
Fueling Endurance - Nutrition for Runners, Cyclists & Triathletes
Nutrition podcast for runners, cyclists & triathletes. Sports dietitian Alan McCubbin answers the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists & triathletes ask, with help from guest researchers, practitioners, athletes & coaches.
Latest episodes

4 snips
Apr 3, 2024 • 1h 9min
Episode 75 - Can my supplement really cause a positive doping test? | Kerry O'Bryan
Supplements contaminated with banned substances are an athlete's worst nightmare. In this episode we’ll understand how much risk there actually is of testing positive from nutrition supplement use. And if you’re not an elite athlete and don’t think this is relevant to you - think again. We’ll hear how this applies to ALL athletes competing in organised sport, no matter what level, and how to minimise the risk of a positive test coming back to haunt you.
Podcast Guest:
Kerry O'Bryan - Bond University & Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS)
References/Resources discussed in the episode:
Sports Integrity Australia (SIA, formerly ASADA) on supplements: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/anti-doping/supplements-sport
SIA App: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/resources/sport-integrity-apps-and-vr
Protein Fortified Foods - is there any risk? (Sports Dietitians Australia): https://www.sportsdietitians.com.au/fuel-articles/protein-fortification-foods/
Global Drug Reference Online(GlobalDRO) (for checking medications): https://www.globaldro.com/Home
Fuelin:
This episode is supported by Fuelin, the world's first training-based nutrition app. It syncs with your training plan (in TrainingPeaks, Final Surge, and TriDot or Run Dot) and creates a personalised nutrition plan, built around your training schedule and tailored to your goals. You’ll see adjustments in your fuelling both within and outside of training sessions, using a traffic light system to adjust your carb intake to fuel appropriately for your needs.
To get 20% off your first month, go to https://www.fuelin.com/ and enter the code FE20 at checkout.
Fueling Endurance eBook:
At over 260 pages, the Fueling Endurance eBook contains answers to 49 of the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists and triathletes ask. Covering the first two years of the podcast, the eBook contains additional insights, tips, and quotes from experts and athletes. Every copy sold helps cover the cost of making the podcast.
Purchase directly from https://fuelingendurance.com/ or search Fueling Endurance on Amazon for the Kindle version.

Mar 27, 2024 • 44min
T -10 (Ultra Trail Australia): Trying race foods, building a sweat rate profile, & gut training
In the second episode of this special 6 part podcast series, we check in with our athlete guest Brett Kennedy 10 weeks out from the 100km UItra Trail Australia (UTA). We review the changes made to his daily training nutrition, his progress on trying the race-provided producst, get him started on collecting sweat rate data for his hydration planning, and get the ball rolling on some gut training. If you're racing UTA or another event in May or June you can follow along and apply the same principles to your own race nutrition preparations.
T-12 is a brand new, unique podcast series that follows an athlete's journey as they prepare for race day. Over the final 12 weeks before the big event, we'll look at all aspects of race nutrition, from organising accomdation and race foods, to gut training and hydration, to eating during the taper and the day before the race.
A big thanks to Aid Station who have come on board to provide Brett with the race-provided products to try in training, to assist with his race nutrition planning. And you can get 10% off your Aid Station order by clicking this link https://www.aidstation.com.au/discount/FUEL10 or use the code FUEL10 at checkout*
*T&Cs apply. Limit one use of code per customer.

7 snips
Mar 22, 2024 • 1h 15min
Episode 74 - How can I work out my calorie needs for training? | Scott Tindal
Sounds like a simple question, but for runners, cyclists & triathletes, accurately estimating calorie needs is anything but simple. We're joined by Fuelin co-founder Scott Tindal to discuss how it's done, and the challenges he and I faced trying to accurately predict calories needs for users of the Fuelin app based on their training schedule, when they vary from complete novices to professional Ironman triathletes. But whilst predicting calorie needs from a training schedule can be tricky, for individuals, perhaps there's a simpler way...
Podcast Guest:
Scott Tindal - Founder and Nutritionist, Fuelin
Fuelin: https://www.fuelin.com/
Instagram: @getfuelin
References/Resources discussed in the episode:
The systematic review/meta-analysis paper discussed in this episode for Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) equations in athletes:
O'Neill JER et al. (2023). Accuracy of Resting Metabolic Rate Prediction Equations in Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Med. 53(12):2373-2398 (Open Access). DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01896-z
Ten-Haaf equation for RMR (kCal/day):
Males = (11.936 × weight in kg) + (587.728 × height in m) - (8.129 × age in years) + 220.306
Females = (11.936 × weight in kg) + (587.728 × height in m) - (8.129 × age in years) + 29.279
Compendium of Physical Activities for the calculation of Metabolic Equivalents (METs): https://pacompendium.com/
Physical Activity Level (PAL) values - explanation & examples: https://support.foodworks.online/hc/en-au/articles/360004401336-Physical-Activity-Levels-PAL-explained
Fueling Endurance eBook:
At over 260 pages, the Fueling Endurance eBook contains answers to 49 of the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists and triathletes ask. Covering the first two years of the podcast, the eBook contains additional insights, tips, and quotes from experts and athletes. Every copy sold helps cover the cost of making the podcast.
Purchase directly from https://fuelingendurance.com/ or search Fueling Endurance on Amazon for the Kindle version.

Mar 13, 2024 • 24min
T -12 (Ultra Trail Australia): Daily training nutrition & race logistics
In the first episode of this special 6 part podcast series, we meet our athlete guest Brett Kennedy and begin the process of preparing him for the 100km UItra Trail Australia (UTA) race in 12 week's time. We discuss his daily training nutrition, and start with a look at race logistics - accomodation, support crew and drop bags. If you're racing UTA or another event in May or June you can follow along and apply the same principles to your own race nutrition preparations.
T-12 is a brand new, unique podcast series that follows an athlete's journey as they prepare for race day. Over the final 12 weeks before the big event, we'll look at all aspects of race nutrition, from organising accomdation and race foods, to gut training and hydration, to eating during the taper and the day before the race.

5 snips
Mar 6, 2024 • 1h 11min
Episode 73 - Does the timing of my protein matter? | Assistant Prof. Jorn Trommelen
For the last 15 years, we've recommended that athletes space out protein evenly across the day, in 20-40g serves. But is this based on poor assumptions? A new study, published in December 2023, put this narrative to the test. The lead author, Jorn Trommelen, joins us to discuss the results and what it means for you.
Podcast guest:
Assistant Prof. Jorn Trommelen - Maastricht University
M3 Research Group: https://www.m3-research.nl/
Jorn's website, Nutrition Tactics: https://www.nutritiontactics.com/
Instagram: @nutritiontactics
The study discussed in this episode:
Trommelen J et al. (2023). The anabolic response to protein ingestion during recovery from exercise has no upper limit in magnitude and duration in vivo in humans. Cell Rep Med. 4(12):101324. DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101324
Fueling Endurance eBook:
At over 260 pages, the Fueling Endurance eBook contains answers to 49 of the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists and triathletes ask. Covering the first two years of the podcast, the eBook contains additional insights, tips, and quotes from experts and athletes. Every copy sold helps cover the cost of making the podcast.
Purchase directly from https://fuelingendurance.com/ or search Fueling Endurance on Amazon for the Kindle version.

5 snips
Feb 21, 2024 • 1h 17min
Episode 72B - What do I do when my race nutrition plan falls apart? | Erin Colebatch
When things go pear-shaped on race day, it's one thing to keep your head and come up with a plan, but how do you know it's the right plan that's going to work? In this episode we're joind by sports dietitian and ultra-runner Erin Colebatch to talk through strategies you can use when disaster strikes mid-race, from bonking to flavour fatigue, gut issues and cramping.
This episode follows on from our last one (72A) with coach Jason Koop, where he shared his simple framework to refocus and reset when things go wrong on race day. It's highly recommended you listen to that episode first if you haven't already.
Podcast guest:
Erin Colebatch - Ultra Appetites
Web: https://www.ultraappetites.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultraappetites/
Fueling Endurance eBook:
At over 260 pages, the Fueling Endurance eBook contains answers to 49 of the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists and triathletes ask. Covering the first two years of the podcast, the eBook contains additional insights, tips, and quotes from experts and athletes. Every copy sold helps cover the cost of making the podcast.
Purchase directly from https://fuelingendurance.com/ or search Fueling Endurance on Amazon for the Kindle version.

8 snips
Feb 7, 2024 • 1h 18min
Episode 72A - What do I do when my race nutrition plan falls apart? | Jason Koop
Ever been deep into the second half of a race, when things start falling apart? It could be bonking, cramping, gut issues or flavour fatigue. In the space of just a few minutes, your carefully constructed nutrition plan goes right out the window.
It’s easy to lose your head in situations like this, so in this podcast we welcome back legendary trail and ultra-running coach Jason Koop to share his simple framework to use when things go wrong on race day. It will help you refocus, reset, and go about addressing your issues, replacing panic with a plan. It might just help prevent a DNF, or sometimes, turn your race around for a great result.
Discussed on the podcast:
Koop's Research Essentials for Ultrarunning (monthly publication): https://www.jasonkoop.com/research-essentials-for-ultrarunning
His podcast, Koopcast: https://www.jasonkoop.com/podcast
To get involved in the Monash University study discussed in the episode, email pascale.young@monash.edu
Fueling Endurance eBook:
At over 260 pages, the Fueling Endurance eBook contains answers to 49 of the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists and triathletes ask. Covering the first two years of the podcast, the eBook contains additional insights, tips, and quotes from experts and athletes. Every copy sold helps cover the cost of making the podcast.
Purchase directly from https://fuelingendurance.com/ or search Fueling Endurance on Amazon for the Kindle version.

Jan 24, 2024 • 55min
Episode 71 - Does taking sodium during exercise improve my hydration? | Dr Alan McCubbin
Does replacing the sodium lost in sweat actually influence our thirst, our drinking and our hydration? If so, how much is enough? And do we need to measure our sweat sodium losses to give us the answers? In this episode Alan describes his recently published study where ultra-runners replaced 100% or 0% of their sodium losses during 5 hours of running in the heat, and what happened.
The study:
McCubbin AJ, Costa RJS. Effect of Personalized Sodium Replacement on Fluid and Sodium Balance and Thermophysiological Strain During and After Ultraendurance Running in the Heat. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023;19(2):105-115. DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0295
Fueling Endurance eBook:
At over 260 pages, the Fueling Endurance eBook contains answers to 49 of the most common nutrition questions that runners, cyclists and triathletes ask. Covering the first two years of the podcast, the eBook contains additional insights, tips, and quotes from experts and athletes. Every copy sold helps cover the cost of making the podcast.
Purchase directly from https://fuelingendurance.com/ or search Fueling Endurance on Amazon for the Kindle version.

Jan 10, 2024 • 1h 6min
Episode 70 - What’s new with REDs? | Prof. Louise Burke OAM
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) has reached significant awareness in recent years amongst runners, cyclists and triathletes. In late 2023 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released an update to ther REDs Consensus Statement, the first in 5 years. It's based on the growing body of research and experience working with athletes in this area and provides more nuance, new insights and new health and peformance consequences added to the model. We sat down with one of the consensus statement authors, Prof. Louise Burke OAM (Australian Catholic University), for an update on what's new in REDs, and what the authors want athletes to know about it.
2023 REDs Consensus Statement and associated articles (British Journal of Sports Medicine): https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/17

Dec 21, 2023 • 1h 26min
Episode 69 - 3rd Birthday Special | Year in Review
It’s our final podcast of 2023, and the follow up to our 3rd birthday special episode. And as we do each year, we’re going to look back and provide a brief summary of every question we’ve answered on the podcast, from “Should I eat like the pros?” to “What’s the deal with magnesium”, and “How do I work out my fluid needs during exercise?”. So if you’re new to the podcast and don’t have time to go through the whole back catalogue, or you just want a refresher and the key points from this year's episodes, this is the episode for you.
To get a copy of our new eBook, summarising the first 2 years of the podcast, go to fuelingendurance.com or search Fueling Endurance on the Kindle store on Amazon.
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