Singletrack Brain Training For Ultrarunning (Scott Frey Interview)
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Dec 13, 2025 In this engaging discussion, neuroscientist Scott Frey, who coaches endurance athletes, delves into the pivotal role of the brain in ultrarunning. He explains how the central governor theory limits performance before physical failure and highlights the importance of mental traits like willpower and emotion regulation. Scott emphasizes the risks of data overload from wearables and advocates for training cognitive skills under fatigue. He also discusses the interplay of CNS fatigue and racing preparation, suggesting innovative strategies to optimize performance and recovery.
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Brain Drives The Safety Braking
- The brain limits performance before true physiological failure by predicting risk and adjusting effort.
- Scott Frey uses imaging and research to show widespread brain networks compute RPE and emotional inputs to regulate exertion.
Raise Your Functional Ceiling
- Train your functional capacity to push closer to your physiological ceiling by practicing tolerating discomfort.
- Use repeated, progressive exposure to raise the practical ceiling rather than chasing immutable genetics.
Mental Gifts Are Real And Trainable
- Mental traits like willpower and emotion regulation show large individual variability and genetic underpinning.
- These cognitive traits are trainable via practice and neuroplastic change over time.