The Endurance Drive Podcast

In this week’s episode, we’re recapping Elena’s speedy race and “effort PR” at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. We talk through why Elena chose to race a road marathon as part of her build for UTMB, her flexible approach to setting A/B/C goals, how she managed internal and external pressure, why feeling bad during the taper doesn’t mean you’re going to have a bad race, the mental prep she did to get ready for race day, how she designed and executed her race plan on a challenging course, why body weight has so much less to do with performance than we might think, what it was like to coach her husband Will (who also crushed it!) for this race, and why self-belief was the number one factor that led to her incredible performance. Katie and Elena also cover some fun insights on when and how to choose a big vs. small race, why the ability to “say yes” to anything physically is one of the greatest benefits of endurance training, how we think about integrating chat GPT into our training and coaching strategies (or not), and female athlete body pressures. This is a super rich episode full of insights for any athlete — check it out! View extended show notes for this episode here.To share feedback or ask questions to be featured on a future episode, please use ⁠this form⁠ or email: Katie@TheEnduranceDrive.com.

This podcast dives into training strategies for the heat, emphasizing proper fueling and hydration during long workouts. It tackles issues of motivation and fatigue, offering mindfulness techniques to overcome discomfort. Cyclists can learn about optimizing workouts with plyometrics and how to build bike durability. The discussion also covers time-efficient training routines and simulating race conditions. Plus, there's a fun segment on essential swimming gear and personal insights on clip-in pedals.

This week, the discussion dives into thrilling insights from the recent Boston Marathon, sharing tips on attire and race strategies. The hosts tackle pre-race nerves and processing disappointments, while emphasizing training schedules that accommodate life's variables. Listeners learn about rucking as a strength-building alternative and explore gender disparities in endurance sports. Hormonal cycles and their impact on training performance are examined, alongside the emotional aspects of marathon training, encouraging mindfulness and personal growth.

This week’s episode is a grab bag full of fun insights related to: the how and why of training camps, considerations for buying a new or new used bike, navigating race-day uncontrollables, impulse control in racing, how and when to “burn a match” in workouts or races, GI issues on long runs, the post-race blues, and lessons from interval training. We also debrief Jim’s recent bike trip in Europe, answer some questions related to “hitting the wall” after Katie’s recent marathon (hot take: there is no wall), and cover some fun tech-y gear picks of the week. Check it out! View extended show notes for this episode here. To share feedback or ask questions to be featured on a future episode, please use ⁠this form⁠ or email: Katie@TheEnduranceDrive.com.

In this week’s episode, Elena and Katie recap Katie’s recent BQ marathon. We cover why Katie decided to pivot from triathlon training to marathon training, why she kept the race a secret until after she crossed the finish line, how relatively low mileage and a ton of cross training kept her injury-free throughout the build, how she integrated heavy weighted strength into her run training plan, how she approached unexpected adversity leading up to the race, mindset tools that helped her in training and racing, her fueling and pacing strategies, and her key takeaways from the race experience itself. This episode is a good listen for anyone who is marathon-curious or who likes a good story about the importance of flexibility and resilience! Check it out. View extended show notes for this episode here. To share feedback or ask questions to be featured on a future episode, please use ⁠this form⁠ or email: Katie@TheEnduranceDrive.com.

Gina des Cognets, an executive coach and dedicated athlete, returns to share her wisdom on navigating uncertainty while chasing ambitious goals. She discusses finding balance between career, family, and sports while emphasizing the importance of listening to one’s body in training. Gina reflects on her evolution as an athlete, how she collaborates on training, and her personal experiences with perimenopause. The conversation also touches on emotional challenges in endurance sports and practical strategies for setting effective routines.

Eli Burakian is an ultrarunner, coach, and photographer who recently completed an incredible four 100-mile races in just 14 weeks. He shares thrilling stories from his fastest known time adventures, including crossing Iceland and traversing New Hampshire. Eli discusses essential training strategies, recovery tactics, and the mental tools necessary for endurance sports. Excitingly, he also introduces his upcoming trail running retreat in the White Mountains, inviting listeners to join him on this immersive adventure!

As race season approaches, the hosts dive into the art of tapering, sharing strategies to maintain intensity while reducing volume. They explore the importance of race simulations and how to optimize workouts for peak performance. Swim technique takes center stage, focusing on cues that enhance efficiency and power in the water. Hydration and nutrition are also discussed, questioning conventional wisdom in endurance training. Finally, they introduce the new TrainingPeaks feature, which helps athletes set realistic performance goals.

This week’s episode leans hard into sports science as we share some new thoughts on creatine, sodium bicarbonate, and caffeine for performance. We also talk through the why and how of lactate testing and whether this is a worthwhile thing to spend your time and money on, the “feel and stair test” as an organic and data-free way to assess your training readiness, how our coaching styles have and have not evolved over time, and how we approach coaching men vs. women. We finish up with some fun challenges and gear picks related to self-care and sleep. Check it out!View extended show notes for this episode here. To share feedback or ask questions to be featured on a future episode, please use ⁠this form⁠ or email: Katie@TheEnduranceDrive.com.

Dive into a heartfelt discussion about the impact of grief on athletic performance and the necessity of emotional wellness. Discover how super shoes can revolutionize your running and enhance triathlon performance. Learn to adapt your workouts to personal circumstances, emphasizing resilience and a positive mindset. Uncover the benefits of low cadence cycling for tackling tough terrains and the importance of mastering swim intensities. Reflect on gratitude and community support during challenging times, all while sharing top gear recommendations!