultra-endurance sports.
Kilian Jornet's physiology data reveals groundbreaking insights into endurance, including metabolic flexibility and cognitive impacts post-race.
The crucial role of a supportive crew in ultra-running highlights how emotional and logistical backing can enhance athlete performance.
Coaching methodologies in ultra-endurance sports are evolving, emphasizing diverse training strategies to better prepare athletes for technical challenges.
Deep dives
Tara Dower's Historic Achievement
Tara Dower recently set a new fastest known time (FKT) for the Appalachian Trail, completing it in an astounding 40 days, making her the first woman to hold the overall record. This achievement is significant as it involved covering over 54 miles each day through some of the toughest terrain, underscoring her exceptional endurance and mental strength. Her accomplishment not only breaks a long-standing record but also surpasses previous legends like Scott Jurek and Carl Sabbe, drawing attention to the possibilities in ultra-endurance sports. Coaches and fellow athletes alike are excited by her potential, arguing that her mindset and determination could redefine what is achievable in ultra-distance running.
Mental Toughness and Joy
Tara Dower's mental approach combines fierce toughness with a genuine love for the outdoors, making her unique among elite athletes. Her coach highlights that Tara channels a sense of joy into her training, fueling her incredible performances. This duality of fierce competition and love for nature is reminiscent of legendary outdoor lovers like Bill Bryson while simultaneously embracing the relentless grit seen in other endurance athletes. Coaches and supporters are inspired not only by her athleticism but also by her joyous attitude towards the challenges she faces.
Daily Routines of an Ultra Runner
Tara’s preparation for the Appalachian Trail involved a grueling schedule, waking up at 3 AM every single day for 40 days to train consistently. Her commitment and resilience during these early starts illustrate the physical and mental barriers athletes must overcome in ultra-endurance events. The continual physical exertion and the cumulative fatigue posed significant challenges, indicating the rigorous demands of setting a record. The chance to witness her daily struggles gives insight into the dedication required for such remarkable athletic achievements.
Navigating Adversity and Setbacks
Tara's journey reflectively recalls her earlier struggles, including a panic attack experienced during a previous Appalachian Trail hike which significantly shaped her mental fortitude. After those challenging moments, she transformed her approach, completing the trail northbound in five months, which laid the foundation for her FKT attempt. This progression highlights the importance of understanding one's limits and the journey of growth through adversity. Coaches emphasize that Tara's background and evolution in sport make her triumph even more admirable, establishing her as a testament to perseverance.
The Role of Support and Community
The importance of a support system has been prominently featured in Tara's journey, with her crew playing a vital role during her record attempt. The emotional and logistical aspects of ultra-running are often overlooked, but they are crucial for success in enduring lengthy trails. Having her family and friends around during her adventure added layers of motivation, proving invaluable to her mental state throughout her quest. This sense of community can significantly impact performance, showcasing the collaborative spirit essential in endurance sports.
The Changing Nature of Coaching
Coaching in ultra-endurance sports is evolving, and the ability to work with exceptional athletes like Tara highlights how the standards are setting higher expectations for coaches and their training plans. Coaches are recognizing the importance of adjusting methodologies and including speed work into training regimens, which can seem counterintuitive. By focusing on enhancing an athlete's overall capacity, including their running economy, they can better prepare for technical trails. The shift in coaching perspective to prioritize a wider array of training strategies indicates a progressive framework essential for emerging ultra runners.
Endurance Running as an Evolutionary Yardstick
During discussions about ultra-running, the impact of long-distance running on human physiology sparks intrigue around the evolutionary advantages it may confer. Athletes like Tara inspire reflection on how running, a fundamental aspect of human evolution, has unique implications for personal and collective well-being. The combination of physical exertion and the resulting mental benefits can act as a lens to understand the intricate relationship between human activity and our biology. This exploration raises questions about how we define our limits and how our experiences shape our understanding of endurance.
The Importance of Joy in Performance
Performance in ultra-endurance events often hinges on relaxing into the process and finding joy in the journey, rather than solely focusing on outcomes. Tara embodies this philosophy through her vibrant energy during challenging runs, emphasizing how enjoyment influences one's ability to overcome discomfort. Supporting narratives of happiness within rigorous training regimens can enrich the athlete's experience and mitigate pressures associated with competition. Ultimately, it prompts a discussion about redefining success in sports to include how much joy and fulfillment athletes derive from their experiences.
We marveled at the athletic performance of the year to prepare for this great episode! It kicked off with us picking our jaws up off the floor, in awe of Tara Dower's overall record on the Appalachian Trail. Coach Megan delves into what made it possible (strides and speed) and what sets Tara apart (being a superhero). This achievement will take decades to fully process!
The main science talk was a new study on Kilian Jornet's physiology data from 2022 UTMB, where he won in historic fashion. There are some wild pieces of information in this study that push the limits of what we know about endurance: biomechanical adaptations like reduced cadence, remarkable metabolic flexibility, shockingly high lactate levels, major reductions in hemoglobin, big variations in carb intake, and perhaps most interestingly--post-race cognitive impairment similar to brain injury patients. We jump into each finding, mixing theory with speculation about what comes next.
And this one was full of the best topics! Other topics: David's decision about whether to do the Javelina 100 Miler in October, a pros v. cons list, 7 tips for ultra logistics, why we hate chairs, Anton Krupicka qualifying for UTMB, rhabdo in college lacrosse and what runners can learn, a discussion of the amazing essay "A Case Against Supershoes" by Sabrina Little, a study on cooling headbands, the limitations of statistics in smaller sample-size studies, and how elite athletes fuel.
This might be the most exciting time in running history, with breakthroughs in performances and in research, and we can't wait to share it with you all! Plus, jokes about Halloween costumes that show butt.
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